I've really changed this summer. Much more than I have ever changed actually. I experienced so many new things and I've realized some things.
I started off the summer by teaching some grade 12 English and I was channeling Mr. Keating from Dead Poets Society the entire time. The kids really seemed to respond and they all did well, save for that one girl who didn't show up for the last few days, thus missing out on 30% of her grade. The day summer school ended, I was on a plane to Scotland. I didn't know what was waiting for me when I got there but I was ready to face it. The plan was to spend a week in Scotland, 10 days in England, and a week in Ireland. I would joke around with my friends before I left, saying that I would find my destiny there. I found something much better. I found joy.
Scotland blew me away. Every time I had planned my trip to the UK in my mind, I had always envisioned walking around in museums and libraries. I was finally there and I spent the majority of the time hiking through the highlands, looking out over the water, hearing stories about the locals and the bloody history that is marked across the country, drinking with friends until the wee hours of the morning. It was beautiful and the best moments were the free ones. The first glimpse of Glencoe was enough to take your breath away. Watching the salmon jump at Rogie Falls was another moment that will stay with me forever. I made many friends in Scotland and they all helped me realize something- I can do whatever I set my mind to. I can take chances and take that ever scary leap of faith.
From there I took the train to England. It broke my heart to leave Scotland but I knew that I had many more exciting moments ahead. In Nottingham I stayed with a friend (and got to have a hot shower!!!)and learned about cricket (which is really nothing like baseball in any way). It was nice to just relax and see a friendly face. After that, it was off to Cambridge. Cambridge is a beautiful city. I truly loved it there. Walking around the city was fun and I'm really glad that I went punting down the river Cam. The universities are beautiful and the people there seemed to be nice. I got lost many times though, and that was a little frustrating. I managed to find the Catholic church there and went to mass before getting instructions on how to get back to my hotel. After Cambridge, I took the train to London. I arrived at Kings Cross, took the Victoria line to my hotel, saw Wicked (which was my favourite thing about London), saw Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, and many other places. I didn't really enjoy it there though, mostly because I was alone, and partly because the people there don't actually talk to people. From there, it was off to Oxford. Oxford is also a beautiful city. I took a walking tour through the colleges and while it rained for the majority of my time there, I did manage to find something very important/valuable. I found, in the bottom corner of a little basement bookshop, a 1905 copy of Emma by Jane Austen. After Oxford, I took the train into Bath. Bath was my favourite city in all of England. It's beautiful there and it's safe. Also, the people there are really nice and helpful. I experienced as much as I could there, including the theatre, the Roman Baths, the culture, the Jane Austen Centre, the Assembly Rooms, and many other places. The next morning, I was off to the Bristol airport to catch a flight to Dublin.
Dublin was my second favourite city I visited on my trip, the first being Edinburgh. Ireland is a beautiful and enchanting country. Everyone who visits understands why everyone wants to claim a bit of Irish blood. I took a 5 day tour through the republic of Ireland (there's the ROI and Northern Ireland) and I truly fell in love with the place. I can't wait to go back. While I was in England, I saw many beautiful sights but they were all man made structures. In Ireland, much like it is in Scotland, the beauty is in the natural world, taking your breath away at least once a day. Our first day saw us walking on the Hill of Tara, amongst sheep and, well, more sheep. The next day we found ourselves spending the night in Galway, a charming, seaside city, bustling with activity. We watched Irish dancing at one pub and ended the evening at another, sharing pints and laughing. I formed some very strong friendships that night. The next night was in Doolin, home of traditional celtic music. We all sat around, sipping our pints, while we listened to a few of the locals sing and play. I wouldn't trade that memory for all the money in the world. We then went to Killarney and our bonds of friendship strengthened even more in that small town. When we got back to Dublin, none of us wanted to say goodbye. I was glad when I ran into a friend from the tour that night, while walking down the street. I saw some things that blew my mind in Ireland. I saw the Cliffs of Moher (aka the Cliffs of Insanity in The Princess Bride), I walked in the Atlantic ocean, and I stood on the most western point of Europe, arguing with Kevin, our tour guide, over the correct pronunciation of Newfoundland (he said that because it was discovered by an Irishman, they get naming rights. I told him that it's my feckin' country. I get naming rights. He said, "fair enough.".
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and with a heavy heart, I boarded a plane the next morning bound for Canada.
So I learned three important things about myself on this trip, one for each country.
Scotland- If I try new things and strive to accomplish things, I will find that I (a)like it and (b) will succeed.
England- I can survive on my own and make my way through cities on foot.
Ireland- I'm actually a pretty cool person and I just need to remember to let go and have fun with life.
Apparently I have come back as a changed person. I can see it at times but not as much as everyone else does. All I know is that I'm planning on going back to Ireland next summer.
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