Again I beg your patience with the pictures. The one post with pics took FIVE HOURS to upload, so in the interest of getting sleep I have opted not to try it.
Wednesday: What a fun day!
After breakfast we took our coach into Dublin, where we picked up our local guide, Kay Flanagan. She told us about everything from Georgian architecture to the history between the Catholics and the Protestants, which is such a complicated and VERY intense part of local history. She even told us a priest and a rabbi joke or two. We learned about St. Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland, monks who brought illuminated manuscripts back to Ireland from exile in Scotland, and Vikings. We learned about the Celtic Cross and about World War I soldiers.
We stopped at St. Patrick's cathedral, where we marveled at the Gothic architecture, learned how Handel's Messiah was first performed here in Ireland, and adored the floor tiles and stained glass. Jonathan Swift (author of Gulliver's Travels) is buried there along with a number of French Huguenots. There are flags and banners from various WWI divisions as well, which accounts for the large number of Union Jacks (British flags) there. The Guinness family (of beer fame) restored the church. Gus bought an ugly tie, inspiring the boys to follow suit (pun intended) and buy ties--thankfully not ugly ones. Then it was back into the coach. We drove past statues--the Floozie in the Jacuzzi (a lady in a fountain), the Hags with the Bags (shopping women with bags in the shopping area)--and the Spire (the Rod to God) and St. Stephen's Green.
We drove to Phoenix Park, which is twice the size of Central Park in NYC. It is here that the US Ambassador lives--right across the street from the Irish president, who is a figure head rather than head of state. The Irish president's resident always keeps a light on in one of the windows. This is to welcome home those who emigrated and have returned to Ireland. The zoo is where the MGM lion was born--every time you see him roar, think of Dublin! In Phoenix Park we stopped at the Papal Cross, where Pope John Paul II visited Ireland in 1979. As it is a Catholic country, this was a big deal. There was an ice cream truck there, and Joe the bus driver and Gus raced to be first in line. There are deer there, so we admired those while eating ice cream and stretching our legs. Then it was onward to the Book of Kells at Trinity College. This is one of the most amazing illuminated manuscripts we have ever seen. We marveled at the detail and at how well preserved everything is. From there we saw the Long Room, the old library that houses TONS of old books as well as the Brian Boru harp, the symbol of Ireland.
After the tour we split up. Students were given a map, a list of suggestions, a set of parameters, and required to go in pairs or groups. Some explore the Writers Museum (James Joyce, Samuel Becket--seniors liked the connection to our curriculum with Waiting for Godot--Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, and more), while others went to the archaeology museum, walking down Grafton Street and through the Temple Bar district, and of course lunch at an Irish pub. For that they had to be accompanied by adults, so we took whoever wanted to go (they ordered sandwiches and hot chocolate). Some shopping, street performers/buskers, and good weather were enjoyed by all. Our one task was to stop at a grocery store to pick up food for the ferry ride. Some of us went into the bank that was the former House of Lords and learned about James II, while others found their favorite macaroons and souvenir shops. There were some people giving out free hugs, musicians, and a trip over the River Liffey and past the original Guinness brewery (not inside). We enjoyed a coffee shop and watching Dublin go by, too.
Our meet up spot was the Spire, which is opposite the Post Office. This building was a former government building and sported old bullet holes from the revolution. Ireland had an uprising Easter of 1916 that, while unsuccessful, ultimately laid the groundwork for Irish independence from Britain in 1922. Being here between St. Patrick's Day and the centennial celebration of that revolution (Easter is this coming Sunday) meant we got the best of Ireland--tons of atmosphere, decorations, and special exhibits, but not the insane crowds. Then it was off to dinner and back to the hotel. We had an early night because we had a very early morning.
This morning we left the hotel at 6:00 (despite a missed alarm everyone was on time--that's why Gus and I did a wake up check), grabbed a bagged breakfast, and said goodbye to our bus driver Joe. We just boarded a ferry, and as I type this the coast of Ireland is a few hundred meters behind us. Today is the first rainy day, but we are comfortable and warm on the ferry for the next few hours. We should be in Wales around lunchtime today, and we will be heading to a castle and through the Snowdownia National Park before hitting our hotel near Liverpool on the English/Welsh border. Gus is like a giddy child on the ferry.
Everyone has been having a blast. Our co-travelers from Connecticut are great, and the students have been getting along well and getting to know each other. Some of them even decided to explore Dublin together. Their group is prompt and well-behaved as well as friendly. We have been impressed with them, but we have been even more impressed with our own group. Their teachers have complimented our kids, saying this has been by far the most fun mixed tour group they have ever experienced (and they do this a lot). We, too, have been impressed with the kids. They really look out for each other, work hard to make sure everyone feels included, and change up their buddies and mingle with greater ease than even we expected. We have had tremendous fun getting to know your kids a bit better and shared a lot of laughs.
A note on Brussels: Our tour director was contacted right away, and it was confirmed that all EF Tour groups are safe. EF was prompt in its response, making sure not only that all the Brussels groups were safe, but that all were coping well wight the information. Our kids have taken it in stride and are too busy having fun to worry. However, we are pleased with EF's commitment to ensuring that its groups are safe and to communication and care for all its travelers.
Today is Wales, tomorrow is the Lake District and Edinburgh, and Saturday is Edinburgh and the evening train to London. We will not be doing the overnight train, but a late evening train, which does not detract from our time in Edinburgh but also means a better night's sleep on Saturday night so we can get the most out of London. Sunday and Monday will be in London, and Tuesday we fly home (boo). Your kids have all offered to pay us to let them stay in Europe, so I would check those bank balances carefully! We like them enough to be tempted to stay here with them!
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