Monday 27 February 2012

My time in Cork, Ireland 3

So far everything in Ireland has been great. I cant believe its been two months already!
I have been try to plan something for each of my weekends here because I am learning that my time here is going to fly by so I am trying to take advantage of being in Ireland (Europe) as much as possible.
This past weekend I got the chance to go to Galway which was a beautiful city. They offer a bunch of day tours from Galway- the Aran Islands, tour of Connemara and tour to the Cliffs of Moher (those are just some of the ones I saw, I am sure there a probably more.) I went on the Connemara tour that brought us to this place called Kylemore Abbey which is this huge castle, it was beautiful and the entire property is really nice.
Two weeks ago I went on a trip to the Ring of Kerry and we really got lucky because it was great weather on both days so everything we got to see (beaches, mountains, caves, etc.) during the trip was beautiful.
As I spend more and more time here around Irish people I am learning a lot about the Irish culture. I didn't think there would be that many differences but it has been fun picking up on little differences I notice, like words and phrases Irish people say and well known Irish movies and songs.
I also had my first paper due a couple weeks ago.  The essay topic was pretty straight forward but the teacher was also very helpful with any questions I had and he even made some time during class before the paper was due to answer any last minute questions.  The librarians in the library were also very helpful with showing me where any books I needed that I couldn't find.
On the week February 6-10 the University has a week called 'RAG week' which stands for raise and give which is dedicated to raising money for a bunch of different charities. They had a bunch of events throughout the week, music playing in the center of campus and several tents on the campus with activities that would raise money for the school.  It was a lot of fun and the campus was extra lively that week and it was for a good cause which was great.
I have also booked my trip for the month of April because they give us off that month. I am going on a tour of Europe that goes to Barcelona, Monaco, Swiss Alps, French Riviera and Rome in 9 days. It was a tour that was all planned out that my roommates and I found on a travel website so I didn't have to do the planning on my own and it was for a good price so I am really looking forward to that. I also know a lot of people that are planning trips around Europe on their own and not from a preplanned travel site so there is always that option too!

Ring of Kerry

Ring of Kerry

Farm on Valentia Island during Ring of Kerry Trip

Ring of Kerry

Picture of beach on Ballinskelligs Bay


Ring of Kerry


Trinity College- Dublin

Kylemore Abbey- Connemara

Inside Kylemore Abbey