Ireland

Greetings from Ennis, Ireland!  I arrived in Ireland early Tuesday morning.  When the plane was landing in Shannon, it was absolutely beautiful.  I don't think I have ever seen that much green, and so many shades of it.  It was really beautiful.  As we were driving from the airport to the hotel, I got to see a lot of the countryside and it was beautiful as well.  Everything is so much different here than at home.  Riding on the wrong side of the road, and sitting on the wrong side of the car was actually kinda stressful - even with me not being the one driving... it just felt strange. 

The city of Ennis is very unique.  The hotel I am staying at is very old.  Updated, but old.  The room is HUGE and when I was finally able to find how everything worked, I found it to be very, very nice.  You can get lost trying to find your room though.  It is like going thru a maze.  Seriously.  I would hate to be in this building during a fire, because I'm sure I would never make it out.  I had a hard time getting back down to the lobby.  I met a colleague for dinner Tuesday and we walked to an Italian restraunt here in Ennis.  There was no way I could have made my way back to the hotel.  No road is straight here!  It is very nice here this time of year though.  We walked back to the hotel from dinner at around 10:00 and it was still light out.  Ann said that it stays light at this time of year until about 10:30.  It was great.

We were supposed to have dinner at a castle tonight, but unfortunately I was not able to attend.  Ended up with a migraine this evening and stayed at the hotel and slept it off.  Tomorrow is another day of meetings and then we may head to the cliffs in the evening if it is nice.  I really wish I had my good camera, becasue I hear that the view is incredible. 

I head back to the states Friday morning.  It seems like I just got here.... but I will be ready to go home.  Thank goodness it is a holiday weekend so I will have time to catch up on some sleep.  The time change is a hard one to adjust to!

Just as a side note... if you have never had an Irish scone, y0u are missing out on something wonderful.  I remember them from the last time I was here, and I was hoping we would have them again during these meetings.  I wish I could bring a bunch of them home with me.  They are so delicious!  They had them at the meeting today and I was thrilled.  Seriously, they are SO good.  This one had raisins in it.  Yummm!

I wish I had photos of the area to share.  It really is beautiful and unique.  There is a HUGE church across the street from the hotel that is amazing.  I have my room window open and I get to listen to the church bells constantly.  It is very soothing.

Well, with only one day left in Ireland, I highly doubt I will have to record and post that Irish jig that I promised if we got a referral while I was in Ireland.  There is still a slight chance, but I'm thinking I'll be safe!  Who knows though.. there is always tomorrow.

Looking forward to posting again from the good ole' US of A!

In Christ,
Charity