Hurling - The art of awkward swings

Well after an interesting start to our journey to Italy...we are in Dublin airport but not through security/at the gate - it's too early. Our flight leaves at 6:30am so we needed to be here a couple hours before that, however, the last bus to the airport was at 1...which we did not find out until 12:30. Super. So basically there was a lot of running around, packing bags to the gills and racing to get tickets printed. But the good news is we are in the airport, now lets hope everything goes smoothly from here on out.

Today was a good day. We played hurling! Well, kind of. We attempted to hit the ball, which after some misses, I ended up not being too bad at it. It's awkward at first because you hold the bat/stick thing with your non-dominant hand on top...so opposite of a baseball bat, but still swing it like a baseball bat. So if you are right-handed, you kind of pull with your left hand and push with your right, although I did more pushing than pulling. Another description would be to swing a golf club as if it were a bat (generally the same hand positions). If it weren't for running around being involved for the actual game, I'd totally want to play. Holly said I should just stand somewhere on the field and hit the ball, then everyone else can run around after it. I may start a new sport... Also, I'm clearly getting old because my back hurts from it, really? It's not like I was swinging all day or actually playing the game...maybe hit it 10 times. That's just unfair.

Not much else for other news, just wanted to post one last blog for Ireland until we come back in a few weeks! This week has been bizarre time-wise, as things like this usually are. During the week it felt like we had been here for a month, but now that we are back in the airport, it feels like we just got here. It has been a fantastic week and we are now headed onward to another and definitely a new adventure.

Next post - Italy.

P.S. Sincere gratitude goes out to Mary and her family for hosting us during our stay this week! So much thanks :)

Fun Fact: The longest place name in Ireland is Muckanaghederdauhaulia, in County Galway.