The Real Ireland

Here are the pictures from my weekend: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/569009496SzPSdX
Well I finally saw proper Ireland this weekend. It only took three months of being in the country. I went to my Irish friend's house in Clonakilty this weekend. We drove down on Friday and I came home last night. I hav felt a little bitter towards this country for awhile and now I'm realizing that it's not towards this country but it's Limerick that is making me feel this way. And plus I've really only seen cities up close, I haven't been able to see the real country. One thing I noticed while on my trip was that Irish people drive like maniacs. Most of the roads here are wicked tiny and Emma was driving over 40 down all these windy roads where there was oncoming traffic. I was clutching the door the whole time in slight panic. She thought it was really funny because she said her friends say that she's a safe driver. I can't even imagine how other Irish people drive. Her house is absolutely adorable. It's on a lot of land and it overlooks mountains and cows. Her house is over 300 years old and it looks like what I thought an Irish house would look like. We then went into town and got some chinese take away and rented a couple of movies. The town that she lives in is also what I thought Ireland would look like. The building are all different colors and there are a lot of wool stores and Irish souvenirs and whatnot. Also lots of chippery's which is expected in this country. On Saturday we went to the bay which was gorgeous. We then drove out to Bantry House. There are pictures of it. It was built in the late 17th century and it overlooks the bay and mountains. The house itself was closed but we got to walk around the grounds. It was breathtaking. We then went back to her house and cooked a huuuge chicken roast. I felt like that was my Thanksgiving. She's a damn good cook I must say. Her boyfriend and friend were also there this weekend. So while there were only four of us, she cooked for 8. I also made snickerdoodles. By the end of the dinner none of could even move we were all so full. Sunday I got up to Emma making a real Irish breakfast. This is what's in it: rashers (bacon), sausage, white pudding, black pudding, toast, eggs, potatoes, onions, and tea. We started off the morning to where all of us could barely move we were so full. We took a drive to the beach which was about 10 minutes from where she lives. The Cape has really pretty beaches but I must say that this beach definately impressed me. Then we went back and just relaxed for the rest of the day.
It took me three months to finally see what I've been looking for the whole time I've been here. I was so happy to see the country that I had fallen in love with a long time ago. It lived up to its expectations. Friday and Saturday a bunch of us will be renting cars and driving around the ring of Kerry and then Sunday I'm off to Paris for 4 days :) I only have three more weeks left and I'm going to fit in as much as I possibly can.