Blog #109: Ireland

Tonight marks my last night in Ireland, and I could not have asked for a better few days in this country with Emma and Tak. Emma was an amaaaazing tour guide, and I owe her (and her family) big time for everything over the last few days.

This morning we slept in a bit after last night's pub crawl, then journeyed to the Cliffs of Moher, about an hour outside of Galway. The cliffs were number one on my list of things I wanted to do here, and we even got the perfect sunny weather for our trip today! As could be expected, the views were absolutely gorgeous, and I seriously could not get over it. The sky and the sea were strikingly blue, the cliffs just unbelievable in their grandness.

The trip to the cliffs was one of winding country roads through the hillsides of Ireland, with glimpses of the coast making their way past the small cottages and stone fences that spot the countryside. Has anyone seen The Princess Bride? (And surely some of you have.) I couldn't help but be reminded of that movie as we made our way through the picturesque countryside. Something about the cottages and lush green hills speckled with sheep made scenes from the movie flash through my mind, which in turn reminded me of my dad, who I think is the only other person in my family who actually likes that movie and who understands me when I quote from it.

Then, thinking of my dad made me think of him telling me a couple years back that he'd really love to visit Ireland, and it made me wish he were here with me. My dad would love Ireland! I've actually been thinking about this a lot since I've been here, and I've been making a mental list of all the things Dad would like about the place.

Anywho, I guess I'll just have to come back to Ireland with him some day, and I guess I'll just have to watch The Princess Bride with him again once I'm home.

And now, it's on to the next adventure, and the next stop on my 'Tour De Friends' as Mariel has so fittingly dubbed it. I'm so grateful for Emma and Tak and Ireland and beautiful things, and I will cherish these memories for a long time, but now, let's go to Berlin.