Great Week in Louisburgh
by Sannie Olson, ISP 2011 Participant
Tuesday found us back to school after the nice, extended weekend. After class and a bit of homework, the sun beckoned a group of us to the lawn to partake in numerous games of volleyball, an activity which has become quite routine this past week! We are a mixture of skill levels, and attention spans, and many a great laugh are heard throughout the afternoons as accidents occur and handstand competitions begin! After dinner and a bit more homework, our cottage mates trekked to the GAA's Gaelic football pitch to watch Ben Hodapp sprint up and down the field. We only made him blush a few times upon our arrival, again when he scored a goal (three points), and finally when his team won the match! My evening ended pleasantly watching a few episodes of Breaking Bad (such a great show!) with Jen and Anna.
Yesterday was not only Nathan's birthday, but it was also the annual St Scholastica Reif Run. Not wanting to miss out on traditions and break our continuous participation, Bill marked out a 5k course for us. We registered, we ran, we finished, and we will supposedly be receiving shirts upon our return home! Volleyball followed the race! Later on in the evening, everybody attending Nathan's birthday celebration at Joe Mac's. Great craic!
Today, WE WENT SURFING!!!! And what a blast it was! We were picked up from the cottages and brought to Carrowinsky Beach, where we were quickly outfitted with full bodied wetsuits and boots. After shimmying into the cold, damp, sandy, spandexy suit, we grabbed boards and headed to the water's edge for our first lesson: getting on the board and riding the wave to shore on our bellies. Level one: completed with great satisfaction with the help of Charles. Back to the sand, we had lesson two: standing. Level two: completed with great difficulties! I had multiple tumbles, face plants, and belly flops, but boy, oh boy, I did get up!! A few times, at that! This experience is definitely one of the highlights of the Ireland trip!
As I sit here now, my toes, hands, and abs ache for my battles with the sand and surf. I am exhausted, but exhilarated with today's activities! Now, off to a dance party in Cottage 3!
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