These Irish eyes are getting a little droopy...

Our adventure to Galway this weekend led me to realize the reason I came to Ireland in the first place: to see the Aran Islands and Inis Mohr. I have never seen anything so breathtakingly beautiful in my entire life. I actually got a little emotional (although I think some of those tears were from the pain I felt from a 4 hour uphill bike tour). We walked up to the fort of Dun Auengus and I stood on top of one the tallest cliffs I've ever seen and also got one of the most expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean that I could ever hope for. I don't even think the over 100 pictures I took could completely capture the beauty I experienced and I wish I could share them with you before I return home. But not to fear. Really only about 4 more days until I am back on American soil. And I'm pretty glad of that. Don't get me wrong, Ireland has been amazing but I definitely have found a new appreciation for America and all the people I know back home. This has been one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences of my whole life. Most everyone knows that I am not the biggest girl in the world. I'm quite short and skinny and even though a lot of my length is made up in leg, they are just not cut out for this type of lifestyle. My knees are finally feeling the effects of walking every which way here and there and I think the bike tour through the islands finally pushed them over the edge. My poor little body is slowly trying to let me know that she's tired and overworked. Our schedule this week is a lot more lenient than last week so hopefully I can fit some time in just to rest on my own and maybe explore some of the things on campus as well. I plan on taking the Book of Kells and Old Library tour this week. Unfortunately, I learned no photography is allowed which was earth-shattering for me to hear, but it's an experience that I just can't pass up. I also hope to make it the National Library before Friday to do a little more research into my family's Irish roots. I created a family tree on Ancestry.com about a month before I left and got some names to go on but I'm hoping to find out a little more about what their lives were about in Ireland and perhaps why my family came to good ole' America. I think that's all for now. I will hopefully get one more update in before we depart for the U.S first thing Saturday morning.