We headed back to Denis’ house in Beaumont (also a 15 minute ride from the city) and had tea and sandwiches with him and his wife, Marie. Their house is so quaint. I think I had about four cups of tea, because Denis always insists on having more and I can’t resist. He also brought out some cake and biscuits (or cookies as we would say). And this was all before dinner! The bread in Dublin is so fresh and soft, probably some of the best white and wheat sliced bread I’ve had. We then went to Denis’ daughter’s house for dinner, Julie. I reconnected with his daughters, Julie, Denise, and Diane, who I hadn’t seen since I was a kid. Two of them visited the States when I was little and I came to Dublin when I was about 10. Apparently the last time I was in Dublin I made them learn the Pledge of Allegiance. I didn’t know I was so proud of my country at such a young age. Dinner was great. We had pasta with bacon, leek, and onions, garlic bread, along with some red wine. Afterwards we went to a local pub and had lots of beer and laughs. (Corny). We came back to Denis’ to have… tea and sandwiches.

In the morning my mom and I headed to Bewley’s, a restaurant and cafe in Dublin. We met her two longtime friends, Jenny and Frances. My mom traveled basically all of Europe and some islands with Jenny and I’ve been hearing about her since I was very young. Part of the reason I was inspired to study abroad was because of my mom’s influence. She’s been EVERYWHERE and I seriously dreamed of being able to follow in her footsteps one day. And here I am! It’s pretty crazy. I had a lot of tea and a salmon and cream cheese bagel. I don’t know why my food choices were so strange.

We then went to Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and Christ Church. I got myself an authentic claddagh ring since I lost the one my mom gave to me when she last came to Ireland. We saw the Georgian doors of Dublin, which were so colorful and pretty.

After our day of sightseeing, we went to Leixlip, nearby Kildare, for dinner and drinks at my cousin’s house. It was my cousin’s 21st birthday, so we went to the Gaelic Athletic Association to party. We came back to Denis’ to have some more tea, of course.

When I woke up on Sunday, I had a knot in my stomach. It was really strange but I felt homesick. I haven’t felt homesick at all in London yet, but leaving that great weekend and my family behind felt very sad to me. I want to go back so badly! I encourage any of you out there to visit the country your family’s from. There’s nothing like seeing where you come from, and meeting people you’re connected to.

Now I’m back in London and have begun my SIXTH week of classes. I cannot believe this. I’m staying in London this weekend. I think I’m going to go on a bar tour in Camden and to the Borough and Brick Lane food markets. This week I have to start preparing for my Shakespeare midterm exam, which is on Monday the 20th. I also have a 2,000 word paper for my Analyzing Text and Theatre Performance class. Things will be busy until then, but I leave for Barcelona next Wednesday! We’re staying for three nights and will be returning on the 25th, just in time to celebrate my roommate’s 21st! The following weekend I’m going to Paris. Then I have a few friends visiting for the following weeks. Before I know it, it’s going to be mid march and I’ll only have a month left. All the travel I really need to fit in is Italy. I’m thinking Rome and/or the Amalfi Coast. Casual.