Today, the Ireland Project went horseback riding, walked around Glendalough, performed in a One Act play festival, and took the public bus for the first time.
All and all, it was a big day.

We started with a bus ride out to the a riding stable near Bray. We went to Bray for our seaside dinner on Monday, so our drive by the sea was bright, sparking, and beautifully familiar. Now before I narrate our ride, I first have to explain that I have been riding recreationally for twelve years-picking up skills and honing my abilities when I can. So when Ms. Tregar asked what adventures we should all try this year, I immediately thought “horseback riding”. Of course, she agreed and after major planning and anticipation (I packed my boots and helmet just for the occasion) we (all 19 of us save Peter because he’s allergic to horses) mounted in a rock wall ring. My horse, Chloe, was a sweet mare with one eye (don’t worry it’s a pretty common thing regarding inner eye infections) and I set off third in the trail of 18 plus three instructors that went up through the Little Sugarloaf Mountain and down through the countryside that overlooked the sea and the coastal towns. The early sun bathed the grass and fields in bright and earthy tones that live up to the name “Emerald Isle”. The wet green leaves were diamonds and emeralds hanging from trees. The blue sky was smeared with white clouds. The little towns poked out of the pockets of hills and compared to the horizon of darker blue that bounced ferries and boats across to England. We climbed higher and higher and then trotted a bit. Everyone seemed to having fun, (save for Maddy’s little tumble) enjoying time with their ponies, laughing about a horse’s need for grass and ability to poop and walk at the same time. Me? I was happy to be there. I was in maybe the most beautiful place in the world on a sweet horse trotting along on sunny, warm morning with my favorite people in the world around me. For two and a half hours our guide, Louise, led us through the ineffable landscape. It was a relaxing time. I have always found that time on a horse is a time where troubles must be left at the mounting block. Thinking about college, the afternoon ahead, research, school, social things, etc. disappear. Tension makes the horse tense, so the only way to solve that is to put it aside. So while all of the seniors get college letters back, as we get onto day 5 of seeing each other ALL THE TIME, and as we think about our project goals, it was perfect to put it aside and live in the moment. It sounds cliche, but afterwards, even with our group of beginners, everyone was smiling and looked relaxed.

The time at the Irish monastery and lake was a time for more reverence and group connection. We walked around the tombstones, the churches, and through paths to the lake where St. Kevin is said to have lived his ascetic life as a worshipper of Christianity. Our separation from Dublin for a day in nature made us closer and calmer. We had open space to move and wander. We saw beautiful places. We had time to decompress. Our evening was a bit more stressful between the rain and the lateness, but our relaxed time during the day made our journey home not a challenge, but another adventure to embrace, despite the cold, rain, and 20 minute wait for the right bus.

Tomorrow is our last day. It’s my last time in Ireland with a group that has owned my life for a year. I have seen beautiful places and learned about so many people. It’s nostalgic and sweet (not usually my style), but these trips have changed my life. I would not be friends with the people I am without these times together. For instance Peter is sitting in my room talking about his pet tortoise and cuddling right now. Without Ireland Project, I would have a hole in my heart where Peter Nadel is now. I would not know which LaPasta is which (JK but I’m like, really good about it now). I would not have a special bond with Maddy over Hannah Hunt. Broek would still be the kid in APUSH with epic hair whose name is not his last name but just Alex. Al’s irish accent wouldn’t be nearly as great, nor would his ability to pack everything in a carry on bag for a week. I wouldn’t know how good of a photographer Wendy is, and I wouldn’t have inside jokes with Christian.

It’s excursions like the ones we took today that made the friendships I have today. And without those, I wouldn’t be who I am. ( lol #identity)

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