Yes, I’ve been absent for a while. I apologize. But, it’s been for good reason. Traveling around Europe, enjoying colloquial foods and wine, visiting world famous sites and catching up with old friends. Good reason to me.
The non-stop 6 week whirlwind tour of indulgence started February 7 after I completed my last final in Frühchristliche und Karolingische Kunst. Semester break had begun full force on a plane to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Somewhere in transit on the Aer Lingus flight between Munich, Germany and Belfast, I shook-off my Semesternote, said goodbye to Wintersemester 2008, and put on my vacation shoes.
Ten days I spent on the land of Leprechauns, never seeing one, with two amazingly welcoming families. My vibrant, full of life and smiles friend Ciara offered me a bed in her home in Northern Ireland. During my stay with the Fitzpatricks I learned of the history of violence between the north and the south, witnessed the very spot where the Titanic was built, survived a party bus and began my addiction to tea. I also experienced the good ol’ Irish hospitality.
In my experience traveling to new places, it’s my impression that nothing surpasses the opportunity to stay in someone’s home and actually meet people who live there. Anyone can experience the sites, sounds and tastes of a certain culture, but not everyone experiences the heart of the country, its people. I’m sure it’s been said a million times by a million other travelers, but once you get past the differences in looks, history, language, government… People of the world really are more similar than different. And it is the people of that place who have created its history, constructed its architecture, perfected its cuisine and have lured you to their land. No original idea, but I’m just grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to befriend fun, honest, dependable people from other countries and visit their homes.
Since I was already on the island, another friend from Salzburg, Denise, generously let me invite myself to her parent’s home and tag along on a road-trip adventure to Galway with her sisters Aoife and Catherine. Denise, who I’ve been spending more time with recently, is a girl who gets straight to the point and likes to have a good time. Her family, the Shovlins, also welcomed me and made me feel like I had been a family friend for years. With Denise I got the chance to lollygag around Dublin for the day and even tour the Guinness Storehouse enjoying a fresh pint at the Gravity Bar on the top. I celebrated Valentine’s Day in the lovely little town of Galway with it’s quaint streets, colorful shop fronts and picturesque shore side walk where one kicks the wall at the end of the walk twice without knowing the exact reason why. That’s Ireland.
After 10 days on the go in Ireland and Northern Ireland I was ready to come back to my temporary home in Salzburg and welcome two familiar faces; but sad to leave the comfy homes of the two Irish families and the atmosphere I miss so much from my family back home. I feel closer to my Salzburg friends after the trip and more torn than ever. I’ve created this little life for myself here and am damn proud of what I’ve accomplished on my own. I love Salzburg. However, I do miss my family, friends and even Kansas a bit. It’s going to be bittersweet leaving this dream. Old friends, in the name of Sarah and Ali, couldn’t have come at a better time…
To be continued.
