The Irish Way

It is easy to get bogged down by the history of a place. We've spent the past month learning about the history of Ireland and we're even taking two classes about it. This past weekend, it was time for some easy and thoughtless fun.

It is wonderful to learn about the heritage, art, architecture, and so on of a place, especially one you are living in for a length of time... but sometimes I feel like I am learning more than the Irish actually know about their own country! My roommates often tell me I'm travelling more places and learning more about Ireland and Europe and they live here. Although I take myself as very fortunate to have the experience, sometimes it is important to just have fun and not worry about the historical side of things.

That is exactly what we did this past weekend.

Instead of travelling somewhere full of art, architecture and history just smacking us in the face, we went somewhere just to have a 'free' day: Cork City. Although I am sure that there is a great historical background behind all the beautiful buildings and such, that is not what we were looking for there. We went to go enjoy the Wildlife Park at Fota (a nearby island) and the downtown atmosphere of Cork.

We were blessed with a beautiful day in Cork. While the rest of the country was getting rain, or even snow, we had 45 degree weather and sunshine all day. We went to Fota Wildlife Park, similar but better than the Cincy Zoo, and had a wonderful time not learning history, but just seeing the sights: animals, the countryside, the sunshine, up close and personal.

After Fota, we spent the afternoon and early evening in Cork City. Instead of paying for an expensive lunch, we enjoyed eats from a local market. Instead of seeking the history of the city, we sat and watched a full street band play while we enjoyed a pint. Instead of eating Irish food, we found a Thai restaurant to add a little spice to our life. This past weekend wasn't about being in Ireland, but rather just simply doing the things we enjoy.

It is so easy to guilt yourself into living the 'Irish way' here. Trust me, we are taking full advantage of getting to know my Irish roommates and living like the Irish, but to live live the Irish does not mean learning all the history. If anything, the Irish are best at having a good time. This past weekend, we just had a good time. Animals, shopping, food and music certainly encompass a great deal of the things that Phillip and I enjoy. Really, we only lacked our family and friends doing it all with us.

So this past weekend I didn't learn how Cork City came about, who built certain churches or what the pre-historical meaning was behind artistic pieces. Instead, we just had a good time, really doing it the Irish way.

Us with my favorite animal, zebras, at Fota Wildlife Park!