The Cliffs of Moher and Burren Tour

This was by far the most beautiful/touching experience I have had here in Galway, Ireland so far.

A group of us woke up early yesterday morning to get on a tour bus to see the Cliffs of Moher and Burren. The Cliffs is one of the most amazing views in Ireland. It is along to coastline of Galway bay and is filled with puffins, cows, goats, and beautiful birds. Before we arrived at the cliffs, on the hour drive there in the bus, our driver, Desmonde, filled our hearts with laughter. He was an older Irish man whose humor was contagious. We made many stops along the way, and he kept the jokes rolling.

Along the way we stopped at the Burren, which is a unique limestone landscape. We also got to see Dunguaire Caste, Corcomroe Abbey, Kilfenora Cathedral and Crosses, and last but not least Gleninsheen Wedge Tomb. All the sites were beautiful but my favorite by far was the Cliffs of Moher.

The Cliffs stood high above the ocean sea. Across the way on one side of the cliffs you could see only the blue sea, and on the other you could see The North Platform view of O' Brien's Tower and south cliffs. It was like heaven. While my friend Jordan and I walked around we met 3 new friends who quickly became our role models. Their names were Zultan (from Canada), Amanda (Australia), and Dan (Australia). They were all 23 year olds traveling the world by car, foot, boat, and plane. They met 3 weeks prior to the Cliffs on a random bus and found out that they each were traveling the world and decided to join together. HOW AMAZING! They each packed a few bags, left their homes, and are traveling place to place meeting new people and experiencing new culture. We were able to take pictures with them and also laugh about the different slang we each talked. Leaving them was hard, even though we only got to know them for an hour, because we were all so intrigued with each other. They told Jordan and I we were the nicest American's they have met so far and it made Jordan and I feel so thankful for meeting such amazing people.

On the Bus we both felt like we were on cloud 9. Jordan and I made a goal to save money for 3 to four year and then travel the world together. I really hope this happens. She is so much like me; a talker, and we both really enjoy learning for the new people we have met along our journey.

When I was in Spain last week, before boarding the plane back to Dublin, I met a girl who was in the peace corp. and we hit it off right away. (I wrote about her in my previous blog). IT WAS INSANE! When I got on the Bus yesterday morning before our tour, SHE WAS ON OUR BUS! So, I got to know Michelle a little more and introduced her to all the girls on my program. SO… IRELAND IS A LOT SMALLER THEN YOU THINK! It made me so happy to run into her again. We exchanged numbers and she is planning to come out with all of us tonight for Jordan's 20th birthday.

I have made a very good friend here named Liam. He lives right across the bridge from me and we have spent a lot of time together. He is so fun to relax with and learn from. His mother and father met traveling Europe. They both were hippies and loved traveling for music and art. When he was a child his dad left him but his mother has done an amazing job as a single parent. She bought a house for her family on her own, and with her bare hands built it up to look like a beautiful palace. It is so interesting to me to hear these stories. I grew up with a perfect mother and father, who give my siblings and I everything they can possible. It breaks my heart to hear how bad the economy really is here. But you quickly learn from living here a few days that money really isn't everything. The people still socialize at the pubs, and live life to the fullest no matter the change in their pockets. Money doesn't run their daily life.

I really have taking a step back and compared my life to others. I am so thankful for what I have, but I plan to be smarter now with money and my time. It is not that I spend like a maniac; it just got me to think of others and treasure what is really important about life.

The people here, like I have said a million times, are truly amazing. You can stop and ask them for directions, or any question you want, and they take the time to help and care for you. Since it is a small area, it is important to take care of each other and I have seen this every day I am here.

I love it here. I love everything I have done and seen. My emotions are so hard to explain. I really am learning so much about myself and this trip has changed my life.

I wish I could share this all with you