So Saturday we got up bright and early to head to the bus stop for our trip to the Cliffs of Moher. We first stopped and let a group on the bus go on a walking tour of the Burren (definitely didn't need to do that...I'm getting 2 of those with archaeology class!) while the rest of us went to Aillwee Cave, which is in the Burren as well. It was only found in 1940 but it wasn't opened until the 70s because the farmer that found it kept it secret. We learned that he only found it because he went looking for his dog, who chased a rabbit into the cave. It was a pretty neat cave. There were bones and hibernation pits of the European brown bear, which became extinct a few hundred years ago. There were also pretty cool formations from the water seeping down through the rocks and depositing minerals. The guide was very knowledgable about how the cave formed and explained it to us. It's so neat to see the different layers and how water can carve something out of a mountain. After that we headed to the cliffs, which were amazing! We had to go up what seemed to be hundreds of stairs...but it was so worth it. The day was for the most part clear and sunny and the view was breathtaking. There were two sides you could go up, so I went on the shorter (2-3 km long) side where there was a better barrier along the cliff edge. Also, O'Brien's Tower was also on that side, which made for a pretty picture. My friends wanted to go on the longer side but there wasn't really a barrier, which freaked me out, so I didn't go. I wish I had gone now after seeing the pictures my friends took. A girl had told me about this guy kidding around and pushing her, not something I want happening to me. I just didn't think I could really enjoy the view with being so scared of that edge....it's 243m down to the rocky and wild ocean! I think it also freaks me out because people have died falling off the cliff. Anyway, I decided to go look around in the shops instead and finally found the mead I had been looking for! I was so happy. I bought two bottles of Bunratty Castle mead to take home :-). Afterwards we stopped in Doolin for lunch and at another spot along the coast for some pictures on smaller cliffs. It was definitely a good day, aside from my irrational worrying about falling off the cliffs :-p. Dad says Granny used to always talk about going there...so it was nice to live that dream for her. Maybe if I ever get to come back I can revisit the cliffs and spread a little of her ashes here. I think she'd love that.
Yesterday I went with NUI's Irish Studies programme to the Aran Island of Inis Mor, the biggest of the three islands. I was pretty worried about going because an announcement on blackboard said there would be cycling to Dun Aenghus and I never learned how to ride a bike! I went anyway and hoped for the best. We took a ferry over, which was a little choppy but not bad. Once there, I discovered I wasn't the only one who wouldn't be able to do the bikes. Those riding bikes picked them up from the rental place and headed out on their 6 km ride to the bottom of the dun. The others, myself included, had to wait for a shuttle van, so we shopped around in the sweater market. The Aran Islands are known for their sheep and wool garmets. I wound up buying a beautiful kelly green A-line sweater. I'm sad I won't be able to wear it right away at home but I definitely had to buy it. And it'll be nice for nights I dress up here. I wasn't thinking when I packed...so I left my sweater coat and blazer at home. The van was late getting to us...running on "spirit time" as they say. We still got over to where we needed to be in enough time to have lunch. I had beef guinness stew...delicious as usual. I also had a slice of homemade carrot cake....whoever said food in Ireland isn't good is seriously mistaken. An old man sat down at our table so we tried to talk to him....but he didn't seem like he could understand us. I think he only speaks Irish Gaelic. The main language on the island is Irish Gaelic, English is only taught as a second language. He may have never learned because he is from an older generation...pretty cool. So after a while everyone, van and bike riders, were united. My poor friend took a tumble off her bike...pretty scratched up and had a swollen knee. We started making our way up the hill to Dun Aenghus...which took a while. They allotted 30 minutes for us to get up it if that's saying anything. We had a tour guide to give us a little background...but I can't remember everything. We finally made it up to the top and the view was spectacular. The weather was once again on our side, a little on the hot side actually. We could see a good portion of the island and the cliff of Moher somewhat. We spent a lot of time laying along the cliff edge inside the fort ring taking daring pictures. I was about to have a heart attack because the cliff drops straight down into the sea...not a welcome site at all. But I managed to get a couple pictures laying on the edge before my good sense kicked in and I found somewhere else to enjoy the lovely views. Everyone else was making me nervous being on the edge as well. I never realized just how scared of heights I am...or maybe it's just the fear of falling. I was seriously having a mini panic attack...even thinking about it gives me that sinking feeling again. The cliffs are at least 100m high. The trek back down was much easier, though my knees begged to differ later in the day...something about hiking likes to flare up old sports injuries. Anyway, we looked around in the little shops and had tea while waiting on the van. On the way back to the ferry we came across a pretty bad bike accident so the van driver stopped to help. The ambulance truck was already there but an extra hand was definitely needed. I'm not really sure what happened but it seemed to be that the girl maybe hit the wrong brake coming down the hill and flipped. Her face was covered in blood and I'd be willing to bet there were broken bones as well. The ambulance took her to the tarmac so a plane could fly her to a hospital and the guy with her jumped in the van with us. He was covered in blood but I couldn't find any cuts so I'm guessing it was from her. We flew over the tiny roads to get back and so he could get back to her. I was just holding my breath, hoping we wouldn't meet another vehicle unexpectedly and crash. We almost did once...what a scare. I was definitely car sick by the time we got back. So we took the ferry back over to the mainland and I chilled out for the rest of the day. I was exhausted from so much over the past few days so I skipped out on going to a drag show some of the girls were going to.
Today I was lazy again. I basically stayed in bed all day reading archaeology stuff and stuff on my kindle. NUI held a 4th of July BBQ in the student center where we got 2 free "refreshments" and a meal voucher. They had burgers, chicken, sausage, slaw, potato and pasta salads, and regular green salad. It wasn't the best "BBQ" food I've ever had but it was free! I had refreshing Bulmer's cider with it...sooo good. We had a great time just hanging out in the student bar. Afterwards I headed to Dunnes for some cheap drinks and munchie food to watch True Blood at Rachel's. Definitely was a good day. I was hoping we'd have actual BBQ but I guess I'll have to wait til I get back home...Tipton's is calling my name! So is Giovanni's and Mi Pueblo...maybe Pancho Villa too. Haha No one does BBQ like in the south...namely North Carolina. People just don't understand. Anyway, I'm off to bed...this took much longer than I thought it would! Class at 9 and midterm exam at 3....bleh.
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