Where to even begin? Not even kidding this is like looking up a mountain. I learned so much and I mean, I could just tell you what I DID in a matter of seconds, but I want to tell you my EXPERIENCE. They're different things. Well, I spose I should stop stalling and just start already...
I hopped off the plane and touched Irish soil (well... airport cement) but I mean that was cool! I actually stepped off the plane like in the movies without using a terminal! Anywhoo... we walked through the airport, bought some smoothies and nuts, and proceeded to the busses. After running back and fourth trying to decide which was better/cheaper/sooner, we FINALLY (keep in mind that we're cheap college students) made a decision and started the 3 hour journey to Galway, where we'd stay from Saturday night till Wednesday. This information about busses and all seems dry, but it's important to me. Why? Because it's something I've never done on my own before. This whole being an adult thing is so new. I still feel like a 13 year old who's just traveling like in Mary Kate and Ashely movies! It doesn't feel like I'm old enough, mature enough, ect.. I feel like I'm gonna get lost or something will happen and I won't be able to figure things out! (which.... let's be honest- is kinda part of my personality anyways so it's still totally possible so my fears aren't THAT ungrounded) but God's got my back always and I'm in good hands- his hands. So anywhoo... bought a bus ticket in Ireland and headed to Galway: When we got there, our first mission was to find our way to a place where we were meeting some friends of two of the amigas I went with! Started walking. In Galway. IRELAND. That just kinda kept playing through my head like a broken record. I still can't even really believe that it happened. God is so good. Gave me the dreams that are so petty and insignificant! well... not exactly INSIGNIFICANT, but un-needed and well, like more WANT than need, ya know? Ok, back to the main trail: We got there, met them, ate some subway, found our way to our hostel, aaand stop- the hostel. This is something I want to go on and on about. But most of this didn't happen till later and I want to be chronological.... hmmm well, ok my first impression of the hostel was that it was a lot like college! I loved seeing so many college aged kids out in the main kitchen area and it had lots of nooks with couches and stuff. We pretty much just got there and slept the first night. Anxious to find out who our room mates were of course, we were surprised to find them all there when we woke up the next morning! (we were in a 6 person room) one ended up being another Erin who was traveling alone and seemed to be about 30. This was our first encounter with another traveler. We were amazed that she decided to come to Ireland all alone and travel around. When we asked her how long she'd be staying, she said "well, I like it here so I think I'll stay longer." Wow. That's such freedom! Just traveling around like that!? I could NEVER travel alone, but I could go on and on about why that is too. Back on track: So we got ready, had our FREE (!!!!) breakfast of toast and corn flakes and headed off to meet our other two friends to go to the Aran Islands. Oh shoot, should'a explained this- me and a friend are staying in a hostel and the other 2 are staying with friends who are studying abroad in Galway. That's why we came to Galway in the first place (a FANTASTIC idea) So about these Islands: They're arguably the most beautiful natural attraction in Ireland. There are 3 of them located at the mouth of Galway Bay on the west coast of Ireland. Inis Mór (largest), Inis Meadhóin, and Inis Oithir (smallest). We went to Inis Mór.
The left is a map of Ireland with the islands in Galway Bay to the west and the right is a map of the 3 islands. Inis Mór is about 12 square miles and 9 miles long.
I hopped off the plane and touched Irish soil (well... airport cement) but I mean that was cool! I actually stepped off the plane like in the movies without using a terminal! Anywhoo... we walked through the airport, bought some smoothies and nuts, and proceeded to the busses. After running back and fourth trying to decide which was better/cheaper/sooner, we FINALLY (keep in mind that we're cheap college students) made a decision and started the 3 hour journey to Galway, where we'd stay from Saturday night till Wednesday. This information about busses and all seems dry, but it's important to me. Why? Because it's something I've never done on my own before. This whole being an adult thing is so new. I still feel like a 13 year old who's just traveling like in Mary Kate and Ashely movies! It doesn't feel like I'm old enough, mature enough, ect.. I feel like I'm gonna get lost or something will happen and I won't be able to figure things out! (which.... let's be honest- is kinda part of my personality anyways so it's still totally possible so my fears aren't THAT ungrounded) but God's got my back always and I'm in good hands- his hands. So anywhoo... bought a bus ticket in Ireland and headed to Galway: When we got there, our first mission was to find our way to a place where we were meeting some friends of two of the amigas I went with! Started walking. In Galway. IRELAND. That just kinda kept playing through my head like a broken record. I still can't even really believe that it happened. God is so good. Gave me the dreams that are so petty and insignificant! well... not exactly INSIGNIFICANT, but un-needed and well, like more WANT than need, ya know? Ok, back to the main trail: We got there, met them, ate some subway, found our way to our hostel, aaand stop- the hostel. This is something I want to go on and on about. But most of this didn't happen till later and I want to be chronological.... hmmm well, ok my first impression of the hostel was that it was a lot like college! I loved seeing so many college aged kids out in the main kitchen area and it had lots of nooks with couches and stuff. We pretty much just got there and slept the first night. Anxious to find out who our room mates were of course, we were surprised to find them all there when we woke up the next morning! (we were in a 6 person room) one ended up being another Erin who was traveling alone and seemed to be about 30. This was our first encounter with another traveler. We were amazed that she decided to come to Ireland all alone and travel around. When we asked her how long she'd be staying, she said "well, I like it here so I think I'll stay longer." Wow. That's such freedom! Just traveling around like that!? I could NEVER travel alone, but I could go on and on about why that is too. Back on track: So we got ready, had our FREE (!!!!) breakfast of toast and corn flakes and headed off to meet our other two friends to go to the Aran Islands. Oh shoot, should'a explained this- me and a friend are staying in a hostel and the other 2 are staying with friends who are studying abroad in Galway. That's why we came to Galway in the first place (a FANTASTIC idea) So about these Islands: They're arguably the most beautiful natural attraction in Ireland. There are 3 of them located at the mouth of Galway Bay on the west coast of Ireland. Inis Mór (largest), Inis Meadhóin, and Inis Oithir (smallest). We went to Inis Mór.
The left is a map of Ireland with the islands in Galway Bay to the west and the right is a map of the 3 islands. Inis Mór is about 12 square miles and 9 miles long.
We took a special Aran Islands bus to the waterfront and then got on a ferry! The ride was little over an hour and was quite windy and cold when we got there. We rented some bikes for the day to bike around the island on (phenomenal) and our first stop was the Aran Islands sweater store. This is apparently a big deal. Aran Island sweaters are a huge part of the culture because each different design is of a different "clan" of Irish people. Each family had their own. It was conveniently cold that day so I bought a hat and mittens and they've become the perfect souvenir of the day! When we came out, we met up with some friends of- oi. confusing. One of the friends I came with has a best friend that she met in Galway that came with us to show us the island. HER friends met up with us there and we all went together to buy a lunch to picnic later up on the cliffs and they proceeded to spend the day with us. They happen to be awesome. THEN we started out. I just can't do the Islands justice in the time I have left right now, so that will be my next post! Adios for now!