Day 10: Cliffs of Moher

     My day truly started when I left my room the third time. I had come back twice before, uncertain on what to wear. I settled on my free Derry crewneck. I acquired it a few days ago at the free Derry museum. Which is what I had originally wanted to wear.

    After finding the restaurant, with no way to tell the time. I rushed my way through the hotel breakfast line. It was decadent. This pastry with cream and berries. Croissants, butter, brie. As a college student, I cannot tell you the last time  before this morning I have had brie. I had five minutes. I set about trying to take full advantage of my free breakfast. My plan paused after my first bite. It was surreal. 

    People travel over the world to be changed. To have a liberating experience. This trip has been so many wonderful things for me. Through this experience I have felt a deeper connection to myself to others. A deeper patience, understanding etc. Nothing has come closest to the first bite of that croissant. Barriers shattered, I was at peace. Until I remembered that I had less than five minutes. I wanted to stop the world for that croissant. I wanted my life to become  a living breathing  ode for that croissant. But time was up. I grabbed a coffee and went to meet the rest of the group.

    We drove for a little over an hour before we reached the park, we were instructed to return at 12:30. Giving us about two hours at the cliffs 

    The day was gray and dark at first, but you were still able to make out an island in the distance. Later towards the end of the walk the sun returned. The clouds were still there but it was brighter.  There were lots of buses and tourists there. It was almost as fun to watch the other tourists. However, sometimes it was frustrating. On one side of the pathway there was an electric fence and people were being entirely mindful of those coming in the opposite direction. 

    There were cows in the grazing pastures lying in the grass. Living feet away from this famous sight. Yet, unable to see it because of the stone face. Watching as thousands of strange faces pass by every day. 

We walked a long way as a group eventually we broke off. The walk was exciting. I felt the presence of new aches and sores in my legs. I feel stronger than when I arrived in Ireland 10 days ago. I loved how green everything was. Even from miles away you could see the color gradient of the moss and grass. The layers of stone were really intriguing to look at. I could have sat here all day but unfortunately we had to depart. What I didn't know was what the rest off the afternoon had in store 

We arrived at the ferry, where we waited for thirty minutes. This was not on the schedule and was an exciting surprise 

In line for the toilet we were informed that the women's restroom was out of toilet paper. Luckily the spirit of community is alive and well in Doolin. An older gentleman had amassed a stash of toilet paper to be rationed among the throng of women waiting in line.  Bridgette (who also took this photo and many in this blog) and I were at the end of the line. While standing in line a late comer behind me began  to scheme a way to cheat the line. She set out on a quest to find more bathrooms. She succeeded, but they were occupied. Eventually everybody got what they needed 

 

We were then called to the dock to load. My college was at the back of the line. As the line decreased we began to wonder how we would all fit? Every time an attendant leaned over to a passenger entering the boat. Our attention was captured. Would this be the cut off? Was it finally at capacity? …No? It didn't make sense. What were they expecting us to do sitting on each other's laps? The anticipation grew as I walked down the metal ramp onto the boat. The answer revealed itself in the form of a second floor. One below the deck. We were then ushered to the lower level. 

Being the last to board, the seats outside were already taken. However I think this was to our advantage. When we were ferrying out. The waves on the side of the boat splashed the window. Specifically, the side of the boat we were on. Even with the protection of a wall some of the water leaked through the window. Without the wall we would have gotten soaked. The boat flipped around. Suddenly, I was facing the Cliffs of Moher 

I noticed eager photographers would have been herded into the cabin rush outside to take photos. I followed them. The boat was steadier than I expected and I walked over to the metal staircase with ease. The people who had been sitting outside who were now in front of me. Had a mixture of expressions worn on their faces, some ranging from happiness to hostility. There was one common denominator. They were all wet. 

I leaned against the metal staircase. The cliffs I raised along the top of earlier were now in front of me. Like a museum exhibit. The tour guide voices the curator. I wasn't listening. I was entranced by the sound of the water. The buzz of the boat that reverberated throughout me and the view. My mind kept wandering to where this moment would live in my future. Is this the last time I am seeing this? Will I be able to experience it again if I close my eyes? How would I describe it to my mother? To a friend? 

It didn't matter. I had this moment now. This view. If I wasn't present to live my life now. When would I be? I imagined I was inside of the rock. That I was the cliff itself. Instead of a tourist who could barely guarantee the next 10  minutes of her life could be promised to witnessing this beauty. If there wasn't enough time for it to seep into my bones. To transcend what had come before. Maybe I could let myself go and just be. 

As I gazed upon the cliffs, I noticed these white flecks. Earlier in the day, I had become transfixed by this couple laying on their stomachs at the edge of the cliff. From my point of safety I observed how delicate they were compared to these massive cliffs. They looked like creatures of Irish folklore. This tiny grassy knoll against this majestic landscape. The seagulls would swoop up from the bottom of the cliffs, around these tourists' heads. The seagulls were these acrobats performing for them, making these death defying drops that no human body can imagine. They were going over the edge while we were not allowed near it for fear of being blown over. The seagulls were dancing with the wind returning for more again and again and again. From the top of the cliff you would see them dart up but most of the journey was lost because we could not venture closer (for good reason). A symphony of life

These white flecks were seagulls dancing around this rock. Now I could see how light they were. Just a dot in the sky. Like a speck of fluff floating in the wind. Tiny, insignificant and because I had been at the top of those cliffs earlier. Saw how full of life the seagulls were. I knew it was a celebration. I was the lucky one to be able to witness it

Here is also where I learned that the Cliffs of Moher are the cliffs of insanity from the princess bride. This was shocking to learn. What was more shocking however was how many of my group mates had not seen it. If you have not seen it. Please stop reading this. Go watch it. You think I am joking? This is serious. Close the tab. You can come back. But only, When you answer this question. Which cup has the poison? 

After leaving the ferry our bus began to weave through the Burren region, stopping at this rocky out patch. We were given the opportunity to venture out for about 10 minutes. We had to be careful not to twist our ankles. I wish we would have spent some more time here. The cliffs were gorgeous but they were intimidating. This place had a lovely quiet intimacy. That I really appreciated. We drove around in the region a while afterwards.  I dozed in and out. Every time I opened my eyes it was jarring how gorgeous the sea was. Or the village. It reminded me of my home back in Colorado. I let the landscape and the bus lull me to sleep.

When we got back to the hotel. I went to my room with my three beds. I emailed my father about my broken phone. And chilled. I went to the store in Autumn. We were heavily encouraged to eat at the hotel. I got the chef's choice which was a delicious carbonara pasta. Then I took a bath. I plan to pack before we leave to (place we are leaving to). 

Acknowledgements:

Bridgette and Autumn for taking these photos. Someone (me) phone is no longer working after an incident. Luckily they sent me their photos, allowing me to take some myself. None of the images in this blog would exist without them. And Joe, our bus driver, got us there safely and drove us for hours.