ooooo heaven is a place on earth

It's a cloudy day in Galway today, and I am hanging out between classes, curled up in my bed in sweatpants and a huge sweatshirt. The heat is still an issue in Ireland...like, they don't really use it here. I totally take it for granted at home, just having it on all the time. It's better than it used to be when there was snow on the ground, but I am still cold a lot. I take after my mom!

This weekend, I took my first real trip within Ireland to Dingle Peninsula...and let me tell you, it is honestly the most beautiful place on earth. Everyone needs to go there at least once in their life. It was incredible.

Our journey began on Friday with a 6 hour bus ride to Dingle, with a dew stops here and there. We were picked up from the bus station by Scott, the man in charge of the hostel we were staying at. What an angel he was! Sweetest man ever! He was from Australia and had always known that he was going to live in Ireland. So, he settled in Dingle, and loves it. When he brought us to the hostel, which was the most adorable redone old house, he told us that he would drive us into town to go to some pubs! So nice of him! He dropped us off at his favorite pub, and we were on our own for the nightlife in Dingle (or lack there of, that night). There were probably 10 people in the pub...5 of them were us. There was some live music, which was very traditional and beautiful. After having a drink with the bartender, Tommy (who became our new best friend and was so sweet) we decided that we needed to find a pub with a little bit more going on. So we walked down the street and followed the sound of the music. Great choice, because the band was great! They played all fun cover songs that we knew! We sat right in the front and were singing along to every single one. They loved us! Then, we decided we needed to get up and dance, of course, and we spent the rest of the night dancing away with just us girls in the very tiny pub. But, it was so much fun! Such a great way to start off our Dingle weekend!

The next morning we woke up early to go rent bikes to go riding around the peninsula. We were told to rent them from a place on the main street, which was also a hardware store, which was also a pub. Only in Ireland! But, for only 10 euro we got hte bike for the whole day, and we started off on our 25 mile adventure! Yes, for all of you that know I am not the biggest fan of working out and make fun of me for it (and you know who you are), I rode 25 MILES! 25 MILES! YES I DID! And it was amazing! We rode along Slea Head Drive, which takes you all along the coast, and through tiny little villages. It was one of the best things I have ever done. Every where you turned there was something to take a picture of. We were stopping all the time (maybe because we were getting a little tired too) to take pictures. Everything was beautiful. It is exactly what people imagine Ireland to be like. So green, sheep everywhere, and incredible cliffs and landscapes. Honestly, I can't even put it to words. That's why I will put some pictures up for ya'll at the end! Oh, and I know that some of you will find this funny, but for some reason, I was in the back of the group the entire time. I don't know why, but I always managed to be bringing up the rear. It made me laugh, and I thought of everyone who would think it was so funny to see me riding 25 miles, behind everyone else! haha!

After our 6 hour ride, we were exhausted! Right at the end of the loop, we literally had to ride up (or walk our bikes up) the biggest hill known to human kind. I don't know how anyone in the world could ride up that. It was actually so funny. But then, it was followed by a very long downhill stretch, which was also a little terrifying, but still so fun. And next time I do this, I will know to get pants with padding in the butt, because mine felt like it was going to fall off afterwards! But we were so proud of ourselves for doing it, and it was absolutely worth it. I can't even describe how beautiful it was. So, to celebrate our accomplishments, we rewarded ourselves with hot chocolate and a piece of chocolate cake, and then a nice long nap back at our hostel.

When we woke up, we made a nice little dinner in the kitchen and ate with 2 of the other guests in the hostel. They were so sweet. Then, Scott took us all out, including our 2 new friends, to the same pub that was dead the night before. But, this time, there were so many more people! We grabbed our own table, right in front of the music, and we plopped ourselves down, and started having a great night with our new friends. When I went up to grab a drink later, I saw a group of women celebrating a hen party (aka: bachelorette party). I went up to them to congratulate the bride, and they immediately pulled me down and stated chatting with me! They were so sweet! I ended up spending the entire time with them, laughing and having so much fun! They brought me into their group pictures, and even gave me a sash to wear that matched all theirs, which said "Girls on Tour" complete with red flashing lights, and some glasses with feathers, which said "Foxy Lady." I exchanged emails with one of them. We are probably going to be best friends from now on. Such angels!

Then we finally made it back to the hostel, and let me tell you...we were EXHAUSTED! But, we got up early and decided to go for a walk to do a little more exploring before we had to leave. Scott drove us to where the bay meets the ocean so we could go for a walk. We walked all around cliffs and fields, and it was amazing. There were hardly any people there, and it was like we were the only 4 people in the entire world. It was the most incredible thing. We were standing literally on top of cliffs, just looking out into the ocean. It was amazing! Everyone needs to go there. I'm serious.

Dingle was absolutely perfect! Such a great weekend! I'm so happy that we went there. And, I think I might get to go back with my family! Maybe we will try horseback riding. That might be a little bit nicer on my butt...maybe not!

Oh, also to add in one more thing before I forget...I volunteered at my first homework club this week! I am doing it through a class here, and part of the requirement is that we go and work with children after school once a week! Yesterday was my first time, and it was so much fun! It just made me so happy to be able to do something that I love here. It made me very comfortable to be in a place where I was surrounded by people who were interested in the same career as me. And, the children were just so adorable and just made me smile. I worked with 2 little boys who were so cute! I helped them with math and spelling. I am so excited to go back! I really really love it there!

Until the next blog entry! I love you and I miss ya'll!