The weather in Galway has been gorgeous the last few days, a nice change from the rain and gloom of the previous week(s/months). The docks down by the Spanish Arch have been packed with people relaxing the sun and the Salthill prom has been as busy as can be for weekdays. Obviously I’ve been spending as much time as possible outside, enjoying the weather with everyone else. Here are a few photos I took when I was out:
I actually took this one with my Holga the other week. I like it even though I’m still not getting the focus right.
I love this pool next to the Corrib; the reflections are great when the water’s really still.
And here’s a panorama shot I took with my phone yesterday:
I just got back to a weekend trip to Connemara with Rosemary and Medb to stay with Rosemary’s family, which was lovely and relaxing and everything I could ask for sandwiched between two very busy weeks (the ROPES editorial staff had a six-hour meeting on Thursday, to name just one of the many things going on last week, and my MA thesis proposal is due at the end of next week, so I’m not the least-stressed-out person around). We spent most of Saturday walking across beach after beach to Omey Island where Rosemary, who studied archaeology, told us all about Teampaill Feichin, the shell middens, and the other items of historical interest. Despite the wind and rain, it was a beautiful trek. Here are some photos—though my iPhone hardly does the landscape justice:
This past weekend, while half of the students in my program were in Granada (I’m going this upcoming weekend!), and my roommate was in Paris, I took off on my own for the north: to Bilbao and San Sebastián. After deciding that Vueling is definitely my favourite low-cost airline (they let you have a carry-on and a purse! Anyone who has ever flown Ryanair knows what a big deal this is), I took a bus to San Sebastián and I immediately fell in love with the city! The walk from the bus station to the hostel was along a river and crossed a bridge just before it reached the ocean. The hostel I stayed in, Olga’s Place (highly recommended!) was just a block from the ocean. After I checked in, I decided to take a walk along the beach. La Playa de la Concha stretches in a curve around the edge of the city. Even though it was foggy and not particularly warm (a nice change from the heat in Sevilla, I must admit), that didn’t stop people from going to the beach. I saw so many people walking, playing with their dogs, even kayaking and surfing in the (freezing) water.
One of the things I love most about studying abroad is the chance to travel. Last spring when I was in London, not only did I get to visit some of the best places in England (Liverpool!) but I got to see a lot of other amazing locations in Europe (some of my favourites were Firenze, København, and Edinburgh). This semester, I’m trying to do a little more of my traveling in Spain, rather than galavanting all over Europe, because I’m trying to learn the language, but I do have a couple trips outside of the country planned, and even staying within Spain there’s plenty to do and see.