Cliffs of Insanity

Three days ago I was hanging my head over the cliffs of insanity (think Princess Bride). They are more formally known as the Cliffs of Moher. This last couple weeks has felt like insanity but Ireland was a huge bright spot for me. Prior to leaving my computer broke down and I couldn't get anything done like I hoped. We had a blast in Ireland. It has put a spell over me. It was just like imagined only better. It seems like it is always spring time over there. It rains a lot and everything is green, green, green. It is true there are rock walls as far as the eye can see. They are covered with moss and vines and such. Driving was an experience. I have driven in a lot of different countries but this was the most awkward. Everything is backwards. My stick shift was on my left and the oncoming traffic on my right. There were only three times I accidentally drove on the wrong side of the road and luckily there was no oncoming traffic. In the end I got really good at it though.

Megan and Andrew were so fun to work with. We drove all over the place and visited some awesome places that Megan had chosen. She has been a medical student over there for four years and met Andrew there at chruch. Andrew is Irish and studies at CCU (Cork University). CCU looks like Hogwarts. They live in Cork which is the 2nd largest city in Ireland (Dublin is the first). Ireland is home to 4 million people. We are half way there in Utah at 2 million something people. Megan was gracious enough to accomodate my entourage in her apartment while she went and stayed at a friends house. Her apartment was smack dab in the middle of Cork city center. It made it really fun to walk right into the downtown scene. The first night we were there we walked right into an Irish Folk Festival. We jumped right into the dancing and swinging. We danced "the Seige if Ennis" which it turns out is the same dance that Megan and Andrew will be asking guests to participate in at their wedding (Dec 20 at the Salt Lake Temple). It involved a lot of swinging partners around in circles. Fantastic!! I haven't danced like that since my sister and I found ourselves in the middle of a hippie drum circle in Montreal.
There seem to be as many castles in Ireland as there are Walmarts in America. Eating an Irish breakfast with Andrew's family was a highlight. Irish pancakes, rashers (bacon), eggs, toast and really good milk was put out for us. It was delish! Lemon juice from fresh lemons and sugar was great on the Irish pancakes.
Megan and Andrew took us to some choice places. The first night we met at CCU and took some shots there in the rain. We drove that night to Charlesfort in Kinsale. It was foggy like in the movies. I slipped on some jagged rocks on the rocky beach and smashed my favorite lens against a rock. Yup, it is broke but I think I can repair it. The glass is still good but it doesn't focus or zoom.
Some favorite spots we shot at were Clonakilty at the light house and the Dingle Peninsula. The Dingle Peninsula is where the beginning of Far and Away was filmed. Beautiful!!
Anyway, thanks again Megan and Andrew for your hospitality and for the memorable experience!! See you soon! Tog e Boge!!