Fun with the Fam

It has been awhile since I have taken time out of my busy busy day to tell everyone what I have been up to. Finishing my papers proved to be a sweet relief, traveling without worrying about deadlines was very very nice. So my adventures begin with Mari (my friend from Spain) and her boyfriend, Cairan, coming to visit me in Galway! It was so nice to be able to show her around. We took a day tour to the Cliffs of Moher, which proved to be even more magnificant the second time around because it was a perfect day- not a cloud or raindrop in the sky. The fam soon after joined the fun- it was amazing to see all of you! Brought a little bit of home to Ireland. We jammed packed the week starting with the infamous Bunratty Castle that stole a place in each of our hearts I think- especially Tina's who named it "Bunratty-- more like FUNratty" She thought it was a lot more creative at the time. We explored the folk park, which had houses and the castle how it was back in the day. At night, we went to a "midevil banquet" in the castle, suggested to us by my grandma who went to it a couple years ago. I think this was one of the coolest things I have experienced. Not only was the food excellent, the atmosphere was irreplaceable. We were only to eat with our "daggers and fingers" while we listened to the beautiful harp and tossing a guest into the dungeon. It was silly, but a lot of fun! The night ended in us making friends at the local pub- Durty Nellies, the oldest in Ireland.
The next adventure we embarked on was the Dingle peninsula, which is best navigated by car- which was an experience in itself. Luckily, dad mastered the skill of driving on the left side of the road on the right side of the car with no fatal mistakes. The drive was so beautiful. Dingle could be one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland I have seen yet....eh, I say that about everywhere though don't I? Well, it was pretty despite if you believe it was THE prettiest. But any ways...it was here that I got the closest to my ultimate dream in life- to hug a sheep. My dad quickly killed my dreams when he told me, "Paige, that probably isn't a good idea. Get in the car. It is a mother." and sure enough it started charging after its lamb, which was beyond cute. Buttt, no worries, the good news is I made friends with a donkey, who was ultra-friendly. Now I am just rambling, so moving on.
Due to studying, I let my family do their own thing for a while, but Thursday I decided to join them on a daytrip out of Galway to Connemara. The one day tour I have not gone on yet. Once again....it was beautiful. Perhaps I should let the pictures do the talking, because my vocabulary has disintegrated to merely beautiful. To put the experience short- the landscape was pretty, there was an awesome wild horse, and the Abby was remarkable.
Fun with the fam continued in the good ole town of Blarney- yes we kissed the Blarney stone. I was crossing my fingers it would bring my mom eloquence to not embarrass me in public--although I am kinda glad it didn't work, or we wouldn't have made friends with the Malone clan in Malone's pub that night, hehe. We finally find a Malone pub, and it turns out to be where all the outcasts go or something, according to the lady looking over the bed and breakfast. O well, perhaps at one time we were realated to these people? O, we can't forget how we met the Martha Steward of Ireland, the lady that owns the bed and breakfast. Her house was gorgeous, decorated with antiques, and beautiful gardens. Not to mention that she was super nice, like most Irish come to think of it.
The week coming to an end, we journeyed back to Dublin, stopping at the Rock of Casher on the way back. In Dublin, we got a glimpse of Celtic dancers and met up with my friend from high school, Amy, who is studying there. Tuesday came a lot soonner than expected, where my family left...and I headed to Rome, where more adventures began.