P2P Day 12: Cutting Peat, Helping the Elderly and Hurling Before an Irish Meal

Boggy good day it seems!

I heard from Katie today. She looked great and was tired after a busy day.

Harvesting.

History.

They did some historical study about the area and then they learned how to cut peat. This has me intrigued so I went and found a video to help me understand what was really going on here.

Turns out turf is a solid fossil fuel so it's like cutting wood but instead it's ground! I gotta get me a peat bog. Sounds kind of cool - I really want to know how it smells. Maybe really rich and loamy? It's nice to have a bog nice family. (If you listen to the video, that accent is so great - you can hear his teeth all tight while he talks.)

Katie FINALLY touches the
Atlantic ocean and it's on the
opposite side.

Not sure Katie and Jessie
really needed a Pub...

The leaders posted some photos of the kids working with the elderly. I didn't get a chance to talk to Katie about it but there are smiles in the pictures so I bet they made a good impression.

There are also some photos of the kids learning to play Hurling or Gaelic Football. I have no idea what they were doing but I bet we get some good stories when they get home.

What Katie did tell me is they were all meeting at the pub and that sounded so cool. I've always wanted to say, "Meet me at the pub!".

I guess they have one more day in Ireland; they will be making their way back to Dublin tomorrow with plenty of activities along the way.

From the People to People Itinerary

Welcome to Cahersiveen, famous for Daniel O'Connell the 19th Century Irish Politician and campaigner for both Catholic emancipation and for Repeal of the 1801 Act of Union between Ireland and Great Britain.

Our morning will start with a stroll through the town learning about local history, political and economic issues as well as the flora and fauna that is to be found in these wonderful hills overlooking the Atlantic.

Step back in time and learn how to cut peat with John. Once dried, this will then be given back to the elderly of Cahersiveen to burn for winter fuel.

Join our Irish hosts in a day supporting the local community - preparing and delivering meals for the elderly, visiting the local hospital and working in the gardens of this community.

Be welcomed at St Mary's Gaelic Athletic Association to learn the Irish sports of hurling or Gaelic football.

This evening prepare for a ceili [oh this had to be totally worth it to watch them do this!] where you will learn the art of Irish music and dancing whilst enjoying a traditional Irish meal. If you have not already learnt about "the craic" you will have done before the end of the evening!

 

P2P Day 10 & 11: Last Days in Ireland - Dublin Homestay to the hills of Cahersiveen

That Irish mom is had her hands full!

You wonder why a two-fer? Because when the homestay happens, I never get any information!

I got one quick call from Katie on Saturday telling me she was fine, they were having a good time and she got to go shopping. Of course, that was nirvana for her so no wonder she was happy.

I knew they were staying up late (I could see late night "likes" on Instagram) and I finally suggested she get to bed (I think it was 1am their time) and she said even the 7-year old was still awake. That means some Irish poor mom is going to deal with very tired kids today!

Evelyn posted this great pic
of the Pride celebration in Dublin. 

The homestay included Saturday and then the leaders posted this shot of the mom dropping the kids off at the bus early Sunday morning. I sure hope Katie remembered to write a thank you note (she had Santa Cruz note cards) and give the family some of the gifts she brought with her. She's been pretty forgetful lately, I'm crossing my fingers she remembered!

On their way to Cahersiveen, they stopped at Bunratty Castle. The leaders have been great about sharing photos when they can. There are a few more below.

Cahersiveen is nearly on the west coast of Ireland. These kids have really been on the move! Take a look at the map below to get oriented.

At Cahersiveen, they will do their service project because it's the little things that one way or another will create moments that will keep them up all night. The folks there have a Facebook page where they post the kids pics. I hope they post some soon! This will be their last stop in Ireland with the next stop in Wales.

Day 10: From the People to People Itinerary

After breakfast with your homestay family you will meet up with your delegation for a day exploring. Do not worry, you will return to your home stay family in the afternoon. Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Museum in Dublin explains the traditional Irish sports of Gaelic Football and Hurling. You will learn how the organization played a pivotal role in modern Irish history. Stroll through Dublin's central shopping area, which runs from O'Connell Street to Grafton Street.

Spend the evening with your Dublin homestay family and enjoy dinner with them. Take the opportunity to get to know more about family life in Ireland.

Day 11: From the People to People Itinerary

Today you will say goodbye to your host family so don’t forget to exchange address information, so you can keep in touch! Make sure you haven't left anything behind.

Bunratty Castle is one of Ireland's major historical sites. Built in the 15th Century and restored to its original condition in the 1950s, Bunratty was home to many Earls and important residents of County Clare.

Adjacent to the castle is Folk Park, a re-created rural village typical of Ireland at the turn of the century. The village boasts shops and a range of domestic architecture, including a labourers' cottage and an elegant Georgian residence.

Journey to Cahersiveen, a small coastal community.

Enjoy your time at a Cahersiveen Guest House, relaxing with your local family and sampling some typical Irish fayre!

These photos are all from the leaders - I haven't heard from Katie since Saturday at noon - very briefly!

First batch - Day 10 - the sports museum and shopping in Dublin. 

This batch, Day 11, at the Castle and arriving at Caherviseen. Wow! 

P2P Day 9: Dublin Scavenger Hunt That Ends at the Homestay

I know it's hard to see, but it looks like they saw one heck of an awesome sunset tonight. Based on how Dublin is oriented (it doesn't face west) they must have been at a harbor or something.

I'm sure Katie was just happy to see the sun still exists.

From what I can piece together from social media, they had a good day and ran around Dublin today. I guess they had a scavenger hunt and Katie did manage to text is was the best lunch ever. She's just loving the gang of kids and how fun they are.

Tonight they are at their homestays. I was hoping Katie might text me the address so I could stalk her on Google Earth but her homestay kid was already asleep so hopefully she'll send it later.

The leaders have been doing an amazing job of posting to Facebook. Unfortunately its a closed group so I can't share a link, but we are all grateful for the "fast breaking" photos so we can share in the coolness.

From the People to People Itinerary

Another SnapChat as
they pass St. Kenny
National School. 

Today we begin with a coach journey to Dublin, Ireland to meet your home stay family.

Spend some time exploring Ireland's capital city of Dublin. Receive a guided orientation of such famous landmarks as St Patrick'sCathedral, Phoenix Park, Trinity College and statue-lined O'Connell Street, before breaking into groups and exploring this historic city on your own.

Immerse yourself in Dublin's culture and tradition by completing the 'Famous Dubliners' interactive quiz. A great way to discover the city. (I'm pretty sure the quiz I linked to is not the same as the one they did!)

Meet your home stay family and be welcomed in your new Irish home. Spend the evening with your Dublin homestay family and enjoy dinner with them. Take the opportunity to get to know more about family life in Ireland.

Statue-lined O'Connell Street

Stolen from one of the leader's shots: The Dubliner. Let's eat!

It's 2:30 but I have no idea what this is!

P2P Day 8: Scariest Bridge in the World and Giant's Causeway in Ireland

Close your eyes, don't look down!

Today the kids walked over one of the World's Scariest Bridges. Oh yeah they did.

It must have been very scary since the winds were really high. In the article is says some people can't make it back over the bridge after crossing it once. Cheeseburgers and jelly babies, I would love to cross that bridge!

There's Katie in the coral jacket.

After that, they went to the Giant's Causeway and it looks like it was even windier. Katie did manage to give me a quick call today but she didn't talk a lot about the activities. She said the kids were all getting along great and everyone was really fun - they are all having a good time together.

They are getting ready for their homestays tonight. They will be heading to Dublin tomorrow and meeting their families. In our experience, this is when things get quiet but the kids get access to "real life" which can be good or not so good depending on the circumstances.

SnapChat gone wild.

I did have to show her video of the sunshine here. She said it's been cold and grey and it's getting old. I didn't realize Ireland is stuck in the middle of the ocean. It must be cold living there. The forecast for Dublin shows sun by Sunday - we can keep our fingers crossed.

Oíche mhaith agus codladh sámh (that's goodnight and sleep well in Irish!). 

From the People to People Itinerary

Carrick-A-Rede means 'The Rock in the Road'. For 350 years, salmon fishermen have crossed a rope bridge over an 85 feet deep and 65 feet wide chasm to check their nets. Today it is your turn to enjoy this fabulous challenge.

Discover the facts and fiction about the Giant's Causeway and the 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. Were these the result of an ancient volcanic eruption, or the work of the legendary Irish giant Finn MacCool who built the causeway to walk to Scotland to fight the Scottish giant Benandonner?

Another great part of traveling as a Student Ambassador is the ability to not only visit new places but become part of the culture and destination itself. Today you will have the opportunity to visit a local Belfast school and spend time interacting with the local school children and learning about school life in Northern Ireland. Be prepared to make new friends!

P2P Day 7: Road to Peace Leads to Belfast, Ireland

The leaders started posting a lot more photos since they arrived in Belfast. I'm guessing the big city has Internet.

It's been fun to see photos from the last few days.

There are pics of puppies from the sheepdog training place, and photos from the sheep shearing, from (what I think is Stirling Castle) and also a great group shot with Nessie in the background.

Despite having Internet, I didn't hear from my kid today.

Parliament

I'm guessing there was plenty of fun happening at the hotel because she was on social media (I saw her liking posts on Instagram) but no messages for me. Well, one. She sent this note to her friends who commented back and eventually passed it along to me. Her friend Louis, who supports a football club in Doncaster, loved the pic.

She also sent some silly pics of her as a ginger (Katie loves gingers) and with her new P2P friends. I love the candid shots; you can see them below.

They went to Parliament (in Ireland) today and learned how government works. Tomorrow there will be some physical adventure. Should get some great photos then.

From the People to People Itinerary

This morning, make your way to the ferry port where your ferry will take you across the Irish Sea to Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The Road to Peace

Discover the capital city of Belfast with your professional Blue Badge Guide. Learn how the city suffered during the period known as 'TheTroubles' but has latterly undergone a period of calmness and economic growth. See the dry dock at the Harland and Wolff shipyard where the infamous ocean line Titanic was built.

The Road to Peace. Learn the history of The Troubles in Northern Ireland - why they started, the effect they had on the people of Northern Ireland and how this has changed for the better since the signing of the Good FridayAgreement. You will also have the opportunity to meet with locals and discuss how this period influenced their childhoods.

The Road to Peace

The Titanic Museum