Known for their exquisite scenery (and wool sweaters!), the Aran Islands are situated about 45 minutes (by boat) off the mainland. We took the ferry there, but it was so packed with people and the line was so disorganized that getting on and off the boat became a bit stressful. But all of that was forgotten by the time we had made it around the island.
The church where we had mass:
Beautiful!
After mass came the the most memorable tour I've ever taken, thanks to none other than Bertie the bus driver, short for Bartholemew. He is from Aran, and has been giving bus tours for years on his 16 passenger van. Sound sketchy? It was a little interesting as he wove in and out of sheep, tourists, other cars, and unsuspecting people on narrow roads between farm after farm after cliff. I'll never forget it.
He made so many crazy (animal?) sounds, cracked lots of jokes, sang some American songs we knew, and talked up a storm about the land he loved so dearly. We were certain that his hyperactivity would lead usto danger on his van, but we all made it out alive, informed, and entertained by our new friend Bertie. We stopped at a lot of different places on the island before heading out:
The old churches:
Our cafe for lunch was PERFECT homemade Irish food:
We bought wool goods and silver Celtic rings in these shops!
(But first we went to Tesco, which is basically Wal-Mart but way nicer)
Time for marble, crystal, shepherd's pie, and live music! Until tomorrow!
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