We are driving from Belfast to Giant's Causeway in Northeastern Ireland. The drive is really beautiful, and truthfully my favorite parts of this trip. Holly and I will very often just take long drives down the coast north or south on Saturdays when we are both off of work. It is relaxing and beautiful to just feel so free of everything that holds us back from enjoying this beautiful earth that God has provided us with. That's our way of appreciating what God gave us, and that's how I feel about the driving here. Of course I love getting off the bus and exploring and taking pictures, as well. And spending real quality time with my family creating new, unforgettable memories, but truthfully, the drive is my real, true moments of peace and happiness. Its like driving through a live version of a Settlers of Catan game!
Just saw a cow humping another cow doggie style. NBD.
There are certain genres of music and certain artists and certain songs to listen to depending on your location and trip and activity. In Florida, when driving along the coast, Holly and I tend to listen to Justin Beiber because he is fun and upbeat, and it just seems appropriate. Other times we'll put on Noah and the Whale because he's an amazing musician, and he's quite relaxing. Here in Ireland, I'm listening to Josh Garrels. Particularly the song Jacaronda. It is a song that when I first heard it, I described it as a song that was created from the most beautiful parts of my dreams. And here, while driving through the rolling hills and mountains of green pastures and weeping willows and wildflower covered hills, I don't believe there could be a moment of more perfect bliss.
We just took a stop in Bally Castle. Its amazing how different each area of Ireland is, yet every part is absolutely stunning and beautiful in their own way. From the coast of Bally Castle, we could see the cliffs, as well as the mountains of Scotland just in the distance. Another aspect I love about being abroad is that you're so close to so many different countries in Europe. This was an incredible part of the day.
Portaneevy was our next stop on the way to Giant's Causeway. This was a cliff that overlooks the sea. It is a sight that cannot be explained, described, or captured on film accurately. There are literally no words or amount of pictures that can be taken in order to truly portray what the greatness of this country is.
I just stood at the edge of the world. The Giant's Causeway is the most amazing sight I've ever seen, and the most incredible experience I've ever had. I have literally no words to describe it except heaven. You're standing in the sky it feels like, with jetting cliffs, crashing waves, limestone rocks, and endless ocean all set behind rolling hills and pastures with sheep and wool everywhere. This, so far, has become the most amazing day of my life to date.
Note to the world: Shamrock's don't exist. And tonight after 8pm, ill be watching Eurovision. I suppose it can be related to American Idol. But most of these musicians are awful. I'm supposed to watch for Jedward, a brother duo of James and Edward. We'll see how that turns out!
We stopped off in Londonderry for lunch and explorations. The bad part of this tour is we have 46 people so we are only afforded an hour or so in each place as we have to get around the whole country in 9 days. This town is beautiful. Its built around a former castle and is just incredible! They take pounds here but our bus driver Jerry tells us that most places will take Euros, as well, so among site seeing, I hope to get a souvenir or two here, as well. We're eating at Becketts for lunch, and mom, dad, and I are all having an Irish coffee to warm up our bodies from the cold. It has been raining most of the day, and we're pretty damp from the Causeway, so its definitely chilly out. Also, and I'm sorry for being so random and all over the place, but I have to write these thoughts down when they come to me or I will surely forget. They do really say, Top o' the morning to ya". And I love it. Its special. And 'Cheers'. A couple just sat down next to us and said, hello all, cheers to ya. This culture is friendly. Quite friendly. Its really nice to be around.
We just finished touring Londonderry, and what an awesome city! It has so much history and yet modern touches have been applied to it to make it functional. I love the way this country preserves history, yet moves forward and incorporates that into the history. That's how it really should be. There is virtually no part of Ireland that has not been beautiful, fun, historic, and unique in it's own way. Everybody really needs to make a trip here a priority in their lives at some point. It is worth every sacrifice you'll have to make.
We're in Donnegal now. Going around the diamond, which is what they call the center of town. It looks like a really cute, small town, similar to downtown Delray. Except their is a huge, beautiful historic cathedral in the center! This is the part of Ireland that my family is from. My great grandmother was one of the three big families that lived in Donnegal. That is pretty interesting and information that I just found out. Of course someone from my family would live in a town with The Olde Castle Bar! And a Ferrero Rocher Ice cream cup! Yes, please :) Donegal was quite an interesting town, but I don't prefer it to Bally Castle or Londonderry. And my tour guide has just turned me on to the county in which I should search for jobs: County Cork, for it is nicknamed The Rebel County. Adding that to my list of places to search for jobs.
Our guide just took us on a surprise trip to Drumcliffe Church just outside of Sligo. It is a beautiful, grand church. Anglican. And a huge graveyard surrounding it, huge mountains in the background. And while there, I suddenly got a pang of sorrow at the thought of my grandma, Muzzy. I know how much she would love to be here with us, how much she'd want to share with us. She would love to recall all of her wonderful memories and Irish pride to us. And it made me sad to think she physically can't be here now or ever again. And it makes me miss her, as though she is already gone from this world. It stirs up lots of thoughts and emotions, mainly one of my love for her. I knew I loved her, but being here makes me think about her and all she's meant to me and all the memories of her and it makes me so happy, because I've had such joy being her grandson. But also sorrow at the thought of her pending departure from this world. I love you, my buttercup.
Christina would love the hotel we're staying at tonight. It's an extension of Best Western, but it's called Sligo Southern Hotel. It is decorated in old Victorian style, very Pride and Prejudice, and there are lots of windows that you can sit in everywhere, including our rooms. Its quite nicely done.
Well we're all done eating, when for a walk around Sligo, and we're watching Eurovision, which is the equivalent of American Idol, except for other countries. The Romania group on right now started off sounding like Muse, and now they just sound like the Brady Bunch. Not a huge fan. Waiting for some live music in the bar to start. Our guide told us they're not very good, so we might just go upstairs and watch tv or go to a pub down the road that has better live music. We'll see.
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