Remember that one time...

This is going to be a little out of order because I'm waiting to write about Limerick until I have the pictures I want to show you, because they really do make the weekend. So today we're gonna talk about CORK! and the Blarney Stone!

Cork was officially my favorite trip I have taken in Ireland. I went with Colleen, Danielle, and a lovely girl named Lauren. Lauren studies in Spain and had come to Galway to visit one of her friends here. But he kinda kicked her out and she had no where to stay, so she came to Cork with us! It was fantastic. She fit in with us as if she had been here the entire time, which was great. We left on Monday and stayed until this afternoon, and had more adventures then I ever thought possible.



We...

got rained on...


and....



                                                    ...had some cocktails....

anddd....

saw some christmas decorations....

and!

saw the really pretty Blarney Castle and Grounds...




...And kissed this random rock that's meant to give you the gift of eloquence.

Obviously, that has yet to take effect within me cause I'm still stumbling over my speech left and right. But it was a really fun experience. The man holding you steady made it fun, and the castle was filled with interesting nooks and plaques that kept the trip exciting. I think that's something that really is lacking in Ireland, especially at tourist stops. At all the other places I've been I've felt really rushed and maybe that's because I've done a lot of tours and at Blarney we just spent the day wandering but they also had multiple facets to the castle grounds and other interesting sites to see.

We saw a poison garden, in which they had only poisonous plants and were supposed to have marijuana, but the Garda had repossessed it because they didn't have the "proper licensing"...

My favorite part (other than kissing the stone) was walking through the rock close. It was basically just a wooded area with waterfalls and wishing steps and fairy trees and if you don't get that this is right up Katie ally it's time to learn a few things about me. I still believe in fairies, wishes DO come true, witches exist and magic is all around us. Fun Fact: I got into college with an essay on magic.

The Irish Fairy Tree...looks nothing like the Vermont one

Point being, I loved strolling around taking in the nature with my friends.

Well I've officially got 10 days left in this magical land, and I have checked off all of the must see's in Ireland, plus some. I feel like I've gotten to know the people, and the country, and am so glad I picked this country to spend a part of my life.

All the touristing is done, now all that's left is shopping, one last relaxing weekend in the country, christmas parties, final exams, teary goodbyes, and a long journey home.

I'm spiraling into the end, and while I'm ready to come home, I wish this could also never end.

For once, crying over leaving Ireland,

K