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