Ok, Ireland stole my heart.
We stayed at Kate's coworker's family's house with the most typical Irish Mother, Marie about 30 minutes outside the city. I didn't realize how long I'd been away from a real home but it felt SO GOOD to be there... pictures on the wall, a fireplace, a black lab pup. Marie was absolutely hilarious and loving- making us feel so welcomed and taking care of absolutely everything. She picked us up at the airport. She made us traditional Irish dinners every night (my first home cooked meals in 44 days). She woke up at 6am to cook us breakfast before our 12 hour bus tour. She packed each us a lunch (that could feed an additional four people). She made sure we had the exact change we needed for the bus rides to and from Dublin. And walked us to the bus stop in her slippers cracking jokes all cheery bright and early. She talked to the bus driver to make sure he made us get off at the right stop. She took us in as her own and it truly felt like home. The daughter Niamh (and sister of my roomates co-worker) was hilarious as well, showing us the nightlife and loops of the city.
On Wednesday my roommate Kate and I went on a 12-hour "hop on hop off" bus tour from Dublin to the majestic Cliffs of Mohr stopping in various villages, the ruins of Corcomroe Abbey, mini cliffs, and Bunratty Castle.
A picturesque little fishing village, Kinvara.
Had a picnic with my sack lunch and bought my first Guinness of the trip.
The outskirts of Ireland is just as you'd imagine it to be- rolling hills of lush green, built up stone walls separating acres of land with tons of sheep. Our tour guide was hilarious and we met a bunch of other students studying abroad in Italy.
The Cliffs of Moher was absolutely breathtaking. Pictures really don't do it justice. The cliffs were covered with a thick moss bed where you could lay and take in the 700ft of majestic beauty.
We came home after a long day to a hot corn beef and cabbage dinner waiting for us. I thought it was planned for St. Patty's day but she didn't even know that was a thing.
The next day Kate and I painted our faces, dressed up, and rode the bus into town to watch the St. Patty's day parade (after a big breakfast with black and white pudding!).
Ok, I originally had my entire face painted but it ended up looking like I was going to a Mexican soccer game.
I would have never guessed I'd be in the streets of Dublin surrounded by thousands of Irish listening and dancing as the bagpipes go by.
After the parade, we went hopping all over the Temple District, Guinness after Guinness meeting all sorts of fun people. Just about every one had a live Irish band playing in it.
Friends we made from Switzerland.
On Friday we decided to cure the hangover with what better than another Guinness!
We hoped back on the bus and went to the storehouse. Kate having Guinness infused Stew.
After we visited the St. Patrick's Cathedral in honor of the holiday.
Loved all the flowers starting to spring up.
The next couple weekends I'm staying in Prague to enjoy the Easter holiday and stuDYING for upcoming midterms.
P.S. I LOVE YOU, IRELAND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!