Sunday, November 6, 2011

Emerald Island


Our trip to Ireland started rather early, the 13th of October, 07:30. We left Kazanlak, me, Ivan and Mrs. Ljubenova, with my mother driving us, to the Sofia airport. There, we met up with the rest of the group and waited for our plane to arrive. The flight to Frankfurt was okay, no delays and such. We changed flights and set off for Dublin.
 
We arrived at Dublin late in the evening, everyone was waiting for us. The first ones I saw were Ian and Maria. I just didn’t know the other’s names. Then, we went to the bus, where the rest of the Spanish and Norwegians were. Then, we had dinner at some restaurant, and talked with each other. After that, we went to our hotel in Kilkenny. I was in a room with Alex, from Spain. We talked a lil’ bit and went to sleep.

The next morning, we had breakfast, and set off to see some of the famous sights in the city. First, it was the tourist information center, which was stationed in a XV-th or XVI-th century building. Then, we went to see a cathedral, and even went inside. After that, we got to the Kilkenny castle. There, we took some group photos. After that, we had lunch. We got to know each other better then. And then, we went to see the Rothe Hause, a XVII-th century building. After that, we had some free time. I was with some of the Bulgarians, and Maria, going around town- and a crafts shop. Later that day, we all gathered at the hotel, where Andrea played the piano and Maria sang for us. Then, we got on the bus and went to the school, where all the Irish were waiting for us.

There, I met Eoin and his mother. They were really kind people, as well as his father, brother and sister. That night, we didn’t really talk to each other, because me and Jaume were tired and went to sleep rather early.
The next morning, all of us went to Ardmore and Lismore. Sadly, Eoin couldn’t come. In Ardmore, we first watched a movie about the history of the local area. Then, we went to see the castle, from the outside- we were not allowed in because it was private property. We took a lot of pictures together!
Then, we had lunch. Some of the people went for a walk along a picturesque path. After that, we went to Lismore. Some of us took a stroll along the coast, and then we all went to meet our guide, the Principal of the Irish college in Dungarvan. He told us about the history of Lismore, and mostly about St. Decklan. We went up the mountain, along the cliffs right next to the sea, along another picturesque path. After we reached the top, we went down to a tower, overlooking the village of Lismore.

Then, we went back to the bus, and got to school. There, we had dinner, and danced Irish dances, and listened to Irish music. After that, we went home, played some card games and went to sleep, after the long and tiring day.

The next day we went to the football field, so we could learn Hurley. We learned the basics- getting the sliotar onto the hurley and running, without dropping the ball. Also, we learned how to strike the sliotar. Then, we played a game, similar to baseball- our team won!!!

I don’t know what the others did, but me, Jaume, Eoin and his father went to a Hurley match near Waterford. We got home, and had dinner with the whole family. Later, we went to see a movie in the cinema.

On Monday we went to school. First, we had cooking, made traditional Irish bread, and a vegetable soup. Later, we had Irish, Arts and Music. We tried to learn how to play the Bodhran, which was not so easy! We learned a few Irish words, and displayed our skills in drawing. After school was over, we went home.
So, the final day arrived. I bid farewell to Eoin’s family, and to everyone that was at the school early in the morning. We got on the bus and departed for Dublin. On our way there, the bus broke down, so we had to get a taxi and go to the airport. We, the Bulgarians said goodbye to everyone with us there, and got on the taxi. Both the flight to Frankfurt and to Sofia were fine. At the airport in Sofia, Hristo’s family and mine were waiting for us. After talking with them for a few minutes, all of us went back to Kazanlak. A truly amazing experience at the Emerald island!

I took the photo so I'm not there! :D 
Rosen

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