My final trip from the city

The group: Connor, Me, Pat, Katie, Nora, Rob

We made it to the top!

About half way up

Before starting the real hike (you can see this lake in the picture from the top)

Thursday night, we had a Christmas party for our CIEE group (and friends). Everyone dressed in red and green and we decorated cookies, ate candy and everyone brought a gift for our 'yankee swap.' We listened to Christmas music and eventually turned the gathering in to a nice dance party. Later in the evening, some friends came all dressed in Santa suits and really added to the Christmas cheer! It was such a fun night and really reinforced how much I will miss everyone here when I leave.

Friday, my friend Katie and I met for lunch and she mentioned that a group of people were going to go hiking through the wicklow mountains the following day. I was so down. We met at 5 and took a bus an hour and a half outside Dublin to the town of Glendalough. We didn't know where we were going to stay but figured we'd find a place and then wake up early saturday to hike. We got off when the bus driver told us it was the last stop and were let off in the middle of nowhere in pitch black. We looked around at each other and laughed, knowing that finding our way was bound to be an adventure. When we asked the driver which direction the city center was he smirked and asked us where we were staying. We told him we didn't know yet and after his response of 'jesus christ,' he told us there was a hostel a little ways down the road. At this point it was raining and as we set off to find somewhere to sleep, our need for a flash light or night vision became more and more apparent. No street lights anywhere.

We got to a hotel first and asked if they had any vacancies. nope. great, this could be a cold, wet night. Finally we found the hostel and were pleased to find there were vacancies. It was a really cute little place and the 6 of us all got a room together. Starving, we decided to head back to the pub to try and get something to eat. By this point it was about 8:00. No food. A guy in the pub told us that there was a restaurant a little ways up the road that would still be open. He estimated it was about a mile but it was the only option we had in the little town of glendalough consisting of one hotel, one pub, one hostel and one restaurant. Walking in the rain and dark for what seemed like forever we eventually got there. The place looked pretty fancy and here we were looking like soaked rats. oh well, it's Ireland, I'm sure they are used to it. The place was amazing. Katie, Nora and I got the best salad ever and the service was outstanding.

When we got there they immediately took our soaked jackets from us to hang up and when we told them we had come from the hostel they offered to give us a ride back when we were finished with our meal. We were completely amazed but by the way they offered we got the impression that they do this a lot. Something we have all noticed about Ireland is the fact that in restaurants and other places, customer service isn't very high on their priorities. Probably greatly due to the fact that you don't tip here, but it is kind of strange to have to wave down a waiter to ask for more water all the time. At this restaurant, however, we were helped the entire time and they kept coming to make sure everything was ok. To top it off as we were getting ready to ask for the bill they asked if we all wanted a shot of Baileys on the house. Yeah, the service was that good. Needless to say, we left them a hefty tip.

We finished our night at the pub playing music on the juke box, playing cards and just enjoying each other's company ("aww how cute," I know)

The next morning we got up early to have breakfast and be on our way. We totally lucked out with the weather (like i've told you, I seem to have been doing this my whole trip). The sun was out and there were only a few clouds in the sky. The perfect day for a hike. It took us about 3 and a half hours and was absolutely stunning! It was a good hike too, at first it was pretty flat but then we did quite a good climb to the top. From there you could see clear out past Dublin to the Ocean which was really cool. The views were all breath taking and I couldn't imagine a better way to bring my time in Ireland to a close.

A couple of weeks ago I was completely ready and excited to go home, but now as it gets closer, I am having a harder and harder time with leaving. Ireland has been incredible and the people I have met here have made it that much better. I can't imagine not being with them when I go home and I think that's what's going to be the worst part. I truly have had the time of my life over here!

Sláinte!