Beyond the Books

      Never doubt the magic of getting on a Ryan Air flight for your health. In fact, I got on four different flights in the span of seven days and my mental health has never been better. The beauty of studying in Ireland is its proximity to mainland Europe, even though it might be more beneficial to study on the mainland. Irelands distance makes it a nice location in that I have my own corner of the world to live in while also having access to different areas around me. This past week was reading week, at Trinity College Dublin this is a time for students to get their work done and stay ahead especially since the semesters here are shorter. This is exactly what I did. I used my newfound knowledge in my art history classes to adventure out and see all of the pieces which were discussed in class. 

     From Rogier van der Weyden’s religious triptychs to Gustav Klint’s more modern art, Vienna became my first stop. Vienna had a sort of charm to it which was seen in its amazing architecture and silent nights. Even though the nightlife had its own significance to it, the city itself was something out of a silent film, one of which I hadn't seen. The Votivkirche also known as the Votive Church with its intense neo-gothic architecture was sat in the middle of the city surrounded by many street vendors and cafes which gave me an interesting image on how other European cities exist in this realm. Along with architecture, we visited the main Wien Museum which held many artifacts from the Middle Ages, such as chain mail which was insanely heavy. However, it also held much of the history of Vienna, such as the Turkish sieges of the city which is seen through some of the architecture and designs seen throughout the city. It was interesting to see how artistic influences were observed in different locations, proving how intense influence in the European countries can really be especially in Austria.

        Ryan air then transported us to Athens, Greece, which by far was my favorite location of this trip. Being an avid fan of Greek mythology during my teenage years lead up to the very moment when I stood on top of the Acropolis and actually got to see what I had always dreamed of before. It may seem dramatic but watching the sun set on the Acropolis over the city of Athens is a sight for sore eyes. Greece really proved its brilliance, from the friendly people to the inviting culture, the architecture, and especially the food this country has a special place in my heart forever. Walking into Zeus’s temple was an amazing testament to the classical architecture of Greece. Coming from a Gothic location where design was consistently complex and structured to a location where simplicity proved greatness showed the development of the art styles which I had observed during my art classes in high school, and it was amazing to see those discussions come to fruition. Hopefully, the gods have blessed me after Greece, because exam period is coming soon. 

     After eating chicken gyros, hummus and dolma it was time for some pizza, and where else to get pizza other than Italy! We landed in Rome on the final last days of our travels and even though we were tired out the limoncello definitely woke us up. From the Pantheon to the Trevi Fountain to the Sistine Chapel, Rome was another location which proved itself to be a visit worth its time. Making coffee from a Bialetti in the mornings and eating Cacio e Pepe at lunch time really formulated a well-rounded Italian experience which satisfied my cravings. Even though the majority of the city and sites of Rome were under construction it was still an experience worth the time and effort. 

    The final flight took us back to Dublin in which we rejoiced due to two things: putting our overweight backpacks down and getting a good full night of rest. After which I decided to book more flights to visit more countries, because what is the point of a passport if you don’t get to decorate it with stamps! So hopefully Ryan Air can sponsor my next flight! However, I definitely think that if you decide to study abroad in a country away from home, be sure to utilize your time abroad doing more things than just sitting in your accommodation on weekends and dreaming about a time when you can travel, break into your savings and EXPLORE!