Today we had another excursion, this time to the seaside village of Howth. After our early departure yesterday, it was very nice to have a slow morning leading up to the short bus trip and train hop. Upon our arrival, we went to the public market where there was food, jewelry, and people aplenty. We discussed the importance of where you come from during our Croke Park visit and I experienced that first hand today when I conversed with one of the vendors for a solid fifteen minutes.

The market is not only a social hub, it is also an economic one. Howth Market is a big tourist attraction for the town. Many people visit on the weekends as a day trip from Dublin, as we did. This influx of people allows the small square to bustle with interactions and transactions.

After a nice lunch, during which Micah “learned” how to use chopsticks from Minori and Jess, the group followed Brad to a trail he was fond of. Even before getting on it, we saw the beauty of the shore and were excited to continue. The trail ended up being much more difficult than expected, as it was very steep at times, but I was grateful that it was not nearly as muddy as yesterday. The area felt rather remarkably not Irish. With the green waters, white columns, and islands with boats going to and fro, Howth felt much more Grecian. It was a good reminder to avoid stereotyping and appreciate the world for how it is rather than how it is perceived.

The coast was very beautiful. While I personally prefer the imposing Cliffs of Moher, the idyllic path was hardly anything to complain about. I am very grateful that we were able to see the two completely different seasides back to back, as it allowed the contrasts to stick out more.