Travel Post : Ireland ~ the final edition of EuroTrip 2013

I have been intentionally dragging on doing this post because this post, the last installment of this trip means it is officially over!

If you have been reading my posts you will know that I LOVE Ireland! On my previous trip, my friend, Alicia and I only went to Dublin and we did all the touristy things there and I left Dublin with a heavy heart. For the past 2 and a half years I have been holding a candle to it so it was obviously risky going back, I mean the way I looked at there would one of two scenarios:

1. I would be completely dissaappointed by it. I would think I was caught in the romance of my first trip and that the people and the place actually wasn't that great.

2. I would love it as much as I thought I did the first time round and would hate leaving it.

Well there is a third option which I hadn't anticipated, it would exceed my expectations by far and I would fall more in love with the place and the people. This is what actually happened.

When I got off the plane from Belgium, I was almost overwhelmed to be surrounded by such nice people, people who spoke English!!

On this trip I decided to go to Galway for a night so I could see the Cliffs of Moher however when I arrived the last tour bus for the day had left so I had the afternoon to relax in Galway.. this is when I met Aimee and Keeley, they were staying in the same Hostel as me. By the way this hostel was awesome :)

 

I sort of forced my way into lunch with my two new American friends and once we sat down we actually got along really well! Keeley had been to Galway before and loved it and she love's traditional Irish music which as you know.. I do :)

We decided we were going out that night and to say it wa EPIC would be an understatement.

The next day we were off to the Cliffs of Moher which were breath-taking to say the least. The entire tour was unbelievable...

Saturday night we went back to Dublin for another night out. While not as epic as Galway it was loads of fun!

Sunday I got to catch up with two friends I had made on my previous trip (Thank you Facebook!). If I am honest, I was scared that it was going to be strained or awkward but it was so easy and time just went way too quickly. They gave me an unorthodox one of a kind tour showing me things you would only know after living in a city and I loved it!

That evening I didn't have anyone to go with me to listen to some traditional Irish music so I decided, " Who Cares?! I'll go alone!" It was truly one of the most scary and liberating things to do. I went to O'Neill's in Suffolk Street.

The next day I spent the day just taking in Dublin City because I had previously been to Dublin I didn't have any tourist things to do I just got to enjoy the culture.

I saw this sign while walking around Dublin City

 

In the evening I managed to get all but one of the ladies from my room (Room 17) to go back to O'Neill's that evening and it was so much fun.

Ireland was once again incredibly kind to me and I am definitely going back - sooner rather than later! I think it's wonderful to feel at home in a place which is clearly not your home. The Irish are so warm and made me feel very welcome, once again.

Have you been to anywhere in Ireland?

Book Review : Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks

As I have previously said, I have been trying to read one book a month for this year and I did actually finish a book for August 2013 but I just did not blog about.

I started reading Nights in Rodanthe, while in Europe but finished it early in September.

I had watched the movie many years ago, when it released on circuit but I still wanted to read the book and I was once agin reminded that Nicholas Sparks is an incredibly beautiful writer. His writing and his ability to convey so much love through words is inspiring.

For those that have never read the book or watched the movie, it's about a woman and a man who meet in Rodanthe, both in interesting stages of their lives and how one storm could change the very core of who they both were.

This is a rare occassion where the book and movie do actually match well, so do yourself a favour and read or watch it. It will also assist you to see that there is very rarely a true end to monotomy if you're willing to take a risk... oh and a few hours, can change your life.

Have you read this book? Or watched the movie? What did you think? More importantly, will you read it after reading this?

Football Friday :Miguel Ángel Britos Cabrera

After the whole Blogtember challenge, I must be honest I am feeling really tired and I have been so busy in my day to day life that I haven't been able to blog much.

Today will be quick, I am not sure if I should continue with Football Friday or if I should switch to another day reserved for some good old eye candy. So tell me what you think I should do?

Today is all about an Uruguayan footballer who plays for Napoli FC, which means he lives in Italy (lucky him).   I actually became aware of him from a picture that Pepe Reina posted on his facebook page.

Therefore I cannot tell you much about his ability but I will be sure to watch the next Napoli game and see if he looks better on TV or in pictures!

 

 

In the News:

1. Aresenal appears to be doing well this season, then again, they always start off well but I am unconvinced that they will be able to keep up at this level unless Ozil really is something magical...?

2. It appears that despite the rumours, Qatar will still host the 2018 World Cup.

3. Man United are playing badly and everyone is playing the blame game.

 

and

 

Liverpool FC have released their new team photo

Don't you think he looks similar to Nacer Chali?

 

New Month ~ New Mindset

Last month was intense.

Last month this time, I was in Dublin, listening to live traditional Irish Folk music... this month, I am in in Johannesburg, tired from a busy day at work and once again contemplating my life choices.

However, I have decided for now, to give into the warm weather and just stop sweating the small stuff. I am SUPER excited that one of my besties is visiting Joburg this week and we get to spend some quality time with one another! * happy dance *

I have been trying to catch up the blog posts I missed while travelling and I can officially say I have less than 50 more to go. I have been doing a lot of reading but something I have noticed, a lot of my fellow bloggers have been battling to find time or inspiration to blog which is sort of how I have been feeling. Which made me think that perhaps it's the change in season that evokes this need to assess our lives or move us to challenge our current complacency.

So, in the spirit of lists, new beginnings and prevention of procrastination - I want to address the following aspects of my life:

1.Start learning Spanish - I have had the recordings but I never seem to get past one third of the first disc

2. I want to incorporate physical activity at least 4 times a week.

3. Book another trip, even if it's a local trip - I want to go somewhere new

4. Decide on my blog design (have you noticed, I keep making changes?)

I guess my list is not very extensive but perhaps that means I can actually accomplish them?!
Have you set any goals for October?