Our morning began with many hugs, handshakes, photos and goodbyes between Blue Wave swimmers and parents and our host families. Families with which there is no way to express our gratitude except by gracing them with the same hospitality when they come to the States.
We boarded the buses for one last trip, this time to the Dublin Airport. Once through security, we saw Blue Wavers frantically dumping Euros in the airside shops before boarding the plane. We saw card games being played by the little ones, and we saw smiles and conversations about all that we had experienced in 8 days. Our trip home was long but broken up by reruns of TV shows and movies. We saw grown men crying over "PS I Love You." Aleks and Vinny...did I hear a change in your speech patterns after that movie? At about 5:00 PM the eagles landed as Flight EI 121 touched down in Orlando. That is when the longest part of the trip began. Customs - ugh!!!! We went through security and had our bags x-rayed in Dublin, then in the States, we went through 3 more security checks and 2 baggage claims before we were free go. It would have been much quicker to fly into Mexico and drive home ;-)
I can't speak for the other families, but we crashed as soon as we got home. After all, our bodies were still on Irish time – and that goes for wake up as well. Yes, I woke up somewhere around 4 am, tossed and turned until I finally got out of bed at 5. And as I came downstairs I found that I was not the only one that could not sleep.
So here I am, posting to our Ireland Tour blog. A blog that during the week had become a lifeline to both family and friend back home. Through the week and in the Orlando airport, I received many gracious thank you's for the blog entries, but know the pleasure was mine, and I was pleased that the blog was so well read. After this I plan to post one more entry to this journal. Over the next day or so, I will create an Ireland Tour folder for you to upload your best photos from the trip. In turn, I will post the best of the best online. Parents and swimmers from Dublin and Galway, send me an email (dgraves@vromangraves.com) and I will forward the upload instructions so that you may do the same.
Thank you to the coaches on both sides of the pond for making this trip a possibility. And to the parents in Dublin and Galway...you have been a godsend, for without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We look forward to seeing you all again!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Day 8: Ireland, Beannacht De libh
Ireland was once described to me by a friend who has traveled extensively throughout the world, as the ONE place he would most like to visit over and over. After one week I now know what he was talking about.
As we went about our daily journeys, I tried to make mental notes to share with you all - of thoughts that crossed my mind with each new experience. Today, I found myself with bittersweet emotions as our "coaches" (how about that Sammy?) traveled back to Dublin from Galway. I found myself saying goodbye to a country that I fell in love within 8 short days. Little things like the brisk fresh air, the brilliant green fields at nearly every turn, the authenticity of her people, and the innocence of her culture.
Ireland has a charm not often found in America, or perhaps, a charm that we overlook. The simplicity of life out in the country is something that did not escape my eyes. This land is an interesting blend of old and new. Old, being the values that knit communities together as one, and daily lives that remind us of America in the 40's and 50's. New - evolving out of the economy that has been nicknamed "The Celtic Tiger." New technologies, infrastructures and opportunities for her young people. And yes Cole, I agree with you when you said "I could live here."
Today was a travel day that saw us arriving back in Dun Laoghaire at about 3:00 PM. We had a few hours on our own before the kids went off to their host families for one last time. Along with my family, I took the Viking Tour with Christine, Amanda and Aleks Ans, Mitzi, Sammie and Alisha Carlon, Jessica Hester, Alexandra Mora and Sloane Hovan. Corny as it may seem to some, riding through the narrow streets of Dublin in an amphibious duck boat, wearing Viking hats and hurling barbaric screams at the Celtic peasants on the streets was a lot of fun. It even provided some good blackmail material as you will see posted below.
As we invaded the streets of Dublin, we found pockets of Blue Wavers doing last minute shopping, and it was our pleasure to launch Nordic slurs in their direction. We learned that towns like Dublin, Limerick and Cork, and minted coins and the famous red hair of Ireland are all contributions of the Vikings. We had one last chance to see the homes, monuments and institutions that give Dublin its character. Chimneys, colorfully painted front doors, very small front yards that double as driveways, Guinness Time Clocks, double decker buses, Trinity College, Christ's Church, the Millennium Spike, cranes dotting the skyline at every turn. We had just gotten used to "tree" actually meaning "three," and iceters actually being "oysters." This week we learned that partree was not a word in "The 12 days of Christmas," but a term referencing the difficulty of a short hole on a golf course. We found out that "the eagle has landed" was not a quote made famous by Neil Armstrong, but a phrase popularize by nosey postman delivering mail from immigrant children that had made their way to America. We had fun, a lot of fun. We laughed together, ate together, and traveled together. We were inspired, enchanted and endeared to a country that is about the size of Florida. Ireland is not a place we will soon forget.
Well, here we are at the end of our first international trip as a team. And with a group 63 people traveling together, I must say, it was a very pleasant experience, and I can't wait for you all to hear of our travels through the dancing eyes and excited voices of your children. Please have them post comments of their favorite memories to this blog, email me a few of their favorite photos, and encourage them to keep in touch with their new friends and Irish parents.
To all of our friends in Dublin and Galway, Beannacht De libh (May God be with you).
As we went about our daily journeys, I tried to make mental notes to share with you all - of thoughts that crossed my mind with each new experience. Today, I found myself with bittersweet emotions as our "coaches" (how about that Sammy?) traveled back to Dublin from Galway. I found myself saying goodbye to a country that I fell in love within 8 short days. Little things like the brisk fresh air, the brilliant green fields at nearly every turn, the authenticity of her people, and the innocence of her culture.
Ireland has a charm not often found in America, or perhaps, a charm that we overlook. The simplicity of life out in the country is something that did not escape my eyes. This land is an interesting blend of old and new. Old, being the values that knit communities together as one, and daily lives that remind us of America in the 40's and 50's. New - evolving out of the economy that has been nicknamed "The Celtic Tiger." New technologies, infrastructures and opportunities for her young people. And yes Cole, I agree with you when you said "I could live here."
Today was a travel day that saw us arriving back in Dun Laoghaire at about 3:00 PM. We had a few hours on our own before the kids went off to their host families for one last time. Along with my family, I took the Viking Tour with Christine, Amanda and Aleks Ans, Mitzi, Sammie and Alisha Carlon, Jessica Hester, Alexandra Mora and Sloane Hovan. Corny as it may seem to some, riding through the narrow streets of Dublin in an amphibious duck boat, wearing Viking hats and hurling barbaric screams at the Celtic peasants on the streets was a lot of fun. It even provided some good blackmail material as you will see posted below.
As we invaded the streets of Dublin, we found pockets of Blue Wavers doing last minute shopping, and it was our pleasure to launch Nordic slurs in their direction. We learned that towns like Dublin, Limerick and Cork, and minted coins and the famous red hair of Ireland are all contributions of the Vikings. We had one last chance to see the homes, monuments and institutions that give Dublin its character. Chimneys, colorfully painted front doors, very small front yards that double as driveways, Guinness Time Clocks, double decker buses, Trinity College, Christ's Church, the Millennium Spike, cranes dotting the skyline at every turn. We had just gotten used to "tree" actually meaning "three," and iceters actually being "oysters." This week we learned that partree was not a word in "The 12 days of Christmas," but a term referencing the difficulty of a short hole on a golf course. We found out that "the eagle has landed" was not a quote made famous by Neil Armstrong, but a phrase popularize by nosey postman delivering mail from immigrant children that had made their way to America. We had fun, a lot of fun. We laughed together, ate together, and traveled together. We were inspired, enchanted and endeared to a country that is about the size of Florida. Ireland is not a place we will soon forget.
Well, here we are at the end of our first international trip as a team. And with a group 63 people traveling together, I must say, it was a very pleasant experience, and I can't wait for you all to hear of our travels through the dancing eyes and excited voices of your children. Please have them post comments of their favorite memories to this blog, email me a few of their favorite photos, and encourage them to keep in touch with their new friends and Irish parents.
To all of our friends in Dublin and Galway, Beannacht De libh (May God be with you).
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Day 7: The Eagle Has Returned
Galway rolled out the red carpet for Blue Wave this evening. The Mayor, the President of the Chamber, the President of the Leisureland and the President of the Galway Swim Club were present for the team reception. The Mayor painted a brief history of the city as a vibrant city, a growing port city rich in history, and a city reaching for even greater heights. He seemed to be genuinely touched that Blue Wave selected his city to visit, train and exchange our culture. He encouraged the parents of the Galway Swim Team to send their children to America to train with us. And he also invited us back to spend more time in his community. It was a sincere gesture that I believe profoundly touched Peter. Galway is a treasure to be behold on the Emerald Island, one to take in and relish.
Before our evening reception, we visited the Cliffs of Moher and Dunratty Castle. Both visits were icing on the cake of a trip that had already revealed more than we could have possibly expected. The Cliffs were mind-boggling for the shear vastness and pristine condition of this natural wonder. Puffins by the thousands, and open land as far as the eye could see. The castle and the folk park provide excellent opportunities to learn of medieval Irish history.
As our time in Ireland draws to a close, the team, to a person, has enjoyed every moment in our host country. This place is special. The beauty of these green fields is exceeded only by the beauty of its people. We have found them to be warm, welcoming, eager to share their heritage, and just as eager to learn of ours. I found a new fishing buddy this evening, and have an open invitation to go fly fishing for trout and salmon in the countryside upon my return. Yes this place is special, and its a place we must get to know better. For many of us, it is the land of our ancestors, and perhaps that is the call... So as we prepare to leave Galway, we have said our goodbye's, and have extended our invitations for Galway to come into our homes back in America. We say goodbye with gratitude in our hearts for the way in which our children have been received, taken care of, and embraced.
All we can do is to extend to you a 100,000 thank you's. Beannacht De libh Galway.
Before our evening reception, we visited the Cliffs of Moher and Dunratty Castle. Both visits were icing on the cake of a trip that had already revealed more than we could have possibly expected. The Cliffs were mind-boggling for the shear vastness and pristine condition of this natural wonder. Puffins by the thousands, and open land as far as the eye could see. The castle and the folk park provide excellent opportunities to learn of medieval Irish history.
As our time in Ireland draws to a close, the team, to a person, has enjoyed every moment in our host country. This place is special. The beauty of these green fields is exceeded only by the beauty of its people. We have found them to be warm, welcoming, eager to share their heritage, and just as eager to learn of ours. I found a new fishing buddy this evening, and have an open invitation to go fly fishing for trout and salmon in the countryside upon my return. Yes this place is special, and its a place we must get to know better. For many of us, it is the land of our ancestors, and perhaps that is the call... So as we prepare to leave Galway, we have said our goodbye's, and have extended our invitations for Galway to come into our homes back in America. We say goodbye with gratitude in our hearts for the way in which our children have been received, taken care of, and embraced.
All we can do is to extend to you a 100,000 thank you's. Beannacht De libh Galway.
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