Ireland

July 12 - 21, 2011

(7/12)

IRELAND!

Today, we woke up and left immediately for the Ferry, (as usual by now), only this time, Ireland was the next stop on "Tour De Lauren!"

This part was weird to me. We got a chance to live with a "Home-stay" family, and that is where you live with a family born and raised in the area for a few days, to see what their life is like.

....They ignored me the entire time. I never once spoke a word to them, they were more interested in the other 3 girls I was with. However, one of the 3 girls ended up hanging out with me the rest of the time. She ended up being a really good friend of mine on the trip. Maygan, YOU'RE THE BEE'S KNEES!

(7/13)

We went to Dublin today, for a tour of the city and Trinity College. I learned that college is free in Ireland, if you pass your SAT's and also live in Ireland. Too bad we can't get that in the U.S..

Of course they have Guinness in Ireland. It's branded EVERYWHERE!

This is Cecelia, the girl who gets credit for pretty much all of the photos from Europe. She was with me on my entire journey.

We became close friends on the Ferry to Ireland, and I don't remember exactly why, but boy am I glad I met her. She was hilarious, and was always there if I need a partner in crime!

I took this picture!! Poor Michael in the background looking as excited as ever! (He plays guitar very well! Check him out sometime!)

This was a bridge over the canal leading to the college area of the city.

(7/14)

Today, we went to learn all about Gaelic Football and Hurling. We took a tour of the stadium. It's probably some famous stadium, I just don't remember the name of it, and I feel like a terrible person for it!

(7/15)

Next stop, Bunratty Castle!

We learned how the Irish people lived in Medieval times. But after all of that educational stuff about history, we found a mini Bunratty Castle playground! It had a miniature maze, we were trying to race through it and see who would win, and I don't think I won, but I did have a good time!

Some more playground shenanigans!

I pet a mini horse. Is everything here mini? I think so!

(7/16)

Nothing really happened today, we just did a lot of traveling to the next town. It must have been quite a distance, as we took a bus and a boat. Whatever, see you there!

(7/17)

We took a tour of a really small town today. I don't remember the name of it, you'd think I'd be better at this by now! Along the way, we saw part of a street race! There were sooo many pimped out cars, too many to count, and I'm pretty sure one guy created a new color.

We also went to turn "Peat". To me, that is chunks of dirt in the ground, that you dig up in perfect blocks, and lay them out to dry. Kind of like mud bricks, only this wasn't mud, and it was a dark black-ish color.

Once that farm fun was over, we went to play some Gaelic football with some local pros. I was the goalie, and I didn't let a single ball get through!

(7/18)

Yay, another boat ride!

Only this time, it was a little motor boat. It took us across this huge lake to the other side, where we then got on a horse and buggy for the rest of the journey. We rode that horse up the mountain, through it, and out the other side all in about an hour and a half. It was gorgeous! The views were incredible! However, we weren't allowed to get off the buggy until we got to the next stop. Also, fun fact, our horse kept farting on us. Overall, this was an awesome day, as I love animals and the outdoors, regardless of intestinal situations in horses.

This was a sacred pond of some kind. We weren't allowed to get any closer.

Once we got to the end of the ride, we walked a little bit to finally eat something! Now I know how everyone felt back in the day. I'm glad we at least had a boats and horse to let us ride along.

Me and my man Michael chilling on a rock because we were POOPED from walking so much.

We also got to see some future sheep-herding dogs!

(7/19)

Today, we took a tour of Belfast, and saw where the Titanic was built! It was a huge empty shipyard, untouched for years. Unless they do in fact still use it, in which case they should really clean up a little.

We also saw Lemony Snicket's house, and these really cool castles!

(7/20)

We had to walk across a rope bridge today. It was amazing. I didn't use any hands, just like the people in the photo. It was also really windy, I almost said "screw this", but I am no weakling. I'm glad I did too, otherwise I would have missed out on the view! The water was extremely blue, and the grass was the greenest I have EVER seen. DO THIS IF YOU'RE EVER IN IRELAND!

After that, we went to "The Giant's Causeway", a magnificent natural structure i've never seen, nor will I most likely never see anywhere else. Hexagonal rocks protruding from the earth in pillars!