Fish cakes and sea lions

The weather today blessed with good enough weather to last through our journey through Malahide. We walked beneath ancient trees intwined with ivy only to emerge at Malahide Castle (and of course I aquired a healthy collection of Irish pinecones). What amazes me the most is the amount of care and pride the Irish keep in these treasures. We joked on the way back how if that estate were in America, it would have been a parking lot right now. All of the hundreds of years they fought to keep their world intact, I think that undying loyalty reflects in the cheerful attitude they hold today. The trees alone were enough for my excitement to know I'm Irish. I'm in Ireland!! My friends and I say it every day, still trying to digest the concept. How lucky we are.

We continued to Howth, a town on the coast well known for its fishing. While we waited for a table at the Oar House, we strolled along the docks and took in the boats and frigid breeze. When I hear Maggie say, "Julia, come quick!", I run over to come ten feet away from a family of sea lions. The looked like cartoons, certainly too cute for real life. Sleek and black, with white whiskers all over. Some dogs spotted them and went crazy and it seemed as though the sea lions were mocking them, knowing they were safe in the water below. We waved to them and they waved back to us! The one rolled back on his belly and flapped his fin at us. It was unbelievable!

After lunch it started to rain and our day was cut short, but it definitely did not lack any excitement. Tomorrow we'll return to Howth for a hike up the mountain. I hear you can see all the way down the southern coast for about 100 miles or so.

Pictures will be coming soon, I know my words can't paint a fair picture for this world I'm in.