Monday, November 28, 2011

I.F. O.N.L.Y.

So my time in Ireland seems to be flying by, and my intentions of taking class every week in Dublin have not exactly played out as planned... but I have been blessed with a nice rehearsal space at the Abbey Road Artists' Studios in Athlone and have been able to work some on my own. That being said, I submitted some solo work for Mamuska Night at International Festival of a Necessarily Lonely You and was asked to perform! The festival is hosted each year in Birr by Legitimate Bodies Dance Company. I was able to participate in wonderful workshops, see amazing performances, meet and connect with lovely dancers from Ireland and all over the world, and perform myself for the first time since graduating college!
I performed a short solo I choreographed titled Pathways. Many thanks to Katrin Rehlein for the photographs below. 
The festival was an amazing experience, filled with wonderful movement and passionate people!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Cliffs of Moher

As mom and I realized our free days left for touring were becoming fewer and farther between, we booked a day tour of the Cliffs of Moher. A place people have continuously told us to visit, and we now know why... 
The cliffs are absolutely breathtaking!
I could have sat up there all day looking down at the waves crashing into the rocks below.
It is though, rather dangerous and there are sings posted everywhere to be careful, yet people still climb under the rope to get closer to the edge. 
Now I understand wanting to get that exhilarating feeling as your feet dangle over the edge, soaking in the sun and sea around you - but after reading the numerous death reports (just while we have been in Ireland) from the various cliffs around Ireland - I think I will stick to the safer spots. Believe me, the view is still incredible!
There is also a beautiful visitors centre at the Cliffs with tons of information and even an interactive area for kids (or 23 year olds...) to play around in!
The sun was just starting to set beautifully as we left the Cliffs of Moher. Amazing!
Daylight held out a bit longer for us to see some more sights on the way back including the Polunabrone portal tomb. 
The rocky landscape around the tomb was just as interesting to me as the tomb itself.

One last stop in the last bit of daylight (that's the problem with tours late in the year - the sun starts to set around 4:30pm) but I think the low light was perfect ambiance for the fairy ring we walked around.
A fairy ring is a sacred circle of trees, with a small tree in the middle, here people have tied ribbons and papers to the small tree.
An amazing day filled with beautiful cliffs and magical fairy rings!

Monday, November 7, 2011

London!

Ah London, such a lovely place to visit for my first trip out of Ireland! 
Right after Carrie and Jon left, I had plans to visit a good friend of mine from OU who is now studying at the London School of Economics. We realized we would be living drastically closer to each other in Ireland and England than we were living in Georgia and Oklahoma, so I just had to make the trip over!
So much beautiful architecture to take in! Crossing the Millenium Bridge in London there is a nice view of the contrasting "new" and "old" London.
I was able to spend some time strolling through Tate Modern, taking in the masterpieces 
I always love seeing school field trips in art gallerys :)
Then walked down the street to Shakespeare's Globe. It is always amazing to be standing where so much history happened.
Walking through the streets of London it was hard to keep my camera down, so much to see in this city!
And of course I had to keep documenting Occupy!
Across town to see the Olympic countdown in front of the National Gallery!
And take a touristy photo in front of the Lions
Over to Westminster and Big Ben!
Bax and I stopped in a little pub across the street from Big Ben and had a pint. It was so surreal to standing outside a pub having a beer with my friend from Oklahoma, staring up at Big Ben!
Then we headed over to Westminster Abbey - breathtaking!
To make our full tourist day complete, we headed over to Buckingham Palace!
Unfortunately the queen must have been busy as she did not invite me in for tea... 
Then we strolled down the Princess Diana Memorial walk back to the Tube.
The next day we headed over to the Victoria and Albert Museum. So many amazing things to see inside, but one of my favorite things was sitting out in the gardens enjoying the beautiful day!
My last night in London just happened to be Guy Fawkes so I was able to see some fireworks!
And enjoy a nice pint with good friends!
A great trip to London!