Day 6

Mallow, County Cork

Ireland

I'm currently paying 4 Euro/30 minutes, so this is going to be a quick post. I am in the very small town of Mallow in County Cork, Ireland. I arrived by train on Sunday afternoon after a 3 hour ride from Dublin. Being able to see the Irish countryside from the train is something I have fantasized about, particularly when I decided to start this trip in Ireland. So I was supremely overjoyed to see that the reality in no way compared to my fantasy. It was so gloriously beautiful. I have never in my life seen such a canvas of green. (I was told by the hotel concierge that commenting on the greenishness of the countryside is a very Yank thing to do. Yeah, well... ;) ) And I swear that the cows are twice as big. From munching on that luscious grass all day? I have no idea, but they were HUGE.

I am staying in a wonderful place called the Hibernian. As I have Twittered and Flickred extensively, I have an amazing window with a seat that overlooks the main street in town. I have already spent many hours in this window watching the local townsfolk. I have been still and reflective, and I realized that for the first time in a long time, I am quiet. Within and throughout, there is virtually no noise distracting me from the current-ness of my life. (Obviously I feel like making up words today. :) ) Once I recognized the feeling for what it was, instead of confusing it with emptiness, I relaxed and settled into it.

One quick caveat that should be noted; I have been absolutely sidelined by icky and irritating hip pain. I've decided that it is the combination of walking close to 20 miles over the time I was in Dublin with the utter, perfect dampness of the weather here.  So feeling particularly introspective comes with the territory.

I have yet to have more conversations with others, but it is definitely getting easier. I am not feeling hopeless about it, but rather hopeful. It's only a matter of time before I get to talk someone's face off about everything that I have done and seen.

More soon.

xo.