Our first stop today is Blarney. We'll be kissing the Blarney Stone and doing some shopping at the original wool store that is so famous here. It was about a 1.5 hour long drive, but thank goodness we're sitting next to the funny girls in the bus. They are the younger version of The Golden Girls. This trip will be missed in large part because of these girls. We'll be arriving in 5 minutes, so I will update when we've finished.
Well, we finished the Blarney Castle. I didn't kiss the Blarney Stone. I'm already Irish, so I have the gift of the gab and luck without having to kiss the germ ridden stone. The castle and garden grounds are absolutely breathtaking. Afterwards, I finished my shopping! Got myself a new sling bag for only €5, too! Now we're having some Bailey's Coffee at the pub. Skipping lunch I suppose as we have to be back at the bus in 20 mins!
I'm going through Kristen's town right now: Middleton. The home of Jameson whisky!
We went to Waterford and had a tour of the work done at Waterford Crystals. It was actually really interesting because we got to see just how much work it takes to make just one crystal vase. Pretty large amount of work! We got to our hotel, The Majestic, in Tramore at about 4:15 and we are already back on the bus to Waterford for a pub tour on the coast of the Atlantic, or Celtic Sea. I am not a huge fan of Guinness but I'm going to have some at the pub because I am Irish and I am in Ireland at a pub that is 300 years old, so I am inclined to do so.
I love my pub guy. He's playing us authentic Irish music while we drink. I swear to God this is the best trip of my life. I've never felt more accepted or more at home than I do here. I can honestly say that I know for sure I am Irish now because I am so similar to these people! We laugh constantly and have fun always and love to drink! That's me! I want to be here, part of this life! One of the main aspects I love about my culture is the music..no matter what, these people love music and drinks. And it is passionate across their faces, and I can't help but appreciate and respect and love that.
Thoughts of my grandma again when singing Irish Eyes at the pub..she used to sing that to me all the time...
I just laughed for 5 mins without stopping because the Asian lady on our tour got on the bus and told us she was drunk, and a really heavy guy at the pub was outside holding up the pub. Great night!
We just finished another 3 course meal and enjoyed our coffee. Paul and I went down to the hotel pub for some drinks (Shandi for me, ginger ale for Paul) with the girls. That was a lot of laughs and fun, we really bonded with these girls and I expect to take a trip to Brisbane, Australia sometime because one of the girls offered for me to stay in her huge spare bedroom if I ever visit or if I want to move and work and live there. I will definitely take her up on that!
I'm looking out the window looking at the Celtic Sea and the island of Dundore behind it and realizing...I am incredibly blessed to be experiencing this, and I hope that one day I will call this place home.
Update: I am becoming a fan of Guinness more each day :) But I only like it here, not in the states. It tastes so much better here for some reason.
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