The Rain in Spain Falls Mainly on the Plain

Gaudi's "La Segrada Familia" (Holy Family)


We are in Barcelona! We arrived yesterday after a short flight from Dublin with Rynair, where they are overly strict with baggage and they have a smoking section of the plane. How bizarre. After getting off the plane I got to practice my Spanish because the ticket machine was broken and we had to ask multiple people how to pay for the bus and where to find the correct one to get to our hostel. At first glance I knew that I would love Barcelona. The streets are clean and the sky is blue. The weather is wonderful and the buildings are spectacular. There are palm trees on every street. To top it off we paid for a room for two people, and we were just going to stick it out, but they ended up placing us in a room that sleeps four so we all get our own beds! Granted, I miss snuggling with Jared, but it is better than having three people on one double bed. Also, the hostel is really nice. Classy, you know?

After arriving we did some sightseeing/shopping in combination with a ton of walking. We saw all of La Rambla, which is the major tourist street that leads to the major Port in Barcelona. We walked all along the water and through the narrow streets taking it all in. The city is spectacular. After walking for hours we were worn out and decided to come back to the hostel and do some work. Turns out, Chelsea and I fell asleep for a couple of hours. When we woke up it was 10:30 and we were starving. Lucky, we are in Barcelona where they eat extra-late at night and everything was open. We ate "Italian" which really means wanna-be Italian that tastes a little off. BUT, we were starved and it did the job. Actually, all of the food does the job but tastes a little off. It just isn't what we are used to.

The people here are more than willing to help with directions and really any questions that we may have. Of course, their English is very minimal so we sometimes just smile and nod. It has been really fun for me though to refresh my Spanish, and the people here appreciate any effort to speak in Catalan Spanish so it is rewarding even if my grammar is equivalent to a 5-year old's.

Today was extremely enjoyable. We devoted our day to the architectural works of Gaudi. If you haven't heard of this man, you should look up his works. Actually, if you haven't been to Barcelona, you should come. I know this is pretty hasty for me to decide, but of all the cities I have visited during my travels, Barcelona wins. Who is to say what Paris or Venice may do to my opinion, but for now Barcelona has my heart. The city is small enough that it is easy enough to get around, but so rich in culture. I am just going to post a couple of pictures on here to give you an idea of what it is like, or you can check out the album on my Facebook page. There are entertainers all over the streets performing dance or drama with their hats out and face up to collect tips. There are balconies and fancy crown work on every building. We saw Gaudi's La Segrada Familia (a cathedral), Casa Mila (apartment building), and Parc Guell (national park) and all of them are spectacular. We walked all over the city today to see them, and the sore feet are definitely worth it.

Tomorrow we have plans to see the Castle of Montjuic and the sandy coast. There is also a fantastic Aquarium here that has a 250 ft. tunnel with sea creatures swimming all around. We are thinking about doing that depending on the price.

Anyway, I have got to get back to work! I just don't have as much time to blog as I used to. We are leaving Spain on Thursday afternoon and heading back to Dublin for 3 more weeks. Jason comes on March 10th, which is something to really look forward to. I hopefully should have some time to post again before then. Thanks for reading :)

Dublin in a Nutshell

Since we have arrived it has been nonstop, from here to there, rushing around... The last you heard we were in a hotel because the house we were supposed to be in turned out to be disastrous. Thankfully, we are no longer without a plan. We booked a hostel for pretty cheap (but still expensive) in the city center for the first few nights so that we would have time to find a more permanent place. When we were trying to find it, I decided to stop in at a tiny sewing machine store (why I chose that store, I have no clue) to get directions. The man, whose name I later learned is John, helped us find it. He didn't know where it was, but he called them and after talking to several foreign people who have no clue where the hostel is located found out nearby landmarks and directed us there. Turns out John owns a lot of apartments and knows a lot of people who also own apartments, bed and breakfasts, etc. He told us to drop back in an an hour or two and he would find us accommodation. After checking into our cheap, run-down hostel we stopped back by and he had found us a bed and breakfast in city center that will sleep all four of us (Jason is coming to visit in like less than 2 weeks) from March 3rd until March 21st (the day we all fly out) for a reasonable price. It normally is over 80 euro a night, so we were so fortunate to get it for so cheap (but once again, still expensive). It stinks that we won't have a kitchen so we have to eat out every meal - which really adds up. Anyway, thanks be to God for leading us into the sewing machine store!

There are lots of ups and downs to Dublin. I tend to really miss the countryside of Ireland when I walk outside and see all the craziness. I miss having a kitchen and cooking and cleaning. Jared and I will have zero privacy for the next month, so that is really hard considering we are all sharing one big room. Everything is way more expensive here... food, housing, you name it, it costs more. We work every day at Starbucks, so you can imagine how expensive that is getting. Looks like our savings will just be a little depleted after Dublin... good thing we are living with my parents when we get home! ahahah! We might just have to stick around a little longer in the Danville area than planned. The ups are things like: we are never with out something to do. There are shops, cafes, pubs, museums, etc all over the place. It is really nice having Chelsea here for the girl time and just for the company in general. The buildings are gorgeous. There are cathedrals all over the place that are just full of history, murals, and stained glass. Really easy on the eyes. The people here are kind as ever. Also, we are heading to Barcelona, Spain in just 2 days so that is pretty exciting as well.

Yesterday we did a day of sightseeing. We went to Dublin Castle and Christchurch Cathedral. When we saw the castle we followed a group in innocently to find out later that we were supposed to pay. I guess we got a free tour! It was really interesting to hear the history. The castle was built in the 1200s. The shamrock is a symbol representing when Christianity was brought to Ireland. Ireland has had female presidents for 21 years! A few random facts for you... We saw Temple Bar and walked all around that area of town - lots of historic pubs and shops. After that we went into the wax museum. It was the only thing we did all day that wasn't free, and it was probably the least interesting.

Dublin is busy and charming. We were so fortunate to meet John. He has been so kind and he is arranging a bus ride for us to the airport on Sunday. I might take him a giant cupcake this week to say thank you.

Anyway, I really am procrastinating work so I should stop writing. I will try to update my blog again soon.

Cheers!

Craziest Day Yet

Today started with cleaning the house and packing up all of our final items before heading out for Dublin. Little did we know how crazy of a day we had ahead of us. Katherine was late picking us up for the train, so we had a little bit of a rush there. To top it off, when she was saying goodbye she teared up and ran out the door of the train station before I could truly say goodbye and tell her how much we appreciate her kindness and hospitality. After this blog I will be typing that e-mail. Although I only knew her for a month, the impression she made on me will be with me throughout life. What a blessing she was to us.

We did the train thing for about 4 hours doing two separate layovers and hauling our stuff all over the place we were so excited to just get to our home in Dublin. We got of the train and tried to catch the 19N bus directly like we were told to by our landlords, but it turned out that we had to take the trolley a main street, walk a half a mile, and then catch the bus from there. The bus driver had never heard of the street that our house was on. Neither had anyone else we asked, for that matter. We finally caught the 19, and then we arrived about 20 minutes later at a random corner with no idea how to get to our house. We asked a local man if he knew where the house was located, and he said that he also had never heard of the street. He said that we were in Dublin 11 when we were supposed to be in Dublin 9. By this point we were all feeling so tired, sore, stressed and frustrated. We went into 2 different places and asked to use the phone so that we could call a taxi, but no one would let us use the phone nor would they call a taxi for us. I stood on a corner and tried to flag down every taxi that drove by, but none were available and we had no luck. As a last resort I went into the pharmacy on that same street and talked to a kind lady who said the street was just down the road and that the random man didn't know what he was talking about. We walked about 5 minutes, knocked on the wrong door, and the FINALLY found the house. We knocked, and were greeted by a man with bright red eyelids with huge black rings around his eyes. After speaking a couple of sentences to him it was clear that he wasn't "all there" and he was on something. We were feeling really uncomfortable but we came in anyway to see the house which didn't help matters. It was grungy, the lighting was dim, and the whole house reeked of smoke. The man who was supposed to show up and give us our keys was at least 20 minutes late and we were just sitting in the living room waiting for him when we had a private discussion and decided that there was no way we could possibly stay there. We prayed together that God would give us peace and strength and just clear heads to get us through this mess and find a place to stay. We left very awkwardly and then went back to the pharmacy where the kind lady gave us a hotel recommendation and called a taxi for us.

After paying 11 euros for the taxi, and close to 12 euros total for the trolley/bus and then another 50 euros for just one night in this little hotel room, where we are all sharing a king size bed, we are a lot more broke and without a place to stay for the month. None of us feel worried though. After you read this though, please say a prayer that we will sort out accommodation this evening. At least this hotel has really good chicken wings and high speed internet!

Needless to say, I am exhausted and so ready to go to bed. I just wanted to finish this blog before falling asleep so that I don't leave out any of the miserable details. At least Jared, Chelsea, and I have each other. <3

There's a hole in the bucket, Dear Liza, Dear Liza....

This is a photo of Jared that just makes my day. Chelsea's day too.
AHAHAHHAHA. Feel free to laugh along.

Since Chelsea arrived on Tuesday morning at 6:45 AM we have been going non stop which is why this is the first chance I have had to sit down and write. When we aren't taking walks, sightseeing, playing games, sitting by the fire, going out of the town, shopping, eating, and sleeping we are catching up on work. We spent the first two days in Ennis and then we headed to Liscannor to enjoy our last few days here in County Clare.

On Friday (yesterday) Katherine picked us up with her sister Margaret and took us on a drive by the coast up to Kilkee and all through the surrounding towns. We just looked out the window and enjoyed the drive. Jared and Chelsea keep insisting that I have developed the Irish accent, so they spent a good time making fun of me. We stopped at an adorable pub/restaurant and had coffee and dessert... and cheesy garlic potatoes and chili cheese fries. Yum. After we drove back into Liscannor and loaded up some luggage for Katherine to take back to the house. Can't believe that we are leaving Monday...

We have spent some time taking Chelsea on walks to our favorite locations in our little haven. We went to the Cliffs of Moher with her and also to our "spot." Our favorite memory so far is just sitting on the cliffs and watching the waves for hours... Jared and Chelsea had a war of who could take the best picture of a seagull. I'm not going to publish my opinion of who won. I have to live with these people...

Today we decided to go to Lehinch with Chelsea so we walked to the gas station to see the bus schedule. We happened to have missed the first one, and had two hours to the next one, so we decided to walk it because we could just get a bus back, obviously. We walked along the beach with no shoes and people watched while drinking our Dr. Pepper and eating candy. It seemed like the perfect day. After spending some time eating bagel sandwiches, putting bandages on Chelsea's blister, and watching wanna be surfers fall multiple times we decided to go back to Liscannor. Turns out, the next bus was in over 4 hours. Needless to say, we tried to hitch hike. Okay, don't judge. It was only Chelsea. She asked two old ladies for a ride!!! Ahahaha. They said no, but kindly. They had only just arrived in Lehinch, you see. We began our walks and daringly stuck our thumbs up at multiple cars (at least 30) and Chelsea did pouty faces and did a little scolding when people drove by... no luck. I know what you are thinking... we really aren't stupid. You can't imagine how tired we were. We had already walked at least 5 miles. Chelsea had blisters, I am over here in heels... Jared is carrying a book bag with two 2 liters of coke in it. Anyway, no one picked us up. We did get some funny looks and a smile or two. A lot of people waved at us... Come on, People! Thumbs out does not mean hello. Today we walked about 10 miles in total. It really was perfect weather for it though. Not a cloud in the sky, slight breeze, about 60 degrees. We got to pet a horse, moo at some cows, scare a few sheep, and play with a few puppies on the way. We also got to annoy Chelsea with an awesome song... "There's a hole in the bucket dear Liza, dear Liza, there's a hole in the bucket dear Liza, a hole!" and so on and so forth... You know the song... right? That made it 100 percent worthwhile. Plus, I can eat lotsa food tonight and there is zero guilt. I walked 10 miles!

Now we are all laying in bed (the same one) and just giving our feet a break. Jared is playing chess against the computer which is a common pass-time for him as of late. Watch out Nathan Lenstra, Jared might challenge you to a game when he gets back. He is actually getting to be really good. I have played him about 15 times and I still get clobbered. Chelsea is laughing at my random sentences, and I am... of course, typing.

Tomorrow we will probably just relax and enjoy our final day on this side of the country. It is really sad for me to think about leaving my surrogate family and home, but also so exciting to think about the adventures to come. I happen to love my life.

"At Home"

I experienced writer's block for the first time in my life this week. I felt as if I had absolutely nothing interesting to write about, so I just didn't write at all. Tonight, at midnight, I finally got the desire to update my blog. Sorry for the huge space in my posts.

Jared and I have been getting more and more comfortable in Ireland. It kind of is a place of comfort now. We have our home by the sea. We have our weekend home in Ennis staying with really wonderful people, which by the way ordered take out tonight for us and would not let us pay them. You'd think by now I would have stopped trying to pay them back. I have learned a good technique now though. Rather than handing them cash, we just go to the store and buy Katherine something like flowers or a bottle of wine and she actually does accept gifts, although possibly grudgingly. That was a little rabbit trail... Anyway, home by the sea, weekend home... and we have a decent climate. No snow. Friendly people. We actually know our way around now. The only thing missing is the joy of friendships and relationships, which is really the thing that makes you feel "at home." Speaking of which, Jared and I have had this huge issue in our marriage about where we will live when we "settle down." He has always said "lots of land, big animals to kill, no one around." You know, that Jared Greer caveman talk. Well, if you know me at all, that isn't really going to fly. I have to have familiar people around or I get a little teeny bit sad, and by that I mean mega depressed. Ask anyone. So forever I have said that we can live somewhere with big animals to kill on lots of land, but that we have to live near family. He totally disagreed UNTIL Ireland. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ireland! I nearly cried when we were sitting on the porch having a talk and he said "You know, I don't think I want to live anywhere where we don't know anyone." I looked at him and said "Prayer answered!" Thank you God.

So our week was pretty much the same as last, except for it rained only 1 day instead of 7, and we actually got out of the house. We did some souvenir shopping on Wednesday at "The Rock Shop." It is this nifty little place where a lot of the things inside are made from rocks. Bowls, wine holders, cheese cutters, tiny sculptures of bugs and animals. You name it, they made it out of a rock. Luckily this awesome shop is only about a 2 mile bike ride from our house. We rode our bikes there in the morning and had lattes and split a Twix bar at the cafe there and then we shopped for about 90 minutes (thanks to Jared being an awesome and patient husband). I looked at everything about 7 times. I really like the shop. He also slipped in a little green rock shaped as a heart when we were checking out. It was supposed to be a surprise, but I saw it and said something like "This isn't ours. Not sure where it came from...?" Then Jared corrected me, and I realized I had spoiled a surprise. I mean, it was still surprising though. I like it. As simple of a day as this may sound, it is one of my favorite days so far in Ireland. Jared and I had a great time together and the weather was nice, and just something about the day was perfect.

Monday and Tuesday I was really disciplined and I went running both days, which was followed by an unhealthy amount of Toffeepops. Have I told you about them? World's best cookie. I love them so much that I took the package off of Chelsea's future pillow and ate her future cookies. They were supposed to be a "Welcome to Ireland, have the best cookie ever made" kind of gesture. We bought her more later in the week, and I went to see if they were on her bed today since Jared put away the groceries, and they were gone. I asked Jared about it. He HID them from me. Yes, I have proven to Jared that I am incapable of self control when it comes to cookies. I didn't pack fat pants because I was determined to not have to wear them, but the way it is looking, that was a mistake. Stupid cookies. That was another bunny trail... While I was running, I came across a new road we had not been on and I followed it to the end where there was an adorable little village of holiday homes right on the coast with a spectacular view. They were all vacant because this is their winter. I ran home and got Jared and we cycled back and hid our bikes, walked through a couple of yards, over a rock wall, and then sat on a grassy, plush cliff and watched the sun and the waves and the seagulls for some time. That was a highlight of the week.

On Thursday Jared and I ventured out on our longest bike ride yet. 12 miles to Ennistymon. Ennistymon is past Lehinch by about 2 miles (uphill). Jared was getting a little annoyed at me. He would look back and I would be off my bike, walking it up the hill. ahahha. I hadn't had breakfast! Ennistymon is a quaint town with pubs (famous pub to left) and shops and everything that every little town in Ireland has. They do have a really nice waterfall though that most little towns don't have. We enjoyed walking along the trail beside the river and the falls. We ate at a little creperie for lunch. I ordered egg and cheese. He ordered sugar and butter. And then he ate both because the egg was over easy, which I happen to think is a disgusting way to eat eggs. We browsed around a couple of shops, and then we got back on our bikes, and rode home. The way back was much faster, as the way back from anywhere normally is.



Our week was fun. The beauty of Ireland still shocks me occasionally, and I am going to be sad when we go to Dublin and are surrounded by buildings and not by grass and cows and ocean. Right now we are staying in Ennis with Pat and Katherine until Wendesday. We are picking up Chelsea on Tuesday early in the morning at the airport, which I cannot wait for. Finally a little taste of that thing that actually makes a person feel "at home." A friend.

Jared is sighing and asking me what I could possibly be writing about for so long while he is trying to fall asleep. He really hates the typing sound. So, to be kind to him, I am concluding my post. Night.

Rain, Wind, and Mass

So on Sunday Margaret and Mary were shocked that we had not had any bad weather. They seriously went on and on about how lucky we are... and then this week happened. I knew when they were talking about it that they would probably jinx us. They did.

For about a week now it has been off and on raining, windy, cold, but ALWAYS overcast. Jared and I decided on Thursday to get out of the house despite the weather, so we took a short bike ride to the gas station down the street to get a few groceries when the sky was looking clear. On the way back a major storm hit. It almost blew us off of our bikes. The rain hitting my face felt like tiny pieces of glass because the wind was so powerful. The day after that, and then the day after that, the wind continued. We ventured outside one more time to feel the wind, and it basically held us up when we leaned into it. We had 72mph winds! But, it was lucky that we stepped outside because the sky to the North West had turned completely orange, and the sky to the South East had a giant rainbow in it. Stunning. The cool thing was that I had just read in Genesis about the covenant that God made with the rainbow. It just reminded me of how good He is to us.

You can probably guess that since the weather was so terrible we haven't done much. We are actually sitting in our bed right now listening to the rain fall. This weekend we did get out a little bit when we spent the weekend in Ennis with Pat and Katherine. We went to the pub one evening and listened to some traditional Irish music with the banjo and wood flute and two different types of percussion. It was really wonderful. We ate at a place called "Hillbilly's" that serves fried chicken (!!!) on Saturday night so that was a really wonderful thing as well. The entire weekend we enjoyed their hospitality and Katherine's cooking when we weren't out eating McDonald's or fried chicken.

On Saturday night (before the chicken) I went to Mass with Katherine. It was a really great cultural experience for me. I felt a little strange not knowing the routine of things. The kneeling, the interactive readings, etc. but it was really great just to be in a church with people, regardless of how their service is, who worship the same Jesus that I do! My favorite part of the service was probably the singing. My least favorite part was probably communion because everyone goes to the front and the priest places the bread in the mouths of the people. I was just about the only person that didn't take communion, so that was strange. It wasn't that I didn't want to take communion, I just didn't want some man I don't know placing it in my mouth for me. I stood up, saw that he was placing the bread in the mouths of the people, and then sat back down. ahahah... Everyone in the church knows the words to every hymn that is sung and it was all without any accompaniment and it was just great for me to take part in worshiping God through music again. Plus, the church was full, and the melody was so loud that it reached my heart. There I was in this church full of strangers, in a completely different culture, separated by the labels on our separate religions, but worshiping the same God for the same purpose. He sent his son to die. Awesome.

Jared and I are about to go play some games by the fireplace, and then fall asleep and have another lazy week in Ireland. Chelsea comes on Tuesday, which I am utterly excited about. Once she gets here the speed of things should pick up because we have lots of plans. We bought three plane tickets to Barcelona, Spain from Dublin, so we will be spending 5 days there (Feb 27th until March 3rd). As excited I am about leaving this part of Ireland and moving on to our next destination, I am starting to feel kind of sad that I am going to have to leave this beautiful place and the kind people we have come to know.

Our Sunday with the Irish AND Jared's First Post

So, it is actually Ashton writing (go figure), but Jared promised to write his own little paragraph about his Sunday. I am not going to tell you anything because I don't want to spoil the surprise. Instead, I will tell you about my Sunday first and then let him type out his Sunday.

Anyway, on Sunday, as in two days ago, we spent our day apart. Katherine and her sister Margaret and her sister-in-law Mary (Tom's wife - you will hear about Tom in Jared's paragraph) picked me up at 2. Margaret walked in with a huge stack of books all about Italy and plopped them down on our coffee table. She is so excited that I will be traveling there. She spent 7 weeks there alone some time ago and she is very knowledgeable on the topic. She actually happens to have a library on the subject, and now it is sitting in our home intimidating me. After picking me up we traveled to Lehinch and met Mary's two daughters which both have Gaelic names that I am afraid to attempt to spell (they are pronounced Neave and Ee-leam), and their close friend who is also named Mary. The older women left us younger women to have a cup of tea at the cafe and the four of us younger ladies went on a long walk up and down the coast. They were fascinated with me, and basically I couldn't stop talking because it was question after question. "How old are you?"..."And you are MARRIED?!"... "For almost 2 years...??"..."I'm 28 and my boyfriend won't even move in with me!"... "I'm 32 and I just got married!"... and so on. They told me my life was like a movie. I never really thought of it that way. Now that I am thinking of it that way, it is so true. I think I am probably the luckiest girl in the world.

After our walk, I was mentally exhausted. I was so glad when we joined the other ladies at the cafe and since they all know each other really well they talked a lot and I sat by the window and ate my soup quietly. The culture here is quite a bit different. I learned that the men propose first and then they go and pick the ring out together after the engagement. They measure weight in "stones." One stone is 14 pounds. They only tip at dinner, they never tip the bartender, 10% is standard, and if service is bad don't leave a tip at all. Jared and I definitely learned that one a little late. We have been tipping everyone no matter what meal or time of day... I bet we made some people really happy. They order things like juice and coca cola in pints and half-pints. I always just thought people ordered beer that way. I also learned that Katherine is relentless. She bought my lunch and absolutely would not let me pay her back for the car ride, the food, NOTHING. She is God's little blessing to us.

After lunch I went with Margaret, Mary, and Katherine to the Doonbeg Golf Club, which is really famous among golfers. They told me Tiger Woods has golfed there in tournaments. It was literally the most beautiful golf course I have ever seen. Miles of sandy beach and ocean lining the edge of the course. The course itself was even really fancy... it just looked really green and challenging. You should Google Doonbeg Golf Club and then click images. I would post a photo, but I forgot the camera. I was mad at myself all day for that. Along with the golf course, they drove me to multiple lookout points along the coast on the way there and on the way back. We saw the most beautiful sunset over the ocean. I had a really wonderful day with these women.

On the way home Katherine insisted that we stop so that I could bring Jared home a pizza. We went to one pizza shop that was closed. She said "No worries" and then drove me to the next town to that pizza shop so that I could buy one there. After getting the pizza and then taking me also to the grocery store they took me home. Jared and I arrived at the same time from our separate days and we spent our evening relaxing and telling each other about our adventures. We settled down and watched a Will Smith movie while we ate our pizza and Caesar salad. A perfect ending to a perfect day.

And now from Jared:

Lahinch Golf Club

It was a cold brisk morning and there was frost on the ground. The course had been closed all week due to frost and it was even closed today, Sunday, because of the frost. I looked up the course online and the website said they would know if it was playable by 11:30 and we were set to go at 2:00. I was praying and hoping that it would be open, looking about every ten minutes to see if a new post said it was open. I looked at 11:31 and sure enough a new post had come, “the course is open, come on Jared and play.” Now that isn’t really what it said but that is what I read. So I was super excited waiting on an email from Tom, our landlady’s sister’s husband. Sure enough at 1:00 I got that email that said he would be “calling” on me around 2:00, which means he would pick me up then. So I finished my episode of Law and Order SVU and started getting ready. Shortly after I was ready he pulled up and we were on our way. When I looked at the website it said it would be 50 Euros to play which I was more than willing enough to pay. We talked about how much I play in the states and how good I am, or bad I guess. Finally, after a much anticipated arrival we were there. He had a pair of boots that fit me perfect and he also had clubs for me. We got ready and headed on our way to the course. We got up there and we just went straight to the first tee and got ready. Now I hadn’t played any golf or even touched a golf club in about 5 months and I had to go straight up there and tee off. I was really nervous, especially after he tee-ed off and hit straight down the fairway. Well I went up, took a few practice swings and hit the ball. It went left, which is a lot different than how it normally goes-right, but it still had some good distance and it wasn’t too bad for my first hit in 5 months. Well I would love to give you a lot of detail the rest of the way too but it would make this blog very long and probably boring for those of you who don’t golf so I will just summarize the rest. The first nine holes were pretty much nothing but terrible. I had a few good hits and one par but I was either in the rough or in the rough and their rough isn’t like our rough….it is much rougher. If I wasn’t in the rough I was probably in the sand which is nothing like our sand at home. It is about 6 inches deep and our sand is more like cement. So that took some getting used to. Now for the putting, it is winter here so they probably don’t cut the grass that often so the putting green grass was fairly long which made the ball roll very slowly…..which I never got used to. My putts were always short and I usually three putted which is what tore my game to pieces. I probably golfed around a 55ish on the front nine. Now for the back nine…at this point my pride had been long gone and shot way out to sea…since we were right by the sea…and I didn’t really have anything else to lose. I was beginning to not be so nervous and Tom was giving me some pointers. He said I needed to just keep my head down and he would watch the ball. So sure enough I did that and the ball went straight down the fairway. Tom said, “so that’s how you usually hit, and that will be 50 Euros.” We laughed and then I told him that was how it usually went. So now I was in the fairway for the first time really excited. At the beginning of our game he handed me a 6”x12”x1” plastic grass thing. He said we would use this on the fairway because we aren’t allowed to hit off of the actually fairway. So I took it and set the ball down. I swung and hit the ball and it went right into a huge hole with a massive sand pit at the bottom. ..luckily I wasn’t in the sand but it was still really hard to hit out of. So now after almost figuring out putting, and now I almost had my drive back…I now had to figure out how to hit off of this plastic grass thing in the fairways. I almost didn’t want to ever be in the fairway again but sure enough I was. It got better though and by the hole 16 I had mastered everything but putting…I was still coming up short. It didn’t help that my putter had a rubber thing on it to help with fast greens. Oh…I almost forgot about hole 13. It is a short par 4 about 250 yards which I can easily drive but on this hole my drive went left again into the rough. I was on the side of a hill hitting out of about 6 inches of grass with about 40 yards to go to the green. I hit a nice pitch and it landed about 5 feet from the hole. Now I was really nervous….this was my first opportunity to get a birdie…plus I wanted to impress Tom…plus it is a Championship golf course in Ireland….so my heart was pounding and all I could think about was how terrible my putting had been….all in all I sucked it up looked at the lay of the green and it was a straight shot into the hole….i lined up and hit the ball like a man….and it dropped. I got a birdie on a par 72 course in Ireland. Yeah it might have been on a really short par 4 but who cares…it’s still a birdie in Ireland. Like I thought…Tom was impressed and I was really excited. He let me shoot first the rest of the time. Okay well my wife is rushing me now so I will sum it up…..i got a few more pars and probably shot the back nine with a score of 45ish….which was much better than the front nine. We ended our 18 holes right at dusk which is at 5:15 so we golfed 18 holes in a little over 3 hours which aint to shabby. Plus it was free….i didn’t have to pay a thing. God really knows how to provide for us while we are here and I have seen Him do it numerous times…not only in fun things. All in all said it was an experience of a life time to play on a course in Ireland…by the sea…without a tree in site….on extreme hills….on a course where pro’s play and practice…on a course that is over 150 years old…for free…with a really awesome Irish man named Tom…and many other reasons. Well that’s it…hope you enjoyed this really long story of golfing in Ireland.