Better Late Than Never

Two weeks ago today Meg and I headed off on a 7 hour journey to the west coast of Ireland, a trip that if taken by car should only take a bout two and a half. But alas, we were under the constraints of public transportation. We took the DART into town, then a bus from there to Galway. It was slightly surreal being in Galway again after almost two years. We didn't have too long there because we had to catch the bus from Galway to Bell Harbour, so we just went to the same cafe that we always used to go to and walked around Eyre Square a bit as well. When we were heading back to the bus station, Meg froze and pointed at someone. I turned not recognizing anyone and she said, 'I think that's the same bus driver we always used to have when going back home from Galway.' Of course, she was correct, and he even recognized us and was confused that we were going to Bell Harbour and not Ballyvaughan. Strange, even after two years someone can remember the minute details of everyday life. Once we were on the bus it started to get dark, which was unfortunate because both of us wanted to see everything along the way.

After the hour long bus trip we hopped off at Bell Harbour to find Danny and his dad waiting there to pick us up (Bell Harbour is about the size of a 7 foot tall man's big toe so it's kind of funny that we got a lift up to the house). Danny's parents had just moved into a new house which used to be a bed and breakfast, so it was fun exploring the maze of the house. They made us dinner and we sat around talking for a long time, even long after Danny's little sister and brother had to go to bed. It was relaxing, fun, and peaceful. I had forgotten how slow everything moves when you're in the Burren, and how much I love/miss that.

The next day we got up and got a lift from one of Danny's old neighbors (when his parents moved, they literally moved a few houses over) into Ballyvaughan and decided to start our adventure at the Art College where Meg and I went two years ago. Meg, Danny and I went tromping around the school grounds only to find it empty, only one or two people were there. Apparently the school trip to Berlin was on and almost everyone had gone. So it was like a ghost town, which I think I much preferred. It would have been very strange to see the college filled with strange people doing all the things we used to do. But seeing as no one was there, it was easy to feel like no time had passed at all. It's kind of odd how everything in the Burren felt like that, as if nothing HAD changed, even after two years.

After hanging around the college for a bit we started walking back towards town. Meg and Danny went to the shop and I went straight on to Gwen and Joe's house. Joe had promised to make us dinner when we came back (he's an excellent cook). Now there's something that did change though, they redid their house and put on a huge addition. I went to the front door (or rather where it used to be) and knocked. I saw Joe through the window before he let me in. When he opened the door it was seriously as if only a week or two had gone by since the last time I saw him. There was his goofy grin and giant hug to greet me. The weirdest part of this whole thing was that it seemed as if in my head time just stopped from two years ago and picked right back up again where it left off. Once I was in the house Joe directed me towards the sitting room where Oscar and Jasper were watching TV. Obviously time hadn't stopped for them, Oscar just turned 13 and Jasper's about to turn 6. So for them two years is a long time, and it's kind of hilarious how grown up they're starting to look. I wasn't worried about Oscar not remembering me, because he was old enough when we were there before. However, I was slightly more worried about Jasper not remembering me. But when we walked in, Joe asked Jasper if he remembered me or not, and he gave me a sly look and said under the blanket, 'yes.' That made me smile.

After the re-introductions, Joe showed me the rest of the house. It was pretty amazing what they ended up doing to the house, and Joe finally has an amazing kitchen where he can make his 'magic' happen. After a few minutes of talking, Meg and Danny showed up. It was fun watching Meg's reaction to the whole thing, as I'm sure it would have been fun for her to watch my reaction. After a while Danny had to get going to go somewhere with his parents so it was just down to me, Meg, Joe, and the kids. It was great just talking and relaxing (again, something I didn't realize I missed). At one point Meg went outside and ran back in exclaiming she had forgotten how many stars there were. Inevitably that drew me outside and I realized I had forgotten as well. Later, once the kids had gone to bed, we went and played 'Sing Star' which is essentially Karaoke for your house (or Rockband without the band). Gwen finally got home from work and we chit chatted with her for a while before she had to go to bed. Joe eventually drove us back to Bell Harbour, even though neither Meg nor I really wanted to leave.

The next day it was sunny and beautiful outside, but we spent most of the day inside hanging out. We had originally planned on leaving that day, but some sleepy heads that will not be named couldn't get out of bed in time. It's not like I was fighting to get home any sooner than I had to though. We just hung out with Danny's parents all day, and later at night once Kevin and Megan were home from school we helped with homework and whatnot until it was time to go to bed. I ended up reading Twilight while we were there (Megan is obsessed with them and I'd always wanted to see what all the fuss was about). It was a fun excursion all in all, and extremely relaxing on so many levels.

Danny, Meg and I took the long journey home through all the countryside just to get back to Dublin on the next day. It was a relief getting home and being able to sleep in my own bed, but I really want to go back to the Burren sometime soon. I think when Allison comes to visit in a month I'm going to take her there so that she can see where I went to school and for my own benefit as well. Here are some photos from the trip:

Outside of Danny's parents' house in Bell Harbour. If you look hard you can see the sheep and the lambs.

Newtown Castle at the Burren College of Art.

The lane leading up to the school.

Meg, Danny and I outside the school.

Flowers (just for you Mom).

The funniest collection of road signs that don't make any sense whatsoever.

Meg and I in front of our old house. Oh Orchard House, how I miss thee.

Joe making dinner, you know, the usual.

Jasper, Joe and Meg playing at the dinner table.

Joe and Meg playing 'Sing Star.'

The Balllyvaughan church at night.

Longest post ever, but totally worth it.

The next time I go back to the Burren I really want to eat at Monks, go for a walk on the water, hike up to the fairy ring and possibly hike up Cappanawalla. I'm excited.