Ireland Day 2 - 10 minutes walk.

My 10 minute walk

I decided to day when I went to visit Spencer to try to find the local Mormon church.  I got directions from my B&B family to the hospital - a 10 minutes walk they said.  I looked on my map and decided if I go a little farther I can go on the road where the church is supposed to be.  I said supposed to be because I never found it, but I did have a lovely hike.  I walked for about 2 hours.  I did visit Spencer and he was sleeping and very drugged, so I had a nice 5 minute visit before he decided to sleep again.  Sleep sometimes is the best medicine!  

This 10 minute walk is so funny to me!  I actually saw a sign that pointed in a direction and said some type of attraction was 10 minutes one way and another attraction was 10 minutes in the opposite direction.  Unfortunately, it was on the other side of the road, and I didn't want to get run over for a great picture.  Half way between the 10 minute walk from the hospital to the B&B, I asked a store clerk for directions, and she said, "It'll be about a 10 minute walk."  I cracked up right there in the middle of the store.  She must have thought I was crazy! 

My Rock Walls

One thing I wanted to see was rock walls along the roads in Ireland.  I have seen several movies with that and it just seemed lovely.  (I'm thinking P.S., I love you and Leap Year.) There are rock walls everywhere, in fact I saw a bridge with flat cement facing the water and stones put in as a facade on the side facing the road. 

Here is unusual bush.  It had these
popcorn-like bulbs.   I wish I had a
better picture to show you!

Here is an example of the many rock walls
I saw on my hike today.

Road Signs are a bit unusual in Galway, Ireland.  They are written in Gaelic and English.  They drive on the other side of the road, so I have to check, recheck, and recheck again when I cross the road.

 

There are great bike paths there.  The bike sidewalk for walkers is one level, the bike paths are a little lower, and the road itself is on the lowest level.  I thought this was great because the bikes have their own lane that is not on the road.

I was so confused by this sign.  I think that it means watch out for the bikes, but I'm still not quite sure.  If a bike was going straight then the bike would still be hit even if they veered to the left to go right.  I don't get it.  Thank heaven I'm not driving here.  I thought it would be easy to get used to since I drove in New Zealand on the opposite side of the road, but it's been way too long!

 Here are some lovely flowers just outside my B&B.  It's a really lovely garden!

Life, Death, and Religion

Aunt Claudia

It is funny how the death of someone really makes you look at your own life.  This weekend, my aunt Claudia passed away.  She had cancer and she had no pain.  I think of my father's last week of life and thank heaven that Claudia went so easily.  She was a very funny lady and my cousin - her granddaughter asked Claudia what she wanted to be for Halloween.  Claudia replied, "Lady Gaga!"  She was much hipper than my mom, who wouldn't have a clue who Lady Gaga was.  Claudia, I'm going to miss your wide smile and your helpful heart!

Women's Conference

This weekend, I have been thinking a lot about religion and spirituality.  Not only was this reflection caused by my Aunt's passing, but also because this week was also Women's Conference.  Women's Conference is when the women leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints give talks about various religious topics.  These conferences always inspire me to be a better person and I really enjoy listening to them.  http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/archive/general-relief-society-meeting/2012/09?lang=eng 

Afterlife - Agree to Disagree

I also have a very good friend who is an atheist.  He does not believe in any type of afterlife.  It is mind boggling to me how we can both have such conviction in our beliefs and be at the polar opposite ends of the spectrum.  I cannot imagine a world in which death is the end.  It seems so obvious to me that the spirit leaves the body.  I have felt the presence of my dad, grandparents, and others who have passed away.  It is a very interesting debate, one leaving us both with our same beliefs, but with more respect for everyone's right to believe what they may.

Separation of Church and State

I teach future teachers at Grand Canyon University, which is a Christian college.  My students go on and on about how religion should be brought back into the classroom.  Although I am a very religious person, I am an even bigger advocate in religious equality.  I always ask my students which religion they want in the schools.  Should it be Christian, Buddhism, Hinduism, Muslim, Jewish, or some other religion?  What about parents who are atheists and don't want any religion?  I am great with people believing what they wish to believe.  I am not okay with teachers choosing for their students what to teach them about religion.  Let's leave that to parents.  Thank heaven for separation of church and state because that is the law, no matter how much the teachers I teach want religion to be a part of schools.  Be careful what you wish for!