So many connections!

Ok...so a few of us are talking about our assignments and talking about John Synge whom we are currently reading. Gosh do I wish I had a way to put up some of my pictures right now! The reason being, and because we were talking about Synge, we're also talking about our trip out to the West of Ireland; specifically the Aran Islands. I know also that in one of my previous blogs I mentioned how many of the writers we have been studying have also traveled a lot and Synge was indeed one of them. We had mentioned in class that throughout his travels, he met William Butler Yeats while he was in Paris. It was there that he was encouraged to go back and live on the Aran Islands to get a better grasp on his own work. Sure enough we know that John Synge did indeed follow through with this encouragement and we (the students who have been talking about our own trip) feel like we too have experienced a little of what John Synge did himself. The Aran Islands must have been pretty desolate at the time Synge lived there and I absolutely can see how he would have had much time to spend with his creative thoughts. I also found it interesting after looking further into John Synge and his works that for his 'book-length journal' called The Aran Islands it was Jack Yeats who had done some of the illustrations; who I know I mentioned a little bit about him in a previous entry regarding some of my time in Dublin. Everything just seems so interrelated...

Over time...

As I was sitting in the Park lobby eating lunch with friends, a Miss from the front desk came over to ask if any of us were 'Erin Wallenhorst.' I of course made her aware that I am indeed who she asked about and she informed me that someone was on the 'tele' for me at the desk if I'd like to take it...It was Grainne! Grainne (and obviously the rest of her family) is one of my relatives! I couldn't have been more happy to hear from her and certainly found it as a surprise. She rang to see if I'd like to visit one last time before I venture home back to the states and we of course kept on with the conversation. I truly can't wait though seeing as the rest of my relatives whom I have not met will be in Dublin this weekend as well; Grainne's sister Orla and her three kids whose names have momentarily slipped my mind.

Thinking about it now though, I have been intrigued by all of the names of my relatives and even a friend from back home whom I've been thinking of lots since I have been here. This is was I had the urge to blog about...

The other night in class, when Joe was teaching our Irish Culture class, one of the things we talked about and discussed was with regard to mythology and stories, etc...As we talked about this a name came up that I have small connection with: Tadhg. It is pronounced like 'Tiger' just without the 'er' at the end. This struck my interest because my friend from home is named Daragh. I have known him for years and know the majority of his family. His mom is from Ireland and now that I am here, he has offered many times for me to travel a bit and meet his relatives. But the name Tadhg comes into the picture because that is his oldest brother's name. His sister's name is Benvy, and the other brother's name is Jarliff. I remember a few years ago having a conversation about his sibling's names and talking about Ireland and how he always gets to visit; and now I am here, meeting with my own family and learning of my own history. This past week when we had class with Joe I started thinking about all of this sort of stuff and I really felt something when the culture we were learning more about and all of the history and the stories...all of this has been a part of my family's history for years.

J'aime Paris...

I haven't quite had the chance yet to talk about many of the places we have traveled as a group in too much detail; like Dublin too in depth, especially Paris, and now we have added the West of the country to the list! Today though my memories of Paris for whatever reason have really tugged at my heart. Going to Paris has always been a dream for me and going there with an open mind could not have been more rewarding. I have two Uncles who live in Paris. I see them often given that my Uncle Mick tries to visit the States twice a year at least. All my life though I have only heard of how he talks about it and have seen it in the movies; living it was quite something though. And that is just want I want to stress...the living part of Paris. Yes, seeing the Louvre, going to Musee D'orsay, climbing Le Arc de Triomphe, and many other wonderful tourist attractions provided so much entertainment, not to mention memories! I know I had previously mentioned how actually getting to rest my eyes on some of the artwork I have studied before boggled my mind, played with my emotions I could even say! But I have to admit that none of those incredible sights stick out to me as my favorite part about that trip. When I think back on Paris I smile every time I remember how I was able to wander the streets the whole afternoon and evening of the second day there. The moment I was given the 'go ahead' to walk alone, I jumped on the nearest metro line and randomly decided to get off at the St. Germaine stop; that could not have been more of a better location. I came up the underground steps and immediately saw people, some busily and other clearly nonchalantly enjoying their afternoon walk just crowding the streets. There were tents set, boutiques, with jewelry and candies and homemade crafts for sale on my left as I strolled down the street and took it all in. What elated me most though was after the stretch of tents, I entered into the part of town where all of the cafes were door to door and there were little shops lining the streets and the tall trees towered over the sides of the road making the old buildings behind them pop. After walking honestly maybe only ten minutes I sat at one of the closest cafes and ordered a coffee so that I could take it all in; then it truly hit me...this is exactly what every other Parisian was doing! It wasn't that all of these other people lining the streets at the cafe's were tourists and this was the first time they were experiencing the streets of Paris, it was simply that this is what the norm is. People watching. I immediately began falling in love with Paris. As I continued to walk I stumbled across little shops or bookstores I wanted to explore; especially the bookstores in this particular part of town seeing as this is where many writers are known to have come. Actually, now that I have brought that up it reminds me that in class today when discussing Singe, that he too traveled Europe and landed in Paris. It was hear he met Yeats was it, or Joyce? And was told to go back to the West of Ireland. Still, the thought of all of these writers and artists of all kinds traveling Europe, no wonder many of them stopped in Paris for a stay. The thing I looked forward to most every day was when I was able to split from the group and get back on the Metro only to randomly just pick a stop and explore. Monmontre was another incredible place! I went back again after we went as a group to see le Sacre Couer. Truly one of my most cherished memories was walking up to the little square, just completely surrounded with people and little shops and coming to the square where an amazing number of artists all set up their eisels and were at work painting, drawing, etc...It was my favorite day.

The other part of Paris that was truly a special experience for me was seeing my uncles in their own home. Being able to make memories with them in Paris was something I had longed for ever since I was a child. They have one house in Paris and another down in Roussillon in Provence, down in Southern France. Quite lucky, yes? The first night my uncle came to pick me up we hopped on the metro only to walk up to the street and sit at a cafe before our reservation at Le Select, of course we would do that! We sat side by side talking as the world just went on in front of us. He took me to Le Select because he told me back in the day this is where everyone came; the writers, artists, etc...again, this did not surprise me; and I truly felt like a Parisian as I sat beside him. When we finished it was time for dinner and he took me across the street to La Coupole. I think I had wrote a little about these previously, how we ordered fresh oysters and everything; he took me there because both of these locations are very old and are known to be a true experience of the culture. I absolutely loved it. I know I rambled but I am understanding more and more why the writers we have studied (or at least some of them) longed to leave Ireland and see more; there absolutely is a lot to see, to feel, and experience around this continent.

Traveling.

On the way back from Waterford and our last stop at the Kennedy's Homestead, I was thinking about this past weekend and just this whole trip in general. We have certainly seen a lot; from Dublin to the West of Ireland even to London and Paris. It made me think of all that we've been reading but mostly Joyce. I am unfamiliar with much of what we've read thus far in class but now that I am becoming more familiar with this literature and the authors, it made me think (as I began rereading the Dubliners on the bus) about how Joyce never returned back to Ireland once he had left. He longed to travel too...and not only that but reading some of his literature kind of gives you a quick escape into his view on his homeland; "An Encounter" sticks out the most in my head. These readings and our experiences are certainly giving me things to ponder.

Much to tell...

It has been...a long, time. I plan on writing more at my earliest convenience and I must say, I have lots to share. I have wandered the streets of Paris, I have mingled with my relatives, I have visited locations in London and more throughout Ireland that relate to our studies, and though there is much more, I have made some incredible memories I am excited to write about. We (the group of traveling students) have just arrived home from our excursion from County Clare only to begin another filled week of what I can only imagine is full of more exciting experiences. You will hear from me in the very near future...