“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” – Seneca
This week, my class and I learned about culture and how much it can affect a person’s experience while being in a new country. Traveling to new places, one must know how to converse in the language, understand the country’s overall culture, and learn from their experiences while being there. I have already adapted to Ireland's culture, which has taught me how to immerse myself in their food, converse with them, and be vulnerable to new encounters.
During the week, my classmates and I learned about Irish instruments that we actually got to practice playing ourselves. We attempted to dance to Irish music as well. This was very different for me, because I never played an instrument or danced in a large group. The following day, we went to the Doagh Famine Village in Donegal, where I learned about how this town had to figure out what to eat because the potato crop was failing due to a blight. This was a very humbling experience for me, because I never had to worry about when I will be eating my next meal. These people had nothing and still managed to survive. The view was amazing, because there was a beach and so many gorgeous mountains.
On Thursday, we went to the Giant's Causeway, where there are so many legends of how the rocks came to be. So far, this was the most beautiful sight I saw. After that, we went to the Dunluce castle. I love castles, so this was so amazing to see in person. Our next excursion took place at the rope bridge, where I got to cross the bridge to see another amazing view! Everything in Ireland is so breathtakingly beautiful, I am so happy I was able to see so many sights in my short time here.
Finally, the trip I have been waiting for has arrived! Traveling to Paris was always one of my dreams. As soon as we got to Paris, we went straight to all of the amazing historical sites.
We first saw Notre Dame, then the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the lock bridge, and finally, the Champs Elysees. Each building was so intricately detailed, and a lot bigger than I expected. It was so crowded due to France’s national holiday, Bastille Day, and of course the World Cup! Fireworks lit off from the Eiffel Tower to celebrate their day of Independence; I could not have asked for a better weekend. Paris was so beautiful, but very different from everywhere else I have been so far. The hardest part of the whole trip was the language barrier and realizing how different the French are compared to what I am used to in Pennsylvania. The last day in Paris, we decided to go to Versailles. I have taken French since the seventh grade, so I was very happy I got to see the place where so much of France’s history has been made. Versailles cannot even be described, it was so majestically beautiful I could not believe people actually lived in such a large place. From the furniture, to the paintings, to the gardens everything was cracked up to what it was supposed to be!
When we got back, we went to a local restaurant to watch the World Cup final with the locals. Thankfully, France took home the trophy and the city was electric. It was one huge party, with everyone singing France’s national anthem, climbing on cars and driving around the city, and of course fireworks! I was so lucky to be a part of the World Cup win, and yes, I guess I am a bandwagon France fan now! I loved Paris so much, and I got to experience amazing memories that will last forever.
Next weekend, I will be traveling to Amsterdam!