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).