We started out with a 9 a.m. tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory. It was pretty amazing to see how they made it. If you want to be an engraver of Waterford, it will take you ten years to be authorized. If you JUST want to be a carver, it will only take you 7 years. However, carvers are paid by the piece...so you certainly wouldn't want to mess up. A couple of our delegates got to practice carving... Jennifer and Melanie.BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.
We had been advised not to buy any crystal from the plant...but to wait until we got to the Blarney Woolen Mills where the prices would be a lot less...which they were.
Our very Irish bus driver, Mr. O'Brien, taught us a very Irish song. He actually started teaching it to us yesterday when he picked us up. The kids were ready this morning to sing it again. It's called, "Don't Give Up" and it starts like this:
Don't give up till it's over
Don't quit if you can
The weight of the world on your shoulders
Will make you a stronger man
You'll hear it once we get home. There's 3 verses...which we're all learning. What I wrote for you is the chorus.
So... our next stop was the town of Blarney. We shopped at the Woolen Mills for a couple of hours... stopped for lunch... and then went to Blarney Castle. We all climbed the 127 small, circular stairs, holding on for dear life to a rope, and made our way to the top of the castle where we took our turns kissing the Blarney Stone. Rumor says, kissing the stone makes one more eloquent. We'll see about that. Kristin said she had heard that kissing it would also make you a chatterbox... oh dear!BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.
We then took a 2 1/2 hour drive to our next stop...where we are now.BubbleShare: Share photos - Powered by BubbleShare
After dinner tonight, we had a group of about 10 local young Irish musicians -ages 13 - 17 - and their 20 year old teacher, who came to the hotel and played traditional Irish music. Two of them, dressed in their dancing clothes, also danced for us. Then... here's the fun part... they taught ALL of us how to do some Irish dancing. ALL of us... it was such a fun evening. They played and taught us for 2 hours.. The group asked our group to get up and sing or dance for them. We had some volunteers... Jennifer got up and sang 2 different songs, Mackenzie sang a song, as did Jess. Then we had a group song by Tyler, Alex C., Nick R., and ... I'll have to fill in the fourth one tomorrow..actually I may have one of those three singers incorrect. I'll have to check my photos to see who it was. It was so much fun to watch them all dancing and having a grand time in a totally different way. Then for the next hour, our group sat around and talked, laughed, and danced some more.BubbleShare: Share photos - Powered by BubbleShare
Jacob, took the microphone at the end, and thanked the group for coming and playing for us, and teaching us to dance. He presented their teacher with one of our pins. The teacher told us it was the first time a group has thanked them, much less stuck around and interacted with them.
This just goes to confirm what I've said on this blog... what a great group of delegates we have!
Tomorrow is our 'dirty day'... we'll be doing our service project, helping the elderly. We should be muddy by the end of the day. We're only at this hotel one night...so hopefully I'll be able to post again tomorrow night.
Cheers!
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4 comments:
I have been considering sending my daughter on one of these trips and was doing a little research. I am glad that I ran across your blog. You do a great job describing the trip.
Hi Judy, hi group,
Man, what can I say? Judy, thanks ever so much for your daily updates. Gosh. It all sounds so cool. Whenever I read your blog (and the comments accompanying it) I do get so choked up and watery-eyed out of happiness and joy for my son and the other great young adults that are on this wonderful experience with(in my opinion) 4 A-ONE delegation leaders. Steve, Sue, Kristen, and of course, you Judy. You all are tops in my book! And to the parents/friends who also leave comments, thank you all.It is truely the highlight of my day. I am aware that you are losins sleep, Judy, to post for us. 10:30 to 11:30 at night, Europe time. Thank you! Well, I'm not much at typing. I pecked all this with one finger. Just had to contribute and acknowledge that your efforts are very special. God bless you all and godspeed!
Truely, Bob Neumann (Kris's dad).
Judy,
Thanks for all the reports on the trip, sounds like everyone is having a great time.
Bill and Donna R
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