Glendalough

Hey everyone!

So apparently grocery stores don’t open until 11 AM on Sundays, and some don’t even open at all. Wish I had known that before I got up early to go grocery shopping. But I ran twice (once along the canal, and once along the Liffey) and sipped on some hot chocolate from Butlers Chocolate Café (http://www.butlerschocolates.com So ridiculously good. They always give you a piece of free chocolate too!) while watching the baby swans in St. Stephens Green to cure my boredom.

Anyway, today, we went to Glendalough, which is about 1.5 hours away by bus. It’s a beautiful hilly area with lots of hiking trails. The forest reminded me of west coasts forests, something you’d find in Oregon or Seattle. It literally looked like a scene out of the Twilight movie, gray gloomy rain and all. But it was breathtakingly beautiful -- tall green trees everywhere and a really fresh, woody smell that was like a scent that came straight out of an air freshener. I was so upset that I left my memory card in my computer, so I couldn’t take any pictures, but here's a beautiful picture of Glendalough that Caroline took:

As we hiked, we sang song after song after song after song. Bill and Suzanne explained that each group every year has its own characteristic that makes it unique. For example, several years ago, they had a “foodie group,” this group was constantly talking about food and where they wanted to eat. Caroline and I determined that our group was probably the “singing/dancing group.” Everywhere we go, we sing songs together and break it down in the middle of the street. Always. I feel like I’m living in a musical. It’s wonderful.

On the trail, we passed by a lovely waterfall and perhaps the most beautiful lake I’ve ever seen. We sat and admired the view for probably ten minutes, singing and reflecting simultaneously. Everything seems so small and accessible, but it seems so big at the same time. It’s really difficult to explain, but it’s something that still blows my mind. Even just the fact that we’re in Glendalough, actually hiking these trails and seeing these stunning sights with our own eyes is something that I still can’t wrap my mind around. We always turn to each other and ask, “Is this real life?” because it seems so surreal.

Tomorrow starts another busy week of work. Our individual project is taking form, and Derek and I are super excited to see where this goes.

Much love!

Smiles,

Anna