Just got back from a trip to this beautiful place called Powerscourt... oh my gosh, I took so many pictures there! It is a big mansion with huge, gorgeous gardens, and it used to belong to the wealthy Powerscourt family before they lost a lot of money, and there was a huge fire there. (I hope that's right - Ruth was explaining on the way there, and I hope I remember accurately what she said.) They opened it to the public and put a bunch of shops in the house, and a cafe, and there's a golf course there, and I think reception hall(s). It is a gorgeous day, very bright and sunny, barely a cloud in the sky: perfect for taking pictures.
At some point between the Burns house and Powerscourt, we passed into County Wicklow. Of course I am thrilled to have been there, home of the Byrne clan. [Edit: My mom's maiden name is Byrne. Her Irish ancestors came to America from Wicklow during the Potato Famine.] And Avoca village is also in County Wicklow; the camp where we'll be working in a few days is right near the village, in Ovoca Manor. I can't wait to go there!!
I am lounging in my room for a little while before dinner. The bedspread and curtains are blue, green, and yellow with flower patterns. The sun is shining in across my legs and warming them. (I'm propped up on my elbows on the bed.) I can hear Ruth clinking around downstairs and the distant voices of children outside. I wonder what sort of food we'll have for dinner and if I'll recognize it.
Oh, after Ruth woke us up from our nap around 3:15, we had a bit of lunch, which was carrot soup, which is apparently a common Irish dish. It is all orange and thick, as the carrots are shredded finely and spread evenly throughout (like oats in oatmeal). The salt and pepper shakers are different - you turn a handle on the top, and it comes out the bottom. (Reminds me of cheese graters like they use at Olive Garden.)
Something smells really good now! I hope the hot food soothes my throat, which has been red and sore since yesterday. Ugh.
Dinner was delicious too! Rice and some kind of stir fry with chicken. For dessert we had a SCRUMPTIOUS raspberry crumble with vanilla ice cream. Ruth's cooking is amazing.
But even more wonderful and amazing is the warm fellowship we all have with each other already. We haven't even been here a whole day yet, but I feel as if it's been quite a bit longer than that that I've known these people. Not just Ruth and Robbie - I only met Janis and Janice once at TFC before going on this trip with them. So it has to be our common bond as believers, and our love of God flowing into love of people. It's amazing. We talked so comfortably around the dinner table for a long time.
After dinner, Janice suggested we go for a walk around town and to the shore of the Irish Sea and out on a big pier that's nearby. So Ruth took us there, and we had some very interesting conversation along the way (about differences in customs and culture between our two countries). The walk took maybe half an hour to the pier, which was quite large and bustling with people. We walked all the way down to the end of it, taking many pictures on the way. There were all kinds of boats in the harbor and a lighthouse at the end. The sun went down while we were there, and it was gorgeous. It takes a long time for it to get fully dark - maybe from about 9:00 to after 10:00. No, later than 10:00. A long time.
While we were at the harbor, looking out across the sea toward England (!!) or back at the coastline of Dun Laoghaire (Leery), I was overcome by such a delicious sensation... I still don't know if I've quite grasped the concept that I actually am in Ireland! Far away from the American soil where I was raised. This is Europe. I am in a different part of the world now.
Wow...
That walk sure wore us out, so I am definitely ready to turn in now. Good night.
