A Trip to Ireland

Immediately as I landed in Dublin the differences between Iowa and Ireland were presented. One of the most prevalent changes was that Ireland is currently going green. There are signs reminding people to recycle, all paper towels are replaced with blow-dryers, and all the restaurants use paper straws. Additionally, the amount of stores in close vicinity is very noticeable. There are strips of stores that stretch on as far as you can see. Not only are these stores some worldwide businesses but there are also many small-owned businesses all around. The infrastructure of buildings is different too. Up the street from the hotel I was staying at was a huge church built back in 1864 and had the style you would expect for an old building. It was weird to look up one side of the street and see this colossal church that was built hundreds of years ago then look down the road and see endless streets of businesses.

Furthermore, my favorite difference was the food. The food in Ireland was eminently superior. Every time I ate in Ireland I was surprised at how distinguishable the freshness and non-chemically tasting everything was. The ingredients were not heavily processed like they are in America. I had always heard that fast food in European countries exceeded American fast food and this was proven true when I tried McDonald’s. The Mcchicken seemed to be freshly cooked and not just a reheated patty like it is in America.

On top of that, the fries were surprisingly not hard nor soggy like they often are in America. Overall the differences in Ireland were improvements in lifestyle. Being able to walk everywhere was enjoyable because I got to explore the city of Dublin on a more thorough level. 

On the second day in Ireland, we went on the Patty Wagon Tour to Northern Ireland to see the Dunluce Castle, the Giants Causeway, and the Belfast Christmas Market which opened the day we went on the tour. These are three of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ireland. 

The first of the three we visited was the Dunluce Castle which was built on top of a hill on the North County Antrim coast during the 13th century and is now in ruins. Even in ruins, the castle is still a very interesting and beautiful place to visit. The castle built on a hill overlooking the sea makes it a great place for pictures hence its popularity till this day. Unluckily for us, the time we visited the weather was a little bit cloudy and rainy but I was still able to get some great views and pictures of the castle and the landscape surrounding it. Moreover, it was cool to visit because it appeared in the Game Of Thrones.

Following Dunluce Castle, we were brought to the Giants Causeway. This was by far the most pulchritudinous place I have ever been and will most likely continue to be for the rest of my life. The Giants Causeway has an intriguing history with a myth surrounding it. The legend follows a hero named Finn McCool who constructed the causeway to battle the giant Benandonner. The hexagonal basalt rocks that have become famous were formed from volcanic and thermal activity forming these rocks. 

The walk down to the bottom where the basalt rocks are takes a while as it is but when I was taking in the scenery it took even longer. Luckily for me, a double rainbow formed right as we had arrived which made the place all that more special. When I arrived at the bottom I climbed to the top of a high rock formation for a few pictures and an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean. This was the most surreal feeling I’ve ever had, finally being able to see the world and not just fields and farmland was amazing.