I slept in and stayed around the hotel today to get some work done for our business (yep, I still have to work even while in another country) and take it a bit easy during the morning hours since my tummy gave me some problems last night and this morning.
Good to go now though!
After
getting some work done, I decided to take on the role of the adventurous and
independent tourist and took a taxi to travel to Killarney town. It was a bustling little area, filled with
many shops, pubs, and even motorcyclists.
True Irish spirit you all!
Nonetheless, the town was filled with families out for a Sunday shopping stroll and ice cream treats. I headed toward this shop Brian and I originally found in Dublin called Pennys (much different than the JC Penny we know in America), which sales really cute clothes and accessories for amazing prices. The clothing is made pretty good too! I bought a new bathing suit, some sun glasses, a t-shirt and earrings. All less than 30 U.S. dollars!
Dachshund shirt up in Penny's. For realsies. Scootman, I know you are jealous!
I then
headed to an ice cream shop for a “caffe mocha” since the place touted their
milk being really pure and coming from a nearby area called Dingle. It was one of the best coffees I have had,
with shaved chocolate on top. YUM! I found out this evening that only a few days
before, Brian went into this same little store, out of all the shops in
Killarney town, and had ice cream!
Brian and I always think alike! I can’t wait to see him when I get home.
I didn’t
have a way to call the taxi company back with the lack of good Internet access
where I was at, so I walked around a little more, listening to people play
music on the street , and then decided I needed to be resourceful. I walked to the tourist office, and had them
call the taxi back for me.
Arriving
back to our hotel, I watched the sheep and deer grazing on the grounds before
being let off. All I could think was, “amazing.”
I decided to check out the swimming pool and had such a wonderful time! The lap pool is heated, and the Jacuzzi is
indoor/outdoor, which allows you to go outside and view the lake and the
mountains while relaxing. There was also
a thermal suite that contained a sauna, steam room, sitting area, and a salt
water Jacuzzi.
I have never been so relaxed in my
life.
View from our hotel balcony.
Video of the mountains and lake.
Dinner was
nice again tonight, and we held a “Fireside Chat” for just the graduate
students. This chat involved us sitting
in the “library” area of our hotel, and the seven graduate students from
California State University and two graduate students from East Carolina
University (including myself) discussing with the graduate professor—Dr. Sloane
Burke—different topics on public health issues found in Ireland versus the United
States. We discussed topics ranging from
culture differences in food and drink and its affects on obesity and cancer, to
smoking in Ireland, lack of general practitioners, maternity benefits, and upcoming
changes to Ireland’s health policies.
Tomorrow
we might try our hand at some horseback riding and/or canoeing. Should be a blast!
This is where I am probably at when you begin reading this post. This was after hotel staff provided us "turndown" service, along with a piece of chocolate.
|
An Old Irish
Blessing
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May love and
laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours! |
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