Rach's visit and the Aran Islands

Hi Everybody!

This past week had flown by since I have returned from London. When I first got back I was feeling really sick so I finally went to go see the nurse on Wednesday who had me see the Doctor on Thursday who gave me medication for my sinus infection! I was very happy about it because I am now almost totally healthy after over two weeks of being sick. On Thursday night my friend Rachel, who was my freshmen and sophomore roommate at SNC, flew in from studying in Rome. She didn't get into Galway until 2:40am, but we got to spend the whole weekend together! It was so nice to have a visitor and see a new face.

On Friday morning we powered through on very little sleep and woke up to go see the Aran Islands. There are three islands off the western coast of Ireland right outside of Galway that are often considered to be the most beautiful part of Ireland, and also the most "Irish" part of the country. It is said that the more west you go the more traditionally Irish the people and land are, so where I am and the islands are more traditional then Dublin or places more in the East. The Islands are incredibly traditional, and have only had electricity for the past thirty years. There are only around 800 people living on the big island if Innis Moor where we visited, with three Catholic churches, three schools, and around twelve farms. It was absolutely gorgeous and I was so excited that I got to share that with Rach. I will attach the link to pictures in my email! When we woke up Friday morning it was raining in Galway which doesn't really make for the best tourist weather, but we decided to get on the bus anyway. We had to take a 45 minute bus ride then a 45 minute ferry ride out to the island, and by the time we got there the rain had stopped. We got off the ferry and saw van tours for 10 Euro, and decided because it was cold and we didn't really feel like walking or biking in the wind this looked like a good option. The guide took us all around the whole island and gave us the history and pointed out important things. he had grown up there and learned English as a second language after Irish, so he was a great resource. He gave us two hours at the highest point of the island where we had to climb up a large hill to the cliffs, and when we got there the sky was blue and the wind had died down. It was so beautiful looking out over the sea and the island! After we returned to the center after our tour we shopped a little bit and found Aran Island wool sweaters that we fell in love with. It was a great day!!

That evening we got back and met up with friends to have fish and chips at what we are told is the best fish and chips in all of Ireland! It is downtown Galway called McDonnugh's, and it was a really great meal. After we went out to a traditional pub so Rach could experience Galway and listened to some great music!

Saturday was very very rainy and windy so our plans to go to the market and the ocean were cut a little short. We tried for a little while but we were pretty wet! That night we went to see "He's Just Not That Into You" because Rach was craving an English movie after all of the Italian she hears all the time. It was a really nice relaxing day with some great friends. Rach left at 5:30am Sunday morning in a hail and windstorm, but overall the weekend was so much fun!!!

Yesterday I had to do some of my very first homework since I arrived here 2 months ago, sad I know. As much as I go to class here it is definitely easy to forget that I am a student sometimes. The work load is so much lighter and easier then at home, not that i am complaining about that at all ha. It is definitely going to be interesting going back to student teach in the fall and to have to remember how to work hard and get things done! My classes are actually coming to an end in a few weeks which is very crazy, I can't believe that I am halfway done with being here! In two weekends I am heading to Barcelona to meet up with a friend studying in Spain, and then I have a trip to Nice, France planned for a weekend after that then a 12 day trip in Italy! I am so blessed to have all of these opportunities, and realize how much I take for granted when I am at home. I miss you all so much! Have a great week and I can't wait to hear from you!

Love from Ireland!!