-Where In The World Is Shay?-
Dear Earth, STOP FREAKING OUT ON ME!
I'm supposed to be the one providing all of you with something new, not the other way around! It seems as though when I leave the country, the world doesn't know how to cope? How so? The King of Pop, one of Charlies Angels, Mr. Oxy Clean and Ed McMahon all left their identities behind as well as this world. On a happier note, my cousin is pregnant...again, and one of my best friends got engaged. Oh what a tangled web we weave. I can't promise I will provide death, new life and happy engagements in this tale, but I can promise you that it was quite...magical? This past 3 day was Ireland's turn to be raided by my group. From late nights in Cork, to kissing t
he Blarney Stone, this voyage was hands down my favorite so far. Sit back, strap in...well, you know the routine.
Once again, I was deprived of my precious sleep as my group left Oxford at 1:00 AM early Friday morning to take the bus to the airport. I don't know if I have mentioned, but this bus ride is 3.5 hours long. You know traveling has gone too far when you don't mind a 3.5 hour bus ride before your flight. Before I knew it, we were landing in the land of Lucky Charms. We boarded the metro bus that took us to our hostel, and I must say, as much as I love traveling and seeing the sites, I decided to be nice to my body and take a 3 hour nap. I know your thinking, "Oh no! He's not going to take advantage of his time in Ireland!". I appreciate the concern, but don't you worry. We were staying in downtown Cork, which is a pretty industrialized city and had no famous sites to visit. It reminded me alot of a mini-Manhattan. Around dinner time, our group rounded up and went our for dinner and a night on the town. I'm a big fan of just hanging out and being with others and thats why I enjoyed this trip so much. We didn't have to worry about making the rounds to all the famous monuments, we were able to relax and enjoy each others company. After we walked around a bit, a nice native couple told us about a band playing and so we decided to go check it out for ourselves. Let me just say, it was one of the greatest nights I have had over here so far, due to this band. They played songs by Kings of Leon, Green Day and even played "Sweet Home Alabama". The place was packed and it was like a concert, just extremely confined. We stayed for a few hours and just let the music surround us and enhance our Ireland experience. A memorable first night in Ireland.
At the top of the next morning, we got on a bus and headed to Blarney to see the castle, and of course, kiss the stone. The town of Blarney was smaller and quaint, and extremely green. When you picture Ireland
and all the green rolling hills and cows, this place defines it. The castle itself is surrounded by a forest and park of its own. Rivers, bridges, lakes, forest and so much green engulfed this beauty. We all lined up and took our turns laying down on our backs, arching backwards and down to kiss the stone upside down. This stone is supposed to give luck and eloquence to whoever kisses it. As great as that would be, it was just another incredible experience I was blessed to be a part of. So many monumental things have been checked off my list, its hard to not take them for granted. I stared out over the castle and was hit with the reality check of, "you are in Ireland, with a group of friends and you have absolutely nothing to do but enjoy yourself". From the top of this castle, I saw some of the most incredible views of my life. It was a 360 degree view of pure green pastures, cows, gardens and a beautiful mansion. F
rom here, we climbed down and went through the gardens and down by the lake. As we walked through the forest, we found some big logs under a shaded tree by the lake and sat down and ate our sack lunches and just laid back and watched the clouds move. When I think of peace and quietness from now on, my mind will bring me back to that image. I hope images of this, and everything else fill my thoughts and dreams so that I can reflect back on them and thank God for his beauty.
Before we left, we found a massive hill and Jon and Michael ran up to the top and rolled down. Us spectators as the bottom got a good laugh but were then told that the top of the hill gives a breathtaking view. Our group willingly hiked to the top and were once again rewarded for our efforts. From the top, we could see the lake, the mansion, the gardens and the castle. My eyes felt like they turned green from everything I was looking at! So incredible. We headed back to Cork later on in the day and just had a relaxing time....until sleep fell upon us. My room was woken up around 4:30 AM to some native Irish women being...well, stereotypical Irish a
nd enjoying the "honey of the land". Although the morning seemed to rush at us, we didn't mind as we headed to a small town called Kinsale, which is on the coast. Our time here was short, but much enjoyed. It drizzled a bit on us, but it seemed to make the town picturesque. If you have ever been to the coast of Maine, it was much like that. Sailboats and fishing boats in the harbor, small and colorful eateries around and the sound of the boats in the distance made this town a possibility for my future retirement home. Just walking through the streets here and seeing tons of jellyfish in the harbor put an exclamation point at the end of this already incredible trip.
Although I saw no pots of gold or fields of clover and was fed this lie from the age of 5 when I called Lucky Charms, "Larky Chams", Ireland was the cream of the crop. From kissing stones, rolling down hills, waking up mid-sleep to native Irish enjoying themselves, rocking out to a band and walking through one of the most beautiful towns I have ever laid eyes upon, every minute was cherished, shared, and experienced to the fullest. As I type this, the window at the top of Canterbury House 9 is wide open and letting the Oxford sun kiss the bedroom as it is the last day. Before I let the emotions and memories run over me, I'm going to call it here. Later on, I will recap the finality of Oxfam, our presentation and my gratefulness of these past 5 weeks and my appreciation to you, the reader. Don't you worry, Where In The World Is Shay? is far from the blue screen of death/hiatus. Tune back in around 3 PM Central, 10 PM Oxford time for the season finale of Where In The World Is Shay?- Canterbury Tales Edition (with all due respect to Chaucer).
And so hobey ho, and off we go
-Shay
he Blarney Stone, this voyage was hands down my favorite so far. Sit back, strap in...well, you know the routine. Once again, I was deprived of my precious sleep as my group left Oxford at 1:00 AM early Friday morning to take the bus to the airport. I don't know if I have mentioned, but this bus ride is 3.5 hours long. You know traveling has gone too far when you don't mind a 3.5 hour bus ride before your flight. Before I knew it, we were landing in the land of Lucky Charms. We boarded the metro bus that took us to our hostel, and I must say, as much as I love traveling and seeing the sites, I decided to be nice to my body and take a 3 hour nap. I know your thinking, "Oh no! He's not going to take advantage of his time in Ireland!". I appreciate the concern, but don't you worry. We were staying in downtown Cork, which is a pretty industrialized city and had no famous sites to visit. It reminded me alot of a mini-Manhattan. Around dinner time, our group rounded up and went our for dinner and a night on the town. I'm a big fan of just hanging out and being with others and thats why I enjoyed this trip so much. We didn't have to worry about making the rounds to all the famous monuments, we were able to relax and enjoy each others company. After we walked around a bit, a nice native couple told us about a band playing and so we decided to go check it out for ourselves. Let me just say, it was one of the greatest nights I have had over here so far, due to this band. They played songs by Kings of Leon, Green Day and even played "Sweet Home Alabama". The place was packed and it was like a concert, just extremely confined. We stayed for a few hours and just let the music surround us and enhance our Ireland experience. A memorable first night in Ireland.
At the top of the next morning, we got on a bus and headed to Blarney to see the castle, and of course, kiss the stone. The town of Blarney was smaller and quaint, and extremely green. When you picture Ireland
and all the green rolling hills and cows, this place defines it. The castle itself is surrounded by a forest and park of its own. Rivers, bridges, lakes, forest and so much green engulfed this beauty. We all lined up and took our turns laying down on our backs, arching backwards and down to kiss the stone upside down. This stone is supposed to give luck and eloquence to whoever kisses it. As great as that would be, it was just another incredible experience I was blessed to be a part of. So many monumental things have been checked off my list, its hard to not take them for granted. I stared out over the castle and was hit with the reality check of, "you are in Ireland, with a group of friends and you have absolutely nothing to do but enjoy yourself". From the top of this castle, I saw some of the most incredible views of my life. It was a 360 degree view of pure green pastures, cows, gardens and a beautiful mansion. F
rom here, we climbed down and went through the gardens and down by the lake. As we walked through the forest, we found some big logs under a shaded tree by the lake and sat down and ate our sack lunches and just laid back and watched the clouds move. When I think of peace and quietness from now on, my mind will bring me back to that image. I hope images of this, and everything else fill my thoughts and dreams so that I can reflect back on them and thank God for his beauty. Before we left, we found a massive hill and Jon and Michael ran up to the top and rolled down. Us spectators as the bottom got a good laugh but were then told that the top of the hill gives a breathtaking view. Our group willingly hiked to the top and were once again rewarded for our efforts. From the top, we could see the lake, the mansion, the gardens and the castle. My eyes felt like they turned green from everything I was looking at! So incredible. We headed back to Cork later on in the day and just had a relaxing time....until sleep fell upon us. My room was woken up around 4:30 AM to some native Irish women being...well, stereotypical Irish a
nd enjoying the "honey of the land". Although the morning seemed to rush at us, we didn't mind as we headed to a small town called Kinsale, which is on the coast. Our time here was short, but much enjoyed. It drizzled a bit on us, but it seemed to make the town picturesque. If you have ever been to the coast of Maine, it was much like that. Sailboats and fishing boats in the harbor, small and colorful eateries around and the sound of the boats in the distance made this town a possibility for my future retirement home. Just walking through the streets here and seeing tons of jellyfish in the harbor put an exclamation point at the end of this already incredible trip. Although I saw no pots of gold or fields of clover and was fed this lie from the age of 5 when I called Lucky Charms, "Larky Chams", Ireland was the cream of the crop. From kissing stones, rolling down hills, waking up mid-sleep to native Irish enjoying themselves, rocking out to a band and walking through one of the most beautiful towns I have ever laid eyes upon, every minute was cherished, shared, and experienced to the fullest. As I type this, the window at the top of Canterbury House 9 is wide open and letting the Oxford sun kiss the bedroom as it is the last day. Before I let the emotions and memories run over me, I'm going to call it here. Later on, I will recap the finality of Oxfam, our presentation and my gratefulness of these past 5 weeks and my appreciation to you, the reader. Don't you worry, Where In The World Is Shay? is far from the blue screen of death/hiatus. Tune back in around 3 PM Central, 10 PM Oxford time for the season finale of Where In The World Is Shay?- Canterbury Tales Edition (with all due respect to Chaucer).
And so hobey ho, and off we go
-Shay
Shay there is no way that this adventure is coming to an end. When I read about Ireland I want us to go as a family. The pictures are exactly as you describe about the scenery with the green valleys are breath taking. I will see your precious face in 9 days. You are in my prayers as you start this last leg of your journey and especially as you run with the bulls! Remember though there is no place like home!
ReplyDeleteLove you-Mother