Week 2

What a week!! I am coming off a weeks break from school, and I chose to travel for all of it. Seeing Ireland was an absolute dream come true. I began my travels Fridy night. I took the bus from Navan to Dublin and then to Waterford city. I stayed overnight at a B&B and then got up early to see the city. Waterford is a very old Viking port town. I walked down the main quay to see Reginald's Tower, and two other churches in town. Then I did a bit of shopping in the square before heading to the crystal factory. The factory and show room were both amazing. I spent a while looking at the displays and then decided to purchase a small vase; small vase, big price tag. Next I caught a bus to Midleton where I stayed in a hostel for the night. Midleton is a small town outside of Cork. The Guinness Jazz Festival was in Cork, so all of the hotels were booked. In Midleton there was a whiskey distillery, so I decided to tour that; very interesting. Sunday morning I caught the bus from Midleton to Cork to Blarney. I toured the Blarney Castle and made my way to the top to kiss the stone; just amazing!! After the castle I did some shopping and then took the bus back to Cork. Back in the city I took a bus tour and then caught another bus to the town of Kinsale. This was one of my most favorite towns. It reminded me a great deal of Door County. The streets were lined with quaint shops and pubs. I ate some fish and chips in the harbour park and listenend to a bagpipe group play, just wonderful. Caught the bus again back to Midleton for another night in the hostel. Woke up very early on Monday mornig to catch the bus to Kilarney. Arrived in town a little before noon. Did some shopping and then took a cab to the outskirts of town where I went horse back riding through Kilarney National Park. Another one of my most favorite afternoons. The views were amazing. Took another cab back to town and went to bed early at my B&B. Up early again to see the town of Kilarney. I visited St. Brennan's University. It's no SNC but still a very nice school. Then I caught the bus to Adare. It was a ritzy little town, with an old friary, thatched roof cottages, and great shopping. After seeing the town I caught another bus to Limerick. Once in Iimerick I caught yet another bus to Buntratty Castle. This was just amazing. Its a perfectly perserved medieval castle that you can tour throughout. There is also a folk park beside it that you can walk through and see what life was like back then; another one of my favorite days. After a night in Limericak I caught the bus to the Cliffsof Mohr the next day. These were simply breathtaking. They were immense! I toured these and then caught the afternoon bus to Galway. Once in the city I booked a trip to the Aran Islands for the next day and then went to bed early. Another early morning. I took the bus to Rosseval and then took the ferry to nishmore, one of the Aran Islands. Here I took a van tour of the entire island. This was also amazing. During the tour we could get out and walk to a stone fort and see the cliffs. I also had some time to shop, there was a great little thatched roof store that sold only hand made items, really neat stuff here. Back to Galway for the night. Slept in a little this morning. I toured the city until noon and then took the bus back to Navan. It was quite the long trip, total, it took 5 and a half hours to go across the country. I had a huge backache after this trip. Saturday I planned to just take it easy after all of my travels. However, my host family asked if I would like to visit Newgrange, an ancient burial ground and calendrical sight. Of course I said yes. This was an extremely interesting place to visit. After Newgrange, we also drove by Slane Castle and Abbey, both are now ruins, but still amazing to see. Sunday was yet another day of traveling. I went with my host family to Trim town and caslte. Another ruin, but still wonderful to see and tour. After all of this traveling I was extremely tired, and so was my credit card. Even though I wanted to take a nap I spent the afternoon and evening planning next week's lessons for English adn maths. I am a litle nervous about teaching a combination class, but I'm sure once I get used to it I will be fine. In the end, I know it can only make me a stronger teacher. So another ewweek of teaching adn then I plan to see Dubin thie Saturday.