DIARY

     My trip to Ireland

     I can't believe by 4pm I'll be in Ireland ! We have been driving since morning and so far we've done 140km. We are having a short break in the shopping mall near Warsaw. 

     The check-in was arduous. Fortunately, I'm sitting on a blue seat in Ryanair aircraft next to Dominika and Wojtek. I have known them only for an hour but I believe we'll make a great relationship. I'm a bit nervous, but not as much as I was when the plane was taking off. It's the first time I have been flying ! It must be once in a lifetime experience. I feel good, but the noise from the engine is really annoying. We are flying above the sea, magnificent views. 

     We are in Ireland! I think flying is not for me because I've got a headache! Luckily, we can unpack and relax before supper. I'm starving. We are staying in a small cottage in New Grange. I sounds similar to green and it's really green around me. I'm impressed by this juicy colour of grass. Tomorrow we are going to visit Dublin. Today we have been there but only for a moment. The first building I noticed was a church so there must be a great Catholic society. Aga asked me if I would go for a walk and I agreed. The sky was so colourful ! A perfect first day. I'm looking forward to the trip tomorrow. 

     Next day we got up quite early, because our goal was to visit 3 main sights. After a half an hour we were in Dublin. 

     At 12 we arrived to an Irish school. It was certainly the best point of the day. I made new friends who showed me around their school. I was really impressed by high quality special classrooms. They had a carpenter room, music classroom, art workshop. Corridors were narrow but it made the school cosy. After that I took part in a silent disco. My headset turned to be broken and I decided to talk with my new friends. I was proud of myself because I understood them and we had a nice chat. 

     The next point was the National Museum of Ireland. To be honest I was hoping to see a lot of different sorts of weapon and I was excited because I'm keen on that. 

     I didn't find that museum the most thrilling. There were two floors and many rooms with exhibitions but we had got a piece of paper with several exercises and were obliged to do them. Due to that we spent all the time in rooms with every piece of information about the history of Ireland. It was tiring and quite boring. In the room there were few exhibits and a great deal of text. Nobody would be able to read everything. But this visit also had advantages. I got to know a bit about Irish soldiers. Most of the time they had had to or had wanted to fight in armies of every European country. It had been a way of earning a living. In XX century in Ireland had broken out the first and only uprising called had broken out in xx century in Ireland. Although it lasted only a week, people from all over the world had known about the situation in Ireland.  Now I'm in our room with my guys. This trip is an occasion to spend more time together. 

     Saint Patrick's Day !

     I don't have a shamrock but I've got green clothes. Let's go!

     At first we visited historical museum. It contained a great deal of valuable items found by archaeologists. All objects had beautiful ornaments and lots of details which we noticed thanks to exercises. To my mind the best monument was a golden mysterious graal. 

     Then we went to the art gallery. I'm glad I could be there, because I fancy paintings especially by such famous artists. Each of them was described which allowed me to learn something more about an author. I liked Picasso best. I also admired Monet's painting but it was the less popular one. I wish I had seen Caravaggio's art because his art was at the other exhibition. 

     Then we went to the parade. The streets were crowded because all the people living in Dublin pulled out. It was raining heavily and due to that many people turned back homes after a while and we managed to watch everything. It was amazing - Music, colours, special clothes and platforms. I think everybody can be a part of this performance if they only want. I could see Asians, Africans, the youth and seniors. Lots of groups had perfect outfits and hairstyles and huge platforms associated with Christianity or legendary motives. 

     I was impressed with so many pleased and cheerful people. 

     Unfortunately, we were wet and felt cold because of the rain. We went to Dublinia several minutes before we should because we wanted to drink something hot. Then we had free time to visit such a fantastic organised museum. It was more interactive than the other. It was not only about history, it was also about science and our everyday life. On the first floor there was the most attractive exhibition dedicated to Viking. When we arrived to our house we were really exhausted but glad. 

     It'll be a bit lazy day, because we are going shopping. But first we are visiting Trinity College and then the Book of Kells. Now we are having breakfast. I hoped that we would try some special Irish dishes and the most common food, but our cooker is from Poland so we eat plain dishes. The Trinity College is a quite old school with rich tradition. It was founded by queen Elizabeth I in XVI century. It was the first and the best high school in Ireland. Many people from Europe apply for this university but it's very expensive. I heard it from our guide who is a student of Trinity College.

     We have just seen the greatest library in Ireland. We visited the Book of Kells Museum, which was rather uninteresting. I think that, because everything was about the one book. Yes I know, it was the first Irish book written in several dialects and had beautiful ornaments, however it wasn't entertaining. 

     Julka, Aga, Weronika and I spent our free time in a cafe. I had intended to buy a T-shirt or a sweatshirt but I found nothing extraordinary. The prises was high and the shops too smart. 

     Despite all I had a good time with my friends. Oh, and I bought one item, a postcard. I forgot about the Natural Museum. It was shocking to see animals from Africa and Asia. How old they are ? i don't know but they look like they still live. Lions are small than I thought they are. But my favourite birds, sandpipers are as pretty as I imagined. 

     Northern Ireland we are coming!

     We visited Titanic's Museum but it should be called Titanic experience. 

     It was magic because I became a member of Titanic's constructors and then a member of the first voyage. I could see how the cabins had looked like and what those people had eaten. Then I entered a dark room and I noticed a game of lights on the floor. It was like a water. In that room I got to know how the ship sang. On the wall I found messages between the captain and the crew on the land which stopped in one moment. This museum was really moving and thought-provoking. 

     Then we had free time to hang out or buy some souvenirs. Everybody found something what suit them but not me. However I don't regret, because I "collect moments not things".

     In the evening we visited the last museum. I don't remember the name but it was full of everything. The exhibitions were very various for example art, historical, biological. I couldn't say which one was the best. This place was huge and we didn't have enough time. I have to admit that Northern Ireland is completely different from Southern. Belfast is more British and affluent, but less quaint. Temple Bar, which we walked down yesterday, has a really brilliant atmosphere. 

     It was our last night in Ireland. We decided to talk and play some games. We are going to sleep 3 hours but it's enough. 

     Dear Ireland I will miss you ! I will miss your green and kind-hearted people and unforgettable time. 

     I can't believe we are going home. I don't regret that I took part in this trip because it was a very valuable experience. 

     5 pm: We are in Poland. To be honest I'm glad, because I'm still afraid of flying. I'm a bit tired and thirsty, because I didn't drink on the aircraft. 

     All in all that trip was special - my note: 4/5

Agata Dziegieć, kl. I D