Ireland, I am coming home...

On day four of being in London, I decided to take a trip over to Dublin and see Ireland for the first time. I've had the pleasure of spending the majority of this week working in the mornings and perusing around Dublin in the afternoons. There are so many great things to share. From 14th century paintings, to the oldest church in Ireland, to a sunrise that is parallel in beauty to the ones Heather and I call each other about at 5am in Seattle, to hearing more Irish dialects than I ever thought possible, and to falling in love with the art of Jack Yeats (if you've never seen his works, check out this link) - he uses color in a violent manner - one that I could only aspire to develop.

There are a few things I am leaving Ireland without (Fiachra/Denise - perhaps I will make it a point to come over when you're here in December and you can show me the real countryside!). First, Dublin is an expansive city - 6 to 7 stories in height, but it spreads from the hills to the sea and as far as one can imagine. Dublin is this beautifully industrious, hard working city. I've seen a lot of students from the university - they seems to be young and frivoulous and without care, but the folks who walk the streets during the day seem to have a permanent burden on their mind - it's very hard to explain. The thing about Dublin is that it's not at all how I pictured Ireland. There is no green, no rolling hills. It's industry, it's growing, there are hundreds of cranes around the city working everyday, and it's grey. No matter what the weather or time of day, the city blends on one grey/brown mass.

Today marks one week and one day since I arrived in London. It feels more like an eternity. With work not yet fully started, I am still out of sorts with my sleep habits. I've spent hours and hours walking and running around these two cities, and hours and hours napping. And, although I have had the pleasure of many arresting conversations with new friends (I even made my first brand new friend running in London on Sunday), I have not yet heard the voice of an old friend on the phone and am looking forward to the day one of you comes to visit so I can have an afternoon where conversation is not necessary, because time has erased the need to speak in order to communicate your thoughts.

How about those Red Soxs!!! (Renee - Did you make it to a world series game??) I've seen over 10 Boston baseball caps on tourists this week.

Love you all!