Ireland -- Day 18 (FINAL DAY!)

This should have been posted on Tuesday, August 14, but I was VERY tired that night and have been busy settling in the past few days!

Today my journey around Ireland came to a close.  I was up incredibly early (4:25 am!), long before even the first hint of light filled the sky, so I could do final packing and hop in a taxi to the airport by 5:00 am.  Checking our bags and going through security then brought us to our gate with plenty of time to spare.  The first flight was quite quick from Cork to London, where we then had a two-hour layover, customs, security, and a bit of time to stretch our legs before the long flight back to the United States.  Fortunately, eight-hour flights provide plenty of entertainment, and my seatmate was Robyn, so there was no awkwardness of asking to get up to go to the bathroom, walk around, ask for food/drink, lean down to get something from under our seats, or anything.  I watched a couple of movies on the provided personal entertainment screen (Saving Private Ryan and A League of Their Own), had various cobbled-together snacks and a bit of the airplane meal, slept a bit, and eagerly followed our progress across the globe on the in-flight tracker.  It was so cool to know exactly where we were on the map and then look down and see it 35,000 feet below us (yay for a window seat and beautiful clear skies!).  Upon arriving in Chicago, things got quite hectic and frenzied due to a combination of things -- notably, an hour-and-a-half layover (from the time our plane landed to the time our connecting flight took off, so actually much less time than that for us to run through the airport), a ridiculously-busy airport with endless lines (not a fan of Chicago airports!), and quite rude United employees (again, not a fan of United Airlines).  Miraculously, our connector flight to STL was delayed so we made it, breathless, sweaty, and stressed to the max.  By the time we all got onto the flight and it took off, we were so exhausted and done with customs, security, airports, and traveling in general!  Ever wonder about the phrase "I need a vacation from vacation"?  That was us!  By the grace of God, we finally safely arrived in St. Louis, not even 20 minutes after we were predicted to arrive, and all our bags arrived intact as well.  Indeed, a reason to celebrate, and we all shared hugs before parting our separate ways.

Having never been to any country other than Canada before (which is so similar to the U.S., it's hardly a fair comparison), I had apprehension, excitement, and expectations galore about Ireland.  I had so many wonderful experiences, meals, and memories made, it could take me months before I could describe everything to anyone willing to listen!  At the root of this, I think it's important to note the title of the class I was officially "auditing" -- Cultural Competence through Food.  And while I did not learn a tremendous amount about anything other than American and Irish cultural influences on food, I think the many conversations, lectures, meals, and field visits we had extend far beyond those two countries.  Food is a connecting thread between anyone, regardless of their age, economic status, social background, geographic location, or anything else.  Yes, we may all have different ideas of what makes a meal.  Yes, of course we all have differing budgets for what we can purchase -- but ultimately, everyone has to eat something to survive.  And I think that "common thread of food" was an enormous focus of this trip, and something that has really stuck with me since I getting home.  I am incredibly grateful to my wonderful family and friends who supported me before, throughout, and after the trip.  And I am full of gratitude to our good and gracious God for providing our entire group with such a safe and enjoyable time.  I already miss the beautiful rolling green hills, the multitude of animals, the special people we met, and of course the amazing weather we were blessed with (only one day of rain the entire time we were there!).  As always, I'm more than happy to discuss any of the topics we learned about throughout the trip, including the somewhat controversial ones (in a civic manner, of course) -- such as GMOs, organic foods & farming, animal ethics, and more.  And I'm also quite willing to share any insights I can if you are considering a trip to Ireland.  I want to especially thank you for reading my blog and "traveling" along with me through it...there are many reasons I write this blog, chiefly among them for all of you, who so kindly and graciously take time to read each post and pass along your enthusiasm for sharing in my journeys around the globe!

London countryside from the plane

Newfoundland & Labrador from the plane

Chicago from the plane

A lovely rainbow to greet me in Missouri!

Until next time,

~Anna

Ireland -- Day 17

Today was officially our last day in Ireland, and while it is bittersweet to be leaving such a wonderful place (I think it always is after a great vacation), we are all very ready to get back to our own homes and families.

I woke up around 8:15, got ready, had breakfast (a scone, blueberries, raspberries, yogurt, and milk), and walked to a nearby Tesco Express (supermarket) with Robyn.  She needed to do some price/item comparisons for a project related to this class, so I tagged along to experience an Irish supermarket myself.  Then we got back to the dorms, loaded in a taxi, and headed for Blarney Castle.  Built in 1446, its crown jewel is the "kissing stone," which legend says if you kiss, you will be gifted for life with eloquent speaking.  Unfortunately, the line to get into the castle and see the stone is the same line, and this is a very popular tourist attraction, so the wait time was over an hour.  Rather than spend that time standing in line, I chose to explore all over the 60-acre grounds.  While it would have been nice to see inside the castle (I couldn't care less about the kissing stone!), I had a great time.  There were a bunch of cool trails that wound past a creek; pastures full of sheep, horses, and cattle; forests; a lake; and more.  I also strolled through the Poison Garden, which seeks to educate visitors on the potential dangers (but also benefits) of a multitude of plants, many of which may grow plentifully in the wild or even in our own gardens.  And I meandered around a few fairy places, which were cute; a series of boardwalks past a little creek/pond; and through a sculpture garden.  By the time we had lunch, I had already walked nearly 17,000 steps!

Lunch was in the town of Blarney at Claddagh -- a warm chicken salad (small bits of freshly-grilled chicken served on a bed of greens and vegetables), potatoes, and broccoli.  We also spent lunch discussing all aspects of the trip, a debriefing of sorts -- likes, dislikes, what we learned, how our perceptions & beliefs changed (or didn't change), and anything we would change.  We also shared a few photos that represented Irish food/culture individually to each of us.

After lunch, we caught a taxi back to the dorms.  My biggest hurdle was to somehow pack all of my clothes and MANY purchases into my suitcase, especially the breakable purchases in such a way that they will be well protected.  After I finally succeeded -- and prayed that my suitcase isn't overweight! -- I caught up on journaling, then got ready to walk to dinner at Quay Co-op Restaurant.  It's a quaint little spot in a historic building that looks down upon the River Lee, and they offer menu options suitable for a variety of dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten free, diabetic, etc).  Their associated Quay Co-op Store is also great for fresh produce, baked goods, and other items.  I had a veggie burger, made with nuts and black beans, and served with broiled potato wedges and a couscous salad.  Some rose lemonade, water, and final conversations sealed the meal.  A little mint chocolate chip gelato after dinner was then in order, and now I'm back at the dorm and ready for bed.  I won't get much sleep since taxis are due here at 5:00 am tomorrow morning, but I'll be grateful for anything I can get!

Blarney Castle

Picturesque green hills on my walk

Lovely pond I walked all the way around

Tree canopy path!

~Anna

Ireland -- Day 16

This is from Sunday, August 12 -- sorry it didn't get posted yesterday.  I fell asleep!

Today was a very, very special day for me -- a day of accomplishments, incredible memories, and new experiences.  I was up by 7:15, got ready, had breakfast (a pear, yogurt, meringue drop, and water), and headed to the airport with another student.  I should identify this "other student," whom I have referred to many times, as Robyn.  She is my matron of honor for my wedding next spring, and we met last fall in school and really get along well.  We've studied countless hours of anatomy & physiology, as well as several dietetics/health classes together.  She was also the very first person I saw the day after my mom died, and has been an incredible supporter and friend to me.  She's willing and game to try anything, even the most hare-brained ideas I've come up with here in Ireland, and a true inspiration and mentor to me.  Anyway, because she was old enough to legally rent the car, we went the airport together to pick up our Renault Captur.  Remember, we're in Ireland -- drive on the left side of the of the road and the right side of the car (just the opposite of America!).  Annnndddd...because manual transmissions are standard here, of course we had a manual.  So since my daily drive is a manual and I LOVE having the privilege of saying I've driven in another country (European at that!), I drove!  Our goal was the charming little town of Glenbeigh, west of Cork by about 75 miles, to ride horses for three-and-a-half hours with Burke's Beach Riding!  If you know me, you know horses are in my blood.  And what better way to experience this gorgeous country than on the back of my favorite animal?!  Led by a lovely young lady named Amy, and astride 24-year-young Irish Sport Horse mare Ginger, we traversed all over the mountains and beaches -- mostly walking, but a fair bit of trotting too!  We passed adorable cottages, fields full of fluffy sheep, endless green hills, and other quaint little sites, and Amy did a fantastic job of explaining (without overwhelming) Irish/Glenbeigh history and culture.  Imagine my elation when we descended to the beach and Amy asked if I was up for a canter!  We took off down the beach, wind blowing in my face, sand pelting my legs, and the power and eagerness of Ginger beneath me.  My face sported the hugest smile ever that no one could have wiped off.  I can't really express, not even with all the words in the world, how much this meant to me.  I've dreamed since I was a little girl of having my own horse, and that eventually came true thanks to the generosity and willingness of my parents.  But horses mean so much to me, and I've read in magazines (long before I ever owned a horse, much less took lessons) about countless beach treks throughout Europe.  To experience the full-on gallop of an Irish Sport Horse with the Atlantic Ocean waves crashing just feet away...wow!  This was an experience I will never, ever forget.

The beach trek was on the famed Ring of Kerry (also known as N70), a gorgeous (but narrow and bendy!) road that encircles a "finger" of Ireland.  Much of the Ring of Kerry closely follows the coastline, offering breathtaking views of mountains crashing right down into the sea.  We stopped several times for pictures, lunch (a smoked salmon sandwich served with coleslaw and salad), and finally a hike in Killarney National Park, which comes close to the end off the Ring of Kerry.  There were tons of trails to choose from, I'm sure, but we settled on Torc Mountain -- because why not climb a 1,755-foot-tall mountain in Ireland?!  The specific trail we were on stopped a couple hundred feet from the very tip-top, but we still got a lovely 4.7-mile trek in complete with incredible views.  We even diverged off slightly to see Torc Waterfall, and completed the whole loop in a mere one hour, 20 minutes (the sign estimate was 2.5 hours).

We then cruised on back to the airport to return the car around 9:15 pm, catch a taxi back to the dorms, grab some dinner from the little shop next door (chicken-coconut curry, chips, water, and a bit of leftover ice cream), and fall into bed exhausted but thrilled from an amazing day.

Me on Ginger with the Atlantic Ocean behind us

Best view in the world!

After our exhilarating canter (er...gallop) on the beach!

Driving is opposite but we returned without a scratch!

The view from near the top of Torc Mountain

Torc Waterfall

~Anna

Ireland -- Day 15

Today I woke up around 8 am, got ready, and headed into downtown Cork with another student.  We had our very first breakfast out (all others have been eaten in the dorms!) at Cafe Gusto -- peppermint tea, scrambled eggs, and toast for me.  We then made our way to the Cork-Kent train station, purchased tickets to Fota, and awaited the next train.  You may remember that we visited Fota (the Fota House) on Tuesday...we loved the little island so much, we decided to go back on our first of two free days this weekend.  Our first destination was the Fota Wildlife Park (basically a zoo), home to a host of birds, European bison, wallabies, zebras, rhinos, giraffe, peacocks, lions, tigers, flamingos, penguins, an aquatic/butterfly room, primates, and much more.  All animals have TONS of room in their enclosures, way more than average zoos -- this is because the park has a far smaller range (and number) of animals than most zoos, and they are perched on an unassuming island in Ireland, not exactly in high demand for development or otherwise.  We had a great time exploring all over, snapping pictures, and laughing at their antics.  We then decided to walk (maybe 3/4-mile) to nearby Blackstone Cafe at Fota House, where we ate on Tuesday, for a late lunch.  A sampling of three salads -- beet, potato, and corn/bean/chickpea -- plus some orange polenta cake was in order, followed by a bit of a walk around the grounds.  There was a wedding about to start, so much of the showstopper flowers were not accessible, but we still had a lovely time.  Finally, we made our way back to the train station, enjoying wild blackberries along the way!  A quick train ride brought us back to Cork, where we then had a 2.2-mile walk back to the dorms.  Because we had already walked over 20,000 steps (it was only 4:00 pm!), our time in Cork is quickly dwindling, we have a full day planned for tomorrow, and today was a gray/misty day, we decided to hang around the dorms for the remainder of the afternoon and evening.  Some pizza, ice cream, and apple-elderberry juice was our grand dinner of champions while we watched a movie, and now it's time for bed!!

Breakfast at Cafe Gusto

Wallabies at Fota Wildlife Park

Baby ducks!

Baby European bison

Giraffe

Lunch at Blackstone Cafe, just like Tuesday except less rushed and stressful!

~Anna

Ireland -- Day 14

Today officially concluded our scheduled class activities, so the next few days are free for our choosing.  We have a few special, cool trips and adventures planned, though, so make sure you are still checking in each day until we return on Tuesday!

I was up by 8:00 today, got ready, did a little workout/stretching, had breakfast (toast with yummy Irish butter, raspberry yogurt from Glenilen Farm--where we visited yesterday, and tea), and headed to the UCC Geography Library for 9:30 lecture by Colin.  His topics were aptly related to yesterday's content -- dairy, cheese making, and food quality & safety, especially in relation to raw cow's milk.  And of course he had a complete conclusion/wrap up on everything we have learned and discussed during the past two weeks.  There is SO much to think about, and I'm really enthusiastic about discussing the (often controversial) subjects we discussed with anyone interested once I get back home.  I strove to keep an open mind, and even though I did not agree with many of the points Colin raised throughout his many lectures, I am very appreciative that he shared his opinions.  I am now aware of many other beliefs that exist about the food industry, both in Ireland and in a broader sense, the United States/world.  And I have a much greater knowledge of the food industry, culinary emphases, history, and agricultural practices in Ireland!

We had a nice two-hour break for lunch, so another student and I had a leisurely lunch on campus (beet-potato-turkey salad, corn-onion-rice pilaf, coleslaw, & mixed berry mousse) followed by a walk to Cork city center and back.  The afternoon lecture was presented by Diarmuid O Drisceoil about the history of brewing in Cork/Ireland as a whole.  Appropriately, our day concluded with a brewery tour of Rising Sons Brewery in Cork.  They are a microbrewery, so everything is pretty condensed and packed in, but it was super interesting to learn about the entire brewing process.  We then learned how to sample/taste two types of beer, which unfortunately did not settle well with me at all (even though I drank a grand total of maybe 2-3 ounces between the two).  Alcohol itself has never really agreed with me, but I've also recently had issues with gluten/wheat, so it was kind of a compounding issue that really got me when I tried to be a good sport.  So after tastings and everyone getting some dinner (except for me since my stomach was so unhappy), I headed back to the dorms with another student and chilled for remainder of the night.  A very light "dinner/snack" of oat cakes, rice pudding, and water was plenty for me.  I'm ready for some good sleep and a happier tummy tomorrow!

PS--Today was mostly a phone-free (and definitely picture-free) day for me, but I promise I'll have plenty of pictures tomorrow!  :)

~Anna

Ireland -- Day 13

My favorite day of this incredible trip, up until now, was Ballymaloe Cookery School.  That was an awesome day, spent with lovely people, doing something I really enjoy (cooking & baking), and finishing with one of the most relaxing evenings ever looking out at grazing cattle and green hills.  I didn't think I could have a better day than that, but I was proved wrong today!

I slept until about 7:45, relaxed for another hour, had breakfast (a scone, blueberries, raspberries, and milk), and hopped aboard the nearby van waiting to take us on an adventure to Drimoleague (West Cork).  Our destination was Glenilen Farm, owned by Alan & Valerie Kingston, which produces yogurt that is distributed to a variety of Irish supermarkets and stores!  Glenilen Farm has been a dairy farm for generations of Alan's family, and hearing Alan's story of the transformation from small family farm selling yogurt at farmer's markets to commercial enterprise selling all over the country is really cool.  We loved getting to wander around the farm -- meeting their free-range pigs, who love to eat leftover yogurt/byproducts of the yogurt production; free-range chickens (and touching a still-warm egg); lovely farmyard cat; and friendly farm dog, Shep.  We also had a wonderful walk by the River Ilen, a peaceful little gurgling creek that winds through fields and forests.  Our path was rocky, quite steep in some places, and the perfect out-of-the-way spot to spend a Thursday morning.  Walking back on a quiet country road, past countless fields of cattle and marveling at the glorious sunshine and blue sky, was quite a peaceful experience.  Valerie ever so kindly provided refreshments and lunch for us (ham, potato salad, coleslaw, mixed greens, goat cheese salad, beet salad, scones, lemonade, fresh milk, and dessert...I was partial to the lime-polenta cake), and Alan was most hospitable in taking much time to explain the farm's history and current status.

Our next destination was Macroom Buffalo Farm in Macroom, also in the West Cork region.  The only buffalo herd in all of Ireland, these are water buffalo that have been imported from Italy.  They are so gentle and sweet, and imagine my melting heart when I got to pet 10-day-old to 10-week-old BABY BUFFALO!!!  They loved to lick my hand and make the cutest little grunting sounds.  I just wanted to take all of them home with me!  Sooooo precious!  Of course we also got to see the (most important) milking buffaloes, enjoying fresh green grass and a sunshine-filled day.  Many of them were flat on their sides taking naps.  This buffalo milk is strictly used to make mozzarella and ricotta cheese (Aldi's sells it), which we were fortunate enough to receive plentiful samples of -- in a Caprese-type salad (mozzarella) or in a whipped cream-raspberry sorbet type dessert (ricotta).  Then we also got to go be in the midst of the 4:00 milking, which was super cool!  We were literally allowed right down into the milking device section between the two milking parlor hallways, just inches from these beautiful beasts.  I was in heaven, let's just say!

Once back to Cork, another student and I hurried to tapas/dinner at the Parlour Cafe (these delicious delicately fried potato chunks with a sweet-spicy-creamy sauce, a goat cheese/fig/spinach mixture on crusty bread, and flour-less chocolate brownie with ice cream) before coming back to the dorms for the rest of the evening.  For me, today was really inspiring and hopeful to see how two different farms have made a very successful name for themselves -- whether as a family farm that unintentionally became commercial (Glenilen) or a novel, unconventional idea that became reality (Macroom) -- because my fiance and I ultimately want to get into farming (cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, vegetables, and who knows what else?!).  I won't soon forget today!!

Happy piggies at Glenilen Farm

Making friends with Shep at Glenilen Farm

Such a pretty view and day!

Macroom Buffalo Farm

She's winking at me!

So tiny and sweet (10 days old)

Most of them were quite curious and loved attention.

Dinner at the Parlour Cafe

Dessert at the Parlour Cafe

~Anna

Ireland -- Day 12

Today I woke up at 8:15, had a nice breakfast (a scone, pear, raspberry yogurt, & milk), and walked down to the UCC Geography Library for a morning of lectures by Colin.  He primarily focused on social food movements, initiatives, and policies (he serves on the Cork Food Policy Council).  He also had his PhD student, Tara, come in for a discussion about school meals here in Ireland.  We had a lot of dialogue going on, and I must say American school lunches sound like a three-star Michelin restaurant compared to Irish school breakfasts/lunches/snacks!  There was so much to absorb, think about, and compare!  I took loads of notes, so I'd love to go back through and talk them out with anyone who might be interested.

Our lunch was at Good Day Deli in the Nano Nagle complex, which is in the South Parish district of Cork (south of the main city center).  Yet another restaurant that places a huge emphasis on sustainability and local sourcing, their mostly-vegetarian and vegan options were pleasing to both the palate and eye.  I had the GDD Big Burger, a lentil burger topped with cheddar cheese, leafy greens, and scrumptiously sweet pickled cabbage.  Served with literally the best hand-cut fries I've ever had the pleasure of eating -- as well as an herb aioli -- you can be sure I enjoyed every single morsel.  We also had a bit of dessert sharing after lunch, splitting a few beautiful masterpieces several ways so everyone could enjoy a taste.  I had a lemon-edible flower (not sure what they were, but they were pretty)-polenta cake, so very moist and served with freshly whipped cream.

Following lunch, we spent a few hours walking around the South Parish district with Colin.  The Cork Food Policy Council is constantly seeking to utilize small bits of unused land (think of the space between a road and parking lot, for example) to "revitalize" with plants and flowers, many edible if possible.  Their crowning achievement is converting a weedy, abandoned basketball court into the "Sustainable Food Lab," where pears, strawberries, raspberries, apples, tomatoes, squash, potatoes, onions, a variety of herbs (perfume to my nose!), pollinator-friendly plants, and more grow.  It's a bright spot in an otherwise-impoverished neighborhood, and their main focus is not on the actual foods produced, but on getting as many people as possible involved/educated in gardening...especially in unconventional and small spaces (urban gardening, so to speak).  Our final activity of the day was a brief stop at Elizabeth Fort, a 17th-century fort that has served a variety of roles over the years, including as an air raid shelter during WWII and police station most recently before being turned into a heritage/tourist site.  Climbing a steep, large flight of stairs will yield impressive panoramic views of much of Cork, and yet another sunshine-filled day (I actually got a little sunburned today, not at all something I expected in Ireland) meant long-range viewing and nice photo opportunities.

A quick stop at a small store on the way back to our dorms was in order to settle myself over until we leave next Tuesday, then back to the dorms to chill a bit (and catch up on class readings).  Then another student and I headed out for a lovely walk in Fitzgerald Park, just across the road and River Lee from our dwelling place.  There were a lot of similarities to Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis, with unique sculptures and art pieces; and of course lovely views of the River Lee.  Our appetites stimulated, we came back for some dinner in the dorm (couscous and chickpea salads, bread, meringues topped with raspberry jelly, and a mini pear tart) and then just a nice amount of time to relax.  It seems since we've gotten here, we've always been rushing around to get to our next scheduled event...and it also seems it's gotten crazier and crazier as time goes on!  So it's nice just to have some time to breathe, no pressure to be anywhere at a certain time, and enjoy our quickly-diminishing time in Ireland.

A pretty little street in South Parish

Lunch at Good Day Deli

Dessert at Good Day Deli

Sustainable Food Lab in South Parish

Panorama off the top of Elizabeth Fort

~Anna

Ireland -- Day 11

All I can say about today is a massive wow.  I have thoroughly enjoyed every single day of this trip so far, but today was a whole new level of amazing-ness.  I don't think even the most thorough description could do today justice, but I'll do my best!

I started the day around 8:45 with a quick breakfast (mango-passion fruit yogurt & milk) before walking a short ways to hop on the bus that took us to Fota House, east of Cork on a little island.  Fota House is a large Regency period (early 1800s) home...think Downton Abbey with the hierarchy of house servants and resident family.  It is beautifully preserved, although still needs some renovation and work (and of course continuing maintenance).  They rely quite a bit on volunteers, so as with any volunteer organization, are searching for more people willing to pitch in and help.  We took a quick tour throughout, stopping in the grand dining room, kitchen, and storage rooms, before heading out into the pristine gardens.  Fota is well known for their masterful array of flowers, fruits, and other exotic plants, especially since Ireland does not have a conducive climate to many species they are growing.  The garden staff have worked tirelessly to renovate many of the original greenhouses, and it is quite apparent at first glance that tireless care and devotion has been bestowed to maintain the grounds in such a pristine way.  Fota House also has a little restaurant, Bakestone Cafe, where we had lunch -- chorizo salad and a chocolate chip cookie for me.

Our afternoon activity was the Ballymaloe Cookery School, preceded by a very brief stop at the Ballymaloe House & Shop, which is a kitchen supply enthusiast's dream (or weakness...I wanted to take the whole store home with me!).  The cookery school is such an amazing place, offering day-long, week-long, or three-month programs in cooking.  On their beautiful grounds reside dairy & beef cattle, pigs, chickens, vegetables (loads under cover of a greenhouse), fruit (we got to pick and enjoy fresh blackberries in the midst of our walking tour!), herbs (including a type of sorrel that tastes like a sour apple!), and a "shell house."  The latter is as unique as it sounds, with the entire inside (even the chandelier) created out of shells.  It took one woman a mere three months to craft it!  With the bounty of meats, fruits, vegetables, and herbs, the school utilizes all of these for cooking classes, the school, and their restaurant.  We were privileged to experience a cooking demonstration by Rachel Allen, daughter-in-law of Darina Allen; Darina's mother, Myrtle Allen, created the cooking school in 1983.  Afterwards, we all moved into the kitchen to cook what we had just watched Rachel make, and what a fun experience that was.  The best part -- besides the camaraderie with my fellow students and our awesome instructor -- was eating our preparations!  Talk about farm to table -- we saw exactly where nearly everything on our plate came from, fixed it, and then ate it!  Our impeccable meal consisted of traditional Irish soda bread (and proper Irish butter!); pea and coriander soup; char-grilled chicken paillarde with garlic aioli and roasted cherry tomatoes; roast chicken with saffron, hazelnuts, and honey; roasted new potatoes with mint; tomato fondue; summer garden salad; zucchini and yellow squash with marjoram; meringue roulade with strawberries and raspberries; shortbread biscuits (cookies); and a raspberry fool, to be served with the cookies and/or meringues.  Coffee, tea, wine, and water were available throughout the evening, and the peaceful views of hills and grazing cattle made me never want to leave.  Getting to experience everything I did today, and then enjoying such a delicious meal with wonderful people around me, was a huge reminder of how incredibly blessed I am.  I've had a lot happen in the past 10 months, both good and bad, and the sweetness of these moments this evening made me tear up a bit.  I will not soon forget -- and hopefully never -- the glorious day I had!

Fota House

Dining room at Fota House

Lovely flowers at Fota House gardens

Grounds of Ballymaloe Cookery School

The Shell House at Ballymaloe

Rows of tomatoes at Ballymaloe

Pea & coriander soup

Main course

Dessert

Breathtaking views at Ballymaloe

I love cooking and exploring Ireland with these ladies so much!

~Anna

Ireland -- Day 10

I slept in until almost 8:30 again today, had some breakfast (a scone, raspberry yogurt, milk), and walked to the Geography Library on the UCC campus again...just like last Monday!  This time, though, we had Regina lecturing about general Irish history and geography, Irish cuisine (and its history), and of course the potato famine.  I've been taking loads of notes that may not be of interest (or legible) to anyone, plus they would take forever to type coherently into this blog, but I'm happy to share more details about anything I've done once I get home!  I really enjoyed Regina's lectures; she has a very enjoyable speaking style, plus she makes everything interesting, engaging, and understandable.

Our afternoon adventure was to Cobh, pronounced "cove" (southeast of Cork) via a train!  That was a different, super fun method of transportation that showed us some different countryside than one would see walking, biking, riding in a car, or even flying.  Cobh was the final port of call for the infamous Titanic before she headed out to (unknowingly) meet her fate, as well as the exit port for literally millions of immigrants courageously going to start a new, unknown life.  The Cobh Heritage Center has a lot of good information about immigration, as well as the famine, large passenger ships (like the Titanic, Lusitania, and others), and other related topics.  Additionally, it is right next to the train depot -- actually attached -- so that was very convenient.  Tickets are made to look like passenger cards, which you can track throughout the museum.  Unfortunately, I was given Margaret Rice on the Titanic, who tragically perished along with her four young children.

After the heritage center, another student and I went to the nearby Titanic Experience in Cobh.  Again, for tickets we were given passenger cards to follow along with the story.  We were given a 30-minute guided tour, then allowed to spend as much time as we pleased in the museum hall, which primarily focused on the building and sinking of the Titanic, hypothermia/result of coming into contact with such cold water, and the discovery of the wreck.  This time, I was 26-year-old third-class passenger Katie Peters, who was again lost to sea.  So I technically died twice today!  All joking aside, it was a sobering reminder of how many (especially young) people lost their lives and families lost loved ones, never to be seen again.

We then had a nice early dinner at Leonardo's Cafe Kimbo across the street, which had lots of Italian, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.  I had a yummy sandwich with tuna, cheese, mayo, and a corn blend, plus potato wedges.  After a nice stroll/walk around the adorable town -- we clambered up some steep hills to admire bird's-eye views of the sea/nearby islands and stumbled across a row of precious, colorful little houses -- we found a lovely bench and enjoyed ice cream from local shop Scoops (chocolate chip and hazelnut for me).  Music was playing, families were walking about, the weather was impeccable (sunshine, a slight breeze, 70 degrees Fahrenheit), and we had nowhere to be at a certain time.  We could just relax, breathe in the fresh sea air, listen to the waves, and enjoy yet another beautiful part of Ireland.

The very dock people stood on to board the Titanic

Supper

Views from the top of Cobh

A row of adorable houses in every color possible!

Sweet little cattle grazing on the train ride back to Cork

The train we rode to Cobh and back

~Anna