Travel Journey of the Week: Ireland

I know the topic is extremely broad this week, but it fits my thoughts.  I am in need of a place that offers healing and kindness.  When I was there for a long layover this past summer after I found out my mom was on life support, I felt rejuvenated and ready to handle any situation that stood before me.  My challenges are different right now, but I bet the affect of visiting the Emerald Isle would be the same.  Have you been to Ireland or have thoughts about Ireland?  Here is how you can contribute:

1. Each Sunday, a place will be set as the theme (it could be a city, landmark, national park, etc.)

2. If you are familiar with the place and would like to contribute, you will write a post and title it Travel Journey of the Week: Ireland.

3. Your post can be any medium that works for you; videos, photos, descriptions, itineraries, personal memories, poems, ticket stubs, etc.

4. Finally, be sure to provide a link back here so everyone can connect and share their own take on the place: http://liberatedtraveler.com/2013/09/15/travel-journey-of-the-week-ireland/

Travel Journey of the Week: Ireland

Ireland has such a unique place in my heart because it was my first trip abroad.  I went with my aunts, mom, and grandmother the summer before high school began.  I never knew people could speak English so differently than me, yet I felt so connected to them.  The places we saw combined natural beauty with unique architecture that I had  never seen.  I went home dreaming of my experiences and craving more.

Digital cameras were pretty much nonexistent then, but my dad let me take his good 35mm camera.  Here are some photos of the trip that I have scanned.  I apologize for the quality of the images, but I think they still get the point across.  Be sure to check out the captions to find out more.

Ruins of castles had to be one of the things I was most excited to see in Ireland.

After visiting Ireland, this became my all-time favorite flower: the lupine. I tried growing them at home, but it didn’t work.

The mist of the sea with the greenery was exactly how I imagined Ireland would look.

I felt so alive in Dublin after experiencing all the street entertainment. That limbo stick was on fire by the way.

Wow, they’ve got some old graves here.

The first place I ever saw on a trip that knocked the socks off me.

This looks nothing like Illinois.

I was so fascinated that they even had different toilets.

One of our stops included a visit to the stud farm. I didn’t know what a stud was before visiting this farm.

They don’t have screens on their windows. This boggled my mind.

We had to check out the wool and watch a sheep get sheared.

I’m a big fan of Aer Lingus, and I have flown with them several times since this trip.

I LOVED Dublin. I must go back.

These sculptures are so powerful. I knew nothing about the potato famine before my visit. Travel brings history alive.