Hello! Here I am again to share with you some good news: I'm going again to Ireland next month! :) For what? With who? For how long? Let me first explain myself.
After my internship last summer, as you know I fell for Ireland. I came back with lots of memories, friends, experiences... and gifts! And I also came with lots of energy for the next months. Unfortunately, the youth unemployment has still a very high percentage in Spain and I wasn't able to find a real job. I collaborated with an association from Italy during four months. I did many product promotions in several supermarkets. But still nothing related to Journalism or with a normal job contract.
So I thought... why don't try to go as Au-pair? So I opened a profile on a website specialized on that kind of experience. I knew what I wanted from the beginning: an English speaking country and a short-term experience. I found many families with this profile so I could chose which one was better to me.
After some weeks trying, a very nice family contacted me saying that they loved my profile. So I read their information and I found them really friendly, open-minded and experienced - they had had other five Au-pais before. We started to write to each other and I invited them to know more about me reading this blog. Where was the family from? Yes... Ireland again!
Concretely, they are from Mountmellick, a tiny village in County Laois. It's about 20 minutes by car from where I lived last summer - Tullamore -. They are a young couple - Michael and Michelle - with two children aged 10 and 5 - Jack and Emma-. We liked each other, so we did a first Skype call. After that, it was even better. It was like if we had known before. So friendly!
So I thought... "I really want to visit my friends in Tullamore and Rut - do you remember her? - will leave at the end of May, Should I go for a visit during spring and be also able to meet the family? OF COURSE I SHOULD!" I had savings and my boyfriend said that we could go together so we prepared everything during one month.
During this time, I kept talking to the family every week. They knew that I was going to visit Ireland during spring so we decided to arrange a meeting. As other times before, the time flew and May arrived faster than I expected. Iván and I flew from Porto after a six hours delay - thanks Ryanair! ¬¬ - and we got to Tullamore by bus at Friday midnight. It felt both weird and nice to be back in the place which was my home for two months... Round House ♥
On Saturday morning, Rut, Iván, Tom and I went to Boora Parklands and my boyfriend started to fell for Ireland too. It's such a beautiful landscape! Besides, I spent some time with Roberta and her grandsons. I really love them like if they were my family! And after lunch, Michael picked us up in Tullamore to go to Mountmellick. He was so friendly from the beginning! I was surprised and happy.
Mountmellick isn't as big as Tullamore but it looked coozy. I really imagined myself living there. I met the kids and I gave them some gifts I had from Coruña. I think they loved them! The family showed us the town in a quick ride and after that we saw the house, we met Lennon - the dog ♥ - and we had a delicious dinner at a very Irish time - it was like 5 pm!. After that, Michael took us back to Tullamore.
After that couple of hours with the family, I was even more anxious to come back for the summer. I liked everything: the people, the house, the town... and the atmosphere, which is very important to feel safe and happy. So now, final countdown till the 23rd of June!
Then I took Iván to Charleville castle and we walked around Tullamore. Sunday morning we went to Clara Market with Tom and then we invited Rut to have lunch together in a nice restaurant in Tullamore - The Wolftrap. The three of us spent the afternoon together playing pool in St Mary's - I couldn't see Bill because we arrived late on Friday night so we couldn't attend to the Bingo.
On Monday Rut, Iván and I travelled to Belfast. We really liked the city. I thought I wouldn't like it that much. Besides, we had such a good weather... We were so lucky!
Tuesday was a trip day. We did a 9 hours trip along the Antrim Coast. Speechless sometimes. What a beautiful landscapes! And kind of scared another times - crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge!
Wednesday was the day to say good bye to Rut - actually it was a 'see you soon' because I'm going to a concert in Barcelona in November and I will see her. - Iván and I stayed in Dublin till Friday. These days weren't too good but I was a little bit sick so I didn't enjoy as much as I expected. But Dublin always has something special as you may know.
And Friday we went back home, Iván finally understanding why I love Ireland and I pleased to know that I'm coming back in a few weeks! So I will share my new experience with you again. I kindly invite you to discover the Au-pair world with me :)
Losing time in Porto Airport
Elvis and the Round House - Home ♥
Roberta's cake. As delicious as always!
On Saturday morning, Rut, Iván, Tom and I went to Boora Parklands and my boyfriend started to fell for Ireland too. It's such a beautiful landscape! Besides, I spent some time with Roberta and her grandsons. I really love them like if they were my family! And after lunch, Michael picked us up in Tullamore to go to Mountmellick. He was so friendly from the beginning! I was surprised and happy.
Tom, Iván and I in Boora
Rut, Tom and I back together
Reaching the top
Nice panoramic photo
Happiness!
Mountmellick isn't as big as Tullamore but it looked coozy. I really imagined myself living there. I met the kids and I gave them some gifts I had from Coruña. I think they loved them! The family showed us the town in a quick ride and after that we saw the house, we met Lennon - the dog ♥ - and we had a delicious dinner at a very Irish time - it was like 5 pm!. After that, Michael took us back to Tullamore.
Lennon looking at me not so friendly :P
After that couple of hours with the family, I was even more anxious to come back for the summer. I liked everything: the people, the house, the town... and the atmosphere, which is very important to feel safe and happy. So now, final countdown till the 23rd of June!
Then I took Iván to Charleville castle and we walked around Tullamore. Sunday morning we went to Clara Market with Tom and then we invited Rut to have lunch together in a nice restaurant in Tullamore - The Wolftrap. The three of us spent the afternoon together playing pool in St Mary's - I couldn't see Bill because we arrived late on Friday night so we couldn't attend to the Bingo.
Delicious lunch at The Wolftrap
St Mary's YC looks sooo nice!
Round House garden... See you in summer!
On Monday Rut, Iván and I travelled to Belfast. We really liked the city. I thought I wouldn't like it that much. Besides, we had such a good weather... We were so lucky!
Rut and I enjoying Belfast
Panoramic of the city
Albert Clock Memorial with Rut
My boyfriend is soooo funny... :_)
Titanic Museum... What an experience!
Tuesday was a trip day. We did a 9 hours trip along the Antrim Coast. Speechless sometimes. What a beautiful landscapes! And kind of scared another times - crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge!
Antrim Coast
Crossing the bridge
Giant's Causeway
What a view!
Wednesday was the day to say good bye to Rut - actually it was a 'see you soon' because I'm going to a concert in Barcelona in November and I will see her. - Iván and I stayed in Dublin till Friday. These days weren't too good but I was a little bit sick so I didn't enjoy as much as I expected. But Dublin always has something special as you may know.
I'm back!
Vote 'Yes' next 22nd of May. For marriage equality!
And Friday we went back home, Iván finally understanding why I love Ireland and I pleased to know that I'm coming back in a few weeks! So I will share my new experience with you again. I kindly invite you to discover the Au-pair world with me :)
