Well, it has been some time since I have posted in the blog so I will do my best to fill you in!
After our weekend in Dublin with the Dropkick Murphys, we were originally planning on doing a trip to Dingle. Of course, I also want to see other parts of Ireland as well as traveling around Europe. Dingle has always been a place I have wanted to see (especially because of the movie Leap Year :)). However, some other friends alerted us of the opportunity to go surfing with the Surfing Society here at NUIG. The destination was a mystery but good times were assured. Seeing that we could go to Dingle another weekend, we decided upon the surfing trip. I must say, I am so happy that I did! We got on the bus on Friday evening, with no clue of where we were going. After the winding bus ride we finally reached our destination: Ballybunion, County Kerry. We settled into the hotel provided in the cost of the trip and got to know some of the other kids on the trip. It was great getting to speak with the Irish kids as the anticipation for surfing the next day started to build. I have to admit... at this point, I was very nervous for the next day. I have never surfed in my life, let alone in freezing cold waters. However, once we all officially had on the surfing gear (the right way!!! ... a bunch of us initially put our wetsuits on inside out) the fear of utter failure started to diminish. We were given basic instructions for surfing and before we knew it we were out in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean; battling waves and chills in order to stand up on a board. It was fantastic. Meanwhile, the entire time I was almost taken away by the beauty that framed our view.
These photos were taken later on that day (when we walked down by the shore) as my camera did not accompany me in the water:
On my first try of surfing, I found myself having a harder and harder time gripping the board. The instructor thought that maybe my gloves were too big and suggested I brave it and take them off. Being stubborn, I tried in vein to fight the cold without gloves. Although I did have a better time gripping the board and got up (for one second), I gave in to the frigid temperatures and put my gloves back on. The water was not too bad when you were in it (because of the wetsuit). However, the absolute coldest and worst parts was leaving the water and taking off the wetsuit. I can honestly say that is the coldest I have ever been in my entire life. Nothing could compare to that. Yet, it was such a blast! The next day, the surfing got a little easier as I was somewhat prepared for the temperature. I left my gloves on this time and was able to stand for a bit. I kept sitting on the surf board, looking around at the landscape, almost breathless at the amount of beauty that encompassed my surroundings. This was definitely a weekend I will not forget!
Here are some more pictures from walking along the shore:
Amy, Molly, Meghan, and me
Ballybunion
The next weekend, some fellow SLU students studying at our campus in Madrid, Spain came to visit and we had a great time (or as the Irish would say: great craic) joining them at the pubs. Molly and I were also able to go to the St. Nicholas' Market on Saturday and try the infamous donuts (and they did not disappoint)! It was nice to stay in Galway and explore more of the city on the weekend!
That's it for now! Cheers!
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