Last Updated on December 17, 2018 by Cat Rogliano
Many Americans look for a way to celebrate our holidays and traditions while abroad. There are several aspects of America that I miss while living in a foreign culture, namely quality Mexican food, ice in drinks, and good air conditioning. I searched far and wide to find an appropriate way to celebrate the fourth while on a weekend getaway to Dublin, Ireland. After many internet searches, I came up short. That is until I came up with a brilliant idea! Why not spend American Independence day embodying the true American spirit of adventure?
I envisioned myself and my friend to be the modern day Lewis and Clark. Together we would explore the Irish countryside and seek out great adventure in the land of rainbows and leprechauns. Thus, my friend Hannah and I signed up to go on a 13 hour tour of the Irish countryside, a voyage to the literal end of the earth.
On the tour we went to some small Irish country towns and stopped along the way at ancient castles. We were driven in a bus along windy roads in the middle of the woods as we traveled three hours to our destination: the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs are one of the most well known natural landmarks in Ireland, created thousands of years ago by the melting of glaciers that once dominated the European continent. This process created shocking cliffs that look out over the ocean for miles. It was truly spectacular.
We were given a few hours to walk along the cliffs and hike along the paths to explore these marvels of nature. It was easily one of the coolest and most awe-inspiring things I have ever done in my life. I don’t consider myself a “nature person” by any means, but seeing these cliffs made me feel like a true explorer and made me so appreciative of the natural environment of the UK. I am really happy that for the day of American Independence, my friend and I were able to become modern day Irish Lewis and Clark. Even though I was thousands of miles away from home and standing on the edge of a cliff, I’d never felt more like an American in the best possible way. I got out there and explored the world, and that is the true American spirit of adventure.
