Dairy farm day one-
Well we made it to Durrus Ireland in county cork- western cork and about 2 and a half hours from where we live in cork city. Let me start off by saying that the bus ride alone was a sight to see. Being so close to the city we forget about the beauty of rural Ireland and that it exists- even though it's what we came here to see. It was so nice to finally be able to see some green again rather than the traffic lights.. It's been a couple weeks. Anyhow once we arrived in Durrus we met up with Amy! She is just so welcoming and loving- she had studied in Ireland abroad when she was in college and is from Iowa. When she was abroad she ended up meeting her husband now rob! They are a young couple and newly weds who have welcomed students to stay weekends on their dairy farm with them and get a sense of what rural Ireland and culture is like! They are precious and just so willing to go out of their way to make you feel at home. Their home is gorgeous and you feel such a warmth when you walk in- she really knows how to decorate and everything has a wood finish, making it feel like a rural cottage. My favorite part was the kitchen- where Amy had rob paint one of the walls with black chalkboard paint- I just loved it. We arrived and settled into our rooms while Amy had set the table for some afternoon tea and chatting! She made us banana muffins and some cookies to go along with our tradition Barry's tea- a cork tradition and as rob says the best tea! We literally were chatting and having tea for a couple hours- talking about everything and anything. Our favorite topics were Amy and robs love story.. Which was better than any ps I love you kind of movie, and how Amy is expecting a baby in July!!! We had taken a little break to go feed the neighbors horse after tea and feed him some carrots before Rob cooked all of the women dinner! While doing do us women chatted about the best places to be in cork, where to eat and what to do- we really got to know Amy pretty well and how sweet and down to earth she is. It was also nice that she studied abroad at UCC here as well! For dinner rob had made us the traditional Irish meal which would be a normal dinner most nights- 2 or 3 types of potatoes, vegg, plenty of vegg, some meat- we had roasted chicken with potatoes mashed, baked, and sweet potatoes, with some carrots, turnip, and some stuffing balls with some sparking ale! So delicious and never been so full! It was so nice to finally have a really meal. And even though it's not home, being here is so comforting and cozy- a nice change from the apartment. On Friday nights Amy and rob have a bible study with their friends from church- they really center god in their life and there are bible quotes everywhere in their home- I loved it. We got to meet some young adults our age and chat for awhile before they began- we watched a movie and relaxed by the fire while they did that, and it was so comforting. they really are the sweetest people and I love them and this place- it's nice that Amy is from the states and that they are so young that they are fun to be around as well. The Irish usually only heat one room in their home and that is usually the living room while the rest gets super cold! My fingers are freezing as I'm typing this but we brought TONS of layers! We didn't explore to much today but tomorrow we will be on the farm for the better part of the day and I can't wait. One of robs friends and his dad's farm not too far away from here have pregnant cows- and are due any minute. We told rob to wake us up I even in the early morning or middle of the night to see the cow be born! I really hope it's tonight, we all can't wait!! Keeping fingers crossed! It was a great day of chatting and seeing another side to Ireland- a more rural side but one that really felt comforting. I can't wait to see what's in store for tomorrow on the farm, and Amy's breakfast in the morning- because the food they make is delicious!!

Until next time,
Cheers!