You should still believe in an endless world.

There is so much to write and so little time to say it. It's Friday. We return to the States tomorrow. I am thrilled to see my dog, my partner, my friends, my home. I am sad to leave cool weather, cows, sheeps, herding dogs, the "4o shades of green", my grandmother, and my cousin.

Seeing the Cliffs of Moher yesterday was liking coming to terms with my smallness. Not only did I feel small but I also felt some sort of odd compulsion to explore the vastness. There is a cave in the Cliffs, and all I could imagine was coasting into the cave. I wondered what I would see, smell, hear, and feel. It's exhilarating.

En route to the cliffs, we stopped at one of the several ruined castles. Watching my mother literally run around the perimeter of it like a little girl was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Every adult deserves to act like a child again.

Today, drove the Ring of Kerry. I don;t have words. I saw a demonstration of sheep herding border collies (Shyia really must learn!), ate Irish Stew, bought an Irish Wool blanket, and saw the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. I want to fall into this land. I want to drink it, roll in it, dig into it, float on it.


Tomorrow we leave and I am so glad it is going to be on a high note.

Whirlwind Days

It's Monday, about 7:15pm Irish time. Yesterday and today have been a blur.

Yesterday, after the way too stimulating plane ride (they hook those international flights up with games, movies, tv...too much!) I was exhausted. We spent the day mainly admiring interesting architecture and monuments. There are a TON up here. My favorite is definitely Molly or "The Tart With the Cart" as she's called (she's a busty woman with a low cut bodice). Yesterday was interesting but with worrying about whether Mom and Steph would ever show up, it didn't feel particularly joyful.


Today was different! Stephanie arrived first thing in the morning. I woke up at about 6:00am Irish time to her super loud but very happy voice. After a wonderful morning walk (in which I located a key destination: the SUPERMARKET!) the troops headed out to gather snacks and then catch the bus to downtown Dublin. Today was a BLAST! We went to what felt like several thousand shops full of everything from soccer gear (my cousin's favorite) to Irish made crafts (this of course being MY favorite). We ate lunch at a neat pub where we drank Irish beer (which has an unusually high alcohol content) and listened to traditional Irish music. It was great! My dad sang along incredibly loudly which made my heart burst open in joy. I love it.

The best news we had today was that Mom will be arriving tomorrow morning about 9:00am our time. Though she missed Dublin, she'll get to see the countryside which I think will be better anyways. A city is a city is a city, you know?

Regardless, I think this is one of those vacations that just gets better and better (which is maybe better to the alternative scenario of it getting worse and worse?).

I don't know what I'll find important about today in a few day's time. I feel like it's hard to judge the importance of the moment you're in.

Until the next time.

Travel Day 1

Sitting in the JFK airport, we are mourning the absence two in our party: Stephanie and Mommy. Through a catastrophic series of incidents, they are not here, but we are all sending good juju their way and are anxiously awaiting news from them.

Otherwise, sitting at the airport has been a collection of junky chinese food, oversized chocolate bars, frantic phone calls, and distracted tasking (laptops, crafts, games, texting, etc). It feel so good to be with my family. Grandmother, KD, and Dad all look healthy and excited. I can't wait to see what the week brings. It's been full of surprises already.

Hopefully a more interesting post tomorrow. Until then, godspeed to Mom and Steph.