Sunflower Syndrome

As I adjust to a new climate, I've observed a few odds and ends. Firstly, the noon freeze: that strange phenomenon where the day actually reaches its coldest point at midday. I leave for class early in the morning and am pleasantly surprised by the rather warm temperature. I walk out of class shortly after noon and proceed home as quickly as possible, suddenly freezing my tail end off and fighting the blustery wind. There you have it: the noon freeze.

As time progresses, I've also noticed a few of my fellow Americans, myself included, develop certain behaviors which I here dub as the effects of Sunflower Syndrome. Like a sunflower, we've taken to turning towards the sun whenever, wherever it appears. But unlike a sunflower, we can hop from one spot to another, burst out of doors, throw open windows and curtains. In short, we do anything necessary to soak in as much of the cancer inducing, tan forming rays as possible. Fortunately, Ireland has been obliging. The weather improves all the time, and this week, in particular, resembles a warm and sunny paradise (well, for Ireland anyway). The sun makes a daily appearance, and the rain is off on holiday.

I have failed to capture any photographs that demonstrate Sunflower Syndrome. So sorry, no crazy Americans hopping to and fro. I have, however, captured the sun a few times, and conducive to my new found obsession with the sun (or my new syndrome, if you will), I'm posting them for everyone to enjoy.

An unusual photo of the sun: I guess everyone must dabble in abstract art at one point or another. Most of us are probably satisfied with our stick drawings and note doodles, calling it good. But not I!  

And while I've done my best to fool all of my readers thus far, talking about beautiful weather and sunshine, I must now confess. The pictures may be genuine, but its not all sunshine and daisies, adventures on the beach, or even pleasant strolls in the park. No, what what we really do on study abroad in Ireland resembles something more like this:

But now, it really is a beautiful day, so I'm off to soak in some Vitamin D.

St. Patrick's Day!

It's St. Paddy's Day in Ireland!  The four of us head for the festivities in town!

What is St. Patrick's Day without some live trad?

We bummed around, waiting for the parade to start. Booths lined the area, selling all sorts of items, from food and baked goods to pictures and other collectibles. Plenty of people wandered around these or packed themselves into the local eateries. Definitely a crowded day in City Centre.

Everybody lines up for the parade.

We wait for the parade, after sneaking into a front row seat!

It begins...

The bagpipes and kilts make an appearance, 

And we met St. Patrick! Along with...

Amelia Earheart? Dancing to Rihanna?

And lions and zebras...

Even the dogs get to join in on the fun...

After the parade, we enjoyed the sunshine and wandered around the city walls.

And of course, that night it was off to the pubs! It was a night for dancing, people watching, and 

meeting new friends. 

Ancient History

On Thursday, it was off on another high adventure, as I piled into a tiny bus (the perfect size for two-a-seat kindergartners!) with my fellow students of the Irish language. The bus trundled away as we ventured to Mid-Ulster, the historic lands of the O'Neill clan. Our instructor, Malachy (coincidentally, I'm sure, an O'Neill himself), was more than happy to elaborate on the historical importance of our several stops.

After meeting with Malachy, our first stop led us to Coyle's Cottage, the only remaining authentic fisherman's cottage in the area. This unassuming place boasts of three hundred years of history, and once held families of six or so people. Now, owned and maintained by two different societies, the cottage hosts regular meetings and visiting tourists. We were greeted by several elderly ladies who were nothing but hospitable, warm, and friendly, and intent on stuffing us with delicious baked goods!  

Because you can't have Ireland without a graveyard or two, we next visited Ardboe High Cross and Abbey:

The Ardboe High Cross remains the oldest surviving high cross in Ireland, although the upper arms of the circle have sustained serious damage. Although difficult to see, the cross depicts twenty-two panels of Biblical scenes.

The view of Lough Neagh from Ardboe. No, my friends of the Western US, that is not the ocean, that is just a lake. But can you see the shore on the other side? Neither could I.

Creeve Lough, a man-made island where Hugh O'Neill, essentially the last of the powerful kings in Ireland, stored arms as he fought the English. 

Mountjoy Castle:

Desertcreet church and graveyard:

The sandstone keystone of this arch is rumored to be an original stone from the inauguration stone of the O'Neill. 

Tulach Og: This hill, with its magnificent view of the surrounding area, became the center of the lands of the O'Neill clan and the inauguration site of the O'Neill. The air surrounding this forsaken hill nearly crackles with  an aura of mystery; ancient scenes and ancient faces.

A Sunny Day