Guiness for Strength

I can't believe it has been almost 3 weeks since I last wrote a post. A lot has been going on and time has seemed to have flown right by. This is my last week in Ireland before I head back to the Netherlands and wherever else the wind may take me. The past few weeks, aside from my work exchange duties of helping out with the cafe, I have been doing a lot of hikes mostly with our neighbor Eric. It seems that almost daily we were walking somewhere, whether it be to the stone circle nearby, the sea loop, up the mountain, along the cliffs, through ancient villages, or making the drive to a lonesome yet lovely lake. The weather has been outstanding for the past couple of weeks which is probably why I haven't written much... too busy enjoying the outside!

Yesterday, I was able to catch a ride up to the town of Killarney in County Kerry. This town is very touristy because of the Killarney National Park and its breathtaking beauty. I walked around town early in the morning, ate a scone, then booked a "tour" to see the lakes of Killarney and the Gap of Dunloe. This was more of an adventure than a tour though. The guide drove us in a vintage car over to Ross Castle, where we took a boat across the lakes of Killarney. I thought it would be wonderful to sit in the front part of the boat, but instead was blasted by the cold wind and waves. I had to laugh as I was being splashed, thinking that I am really getting the Irish seamen experience. Little did I know what was coming next. Since the weather has been so nice and rain free, the lakes were a bit shallow in some areas. Besides myself, there was a German couple celebrating their honeymoon who were also on the tour. The guide said that we all needed to get off the boat so that he could pass under a bridge through this really shallow section. Then he told me that he might need my help. Did he ask the stocky German man? No, he asked the petite American girl. Next thing I knew I had to jump off the boat with the ropes and hold the boat from being pulled back into the current, which was very strong. We both mightily pulled the boat through the narrow passageway, against the current, in shallow water (which was definitely challenging) and finally made it. So we boated over to pick up the couple and the guide expressed to the couple how we almost needed their help. But, he said "We have a strong woman here. She must be drinking her Guinness." I laughed and thought "if you only knew"!

We continued on our journey and he dropped us off in a remote area where we were to either hike or get a pony ride back. I opted to hike the 7 miles through the mountains, while the German couple opted for the pony ride. So along I went all by my strong self, passing by fields of sheep, up the mountain, through the Gap of Dunloe, and finally ending at some pubs, of course, where the guide picked us up and brought us back into town. The hike was amazing and it felt so good to be doing it solo. I whistled, laughed at the baaing sheep, met a thoroughbred Irishman, and marveled at the beauty that I was surrounded by. I was in complete awe of majestic Mother Nature and at peace with the solitude she provided. My spirit couldn't be happier, and I felt so grateful for all the recent crazy events in my life that had lead me here to this divine place of healing. The strength may have come from my increased consumption of Guinness, but more likely it has come from my courage to keep on trekking even when times get tough.