Week 5 was another one for the books.
It began with a night of fun and festivities at the Lansdowne Hotel. After enjoying a scrumptious meal of herb-stuffed chicken and mashed potatoes, we walked downstairs to the eventual highlight of the night; the Irish house party. Led by 4 musicians and a traditional Irish dancer, I had the pleasure of listening to the best Irish music to date. I quickly found myself singing and dancing along to the music, although I hardly knew any of the words. I was amazed at how the lead singer and guitarist, Jerry, was simultaneously able to play ethereal music while also making jokes and banter with the crowd. At one point during his song he even made a joke about Jackson and I’s high-pitched singing voice, and then went right back to entertaining the crowd with his music. I strive to be able to multitask like that.
Saturday was another great day. Though the weather was grim, and the streets and busses were crowded with people attending the Pride Parade and Taylor Swift concert, the Gaelic Games went on, nonetheless. As someone who has never played an international sport before, I had a blast attempting to learn two new sports. The first sport we played was called Hurling, a sport similar to field hockey. The main difference is that you can pick up the ball with the stick and run across the field with it, and you can also score both in the goal and in between two posts. This is the sport that I had the most fun playing. The other sport we played is called Gaelic Football. It is essentially soccer but with a twist. You can actually carry the ball and run 4 steps with it. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this exhilarating, confusing, and wet experience.
After the Gaelic Games, a group of us tried a new restaurant called The Ramen Bar. The ambience inside the restaurant was fascinating, and the food was even better. Though I was the only person who didn’t actually order ramen, I loved my chicken dumplings and burger.
Later that night, Max and I took a look outside and noticed a beautiful sunset, so we took it upon ourselves to take a night-time stroll to the beach to get an even better view of the sunset. Although the beach was truthfully the most ugly beach I have ever laid my eyes on, it was nice to get some fresh air and get a glimpse of the outskirts of the city from an entirely new view.
The last memorable moment of week 5 came on Monday, when we went to the Guinness Storehouse. Truthfully I didn’t know what to expect before I entered the facilities, but I have to say, whatever expectations I had were absolutely shattered. We ascended floor after floor towards the top of the storehouse, with every floor explaining each step in the process of crafting a Guinness. As a visual learner, I loved being able to see each step in front of me as the tour guide elaborately explained what we were looking at. At the top of the storehouse, there was a bar where we could exchange our ticket for a cold, crisp, Guinness. The view from the top was breathtaking, and my peers and I made sure to grab dozens of photos. Though I am not a huge fan of Guinness, the overall experience of the day is something I will never forget.
Week 5 was one for the record books, and I can’t wait for our trip to Belfast this weekend!
I love absolutely everything I just read in your week 5 blog! The Gaelic Games look like so much fun and I love that you scored a goal—Go Ty! I never ever thought I would see a picture of you drinking Guinness-so that picture made my day, too! I can’t wait to see you in Dublin next week and have you be my little Irish tour guide! Keep up the amazing work—-I am so truly proud of you!
Fun and games!! New foods and drinks, beautiful new vistas! So happy for your summer adventures’. Love & hugs, Mimi
Tyl, I am so happy that you are having an experience of a lifetime. You are certainly open to all of the adventures which makes me so proud. It sounds like Ireland this summer is a happening place with Taylor Swift giving a concert during your sojourn there. Keep soaking up each and every opportunity, Ty. Wish I had a ticket to come see you. Will share lots of stories when you get home. Love, Susu
So glad that you had so much fun this week. Sounds like the sports were a lot of fun, and I guess it is interesting to learn about some sports. We don’t get to play, ourselves. I know you could show them a thing or two about golf if you had a chance !
Keep up the good work, and will be thinking of you on the 4th of July tomorrow as you are working.
I know the Irish like Americans, and I guess I’m surprised that maybe they aren’t going to acknowledge our independence Day in some way. Let me know!
Tyler,
This made me smile. Haha, this made me chuckle, this made me cry. Sending my best your way buddy.
Much love,
Joseph