In my last post, I mentioned that I've been dreaming lately of a cottage in Ireland (or something similar). That thought eventually spiraled into me just thinking of Ireland in general, which obviously meant I then had to go through all of the pictures I've taken while there, which led to this post.
There you go. That's how I create. Just in case you ever wanted to know (but why would you?).
Anyway, when I was a kid, the final project for Mr. Cloud's sixth grade history class was to choose a country, any country, do some research on it at the local library--this was so way before the internet that it hurts my brain to even think about it -- and give a short presentation to the class. I chose Ireland. I don't know what made me choose this small spit of land halfway around the world -- I think it had something to do with a picture I saw once. It just looked so beautiful, so far away, so green.
There you go. That's how I create. Just in case you ever wanted to know (but why would you?).
Anyway, when I was a kid, the final project for Mr. Cloud's sixth grade history class was to choose a country, any country, do some research on it at the local library--this was so way before the internet that it hurts my brain to even think about it -- and give a short presentation to the class. I chose Ireland. I don't know what made me choose this small spit of land halfway around the world -- I think it had something to do with a picture I saw once. It just looked so beautiful, so far away, so green.
That assignment is when Ireland became my first Big Dream. As far as I was concerned, Ireland (and eventually Cape Cod) was the only place I ever wanted to go. Like, ever.
During the last semester of my freshman year in college, I noticed a study abroad opportunity in a department that I was considering majoring in. The program, which would focus on human rights and history, would take students to Belfast, Northern Ireland, where they would stay at the local university, study The Troubles and travel around the six counties. Quietly, without telling anyone, I applied to go on the trip. A few weeks later, I got a phone call at work letting me know I'd been accepted. I think I called everyone I knew and told them.
I took Nate back there a few years ago, though we spent most of our time in Dublin and County Clare. I wanted him to see this place, knowing it would help him to understand just a bit more about me. What that is, I can't tell you. I still don't fully understand what draws me to this place time and time again. But something does. There are only a handful of places that I've traveled to so far that just fit, and Ireland is definitely one of them. Why do some places call us more than others? Why do we dream about them? Think about them all the time?
If anyone has Ireland stories of their own -- or maybe places we should visit the next time we're there -- I'd love to hear them!
I took Nate back there a few years ago, though we spent most of our time in Dublin and County Clare. I wanted him to see this place, knowing it would help him to understand just a bit more about me. What that is, I can't tell you. I still don't fully understand what draws me to this place time and time again. But something does. There are only a handful of places that I've traveled to so far that just fit, and Ireland is definitely one of them. Why do some places call us more than others? Why do we dream about them? Think about them all the time?
If anyone has Ireland stories of their own -- or maybe places we should visit the next time we're there -- I'd love to hear them!
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