Dia dhuit! (hello)
This past weekend my mom and Aunt came to visit me in gorgeous Galway! We walked just about everywhere since their AIRBNB was located right at the heart of the Latin District. Their birthdays happened to line up with their visit so we did everything we could while they were here.
Right when they arrived my roommates and I took them to the Crane Bar. The Crane Bar is one of the most well-known traditional Irish pubs in Galway with Irish Trad (traditional) music sessions 7 nights a week. It’s been in working order since the early 1800s, and a regular hangout spot for anyone looking for some fantastic music. Over the past few weeks my roommates and I have gone every Wednesday to see the same group of musicians. My mom and Aunt adored the Crane, and both shared a Guinness in the spirit of Ireland.
The next day was my mom’s birthday and she requested that we see the ocean. Where else could I take her but Salthill? Salthill is located on the bay of Galway and is one of the many neighborhoods or districts that make up Galway city as a whole. My mom loved walking along the beach and watching people jump into the freezing water! We all thought they were crazy, they’re braver than me! Maybe I’ll be adventurous and jump in the water soon. We went to Salthill on the most perfect day. It was the warmest day I’ve had in Ireland thus far, and the sun was shining all day without even a hint of rain.
I had the most scrumptious cappuccino with a smattering of cocoa powder while in Salthill, and while I’m not normally much of a coffee person, the Irish chocolate powder was just too good to resist!
Overall, this was one of my favorite weekends in Ireland because I got to see my family. I won’t lie, the homesickness can be a bit brutal. It comes and goes in waves, and it’s helpful to find something consistent to do each day that keeps you grounded. I personally am a huge fan of watching an episode or two of a show and trying to stretch for 10-15 minutes each day. It is sometimes difficult to find food from home, but if you are determined enough, nothing is too much of a challenge here in Ireland.
Cheers,
Abigael LaBuhn
