Irish Geniality

After a day of travelling from London, via an initial delayed train, onto an overcrowded second train (good thing we had pre-booked and assigned seats), and an insanely choppy ferry ride, we arrived in a chilly and drizzly Dublin Port!! Greeted by Aggie, my Polish-Canadian-newly Irish friend, and Deb, a fellow Canadian friend with an inspiring Irish soul we boarded a bus for the city and settled into the nearest pub! With bellies full of drink and homemade soup and brown bread, and our minds abuzz with girl chatter we confirmed our hopes for the week ahead!

Dublin Port

And an amazing week it was….

While I could write paragraphs and posts about the friendships, journeys, daily life and living, and perceptions of Irish folk and the landscape, I will instead attempt to summarize as succinctly as possible the overall feeling and experience…

#1: Ireland is perhaps the most friendly and generous country in Europe, or maybe even the world? Irish folk are both interesting and interested, are always willing and able to lend a hand, clarify directions, or offer a free coffee, and in each case it is executed with genuine hospitality, generosity, and consideration!

Relaxed rainy afternoons spent in pubs...

 

#2: The landscape is abound with rolling hills, winding rivers, lush meadows, narrow thin roads outlined with stone walls, and pastures of sheep, and dotted along with rural villages, small towns and quaint cities that seem unbothered with the bustle and speed of regular city living.

Tide out in Skerries

Calm waters of Greystones

Drizzly days in Howth

Atop the Hill of Tara

Relics of Slane

Tranquility of Wicklow

Meandering through the Wicklow Mountains

Dublin's St. Stephen's Green

#3: For an industrialized first world nation, their historical and political struggles are heartbreaking and difficult to understand; but their eternal hope, faith and pride are inspiring and humbling.

Political murals in Belfast

Signing the peace wall

(Divisional) Peace wall in Belfast

Bus tour of Belfast



#4: The weather is frequently erratic and often temperamental with eternal cloudy overcast skies, fits of rain and fleeting moments of sunshine amidst cooler temperatures.

Cloudy skies at the Hill of Tara

Rainbows in Skerries

Overcast horizons in Monasterboice

#5: Finally, and perhaps this is more of a testament to friendship… but time spent in conversation, connection and contemplation with incredible friends adds a special flavour to any and all occasions and experiences!

Farewell lunch at the Gingerman Pub

Day in Dublin

Picnic in Wicklow

Afternoon Pub visits

London Calling

After a day of train travel with a transfer in Brussels, and passage through the Chunnel, we arrived at London St. Pancras station. Contrary to my new vie en France, I continually mess up common English words like St. Pancras (otherwise known and pronounced as St. Pancreas, by me), Covent Gardens (aka, Covenant Gardens),  and Holyhead  (come on… you thought Hollyhead didn’t you?)… which only gets much worse in Ireland…

 

From the station we bought Oyster Cards (not to be confused with my newfound appreciation for seafood), and boarded a bus to our hostel on the outskirts of Notting Hill. Let me clarify that while Notting Hill is a posh and hip neighbourhood in London, the hostel was a bit more what a hostel should be… co-ed rooms with shady characters swigging Bailey’s convinced they are from the southern US, but speak with a german-french accent, non-existent lockers or methods to secure and safeguard belongings; including the faulty pay per use safes near reception, falsely advertised non-existent towel rentals, and friendly staff all too happy to exclaim that; “as long as you trust your roommates, your stuff should be fine.” Although, all in all, despite being the early birds to bed each night, drying off with a t-shirt instead of a towel each morning, and munching on mouldy bread at the free breakfast, the adventure wasn’t half bad. And while I am not in a hurry to sign up for a future hostel holiday, it was both fun and amusing, and I am glad I did it!

Astor's Quest Hostel

As a fourth trip to London, and my third time there in less than 8 months, I should admit that with each visit it grows on me and the stale stagnant air of the underground, and impersonal autopilot shuffle of the overpopulated centre and streets is less exhausting and frustrating; but rather comforting and somewhat familiar?!

Over our two days in London, we walked around the city and rode the underground, exploring its famous landmarks and sites, including; London Bridge, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, London Eye, Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guards, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey (not Westminister ;), Trafalgar Square, etc…  And as in most cities that we had and would later visit we spent an indulgent afternoon with a native Canadian living in London, sampling gourmet goodies at an ultra modern, open concept restaurant in Notting  Hill.

Kensington Gardens

London Bridge

Changing of the guards - Buckingham Palace

Big Ben & London Eye

Buckingham Palace

 

Thoroughly exhausted from the past week of walking, and lugging and living out of suitcases, we were ready and set to embark on our next journey to Ireland!!

Heights of Holland

Next stop… the Netherlands! Mid-day arrival in Amsterdam and check in at the first of our hostel adventures. Bunk beds, reasonable locker size, clean washrooms, girls only floor, cozy kitchen and lounge, cheap towel rentals, and Christian focused so less likely to be noisy and rowdy! A quick settling in and we were off to explore the capital city of Amsterdam.

Shelter Jordan Hostel

Throughout the day we wandered around the canals, through the red light district, by the Bloemenmarket (flower market), and in and around the city squares and streets, ending the day with an authentic Indonesian dinner. A truly international city, yet one that continues to inspire and adopt a bohemian yet traditional lifestyle. Despite the mass numbers of tourists and non natives living amongst and within the city and red light district, the Dutch cycle throughout the city in business suits, skirts and heels, on rusty dilapidated colourful bicycles with baskets and bells, and an ardent fierceness commanding greater awareness and recognition than the vehicles on the road. Rows upon rows of bikes line the streets and canals; many are propped along buildings, and most creak and rattle in ancient harmony as the new modern aluminum framed ride is not favoured here.

Indonesian dessert with toasted coconut!

An early night, so we thought, ended with us settling into the hostel just after 10pm, however, we were surprised to see that the rest of the bunks were occupied with sleeping travellers, and for once we were the night owls!  A climb up to my top bunk and an unexpected night of good sleep completed another fun yet exhausting day.

The next morning was spent browsing along an outdoor market and stopping to smell the tulips and flowers along the Bloemenmarket, with a treat of fries and mayo thrown in! A short train ride into Amersfoort and we were enjoying Dutch beer in a quaint historical town with other Canadian travellers! A stroll through town and an appreciation of the quieter small town existence and we were off to experience the Dutch culture and lifestyle in all its hospitality and warmth! The remainder of the day was spent with good friends of Anna’s learning about their hopes, realized dreams and traditions. A true cultural experience encompassed in humanity and understanding.

Bloemenmarket

Amersfoort

Amersfoort

Amersfoort

The following final day was relaxed and rainy, touring the Anne Frank house, and then meeting up with another friend of Anna’s for coffee and lunch before embarking on the next of our capital tours to London!

Anne Frank House - a moving & inspiring tour