Brú na Bónne - Start of the study week

International Society did arrange a trip to Brú na Bónne which is area including several monuments throughout the history of Ireland. There was a busload of us and one of the university's professor also joined the trip and told us more about history and different links around worlds heritage sites that has links on these Irish ones. Day was great, only a bit rainy and windy at some points... But hey, that's Ireland :D

First one was Newgrange, one of the most remarkable prehistoric sites in Europe that is tracked to be as old as about 3200 B.C. It is an enormous piece of art built from stones and used as a tomb / place for spirits to wait before moving afterlife... It has been built in a way that only one time of the year (few days end of December) when the sun rises at right angle it light will find itself into the small champer to light it up only about time of 15min and then its over... Every year there's a lottery to arranged where it is "possible" to win a place to see that sunlight entering in tombs.. Just to give you some numbers, usually there are around 25 000 - 30 000 attending the draw and only around 100 people can won the place...

Then we stopped in two different ruins, Monasterboice monastery and Mellifont Abbey. They were one of the oldest ones in Ireland built in early Christianity times. Monasterboice had a small graveyard and many celtic crosses whic one was highest in Ireland. It was interesting to hear from professor about engravings meanings on those crosses and how they are mixing Christianity and pagan religions...

Last stop was at Hill of Tara which has become a very special spot in Ireland history... The hill throughout generations has served as a powerful place where different cultures, habits and religions were built up in a way without dispose older roots completely. Starting from prehistoric age 5000 B.C continuing throughout folklore druids servant, priest-rulers of ancient Ireland until these days when people still go there and hang a object into a tree wishing good luck and bless from spirits for something...

Last Week - Basic Week, Except...

Seems like life over here is starting to set up on its place... Since last week to be honest, nothing that special happened: Monday to Friday was just studies, sports, and two nights out... On weekend I spent Saturday just chillin' out around Dublin whole day and Sunday went (again) hiking to Wicklow with rovers society... Oh yeah and the most important thing: I cooked "makaronilihalaatikkoa" for myself!!!

So as you see, just a basic week :P

But, this week is more or less similar until the weekend except Halloween starts to become visible here already because it's quite a big thing here... Plus also after this week starts "study week" which means that I will just sit down at house and study whole week (Yeah, right!) or maybe... I'll keep you posted :)

Glendalough

What a nice chill out weekend I had (yeah, I know that it's already Wednesday when I'm writing about weekend - bit slow sometimes yes, have to admit that XD)...

Friday I basically didn't do anything special just ate some pizza at evening and that kind of was it. But then on Saturday it was again time to keep wheels rolling and head after a breakfast towards Glendalough which is a national park in Wicklow county. The park is also called "The valley of two lakes" and guess why... Yes, there actually are two lakes, lower and upper one :D So over there I changed my hiking boots on and start to head for a trail that took me and my Spanish friend for 10km hike called "Hill Walk."

On the map where all the trails were marked were warnings about that route we're about to take: "Walks pass close to cliffs. Keep back from cliff edges. Mountainous terrain, boggy underfoot, navigational experience necessary." 

In a reality: Follow people walking somewhere in front of you or dodge people walking towards you... Then just to be able to walk a pathway next to the lake and after climb up using the trail and up there walk among boardwalk the whole away almost end of hike :D So taking the "risk" was really worth it, park was absolutely beautiful and a bit windy and foggy day made it even bit more mystical. During the hike we were able to spot free goats and deers walking around.

Busy Times

Another week has passed and now I've been here about 1 month and really enjoying life. Only think is that I was quite sure that there was more hours in a day in Finland than in Ireland, must be the different timezone :D

About studies:
During this week I've already been working out some school projects, all together during this first semester I have 11 hours of lectures on a week plus of course time that goes for writing some assignments. It's quite easy but takes a bit more time when not using native language and then it might get annoying if I would like to say/write something and have the idea in my head but missing some vocabulary to explain it... But that's why Im here, expanding my vocabulary ^^

Then some sportslife:
I've practices at least three times a week plus other arranged events / trips etc. outside regular practices. So on Monday I was fencing 2 hours, Tuesday canoeing 2 hours, this Thursday canoeing 2 hours (usually my fencing & canoeing practices overlaps so I will go canoeing for 1,5 hours & fencing for 1,5 hours). On this weekend, Saturday I will go taking a hike near Wicklow mountains and on Sunday bouldering in Dublin. And I was still thinking to join archery society to go shoot some arrows :P

And of course, social life:
Seeing all those new friends I've had over here so far and create new social contacts throughout hobbies etc. Just for going to have a cup of coffee, pint in a pub or then enjoying party night out. There is no day that I would have spent without seeing no one and that's a very good point of this small cosy town.

So as I said at the beginning, it's very busy time over here and believe or not above all described before I have had time to sleep also :D

Weekend in Cork & Ring of Kerry

Yeah I know that it has been almost a week since I wrote here last time but it's just like I'm having very busy time in here -seriously, I always for a while think that 24 hours is just not enough! So this going to be a bit longer post than usual...

But what comes to last weekend, oh man what a weekend it was :)
We mixed up at this time Finnish, German, French & Dutch team and took the direction SW of Ireland, city called Cork on Friday afternoon. Because of traffic 4,5 hours in a full bus instead of three, lovely start XD

Then after a good night of sleep in hostel we headed up on morning to meeting point for Ring of Kerry departure, a trip organized by Paddy Wagon Tours, what a name indeed and you should really seen the green buses :D Ring of Kerry itself is scenery road about 180km long and it's called one of the most beautiful landscapes in Ireland. We couldn't to manage pick up abetter day for the trip since the sun was shining from a cloudless sky.

The tour had several stopping points, charming village Sneem,  Killorglin -the town of king goat, Dingle Bay view, higher points of Waterville, Killarney National Park with the ladies view over the lakes, Torc Waterfall an 18m high hidden in the forest and the town of Killarney that's more or less touristic town that still stands out the Irish life. Our guide was excellent person, while driving the bus (and street were very narrow at some point) he kept telling us about history, what to see & where, singing Irish songs etc.

After around a bit more thatn 10hour daytrip we returned to Cork and went to have some dinner & enjoying life in pub. It was a great night out, like while walking back to hostel from pub there was one man in street corner. He had mp3 player connected to active speaker and a guitar. With those he played older songs that everybody knows so suddenly people just stopped and then there was around 50 people just dancing in the street corner... Spontaneous and fun, or a good craic as Irish people would say.

Sunday was bit rainier day (what a surprise) but not that bad so we then just walked around Cork, checked how is the College over there and decided that our in Maynooth looks nicer ^^ Or saw the golden angel at St. Fin Barre's cathedral.. And it is said that the angel will blows on her horn when the apocalypse is about to start to warn people of Cork. After a day it was time to return bus trip... And yes, bus was full again but it was on time, so 3 hours instead of 4,5 hours, lovely end XD

The Day of Clubs & Societies

Today was day when all clubs and societies were gathered each at their own stands at sports hall and during that event it was possible to ask questions and sign in. There was almost you could imagine  available like Disney, Pokemon, Law, Creative writing etc.. and of course wide range of sport possibilities. 

I wanted try something new so I joined few clubs and it's also good way to find out new friends and have something else to do than just study and party so it keeps balance on :) Firstly I joined to international society and actually find myself even a bit deeper than just as a member. During my year I will be helping out arranging different kind of activities during the year.

Then I wanted to try out some sports also, football, basketball etc. would be an simple options to join in. But instead of those I joined fencing, canoeing, rowers (outdoor activities like climbing, hiking etc..) clubs. And hey, it costs only 2 euros to join and gears that are needed are provided through club so I wouldn't have a better chance to try these ones, it's now or never. Im sure that it is going to very interesting year with these new hobbies.