Day Nine (11/28-12/1)

Saturday (11/28)- I woke up around 9 and cleaned my room a little. It looked like a beautiful morning with the sun out so I decided to go on a walk up Killiney Hill. I didn't exactly know where I was going but I found my way to the top! The view was gorgeous! I was a little bummed though because the sun's glare was so strong in the direction of Killiney and I couldn't get a picture of the town. When I got home I had lunch and then packed a bag for the night. Then I got on the DART and met Grace in Dublin. Grace is another student teacher from N.Carolina and has been here for 4 weeks. Together we went to look for a youth hostel in Temple Bar area. I hadn't been to Temple Bar yet and I really enjoyed the fun atmosphere it has. The first youth hostel we found was all filled up. But I did find students from Saint Mary's checking in there (such a small world!!). We did find an opening at a place called Abigail's. We cooked our pasta dinner in the hostel and met some other people from Portugal and England. Then we went out to a place called Fitzemons Pub. It was packed with people and had two guys playing live music. They were really good and played a variety of songs (Oldies-new stuff- and Irish stuff!) We went back to our hostel to find out we had two new male roommates for the night and unfortunately one of them was a really loud snorer!

On top of Killiney Hill! (the small white rectangle in the background is Bono, from U2, house!)
Inside the National Wax Museum with some famous Irish political leaders

The famous temple bar

Sunday (11/29)- Grace and I woke up at 6 am because we had to get our bus at 6:45am. We were taking a Paddywagon Tour to Blarney Castle. We had to walk to the bus meeting place in the wind and rain. Once we got on the bus we were able to sleep a little. I say a little because the leg space was quite small and kept you from getting to comfortable! We made a stop in Limerick to take photos of Limerick Castle. The River Shannon which runs in front of the castle was really high and you could tell that it had just recently flooded. It was going fast and had huge white caps on it. We saw some crazy dare devil kayackers on the river! The Blarney Castle group was transferred to a smaller bus for the last hour and a half to Blarney. When we arrived in Blarney we were given 2hr. 30min. to explore the castle and the town. Grace and I explore the castle grounds first and then went into the castle. The castle was not fully in tack because it had no roof and some of the walls were fallen down. In order to get to the different floors/level you had to walk through a really skinny spiral staircase (really skinny!) At the top of the castle the wind was really wiping and it was cold. When you looked down you felt like you were really high. In order to kiss the Blarney Stone you had to lay on your back and grip onto two bars. Then you had to slide down to get to the stone! I felt like my butt was going to slide right off! After a person has kissed the stone they are suppose to be blessed with the gift of eloquence! We shall see! Grace and I then went into a restaurant to grab lunch and warm up. The bus ride back had nice views of the countryside. We meet up with the bigger bus in Bunnratty and there we were able to take a picture of Bunnratty Castle. Apparently Bill Clinton stayed there a few times. I got back into Dublin around 8pm and made it back to my house around 8:50. After a quick dinner, a little time with my fam, and a shower it was time for bed. Grace and I in front of the Shannon River and Limerick Castle

Blarney Castle

The Witches Stone-Can you see the eye, nose, and mouth? You are suppose to make a wish at the stone and then leave something for her! (I left a leaf)

Kissing the Blarney Stone!

Monday (11/30)-Back to a normal day at school! The kids informed me that I like to say the word neat alot! Now every time I say it I am so aware of it! Saddie(Mrs.Honner) let me leave when the infants did at 1:15, but unfortunately I missed the bus. So I stopped in at a cafe called Poppies and treated myself to a hot chocolate. I read my Sports First Aid Training book which is part of the online class I am taking to get my coaching certificate. When I got back to my house I visited with Anna in the kitchen for awhile and helped her with her homework. I then went for a jog and made my way down to Killiney Bay. I wish I would have had my camera. The sky from the sunset was purple and a full moon was out. The sea looked pretty cold but there were quite a few surfers catching some waves. On the beach I also found some neat stones! When I got back Emma had a bunch of her friends over for her birthday. She is going to be 15 yrs. old on Dec.1. I got caught up on laundry, emailing, homework, etc. After dinner I read for awhile and went to bed.

Tuesday (12/1)- It was a rainy and foggy day all day. In school the kids had to stay inside for their breaks. This made them a little stir crazy to say the least! I love reading stories to the class, but I swear after every page they think of a story to tell! Ha ha. After school Saddie asked if she could take me to Lake Glendalough. I thought it was a really nice gesture of her and decided to go. The car ride was great because we had a chance to talk one on one and I was able to ask her loads of questions. The lakes were hard to see because of the fog and rain. We went inside the visitors center and she paid for us to see the museum. I found it interesting to learn about Irish monastic life (Lake Glendalough came to be because of Saint Kevin). We then drove through the Wicklow Gap which had beautiful waterfalls coming down the hills. I can only imagine how pretty it is in the summer time! On the way home we talked some more and I was able to learn more about her family. I was also excited because she mentioned taking me some other places another time!