Second Week on the Books

Hello everyone! It is actually the start of week 3 now, but it was such a busy weekend that I had no time to blog at the end of the week. Even now, I should be writing a paper. But hey- who doesn't need a little procrastination every now and then to get through the day?

Although it was only week 2, I feel as if I have been here much longer. Not in a negative way- I only mean that it took little time to get comfortable here. By the end of my first week, I was in step with the going-ons here in Maynooth and comfortable enough to venture out on my own. This might be because Ireland is not a difficult country to enjoy, and it is also one not wholly different from the United States, where I am from. I was also lucky enough to meet many people here, so I was able to have company most days and experience the country with people at my side. Everyone adjusts differently, and I have been very fortunate in that regard (so far).

Week 2 was just as educational as week 1, but in a more subtle way. One small aspect of studying abroad I came to understand the importance of was independence. It is natural to cling to anyone you meet when in another country, but at times it is tempting to neglect activities you want to do in favor of staying with the group. Although I met many people here, it makes a world of difference to simply spend some time by myself. Otherwise, too much time is spent on trying to coordinate everyone's schedules and every activity has that underlying the urgency that all group activities have. Going for a walk at my own pace, running errands around town, and stopping at a cafe to drink tea and watch pedestrians have been some of the most enjoyable experiences of mine in this country, and I often do them alone. Taking time for yourself is important, and the quiet serenity of those moments should not go undervalued.

I will share some photos of what I have been up to and other things I have learned below!

As I said above, it is good to go exploring on your own (provided you are in a safe environment). For example, I found Maynooth castle one day as I wandered around town. This is the outside of the castle, which was intact until Henry VIII showed up a few centuries ago and destroyed many castles. He is not remembered fondly here.

This is the inside of Maynooth castle. It is incredible to stand there and think that people who were once lived and worked within it. It made me think about how they people who lived hundreds of years ago were just as real as I am now. I know I am repeating myself here, but it is an incredibly humbling experience to know that every person who ever lived was just as real of a person as you are now.

Our group took a weekend trip to Connemara and then Galway, which involved a 3 hour bus ride across the country (literally, I have seen the ocean on the east and west coast). Although long, the ride was not unpleasant because it provided an opportunity to see the countryside. The above photo is blurry because it was taken from a moving vehicle, but the beauty of the horse and the landscape could not be ignored

Above is the view of the mountains from the coast in Connemara. To the left, you can see the boat we would board for our tour. The staggering beauty of this place cannot be described; if you ever have a chance, GO. There is a fundamental correctness to nature that mankind can never replicate, and it was everywhere I looked in the mountains.

Something about Ireland that I can't overlook is the sheer number of sheep that live here. There might actually be more sheep than people. And they live such happy lives out on the mountainside. They just wander around in massive herds with miles and miles to themselves.

This was my first ever hostel room in Connemara! It was nice and clean, with a bathroom and 2 bunk beds. The second hostel we stayed in (in Galway) was also nice, and in an amazing location. There were 6 people per room there, so not nearly as much space, but all hostels are really needed for is sleeping. The people at both were very kind to us and provided food. Definitely will be using hostels in my future travels!

This was a street in Galway. The town is full of little shops like this, and an unimaginable volume of flowers. After spending the night out exploring all the pubs (and wading through massive crowds to do it), it was so calming to walk around early in the morning and see sights like this: just quiet shops, pub owners cleaning up from the night before, and early birds out for a stroll. I walked around alone for hours, enjoying the serenity that comes all too rarely in this life of knowing there was nowhere else I would rather be.

More shops in the streets of Galway, because it was all so charming. You can see the flags hanging over the streets, representing so many different nations. Never underestimate the difference some street banners can make in creating a welcoming feel for a town and adding a pop of color. As someone who strongly believes in the cooperation of nations and collective good, it made my heart swell to see all the different nations being celebrated and welcomed.

One aspect of Galway that I adored was the street music- there is music on every street. I listened to acoustic and electric guitars, harps, bagpipes, violins, fiddles, flutes, and even the sound of tap shoes on the cobblestones. Every street we walked down sounded as if it had its own personal soundtrack

Excuse my lack of panorama skills (the horizon is not actually slanted), but I like this photo nonetheless. It is easy to access the sea from Galway, and we all enjoyed dangling our feet over this ledge and watching jellyfish float by beneath us.

Did I mention the flowers? Well, these in particular caught my eye. The colors were so vibrant, and you can just see the new buds preparing to open.

That concludes my synopsis of week 2! With each passing day, I am more and more grateful for the experiences I am having on this trip. To anyone considering studying abroad, I am telling you to DO IT. Yes, it is difficult. Yes, it is expensive. But most importantly, yes, it is worth it. The knowledge, independence, resourcefulness, and memories I have already received, perfected, and made here could not have been supplemented by any experience I could have had in my tiny hometown. There is no other way to do it, no easier method. The best changes are the ones you have to be brave in order to make. I have done things here that I never thought I could do; it has made me so much more courageous and capable. I have gotten to be proud of myself for doing these things, a feeling I have known all too seldom in my life. And that cannot be quantified, appraised, or written off.

Until next week!