Abigael Labuhn – Journals from Abroad

May 1, 2024

Magic in Spain

Dearest Readers,

The wait is over! I am back from Spain with many a story! I arrived in Alicante around 10 pm and was met at the airport by my best friend. We hopped on the C6 bus and headed into the City Central. Despite what I expected, Alicante was bustling with activity. We walked along the center and caught up. I couldn’t help but ogle at the beautiful architecture and tourist stands. They sold everything from jewelry to clothes and assorted knickknacks.

buildings in front of a sandy rock cliff face. Palm trees in clusters of three surround the area. — Palm Trees and Sun

My hotel was decent enough for a place to stay on a budget, and its location was perfect! It’s just the right spot to be able to walk all over the city. The next day we set out to walk around and see the city. Much like Budapest, the number of stairs in this city should be illegal. Despite my steadily aching legs, it was my breath that was taken away when we finally reached one of the most gorgeous neighborhoods I have ever seen.

My friend said it was called ‘the door with the blue pots’ which is quite fitting considering the multitude of blue pots surrounding a door. The view of the city from this vantage point was insanely beautiful, and the weather was perfect! Not a cloud to be seen, just clear blue skies over the crystal-clear Mediterranean Sea. This trip will certainly make my top ten experiences in Europe, not only did I get to see my best friend, I was able to experience the beauty of Spain!

Image of a street consisting of only stairs with colorful banners and many hot weather plants. — Plants Galore

view of the neighborhood in front of the sandy cliff face and castle. One very blue house, and smaller, less colorful houses. — The House with the Blue Door

an empanada stand with a colorful tray of different flavors. the sign is a simple empanada design. — Empanada Stand

Something unexpected that happened on this trip was that I was invited by my friend’s host dad to come along and see a battle reenactment in his hometown. We drove 45 minutes outside Alicante and I was not expecting to see what we saw. Every single person was in costume, and carrying around these huge muskets (a type of gun). The host dad went on to give us a tour of the town, and what I thought was thunder turned out to be the aforementioned guns shooting blanks into the sky.

locals dressed in period wear shooting their guns into the air. Smoke billows around old architecture and a foam castle. — The Battle

Have you ever smelled gunpowder? Because let me tell you, it smells abominable. If you mixed sulfur, smoke, and cigarettes you’d get pretty close. On top of that, the smoke left over from the blanks is so thick that it burns your eyes. Needless to say, the smell wasn’t my favorite, but it was fascinating to see battles that happened being played out in front of me. It felt like I had traveled back in time, like Outlander but without kilts and Scottish people. Overall, this was one of the coolest things I have ever experienced, making it even better that it was unexpected.

a sand colored church with a very tall clocktower — The Church

I loved my time in Spain, and I can safely say that I would go back in a heartbeat. If you’re ever planning on traveling on a budget, this is the country for you. Flights were cheap, the food was incredible on a budget, and transportation never cost more than 2 euros here. Add Alicante to your list if you like the sun, culture, food, and great nightlife!

That’s all for now,
Toodles!
Abby LaBuhn

April 16, 2024

Galway Gems

Dearest Readers,

This blog is typed with much anticipation indeed. I am taking my last trip to another country in just under a week! I will be traveling to Alicante, Spain to visit my absolute best friend. She has also been on exchange this semester from Linfield and doubles as one of my roommates. It’s been almost four months since I saw her last, and after living together for a full semester and spending tons of time with each other before that, this has felt like forever. I am over the moon that I get to see her in just under a week!

She has kept me updated on her trip of course and we chat all the time, so I’m looking forward to seeing the sights that she has described. I’ll be staying near the beach, and plan to spend my brief four days there walking and seeing as much as possible. I can’t wait to try some authentic Paella and Sangria and spend some time in the sun! I love my rainy days, but the sun has been an infrequent guest here in Ireland and I am excited to say hello again.

Now while I’m anticipatory of my trip, I still intend to make the most of my time in Ireland before I go. Something that I have yet to do is rent one of the bikes that are parked everywhere here in Galway. Though classes have ended, I still have two essays to get done before my trip to Spain. Something that I love about our little apartment is that we have a beautiful walking trail just across the street. So anytime I feel a little stifled I can take a grounding walk and have a nice break. Sometimes I can even see a swan or two! My favorite find so far is a cat that looked more like a cow with its markings.

a fluffy cat with markings similar to a cow hidden by a tree — A Friend on the Nature Trail

Today is an especially rainy day, and I have passed the time doing some Sunday cleaning and packing for my trip. I wanted to share some photos of my favorite spots around Galway, so here we go! The first thing on my list is something I mentioned in a previous blog: the Saturday market. My favorite stall is by far this fairy one, it’s so mystical and fun!

a stall with fairy houses and fake grass — The Fairy Stall

Next up on my list is a sign I spotted after walking along the beach. I was shocked to find out that there is quicksand in Ireland! When I was younger, I was afraid of quicksand and thought it was a common danger to be aware of in everyday life. Later on, I found that to be false, but the little kid inside me was still a little wary of the walkway here! From what I have gathered, this is only the case in this singular spot of marsh just past the neighborhood of Salthill but it’s certainly interesting!

sign warning passerby peoples of quicksand in both English and Irish — Danger! Quicksand!

Next up is what seems like a. trail to another world. Coill Ros Cathail (Rosscahill Wood) is a quiet woodland, beautifully located along the shores of Ross Lake in Co. Galway and part of the old Ross estate. It is mossy and green, even in the throws of winter and it’s a pleasant walk no matter what time of year you go. This place makes the top ten for me!

a forest trail — Coill Ros Cathail (Rosscahill Wood)

The next photo is not a place, but all around Galway, there are rainbow crosswalks. Ireland was one of the first European countries to legalize gay marriage and has been one of the most inclusive places I have ever visited. These crosswalks are an example of the casual acceptance that can be found in Ireland.

Up next is my favorite sign to pass. This is a Claddagh. The Claddagh has a rich history in Ireland, and Galway is where it originated! The Claddagh Ring represents love (heart), friendship (hands), and loyalty (crown). These three elements form a powerful symbol of commitment and enduring affection. Men and women alike wear these rings, and there are different ways to wear the ring to signify your relationship status. The only time you wear your ring on your left hand is when you are married, otherwise, you wear it on the right. Flipped side up (like in the picture) means you are in a committed relationship, flipped upside down signifies you are single and ready to mingle! Back in the US, these rings can be expensive, but I bought one from this shop for only 25 Euro!

Claddagh ring — The First Claddagh Store

Last up on my list is the Woodquays. The Woodquays are the center of Galway and home to all of the shops and pubs! The picture I have included is a view of the entrance from the south. It was so festive for St. Patrick’s celebrations, and the flags have stayed up to my delight.

That’s all I have for you today, but stay tuned for my trip to Spain and all the sights I have yet to share!

Until next time,
Abigael LaBuhn

April 3, 2024

St. Patricks Weekend

“Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam. A country without a language is a country without a soul.”

― Pádraig Pearse

Dearest Readers,

Here is my St. Patrick’s Day recap! I’m sorry for making you wait, this month was crazy!

To start, what a weekend! I have to be honest, I thought I was pretty adept at celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. It’s my mom’s and my favorite holiday and we always go all out! Oh boy was I wrong? No one, and I mean NO ONE does this holiday like the Irish. Think about the most outrageous St. Patrick’s parade and multiply that by a hundred. Now add some genuine community interaction and you have my favorite holiday!

Bustling parade crowd. — Bustling Parade Crowd

We started the day with an adorable parade that consisted of mainly primary school children chanting their school spirit. The firemen from all over the county participated as well, along with a distinct group of cultural displays from each of the cultural minorities here in Galway. There were two Chinese dragons, a Bollywood dance display, and even a Cambodian singing group interspersed throughout the hour-long parade. It was a wonderful way to start the holiday, even if it was quite crowded.

A man clad in green sailor's gear leads the parade. — Parade Captain Clad in Green

By the end of the parade, we were famished and tried to find a pub to grab a pint and some delicious pub food. Unfortunately, we forgot to think about the insane crowds and were unable to find somewhere to eat in the city center. Instead, we went with the old faithful: Subway.

It so happened that the Saturday market that is present every week carried over to this magical Sunday. There were tons of food and art vendors, and I had some of the MOST divine cheese I’ve ever tasted from a local cheesemonger. Something about Irish dairy is just untouchable compared to the US. We browsed for about an hour and perused the streets taking in the decorations and overall spirit of the day. Eventually, we decided to listen to some music and managed to squeeze into our favorite pub, Tig Coili (Tih-coilee).

sign depicting the market — Saturday Market Entrance

jars of jam and pickled substances — Inside the Cheese Monger’s Shop

a stall of vibrant flowers — Flower Stand Within the Market

As per usual, the music was mind-blowing. There was only standing room, but that meant that we got to dance and sway to the lively trad session. We ended our night by going to a dance club that is normally cowboy-themed. Instead of being for one day only, it was decked out in gold, green, and white making us feel very patriotic.

I feel so incredibly lucky to have been living in Ireland during this holiday. These memories will always stay with me. Stay tuned for some day trips that I will be sharing soon! Do me a favor and listen to the band Celtic Women, there are songs in Irish and English and it’s breathtaking!

Until next time!
Abigael LaBuhn

March 13, 2024

Growth is a constant

Hello from Ireland!

As I have progressed through this these past two months of adventures, I feel I have changed in subtle, positive ways. There are things about myself that I have learned to love as I have navigated studying abroad and leaving my home country for the first time. I am a person who does a lot of self reflection. I journal in my notes app, meditate when I have time, and love my weekly check-ins with myself. I wanted to share a few of the changes I’ve noticed in the hopes that it encourages other people to step outside their comfort zone.

I am much more confident in myself and my identity. There is something intrinsically unique about living outside of your home country with a bunch of strangers. Back at Linfield, I was very comfortable in my routine and my friend group, and I didn’t really tend to branch out, since what I knew was comforting.
However, those friends and routine are not here in Ireland. When I first arrived here it felt a lot like freshman year. I felt awkward, and so nervous to meet new people and learn how to live with different people, that I was constantly thinking about how other people were perceiving me. It was exhausting! I feel very lucky to have landed in the apartment that I have with some of the most wonderful people I’ve had the pleasure to meet. We are constantly adventuring, chatting, pushing limits, and overall challenging each other to really take in our study abroad experience. Not to say that I don’t miss my friends back home. I DO. I can’t wait to reunite with them this summer and catch them up on all the experiences I’ve had while here! I’m excited to show them how much I have grown into myself and how comfortable I am in simply being myself without the fear of others judging me.

Roommates from left to right: Maddison, Alexiss, Olivia, Abigael
I’ve learned my limits on social interaction. I am an incredibly social person. I love meeting people, going out to the pubs, listening to music, and talking about my day. Sometimes though, I need my space. I have gotten so much more skilled at communicating when I need a moment, or what someone else can do to help me be comfortable. This is a skill that you really do need when you’re studying abroad.
There are endless opportunities to go on weekend trips, parties, and explorations, and the FOMO (fear of missing out) is very strong when you turn something down. When I was leaving the country, I was given the advice to “never say no to an adventure.” I have found this to be true to an extent. There have been times where I just want to lay in bed watching Derry Girls and not talk to anyone, but my roommates are asking if I want to see a landmark like the Cliffs of Moher. Nine times out of ten, I’m going to push myself to go and have the adventure and nine times out of ten, I am so grateful and happy that I went. There are times where I instead stay home, but when it means that I am enjoying time to myself and allowing myself to have space, it’s a healthy habit to practice. Knowing yourself and your limits is part of growing up, and despite what many think, you are still growing in college!

Selfie in Front of Kylemore Abbey Church
The people are so friendly in Ireland! If you travel to Ireland (especially Galway) and only have time for one or two nights exploring the town, talk to people. People will approach you and ask if you’re studying there, or if you’re on holiday (vacation). Some of the most fascinating and meaningful interactions I have had here are random people at the pub!
Cold But Smiling

I feel like I’m always smiling here. I will carry the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met, close to my heart for many years to come.

In short, Carpe Diem! Seize the day, and look for the small adventures around you every day. Until next time! Keep an eye out for an update on St. Patrick’s weekend!

Off on my next adventure,
Abigael LaBuhn

February 28, 2024

A Family Visit

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 outside view of the Crane Bar from right outside. A green, red, and white building in the traditional 1800s Irish style. a small figure painted on the outside indicated the live music. — The Crane Bar in Galway, 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!

A picture of the aforementioned delicious cappuccino. Blue cup and saucer with a foamy drink inside. Dusting of cocoa powder on top. — Delicious Cappuccino with chocolate dust

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

February 14, 2024

Traveling to Budapest

Dearest Readers,

This past weekend I traveled to Budapest, Hungary! I could write a thousand blogs and never quite manage to capture the experience, but one will have to do for now. I traveled with my roomate and it was by far the easiest but longest travel day I have had for a while. There is no airport in Galway so we took a three hour bus to Dublin to then take our flight to Budapest. Even though they reside in the same country a mere three hours apart, Galway and Dublin were incredibly different. Galway is small, it has this very unique and cozy atmosphere that continues everywhere you go whether it be a cathedral, pub, or just strolling through the streets. Dublin is bustling and alive, it is truly a city that lives up to it’s reputation. We were only there for a few hours before our flight, but I was already exhausted by the sheer size of Dublin.

I don’t think we slept more than 4 to 5 hours a night the whole weekend we were in Budapest. We stayed at the Vitae Hostel (I was told this meant the Hostel of Life) and I met such a vivacious assortment of people from all around the world. I had never stayed in a hostel before and it felt akin to summer camp in all the most important ways. We slept on bunk beds and had communal showers and kitchen area. I loved it honestly!

On day one we explored the city and I was absolutely blown away by the architecture and the history that was present everywhere you went. Everyone spoke English, and the best pizza I have ever had in my life was on amost every corner you could turn. Thin, crispy, cheezy, I think about that pizza everyday. Sadly I didn’t get any pictures of it! But I did get plenty of shots of gorgeous architecture.

The second day we were in Budapest was by far my favorite, since we visited the two sides of Budapest. I didn’t know this before we traveled there but Budapest’s name comes from the fact that the city has a Pest district (pronounced ‘pesht’) and a Buda district. On this day we first visited a replica of Draculas’s castle in the Pest district. I was blown away by this castle. It was not only immense, but also so charming. There were multiple stands with mulled wine, and chimney cakes lining the castle and the streets. The air smelled like Christmas time with notes of orange, apple, cinnamon, and fresh baked bread. We the visited the Square of Heros which was dozens of statues of heros both real and mythical. There were Hungarian political heroes as well as Greek and Roman.

After a brief lunch we made our way to the Buda district to see the caste. I can confidently say that I never want to see another stair in my life. We climbed stairs for close to 15 minute before we finally reached the castle. The view of the city took my breath away. You could see the ferris wheel at Dracula’s Castle, the Parliament building, even the other side of the city entirely just from how high we were in comparison.

Overall, Budapest was one of the most unique experiences I have ever had. I’m in awe that I was able to go for under 100 USD, and explore such a culturally rich and beautiful city. I loved it, and I can’t wait to have more adventures on this journey of mine.

Until next time!
Abigael LaBuhn

January 3, 2024

Leaving The Country

Blogs:

Dear Readers,

Today I left the country for the very first time. I spent time before my flight with my Aunty Di and she and I exchanged our New Years goals (resolutions are just too much pressure). I decided that I want this year to be one where I live in the moment instead of worrying constantly about ‘what’s next’. It’s too much energy, and so I started off my trip with some observations that made living in the moment pretty special.

The first thing is that on my first flight there was the sweetest couple sitting next to me. They seemed to be late twenties to early thirties and were so comfortable around each other that it was easy to feel at ease sitting right beside them. I happened to look over when the drinks were coming by and noticed that the husband was writing love letters to his wife in his notes app titled “notes to my wife” with I swear five different heart emojis! They shared headphones for the flight and watched a show while laughing and chatting the whole way. It’s a little cheesy but seeing love in the little things always makes me feel all fuzzy. Something about my hope in humanity being restored, yada yada (If I’m super honest the guy looked a bit like Ed Shearan). It’s moments like this that solidify my determination to be living in the moment. I could easily have been stressing and panicked for the flight over but instead I took a minute to breathe and look around me.

I am so glad I chose the window seat for the first flight because I feel like I’m in my own world up in the sky. I started reading the sequel to a romance book my best friend recommended to me and I couldn’t hold in my giggles at how cute it was! If I end up loving it I’ll share it with you when I finish it.

If you haven’t heard the song “Ribs” by Lorde I highly recommend listening the next time you are doing something scary. Something about it makes me feel like I’m in an indie film as the main character making her epic journey. “It feels so scary getting old… but we can make it so divine” is a line that I feel fits pretty well for traveling alone. I’m about to spend the best four months of my life in Ireland and I intend to spend every second loving it. Not to say I won’t be writing my share of the bad, that’s simply inevitable; but I think I’m really going to like the person I become during this grand adventure of mine.

My second flight was insanely long, but the flight attendants were so efficient and professional it kind of blew my mind. We got a beverage before takeoff, a warm towel for our faces, a full meal, another beverage, and when I woke up from a nap I got some genuine UK tea! Cream and sugar of course. My favorite thing I noticed while trying to be “in the moment” was actually in the Seattle airport. There is something comforting about being a first time international traveler and seeing other seasoned travelers be confused. I was waiting to get my boarding pass, and there was this mother in front of me, beautifully dressed in a dress that looked like the sky. It was made of a lightweight material that moved like water as she swayed with her toddler and her son was wearing tiny Air Force One’s! She was so in love with her child, even as he ran about and regularly threw his toy horse to see how far he could reach that it made my nerves calm down a little bit. It made me already miss my mom, though I know I’ll see her again soon. We were both waiting with a few couples and singles waiting to get our boarding passes, and multiple people stopped to ask me if they should be in line. I hope I was helpful, and I think I either look trustworthy or I’m just a safe option as a single woman traveling solo because close to 6 people stopped to ask me. Next flight is to Shannon then onwards to Galway!

The song of this flight is “The Moon Will Sing” by the Crane Wives.

Until next time,
Abigael LaBuhn