Reflection Day 2 (3/4)

The first thing that I noticed today was that the city is completely empty on Sunday morning. I am sure that this is due to mass being in session. I find this very different from America where a higher percentage of the population is less prone to attend a religious service on Sunday due to cultural diversity. This made the walk this morning very relaxing, but also a bit eerie.

Once everything was open, I was able to experience a shopping trip and interact with a lot more of the locals. It was very fun and interesting to to have conversations with them and learn about their culture (the significance of the claddagh ring and the history of Galway).

The trip to Letterfrack was filled with amazing scenery and it was very interesting to see how the Irish landscape differs from ours. It is a very abrupt change from flat land to rocky hills. The absence of trees is extremely apparent, especially when the trees that are present are on plantations and simply don't match the landscape. We learned about this at the hostel (The Bard's Den) from our Irish host professor.

Ireland was almost completely forested in ancient times all the way up until the 1300's. At that point, forests were heavily cleared to make farmland and pasture. The forests were also greatly impacted by the Potato Famine. This led to Ireland being only 0.5% forested. Action was taken to reforest 10% of Ireland's land, but it is currently between 3%-10%, based on what is considered "forested".

I can see this having a great impact on our partners at GMIT. They must have to import wood, which not only costs time, but money as well. Therefore, I can expect that they may not have very many prototypes and the prototypes are very material-efficient, which ties into one of the goals for their designs. I am interested to see how this has affected them when we are introduced tomorrow.

We also learned about peat and its affect on the Irish lifestyle. Due to the sparse forests, peat is used for fuel / fire "wood" because it is so plentiful and burns efficiently. Peat is formed from grass the grows in bogs. When the grass dies, it doesn't decay like normal organic matter because of the acidity in the bog. Instead, it undergoes a sort of accelerated fossilization where it forms into something with similar properties to fossil fuels / oil. Therefore, peat burns very well after it has been dried and is a good alternative to wood and oil.

The lack of wood has also (probably) resulted in stone houses and walls. Stone is also in abundance here and is not very deep underground, often jutting out in the fields. This accounts for not only the hundreds of miles of stone wall we have seen, but also the preservation of ancient sites. In other societies, such as Greece, where stone is scarce or difficult to quarry and transport, sites may be disassembled to build other foundations. I was amazed when we saw buildings that have been present for hundreds of years as well as the many walls. It is amazing to see structures that old still standing after ups and downs through history and generations.

Another thing that is in abundance, but not in a positive way, is a yellow-flowered thorny brush called Gorse. In earlier times, it was used as a natural fence because it is so dense and thorny. This was effective up until the point of stone fences. It has now grown wild as an extremely invasive species and is taking up land where trees could be grown. I find is interesting that it has been allowed to grow so much, especially since it is quite woody and could probably be used as fire fuel when dry.

Overall, I learned a lot about the natural resources of Ireland and have observed major differences between here and the U.S. as far as landscape. This in turn most likely leads to the differences in architecture, agriculture, and industry. I really am interested to see how this has affected the GMIT projects when we visit tomorrow.

Daily Log 2 (3/4)

Today was amazing. I finally got all of my "family-friend" shopping done and, while it almost didn't fit in my luggage, I am very pleased with what I bought and think that it will be much enjoyed at home. I also bought a few things for myself, which I am very much enjoying. As a bonus, I also found an amazing shell on the beach at low tide and this is absolutely my favorite souvenir.

After leaving Galway, we left for Letterfrack. The trip started off is the flatter areas, but then gave way to beautiful hills and farms. This was another of those "I'm in Ireland" moments. The hills are exactly how I imagined and they are breathtaking in person. The coast is even more so. I cannot believe the beauty of this place and I honestly could not be happier.

We next arrived in Letterfrack and the hostel is gorgeous. I feel very comfortable and I sincerely believe that I will enjoy my stay here. We can see mountains just outside of our window and it is incredible to have such a view.

So far, I have been very satisfied in my travels and cannot wait to see what we will be doing tomorrow.

Reflection Day 1 (3/3)

I will base today’s reflection on what I saw, heard, and experienced. The tour was particularly meaningful because I learned so much about Galway’s history and it gave me a much better understanding of the city. I especially enjoyed leaning about the churches, both young and old. They hold not only spiritual, but political significance and seeing part of that exposed was very eye-opening. When I have read about Irish history, Galway is seldom mentioned, so this is information that I would most likely not have learned if not for our wonderful guide, Paddy.

Also, simply being in Galway, I have noticed similarities and differences between Irish and American culture. Pop-culture is roughly the same, from music to T.V. to fashion, but simple customs I have found to be quite different. Everything seems a little “slowed down”: everyone walks a little slower and spends time socializing in parks and cafés. It really was interesting to watch and seemed like a very pleasant lifestyle. It is still a bustling and busy city, but people seem more focused on each other rather than simply going from A to B.

In contrast, the traffic seems to be a bit wilder. Speed limits seem to be a bit higher here and I’m not sure if pedestrian right-of-way holds true here! Add this to the calmness of the pedestrian traffic, and a new flavor of city life is formed. These differences, however big or small, are making me realize that I am not in America anymore (as if the round-abouts and left-oriented driving weren’t enough).

Another thing that I noticed about traffic is that brick plazas are not strictly pedestrian. It has been interesting seeing where people can and cannot drive and I am sure that I will never figure it out. The road through the main shopping district has pylons that retract and pop up as needed, so in the morning they are down to allow traffic to work and then up in the afternoon when pedestrian traffic is heavier. I think that it is a very practical and efficient way of sharing the road in a busy city

Something else that I took note of was that there are a lot of street performers and it seems to be a more embraced activity here than in the United States (where it has been my experience to see it looked down upon and sometimes even deemed criminal). Here, it is like a free performance and people are encouraged to join in. It seems to be a culture difference that I quite enjoy , though I would be too shy to join.

As far as what a “city” means to me, this one, while busy, is still quite small. I enjoy its closeness and find it to be a fascinating area that reminds me of Blacksburg, Alexandria (VA), and Tokyo, in its own ways. I cannot wait to explore it tomorrow.

I have found that American music is very popular here. It is in the stores, on T.V., and nearly every street musician was playing an American song. I am unsure why this is, but I found it to be very interesting.

Overall, I am not experiencing a lot of culture shock, but I really do like the differences. It is interesting to hear both English and Gaelic and fun to observe and learn the customs. I can’t wait to learn more and I am really looking forward to our travels tomorrow.

Daily Log 1 (3/3)

Today was extremely busy and I can’t believe it has only been 13 hours since we landed in Galway. The first thing that I noticed when we left the plane was how the air smelled. It’s very earthy and pleasant. The trip from Shannon to Galway was very eye-opening as far as making me feel that I am in Ireland (being on the opposite side of the road may have had something to do with it).  I am still amazed at how green the grass is. I also love seeing the flocks of sheep.

Once in Galway, it became very apparent that it is a walking town. We spent several hours exploring the streets, eventually making our way to the river. I love the way that the city is designed, even if it is a bit confusing. I have figured out one section of it and will return tomorrow to continue shopping (I certainly have my priorities straight!)

After we got back to the hostel, we were led on foot around Galway by a GMIT professor, Paddy, and it was phenomenal to see Galway from the top of a taller building. The buildings were still too crowded to figure out the roads from that height, but it was still an amazing view. The tour ended on Nun’s Island and we were re-released into the labyrinth of sights, smells, and beautiful mingling of Irish voices. I had my first Irish meal of fish and chips, which was very good and tasted “cleaner” than its American counterpart (maybe they use a different kind of oil). All of the shops were closed by this time, so we headed back to the hostel to finish our first deal in Galway.

Initial Reactions (3/3)

It was dark when we landed, but even with little to no sun, one thing was apparent: Ireland is very, very green. I wasn’t expecting it to be so cold, but I have realized that the sun rises later here (about 7:30) and so it probably will be warmer later. I was expecting the rain and am very happy that I invested in a good rain coat.

Galway itself is a beautiful city. I have already walked around it with a few other students and it is amazing. It has a completely different layout and architecture from American cities. I love all of the alleys and shops and the way that nature is incorporated into the city. We also ran into a market, which was a great experience as far as talking with locals. It was interesting to see all of the different foods that are grown and made here. I cannot wait to try something!

I made my first purchase in Ireland while we were exploring. I bought a book on Celtic design, specifically knots and alphabets. I find it absolutely fascinating. I also bought a postcard for my friend, as that was the only thing that he wanted from Ireland. 

So far, Ireland has had aspects that I did and didn’t expect, but it all has been amazing so far.

En-Route (3/2)

After having travelled for nine and a half hours, we are now on the plane to Shannon! It has been a long day, but I am getting more excited with every minute. I have been fortunate enough to be assigned a window seat, but, unfortunately, it is night. With a few stars outside of my window, I am beginning to truly anticipate my arrival in Ireland.

I still don’t know what to expect. I have been told it is beautiful. I have been told that the culture is rich and mysterious. I have read the legends, fairytales, and histories and, for all that I have been waiting for this opportunity, I am emotionally frozen. I’m not sure if it is disbelief or if it simply hasn’t hit me yet, but I AM GOING TO IRELAND! I am only hours away and I know that I am excited, but it hasn’t completely sunk in.

I still have not seen Mikey face to face, so I am unsure of what to expect, not that it will really matter. He has already been a very kind and cooperative partner and I have been glad to do research with him.

The research itself has gone very well. Everyone has been providing good and useful data and I can’t wait to put it to good use in Letterfrack. I have brought a sample of my jewelry along for further data collection and I believe that it will allow for extremely useful and efficient hands-on experience and immediate “trial and error” feedback.

There are so many thoughts running through my head. I can imagine the greenness of the land and the infinite amount of colors in the sky, the towns, and the culture. I can’t wait to see everything. I want to meet people, I want to be immersed in the culture and see how is does and doesn’t differ from my personal vision of Ireland.

[Later]

I can now see that we are over the Atlantic. I can feel that we are getting closer (at the modest speed of 627 mph). I can feel the excitement creeping in from the back of my mind as I slowly realize that I will be there. How can I sleep when I have so much to look forward to?

In traveling today, I have really enjoyed getting to meet and know my fellow travelers. They have all been so kind and I believe that that will make the trip so much better. They are all as excited as I am and such enthusiasm will create a group that is eager to learn, see, and do as much as possible. I am happy to be among such a wonderful group of students, especially when we each bring a unique skill set to the table.

The more that I think about it, the longer I want this flight to be because I know that once we land, it will go by in a blur. I want this to last as long as possible. I want to experience every moment and never forget any of it.

I already miss everyone. I miss my family. I miss my boyfriend. I miss my friends, though I am making new ones. I feel that I will me homesick, but not for very long. I have travelled before for longer periods of time and the initial pang of wanting to be home is soon replaced with the excitement of being somewhere new.

On another note, I have never stayed in a hostel and am very interested to see what that is like. I believe that I will enjoy sharing the room, as it will provide a very casual social environment and will be a good way to bond with the other girls. I have enjoyed all of their company so far and think that we will only grow to like each other more over the next week.

It is now pitch black outside. We have traveled 1194 miles and still have 2043 to go. It is also -66°F outside at an altitude of 36,966 feet, which I simply cannot fathom. We are still over the Atlantic, which I also cannot comprehend. I am still in disbelief. With just a few hours to go, I still cannot believe that I am going to Ireland. It seems too good to be true! I am sure that it will hit me when we land and then the real adventure with begin.

Pre-Travel: Expectations (2/24)

Asking what I expect of going to Ireland is like asking what I expect of a great adventure. It is a place that I have always wanted to go, a place that filled bedtime stories and fairytales, and a place that I have often dreamed about. Having the opportunity to not only travel there, but also to be traveling while expanding personal, cultural, and educational knowledge, is like none other.

Needless to say, my expectations are high, simply due to the nature in which Ireland has been presented to me since I was young. It is an ancient, mystical place with a history that is unique and extremely rich. Of course I don’t expect to see fairytale come to life, but I do expect to see the vibrant green of rolling hills, the rocky beaches, and places that I know to be real, but could only dream of what it would be like to stand there.

From communicating with my partner in Ireland (Mikey), I expect that our welcome will be a warm one and that collaborating on a project together will open our eyes to new perspectives. I know that we will each bring something unique and seeing how we can combine ideas and thoughts to ultimately create a new product for final presentation will be a great experience in expanding the way in which I may think or go about doing something.

I believe that our current progress on the product bodes well for positive and productive interaction when working face to face. Being able to physically handle the project piece will only aid in my understanding of it and promote new ideas, innovations, and thoughts. It is hard right now to gauge size, weight, functionality, and ease of use simply from a photo and I am sure it is frustrating for Mikey to only be able to work with tables of measurements and photos, when being able to handle actual jewelry and see how it fits in the jewelry box in real life would be much easier for instantaneous results.

I expect the culture of Ireland to be different from ours, but not radically so. I am looking forward to learning new traditions and customs and living a different lifestyle for a week. Having traveled abroad before, I have learned that it can be extremely easy or painstakingly difficult to adjust to a new culture, but it is an excellent way to become more open and accepting of new ideas and allows for a much broader view of certain concepts. From food to clothing up to complex notions of religion and society, I expect to learn a great deal from interacting with Mikey and the other students and from simply being immersed in that environment.

There are also things that I expect to be different, but I am not sure how I will react to them. Food is one thing that, while I am certain that I will enjoy it, it might take some getting used to and perhaps some courage. I tend to be quite wary about trying new things, but I have found that, while travelling, it is best to try something at least once. This sometimes leads to horrid tastes and textures that I would never try again, but often I find that I really enjoy something new and will miss it when I arrive back home, searching though specialty aisles at the supermarket to find it again.

Another thing that I am unsure of is social customs. I have found that what is socially acceptable in America may not always be acceptable in other countries (and vice-versa). I plan on reading about such things en-route to Ireland as well as trying to adapt quickly once there. I feel that modern Irish culture will not be so different from American culture, but I am sure that I will notice both similarities and differences when we arrive.

One thing that I was not expecting, but found through my own research, was the size of the town of Letterfrack. I knew that it was small, but it was nearly impossible to find from satellite imagery until I fully zoomed in. As a student of geography, I couldn’t help but note its size, orientation, proximity to both the ocean and other cities and came to the following conclusion: Letterfrack is quite isolated. I am now even more excited to be there in person, having studied it from a purely geographic perspective.

As stated before, my expectations, both personal and academic, are quite high for this experience. I hope to learn and expand my way of thinking to a higher degree and to return a bit wiser. I look forward to my interactions with Mikey and working hands-on with the jewelry box. I have anticipations of being immersed into a new culture and a new lifestyle. I face this experience with excitement and apprehension because, while I have a lot of expectations of my own, I do not know what to expect.

Introduction

At long last, I am finally posting my travel journal from Ireland. It has been just over 4 months since I started the journal and just over 3 since it was completed. Before reading, there are a few things that you should know:

-The town that we stayed in for the majority of the trip was Letterfrack in County Galway

-My partners for the project were Mikey (Ireland) and Josh (America)

-The project was a (very neat) jewelry box

-I have slightly changed a few of the entries to account for grammatical errors

-Due to the nature of blogs, they will be in reverse order, so start here and continue up through them, not down

-I will include photos from the journal and from the trip as necessary

I really do hope that you enjoy this transcript. I immensely enjoyed the trip and keeping this log and I am happy to share it.

Enjoy!