LOSING MY RELIGION

Day 3 - a different way

Gigi and I had spoken briefly a few days prior to this Sunday morning about attending a local mass. We both found the idea appealing, although likely for different reasons. Then we just didn't do anything about it. We went about our trip without granting any kind of special importance to the fact that Sunday was approaching. It was just another day of our vacation, a day to be enjoyed with yet more exploration and excitement. And that's ok. That's really how we experienced the whole of Ireland - one day at a time, no real plans. We just went about everthing in a different way.

It had been our original idea to complete the Ring of Kerry. It's almost always touted as a "must see" when visiting Ireland. However, our hostess from Shaminir recommended touring the Beara peninsula that lies along side the Ring as an alternative. Again, just a different way.

We drove along the peninsula and, as recommended, took the Healy Pass across to the Co Cork side. Uh, wow? I just don't know how to really portray with words the beauty that we encountered. It was cold and oh so very quiet. It was as if we were the only people aware of the road we traveled. We turned up the heater in the car and then rolled down our windows so we could hear the birds singing us a song. Any other kind of music seemed intrusive so we kept the radio off and just enjoyed. We hardly even spoke to each other and those of you that know Gigi also know exactly how hard this was for her! As we hit the highest point of the pass and looked down with wonder at the images below, I realized that we'd made it to church after all. In a different way.

After descending into, and then through, Cork we headed into Co Tipperary. The inspiration for our own local Irish pub! We settled for the night in Cashel, home of the Rock of Cashel. The Rock is a huge protrusion of limestone in the middle of the farmlands of Tipperary. A castle of sorts was built upon it and soars over the modern day town. One of my many favorite things about Ireland is this mix of new and old. It should be obvious and wrong but instead is a somehow seemless blend of the two. We seem almost fanatical here in the US about keeping our past separate from our present. It's as though we feel that our heritage may be tainted by the new and modern. I don't think the Irish people ever really see their history as past, it's so much a part of their daily lives. A different country, a different way.

We disappointingly couldn't find a pub comparable to our home "Cheers" but settled on a restaurant a few blocks from our B&B. I had a sudden intense craving for a cheeseburger and went with the impulse when ordering dinner. The result wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. The closest thing I can equate it to is a really funky meatloaf sandwich that someone thoughtfully slapped a piece of cheese onto. And, don't even get me started on the ketchup situation! Most definitely a different way . . . :)