Farewell Emerald Isle

Well I'm officially leaving Ireland. I can't believe how fast it's gone. I feel like I've seen so much and yet I could spend so much more time exploring Ireland. I must come back and finish seeing Ireland. But as for now, the three musketeers sit on the ferry back to England for the night. 

After the cemetery this morning, we continued heading north. As I mentioned, our destination was The Giant's Causeway. However, before we went there we stopped in Derry, or Londonderry depending on who you ask. 

I didn't know a lot about the history about Northern Ireland. Honestly, I probably still don't. I'd read briefly about the struggle and riots between the Irish and the British. I need to study up on the history of Derry. I'd recommend for you to as well! However, the recent history is literally written on the walls in Derry. We didn't spend much time there. Just a quick walk down the street with the murals on the wall. In the square, where Bloody Sunday occurred, monuments are erected for the dead and wounded rioters. (Florian corrected my writing here saying, "They don't like the word 'riot' because the whole point was that it was peaceful. Again, I need to study up on this subject.) In the center stands a part of a house that use to be part of the city wall. There is a main writing that stays: "You are now entering free Derry." But at the bottom, artists are allowed to make political drawings. If you look closely, you can see the layers of paint. As I said, we didn't spend a lot of time there, but it was clear how fresh the history is. The uprising were as recent as the seventies. That's not that long ago. Bulletholes literally still line the walls. The wounded still walk the street. Saying the wrong phrases in the wrong parts can get you in a tough situation. I wish we had spent more time because I know I would have loved to learn more. Just added to my list of "To-Do" on my return to Ireland. 

As much as I would have loved to have stayed, I'm glad we kept going because our next stop was quite possibly my favorite stop in Ireland: the Giant's Causeway. I guess I need to preface by saying today was stormy and cold. I'm talking snow blowing horizontal across foggy dark skies. It was a good day to be in the car. When we got the the Causeway, luckily it wasn't snowing anymore. But the wind was still incredibly strong and the ocean spoke of a day of stormy skies. We parked the car and began the ten minute walk towards the Giant's Causeway. The Causeway is a natural rock formation that puzzled the ancients. It looks so perfectly put together they thought that giants had created it. Rocks snuggly aline so that they make a walk way towards the ocean. It is most miraculous to see. But what really topped off the scenery was how the ocean was acting. The stormy day meant that the waves were cresting at about 25 feet. They splashed to the top of the cliffs. White sea foam swirled in the sky outlined by dark clouds. It was incredible. 

As we walked back, we detoured to the top of a cliff that overlooked the stormy sea. Water splashed us in the face as the wind howled through our hair. The comfy grass invited us -or at least me- to run full speed down the hills. I sat on the edge of the hilltop watching the sun desperately peek through the dark clouds. I wish I could say it healed any pain in my heart. I wish I could say it gave me some life realization. But it didn't. It just gave me enough peace for a moment to regain my footing. It gave me enough peace for a moment to laugh running through the grass. It gave me enough serenity to breathe deeply the bitterly cold air and love the moment I was in. Nothing more, nothing less. Just enough clairity to love everything in that moment. It was stupendous. Well done Ireland, well done. 

Till next time, cheers Ireland!