It was a bit of a mission to get down there though. We left on Friday afternoon, when everyone else in Dublin seemed to have decided Cork for the weekend was a good idea. The bus stop was a mad house waiting for the AirCoach to arrive. When it finally did, it was completely full up, none of us could get on. So we waited 15 minutes for the next, and only 2 of us were able to get on board. Finally an hour later me and a lot of patience, the last two of us were able to get one with only 5 seats available.
The drive down to Cork didn't feel as long as I remembered. I think my excitement got the best of me and made it go quicker. Arriving in Cork was like coming home for me. We dropped our bags and practically ran to the Franciscan Well to meet my other 2 friends who arrived before us, and made it just in time for Pompeii Pizza (my favorite). Being back to one of my favorite places felt so good, and the atmosphere was even better than it was two years ago. The Rebel Red was just as good as I remembered!
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| Rebel Red. The pizza was too good to take a picture first. |
Saturday I met my boss at the National Maritime College of Ireland in Haulbowline for a SeaFest. The SeaFest was actually really cool, there were tons of presentations ranging from science research, ocean technologies, seafood and fishing industry, sailing and water activities, and the navy. I learned so much more about the sea and marine life at that fair, I was glad I was able to go. It was also nice to see how many families came out to encourage their kids to learn about the sea and marine life.
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| Learning how to measure a lobster |
I was able to spend a little time out on the town that night. It was a bittersweet return to the city though. It felt like I never left Cork at all that's how fresh the memories still are. But being out and visiting all the old places my friends and I used to go to really hit home. Not only were they not with me but things changed. The city changed. Places I used to go to were no longer the same or they were just plain gone. I knew when I left two years ago it wouldn't feel the same the first time I returned, but I wasn't expecting such a bittersweet feeling. Next time I go back, I know what to expect so hopefully I won't feel so unsettled. At least I still knew my way around the city, not all was lost at least!
Sunday was a much better day than the rainy, emotional Saturday. We were graced with the perfect day for a road trip. Sunny skies and warm weather. My housemate, Mary, and I stayed with a friend that night who thankfully had a car. We were able to see places I've been wanting to go to since I left. We headed down to Kinsale for lunch (which hasn't changed a bit) then made our way to the beach.
Garretstown Beach has been a place I've heard quite a bit of but never got to see while I was there. And my God, was it beautiful! The beach was nice, but the walk along the wheat field and cliffs was breathtaking. It was the perfect escape from the hectic busy Dublin city. I could have happily walked that trail all day, but unfortunately all trails come to an end and we had to turn back.
Our last stop on our road trip was just a bit further up from Garretstown called Sandy Cove. Our friend led us out to a really beautiful and secluded spot along a trail and we just sat there for an hour and enjoyed the peace and quiet. It's places like this that make me fall more in love with Ireland, with Cork even. I love the green that spreads as far as the eye can see, and the ragged edges of the cliffs falling into the ocean. I can't quite describe how much a place like this means to me, but what I do know is that the reason I'm here interning is because I want to protect this kind of beauty.
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| A new favorite spot |
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