Eire

I had been to Ireland eight years ago, but it was a brief trip during which I got a feel for Dublin and took a day trip to Howth. Since my mother turned 60 this year I had been wanting to do something nice for her. She had always wanted to go to Ireland, so when I mentioned it to Anna she jumped at the idea. She had done her Erasmus there and lived in Dublin for 6 months, and she was dying to go back. Several days after mentioning it she had drawn up an itinerary, and soon the trip was booked. The day after Easter She, I, Mom, and Mom's childhood friend Nellie were on our way to Dublin.

We had planned to travel around the entirety of Ireland counterclockwise, so we needed a car. Just so you know Ireland is actually a sizable country and I think we underestimated the time needed to travel around the country in one week. It turned out we were in the car for most of the trip, but it was worth it because of the incredible amount of territory and landscape we were able to see. A whirlwind trip of a lifetime.

As you know, they drive on the left in Ireland. This was a first for me, and I was so tense driving out of the airport, but after a day or so behind the wheel it became second nature. Still, I bought the extra insurance.

We drove from Dublin north into Northern Ireland, where we had lunch and visited Giant's Causeway. The rock formations were impressive, but it was completely overrun by tourists -- not the wild Ireland I had in mind.

Giant's Causeway.

The next day took us to Malin Head in Inishowen, the northernmost point in Ireland. It was wild, desolate, and magnificent. Later we visited a famine museum which told a lot about the history of Ireland and Irish people.

Rental car. 

Malin Head. 

Galway was next on the list, where I had to ditch the car and walk up the road to Slieve League, the tallest sea cliffs in Europe. Fish and chips for dinner!

Slieve League. 

Down through west central Ireland, we stayed in a seaside cottage in desolate Connemara, where the wind nearly blew the roof off in the night. Through the rocky, moonlike surface of the Burren, we stayed in Galway and visited a traditional farm before heading down to Portmagee. At Portmagee we had hoped to visit Skellig Michael, ancient island monastery. Unfortunately though we were out of season, and had to settle for the Cliffs of Kerry -- not a bad deal though.

The Burren. 

Cliffs of Kerry.

We stopped in Cork on the way to Dublin, and got tipsy in a divey pub in Callan. Back in Dublin, we had a walk around Trinity College before finishing off the trip at a traditional Irish dancing show. Touristy for sure, but charming nonetheless.

Toasted in Callan. 

All in all it was a fantastic trip and we had a great time. Dropping off the rental car the attendant asked where we had gone, and I showed him on the map.

"Bloody 'ell, you've seen more of the country than I have!" he exclaimed. Cross that one off the bucket list.

All 1200 miles of it. 

Italia

Back in August at the beginning of the year, we immediately began thinking about where to go for our next travel abroad course (can't call it by its name due to legal reasons) in February of 2016. Originally my plan was to go to the south island of New Zealand -- I had been in touch with several travel companies and had gotten some quotes. The trip was proposed and approved -- Great! All smiles. However we later found out that another faculty member, nasty little beast, was allowed to propose a trip to New Zealand after the proposal deadline for some reason, and essentially the trip was pulled from beneath our feet.

But it was no matter -- when planning these things you always plan two just in case. Thus, we defaulted to our second trip, Southern Italy and Sicily. I was disappointed about the New Zealand affair, but since I had only seen Rome, Milan, and parts of northern Italy, I was looking forward to seeing the south of the country. After a few grumbling visits to the Italian consulate in New York to deal with student visa issues, we were on an early evening Alitalia flight to Rome with 19 students in tow.

"We're going back for my mother's funeral," the woman next to me said after taking our seats.
"Oh, I'm sorry, did she live in Italy all her life?" I asked.
"No! She lived with us. We're bringing her back to be buried in Sicily. She's in the hold on this plane!" Oh. I wonder how often that happens?

I'd go on about how great the trip was, but I'll let the photos do the talking.

Yes, we threw a coin. 

On top of Mount Vesuvius.

Children's graffiti - 2000 years old. 

An option on the Pompeii Brothel's "menu". 

Young Pompeii victim. 

Train on a ferry! Holy Cow!

We made the newspaper in Sicily!

Erice.

Trapani salt flats. 

Temples of Agrigento.

High.

Nothing tops this. 

Props. 

The Breach.

Danger zone.