So I posted two stories since my last post, but I deleted them because I felt I wasn't in the right mindset to express my true self and feelings. I was going through a little culture shock. Missing my family, hating my new place because I missed my family, being a little more emo than usual, and all sorts of other emotions. It's totally natural and I could have kept the posts...but they weren't me, so I deleted them due to their emo-esque nature.
Things are really good. This place is totally different from anywhere in the states mostly due to it's energies more than vernacular, etc. I suppose vernacular makes up a countries vibes but there is some undercurrent here that creates a life that doesn't take things so serious. I love that. Why take things so seriously? Everything is one big funny joke. Life is so sad when you look at the big picture, yet so beautiful; so enjoyable, yet so atrocious. All you can do is laugh.
Eve Island:
Anyway, I went kayaking today with Ash. I met a lady through couchsurfing named Jane. She is about 50 I suppose and is an amazing woman with so much spirit. Ash is staying at her farm house back behind Glandore village. She has two kayaks today so we met up with her at the Glandore Marina and she saw us off. We spent 3 hours on the water coasting along the shore. The water is crystal clear and you can see a garden of seaweed everywhere. Shells and clams, too. The coast is all rock with caves everywhere and birds. We kayaked out to this island in the middle of the two coasts in the harbour, Eve Island. We were relieved to get there so we could eat our lunch (Mine being a smoked salmon and butter sandwich and Ash's being a veggie one with pesto and vinegar courtesy of my mad skillzzzz!). We had a hard time getting off the kayaks because there really wasn't a beach on this island...it was all rock climbing picturesque type landscape with some inlets of huge mossy rocks. We made it to a shore that seemed suitable enough and I stubbed my toe getting out and she dropped her camera in the water. We just ran straight to the driest rock and stuffed our mouths. Ash was chilling trying to get her feet dry and sorta sad about her camera so I went off to climb a big rock and see the view....then her kayak started drifting away but she wasn't moving so fast to get it so I was like dodging down this steep, mossy rock trying not to fall and cursing the whole way "FUCKKKKK!!! SHITTT!!!!! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO???" Ash was just laughing her ass off as I was freaking out...So I hopped in my kayak and went out to catch hers...attached hers to mine via rope and just tried to paddle my way back. It was hilarious, actually. Right when we got back we were so wet and cold that we were like...fuck it...let's head back. Whenever the sun would come out we would hold each others' kayaks close and just lie back and have the sun set on our face...it was a meditative experience lying in those kayaks in the middle of the ocean; so vulnerable yet so free.
Before her kayak drifted away:
Me :) :
crystal clear water:
On my birthday we set off to Clonakilty after a veggie pizza and fried mushrooms at Dinty's pub in Unionhall. Paid for by Sarah (thanks!). We saw a band called Interference. Check them out! (www.interference.ie) It costs 15 euro to get into the show which bummed us out but after the show we were so refreshed to see some amazing, Irish music. They were so good. We took a taxi home, I snuck Ash into my house and yeah...it was fun :)
At Da Barras pub before the Interference show:
I'm having fun...Jane's house is going to be my new sanctuary. She does Thai Massage and is trying to get her certificate in Energy Healing. She has a lot of insight on life due to her wisdom from old age and I feel I can learn a lot from her. Her house felt so close to a home because it reminded me of my mom a little...and my sister...and my grandma's house in the country in Georgia. It was an old school farm house but there were books on Celtic Art and Celtic History, she cooked us a lasagna with fake beef like Jen would totally do...there was no heat so you had to put on a fire to warm up. It was perfect. I loved it there.
On the way to Janes...Ash looking out over the harbour:
Ash going in the tunnel on the way to the castle:
Gotta go because Ash and I are going to grab a drink at Moloney's. I have the kids practically by myself for 4 days because Rory is working and Sarah is out of town....it'll be mad crazy but....St. Patty's is on the 17th...so, yeah...I'll dish that story out when the time comes :)
<3
Ashley
