Trip to the Emerald Isle
Whenever I
travel, I seem to always look around and wonder – where is everyone going and
why are they going there? Every traveler has a story; whether they are visiting
a loved one, attending a business meeting, returning home for school break, or
simply just exploring. For me, this time I was neither moving my life to a new
country nor wandering with a back-pack – I was visiting three wonderful Irish
friends I made this past summer in Croatia.
After
disembarking another on-time Ryan Air flight [enter trumpet sounds here] I
stepped into the crisp Irish air and made my way to customs. Weaving my way
around crying babies and young couples, I reached the arrivals exit and
immediately saw my two lively friends holding a “Ms. Amelia Rose” sign and
waving me down. It was Halloween
weekend and I planned a quick getaway to the Emerald Isle to reunite with
friends and see how the Irish live.
Within an
hour and without skipping a beat, Clare and Shona dropped my bags off at a
friend’s house, put us on a tram into Dublin city center, and ordered four Guinness’s
to commence my long-weekend in Ireland. Two
months had passed since we last saw each other but the banter of jokes and
stories returned easily.
The next
morning we met up with Carol (aka Camp Mom) by the Leprechaun Museum – which I
thought to be quite fitting. From there the four of us lazily walked Dublin
city streets and made our way to Trinity College. We enjoyed that glorious fall
day on a bench, and later cozied up inside with a few Bulmers, where we caught
each other up on our lives. The conversation naturally flowed from camp stories,
to problems at work, from the old and new men in our lives and to plans for the
months to come. Even with the cool Irish weather, it warmed my heart to sit and
relax with these great women.
Over the
whirlwind weekend, Clare’s gracious friends provided beds to sleep in and the
entertainment. I came to the country as a stranger to them yet they willingly welcomed
me into their homes and lives. We celebrated Halloween at the bars, an epic
house party, and with a small town’s tradition of a pub crawl.
Dublin is a
beautiful city; however, I believe that the true charm of Ireland is kept in
the countryside. I have always pictured Ireland’s landscape as rolling green
hills, surplus of cows, cozy cottages, and overcast skies – and that was
exactly what I found.
Clare brought me to her family home in Wexford where she
revealed the other side of Ireland. Her family farm is home to many cows, a
gentle horse named Oscar and gorgeous Great Dane named Ava. Her tight-knit family welcomed me into their house as if I was one of their own and showered me with
true Irish sarcasm and plenty of potatoes. With a full belly and heart, we
ventured into town where I was honored to be part of the Wexford tradition of
the Halloween pub crawl. During this
memorable night I met town locals, Clare’s hometown friends, as well as some of
the legendary travelers (a sub-culture of Ireland that I find extremely fascinating).
I said
goodbye to Clare, Shona, Carol, and Clare’s friends and family knowing that I
will return to Ireland. The Irish truly have the biggest hearts. They make it very easy to want to stay in
their country forever and enjoy Irish fry-ups and perfectly poured Guinness.
It was refreshing
to travel somewhere with a purpose of visiting friends rather than just arriving in a country not knowing what to expect.
It comforts me that I am only a quick Ryan Air flight away from three
amazing ladies along with their extended friends and family.
I look forward to the time when I can welcome
them at an Italian airport with a big sign and reciprocate their generosity. However, instead of with Guinness and potatoes we will enjoy each others' company with gelato and great wine.
MY DEAR AMELIA ROSE,
ReplyDeleteWITH EVERY NEW ADVENTURE YOU BRING JOY TO THOSE WHOSE LIVES YOU TOUCH. A BEAUTIFUL BUDDING RED ROSE LEFT ON THEIR TABLE OF LIFE.
CONTINUE YOUR TRAVELS, ENRICH YOUR SOUL, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY EMBRACE FIRMLY THE KINDNESS AND LOVE YOU RECEIVE FROM THOSE WHO WELCOME YOU.
I LOVE YOU, AND I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.
DAD