Parents Week!

Picking up my parents from an airport to come and visit me is something I never imagined I would be doing during my time at college; however, they decided to come and visit me for a week and so I ended up heading to the airport for their arrival. My parents are very loving and kind people and spending time with them adventuring is always a memorable experience, therefore I saved the majority of my plans to travel and explore Ireland with them. 

Our adventure began in the heart of Dublin, I took them to a local pub to have a traditional Irish Stew with soda bread, we then explored Grafton Street, towards St. Stephens Green where we sat and enjoyed a coffee from the Bean hive. We then spent the evening at the Brazen Head, which is considered to be the oldest pub in Ireland having a pint of Guiness, headed to the Hairy Lemon, and then grabbed a slice of pizza from Bambinos for our walk back to my parents’ hotel where I bid them goodnight and planned for our adventures for the next few days. 

The first half of my parent’s visit was spent exploring Dublin itself, touring Trinity, the Book of Kells, Henry Street, Temple Bar and the Dublin Christmas Castle and the Guiness Factory were all experiences that we enjoyed thoroughly. We even ended up trying some cool restaurants, which was an interesting factor adding to Dublin’s undiscussed diversity. From Japanese Tapas to Indian Classics, we adventured around the city centers exploring everything we possibly could. 

The second half of their visit included traveling to the famous natural landmarks that Ireland is known for, we started off with a 9-mile hike around Howth, where we experienced so many interesting landmarks and hidden pathways that were beautiful to witness. The views from the top of the hills were breathtaking, and we even found some secret spots that added some challenges to our hike. We then headed back to Dublin with our bellies full of smoked cod and chips. 

After our day at Howth, we then adventured to Galway where we went to the Thomas Dillion Claddagh Store, and I purchased an authentic ring. From there we headed to the Cliffs of Moher, which was an experience I will never forget. Fighting 50 mph wind speeds we climbed up to get the best view of the cliffs right before sunset and experienced the chill of the ocean spray as we stared out into the vast sea, hearing the crashing of the waves against the cliffs. It was magical. This was one of the main reasons I decided to travel abroad, experiencing something so serene yet so dangerous at the same time was a juxtaposition that left me ultimately speechless. I was in love with this country. Driving back from the Cliffs to Dublin was a car ride that left my heart satisfied, as my parents and I joked about things and reminisced on times that bought us joy I felt as if I had my home with me in this new and foreign country that I had spent 4 months adjusting to. Laughing about stories of my sister and I when we were younger and talking about our dogs back home, I realized maybe I did miss home a bit.

Our Irish odyssey resulted in a visit to Northern Ireland to Belfast, where we met with some of our extended family that travelled down from London for a day trip. The moment we boarded the train, a sense of foreboding washed over us. The weather, a tempestuous force, was set to challenge our journey. As the train grounded to a halt, the conductor announced that fallen trees had obstructed the tracks and so we made our way to the buses to complete our journey to Belfast. Finally, after joining our family, we arrived at the Dark Hedges, an avenue of ancient beech trees. The relentless wind added to the almost eerie experience of the Hedges, adding to the mystical energy of the trip. Undeterred, we stepped out into the storm and continued towards our next location. The Giant's Causeway was a sight that defied description. As we battled against the relentless wind and rain, we made our way to the edge of the causeway, where otherworldly rock formations stretched towards the horizon. The intricate, geometric patterns of the basalt columns seemed almost supernatural, a testament to the raw power of nature. As I sat on a rocky ledge, gazing out at the tumultuous sea, a sense of awe washed over me. The crashing waves, the salty sea spray, and the haunting beauty of the landscape combined to create an unforgettable experience. It was at that moment that I realized how deeply I would miss this extraordinary place.

However, seeing my parents after so many months made me realize how homesick I actually was. It was just suppressed due to the inviting presence of the Irish and the amazing landmarks that were constantly engaging me. Watching my parents drive away in the cab to the airport was slightly heartbreaking, but seeing as my time at Trinity is ending, I know I will be reunited with my family and friends and my familiar surroundings, which is comforting.