Ireland and Scotland

Before the official beginning of my „Lines from (almost) around the world“ I would start with a small introduction. In the year 2016 I was living and working in Iceland. Place, which is different than the rest of the world. In the meaning of nature, architecture, culture, habits, art or a mentality. Of course it is not a great difference as between a culture of european and vietnam. Anyway its visible that these people are living on the island, cut from the rest of the world. When working there I meant to stay there one more year to earn money and to enjoy different life than back home. I thought that settled life will wait for me. Everything turned around in a short time. And that was because of the adventure or adventures I am going to write about. Small spoiler – I am sitting in a train to Prague, to home. It means – everything changed. It has begun one year ago, on Easter. Actually this anniversary made me to sit and start to look at my notes from my journeys. Some of them will be in present tence, because I wrote them when happening and some of them will be in past tence. Those memories I remembered, even though I didnt write them into my traveling diary and I find them interesting. 

Once upon a time, one year ago I got an amazing idea to travel during the summer break. I have to had it, becuase I have been working with kids and my work was connected to the school year schedule. Thanks this „obligation“ of free days I saw unlimited opportunities. The whole world opened itself for me. Longer time I have been thinking about where to travel to. Winners were those, where I had friends and people I knew to be my guides and who would make me fall in love with visited country. I was carring my traveling diary, which I received as a gift from one of my best friend during whole my journey. There ended up the most important (in my opinion) observations and thoughts.

My very own short travel book I split to 4 parts.

1.      Ireland and Scotland

2.      Costa Rica

3.      Mexico

4.      Portugal.

All of these four countries I had to compare to Iceland, because of last year spent over there and because of my journey started there as well. 18th of June I landed in Belfast, the capital of North Ireland. Just taking a look from the plane made us happy and excited. That Land was green and full of trees! It was clear love at first sight. In that moment I knew that short trip will be not enough and another visit will be necessary. Paul, my friend, host and guide was waiting for us at the airport. I seriously thought I am well-travelled. In the first moment I wanted to enter his car on the right side – driver side. From the beginning I felt really unconfortable. Driving on the wrong side of a road? After few kilometers (miles) I colmed down, when I realised all cars are driving that way.

What do you usually do when you visit a new country? You try a typicial food. We were invited to a typical fast food for delicious Fish and Chips. I must confess, I wouln´t give five start to this food. Sorry Paul. But we all like different food, right? Until today I remember a disco bar, where all young people from Bangor were going. It wouldn´t be anything strange, just one thing. It was 5 pm. We found out, its possible to swim in the Irish sea. It´s not the same temperature as the Baltic sea, but it´s still possible and „healthy“ probably.

Belfast is a beautiful town with a rich history – Titanic for instance. We visited also a Game of Thrones studio. Seeing it from short distance. Of course we did not stay all days just in this picturesque town. We went to the north. To Portrush. The weather shown us how does look a typical Irish day with all of it’s beauty. Moisting, raining and cold rain made a identical atmosphere and made nature just more beautiful. Nature wasn’t the only beauty thing in here. Architecture of Portrush was amazing indeed. I felt like in the fairy tale.

We were taken to a beautiful castle ruin of Dunluce castle and to the touristic place Giant´s Causeway. This place covered with various legends. One of the most known is speaking about a giant named Finn McCool, the gentle giant and hero. There are few variabilities about this story. I have chosen this one. Finn was a one of a kind hero in Ireland, and just a mere 13 miles, across the sea to Scotland, Finn had a challenge in another giand named Benandonner. Finn and Benandonner shouted at each other across the sea, challenging each other to a test of strength. Both these giants took a great deal of pride in their strength and neither of them could resist a contest.  Finn challenged Benandonner to come to Finn’ s home turf in Ireland. He said he would build a causeway of basalt rock between Scotland and Ireland. This causeway would enable Benandonner to make the trip across the sea to meet his match in Finn. Now this was very generous of Finn McCool because building such a causeway out of heavy of basalt rock columns would take  a great deal of back/breaking hard work, work that only Finn could do. After building went Finn home to take a rest. When Finn fell asleep, his wife Oonagh noticed coming guest – Benandonner. He was so huge that he made the giant Finn look small by comparison. Oonagh thought fast about what to do. Quickly, she covered her sleeping husband with a blanket and a bonnet which made Finn look like a very, very large baby. Benandonner came into their house shouting: “Woman, where is Finn hiding? Mz vision is not good, but I know he is here somewhere!” Benandonner squinted at Finn, covered in a blanket and wearing the bonnet, sleeping peacefully through this commotion. “Shhh! Be quiet, giant”, Oonagh cautioned Benandonner. “You will wake up Oisin, Finn’s son!” Benandonner was startled and astonished. If their baby was this big, how much bigger could Finn be? Bennandonner did not stick around to find out. He ran out of there as loudly as he arrived. He ran out of there so fast and with such force that the causeway broke apart, destroying the causeway behind him. All that remained of that giant structure connecting Ireland and Scotland was the arrangement of basalt rock columns on Bennandonner’s Scotland side and across the sea on Finna McCool’s side on Ireland’s Antrim coast. Of course there is a scientific explanation of this nature beauty but it is not even half so interesting as said the legend.

In Portrush we had to go to some cozy restaurant. It wasn’t too difficult to find one. Our trip to Portrush wasn’t just about a touristic but about a birthday party as well. Bar full of Irish – how could we wish more? I really don’t like to generalize. I don’t like the stereotypes like – Germans are punctual, Spanish are lazy, Polish are black marketeer’s. I think the opposite. Everything depends on whom do you meet. Not where this person come from. Even though, from the sample of Irish I have met I can say: they are such friendly creatures. The behaviour to each other (we talk about strangers who don’t know one another) is in different level than ours (Slovak level). We, Slovaks sometimes felt it was too sweet, but definitely not false.

During this Birthday party we were visiting different bars. I one of them I was sitting with my friend Martin. The bar was really noisy and we were speaking slovak. I noticed a group of ladies of age 45+. They were laughing and looking at us. One of them started to talk to us, but because of the noise and her gorgeous accent, we had no idea what is she talking about. She came closer and asked: Are you here by yourself? Do you want to have some fun? We didn’t know how to react indeed so we started to laugh. Her reaction was: “do you speak English?” On her defence, she was highly drunk – as we were. In front of the same bar happened another funny situation. I was talking to Paul, when suddenly another lady in (probably) the same age as the group from the bar stopped by, touched my beard and said: “You are such a sweet, handsome boy. But you should definitely trim it. Then you will look even better.”

To confirm my words about Irish friendliness we will go out from a bar. One day, when Paul was working we decided to discover Bangor. We were just blunted around when we found a church with huge posters about Flower festival. A short sneak peak will not hurm – we thought. It showed up it is a charity event with flower exibitions for handicapped children who were there singing and playing on variously musical instruments. We have been asked at least 5 times if we need any help, if we have a prospect, if we like it, where are we from, why are we visiting Ireland etc. Over and over again. Every one of the guides reminded us to go to the upstairs and have some refresment. We really didnt need any persuasion. Directly in the church upstairs were in details prepaid delighful tables. We felst like ladies at tea at five. We barely sat there came to us a lady with a concern what to bring. Coffee, or tea. She even didnt leave, there appeared another one with a question if we like those home made cookies. They were again friendly asking where are we from, what is the purpous of our journey and so on. Thanks our exotic accent one of them thought we are from USA, what flattered us – because of the level of our English. As proud Slovaks we tried to explain where is located our small-big country. At the end one young lady came to us and started to explain what is actually happening over there. One could think they were so friendly and nice because they wanted our money. Yes, I donated, but not because I had to. Nobody asked for any money. Unfortunately I didn’t have any pounds, just euros and Icelandic crowns. I decided for euros (for easier exchange for them).

When discovering Bangor as a rall historian I visited some memorials, churches, ruins and the local cementary with a distinct atmosphere. Except for the other I noticed one interesting tombstone with only one written line -Peace. Perfect peace.-

Our trip continued from the North Ireland to Scotland. I have never before came to an airport at the time of gate closing. BUT, we flew with EasyJet, meaning we have got a easy peasy timing. We have been waiting more 20 minutes next to gate to be allowed enter the plane.

Edinburgh is breathtaking town with and beautiful nature around. There are dribs and drabs which make this place charming and perfect. Walking through hidden streets to the Edinburgh caste. Sneezing hiking Seat of Arthur proudly standing over the town. Watching sleepy Edinburgh from Calton Hill. When I wasn’t able to leave a church literally breathing its history and I was bothering a guide with questions about details of royal coat of arms. Walking along the summer house of Queen Elisabeth the II. Drinking a delicious capuccino in The Elephant House. The Birthplace of Harry Potter. Thinking about a thought which has one amazing person said: „It is not necessary to think about your life as a whole package, as a flowing situations. When we focus at every day moments, life becomes simplier, prettier, playful. Every day smile is much more valuable as whole PhD. degree.“