Friday, August 10, 2007
The Final Photos (Part V)
Fittingly, the final photos I'll post on this blog are a couple sunset shots. The first was during a late-night walk around Limerick; the second was from the King Family Farm. Keep in mind that, given Ireland's latitude, and since it's summer, the sun didn't set until about 11:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Photos, Part IV
Shot of one of the channels of the Lee River, which runs through Cork.
The coolest Cathedral we saw in Ireland--not the oldest, but the most interesting in style.
Another shot from Killaloe.
Some boats on Lough Derr in Killaloe.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
More Photos, Part III
Shots from the universities I saw. The top two are from UL in Limerick, and the last is from Trinity College in Dublin.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Photos, Part II
A close-up of the rocks from the glacially-formed Burren area south of Galway.
More rocks.
A shot from the cliffs back toward the island.
The cliffs from another angle.
A ring fort, one of some 4000 (if I remember) scattered across Ireland.
Monday, August 6, 2007
More Photos, Part I
A collection of photos from the trip. More will be on the way soon.
A shot of the 1000-year-old Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin.
A statue, in Dublin, not far from where Ireland declared independence in 1916.
The tomb of the famous Norman knight Strongbow, whose gave his name to the delicious cider.
St. Mary's in Limerick, also about 1000 years old, featured some beautiful stained glass windows.
A shot of the 1000-year-old Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin.
A statue, in Dublin, not far from where Ireland declared independence in 1916.
The tomb of the famous Norman knight Strongbow, whose gave his name to the delicious cider.
St. Mary's in Limerick, also about 1000 years old, featured some beautiful stained glass windows.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Back in Nebraska
After a long day of flights, we got back just a shade before midnight on Saturday, promptly headed to Taco Bell, and then crashed at our respective houses. It's been a fun trip. Check back later today or tomorrow, though, for more pictures.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Some final observations
Since, as you may know, the program ends tomorrow (and I fly out of Shannon early Saturday morning), I figured I would take the time to reflect a little bit more on the study abroad experience.
Of any of the negatives of traveling to Ireland—of which there are few—they all seem to relate with general travel among any European countries; they are the inevitabilities of the European Union. Examples? Being nickel-and-dimed at grocery stores for things such as bags, carts and using the bathroom; the lack of value of the dollar versus the Euro; and myriad annoying Spanish and Italian tourists. The Irish themselves, as has been my limited experience, are fantastically polite, friendly, courteous and pleasant to talk to; I can't count how many random conversations we've had with people on the street, in pubs, in shops or restaurants, where they welcomed us to Ireland or wished us well on the trip. All, if they've been to the US, have been to NYC. They seem to recognize the Irish connection the city has.
Perhaps my least favorite part of the trip has been the dreary weather—and how quickly a dark raincloud can appear out of sunny and clear sky and drench you. I understand, however, that the country is in a particular bad spell; and Limerick is notorious for its poor weather. We're at the center of the storm, apparently, and there is no eye.
But those negatives are insignificant to the positives of the study abroad experience. The classes have been interesting, though perhaps not as much as getting to know the professors very well. Conversations with the Irish we've been connected to, through Stephen or at the dean's house or met randomly, have been enormously educative. And simply being out of the United States for a month has proved to teach its lessons—it allows to step back even further from your country and assess it as objectively as possible.
All in all, I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity. I've gotten to see exhibits and sites connected with Joyce and Yeats; see some beautiful geographic features, such as the Burrens and the Cliffs of Moher; see the institutions of the Irish government; meet many Irish people; experience traditional Irish music, restaurants, and pubs; learn about Ireland's history and independence from England, and medieval conquests; and I've seen many towns about the country (Limerick, Gort, Cork, Dublin, Delvin, Mollingar, Doolin, Athlonne, Birr, Negagh).
Of any of the negatives of traveling to Ireland—of which there are few—they all seem to relate with general travel among any European countries; they are the inevitabilities of the European Union. Examples? Being nickel-and-dimed at grocery stores for things such as bags, carts and using the bathroom; the lack of value of the dollar versus the Euro; and myriad annoying Spanish and Italian tourists. The Irish themselves, as has been my limited experience, are fantastically polite, friendly, courteous and pleasant to talk to; I can't count how many random conversations we've had with people on the street, in pubs, in shops or restaurants, where they welcomed us to Ireland or wished us well on the trip. All, if they've been to the US, have been to NYC. They seem to recognize the Irish connection the city has.
Perhaps my least favorite part of the trip has been the dreary weather—and how quickly a dark raincloud can appear out of sunny and clear sky and drench you. I understand, however, that the country is in a particular bad spell; and Limerick is notorious for its poor weather. We're at the center of the storm, apparently, and there is no eye.
But those negatives are insignificant to the positives of the study abroad experience. The classes have been interesting, though perhaps not as much as getting to know the professors very well. Conversations with the Irish we've been connected to, through Stephen or at the dean's house or met randomly, have been enormously educative. And simply being out of the United States for a month has proved to teach its lessons—it allows to step back even further from your country and assess it as objectively as possible.
All in all, I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity. I've gotten to see exhibits and sites connected with Joyce and Yeats; see some beautiful geographic features, such as the Burrens and the Cliffs of Moher; see the institutions of the Irish government; meet many Irish people; experience traditional Irish music, restaurants, and pubs; learn about Ireland's history and independence from England, and medieval conquests; and I've seen many towns about the country (Limerick, Gort, Cork, Dublin, Delvin, Mollingar, Doolin, Athlonne, Birr, Negagh).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
