First I want to say it feels so good to be in a completely different place! The day I left Mountrath I was loving the feeling of sailing into the unknown. One thing I've learned is that I don't want to live a comfortable life. If I am not constantly stretching myself and expanding and getting outside my comfort zone, then I'm simply not living at that point. The bus ride was a couple hours total, and it was another beautiful day in Ireland. I had to switch to another bus in Limerick, and then I was off to my destination in the town of Ennis, a half hour from the west coast. I had a fun time meeting an Ireland native named Karen, whom I was sitting next to. She got off at Ennis as well, and it worked out nicely because I was able to use her phone to give Aidan a call. And I was thinking this whole time that Aidan was a woman, but I was surprised to see a man greeting me. Ha. He picked me up, along with the two other wwoofers who are from Brazil, in an old school jeep that felt like I was getting into a tank. We went into town to do some errands and then sat down at a cafe and got to know each other better, although Diego & Anderson don't speak English fluently, it's good times being around more than one culture at once!
It was awesome seeing the house and the land he has for the first time. It's split up into two different parts kinda like how it was in Mountrath. Aidan sleeps in the main cottage, and then we sleep in this mini house. It's such a chill little place with a loft where two beds are and then I sleep downstairs on a pullout bed. It was interesting to find out Aidan is not growing anything, but rather has a bunch of livestock including several horses, lots of cattle, and 6 dogs. Dinner was amazing! We had steamed carrots, mashed potatoes, salmon, and beans. I love food, so it's been refreshing to be eating a lot of different foods that I haven't had for a while. I want a loft in my home!
I was asking a lot of specific questions because Roy & Bokka were very particular about how things needed to be done, and Aidan finally said, look it's easy going here, I don't give a shit about the work, it's about the experience. Definitely feeling great about the mindset! More my style of going with the flow, rather than the clock in clock out mentality. That sums up how each host and farm is completely different. The first night I went to a concert with Anderson, and it was a blast to be around people my age for a change. All I got to say is I was putting out the freshest vibes.
Love all the animals!
The Greyhounds could outrun me any day.
The next day I learned the morning routine of cleaning out where some of the horses stay, and putting some fresh wheat straw in, and food & water as well. It takes about an hour. It was a nice relaxing day and after dinner I had such a refreshing conversation with Aidan, refreshing because of the openness. So much insight into his life and also where I'm at in my internal journey. It must of been at least two hours straight. It was funny he said, "from the picture you had on your profile I thought you'd be the hippy alternative dude doing reiki, yoga, and mantras." The short hair gives me a completely different look that's for sure. And that night there was another live concert, so we headed out a little after 10. Why not! It was a famous Irish country band, and I do not like country at all, but it was surprisingly good. One of a kind experiences.
The third day I had another very insightful conversation with Aidan, at one point he asked me "who are you Andrew?" And I said well how do I answer that? I could tell you who I am in terms of social roles or identity, like I'm Andrew Marcum, I'm from Salt Lake City, I'm a laid back easy going person, etc, etc, but none of that even touches the surface of who I am. Later he told me some of the deepest moments of his life. It was such a blessing. He said, "I've known you for 3 days, and you know me better than my brother who's known me over 51 years." It was powerful. And it would seem to me true empathy can only be felt if you have been through very similar circumstances and experienced the same feelings. He's a great man, it's just that so many people get so caught up in their own bubble, and fail to appreciate those around them.
The Lads! Diego & Aidan.
I am living in the Shire, I kid you not. I think they just told everyone that they made it in New Zealand but in reality it was made in Ireland. And Diego calls me Chi-Bob. He showed me a cartoon called Mask that's it from. I was dying!
A little bit about Aidan, he has lived in Ireland his whole life but traveled a little bit. He has been in countless horse competitions such as racing and jumping (I don't know if you call it that) for many years. He worked as a psychiatric nurse for around 10 years, and it was never what he wanted to do but was heavily pressured by his Mom because that's what she did. He also worked at a factory where they processed jewels, and it paid really well, but again it wasn't what he wanted to do. But it did allow him to purchase the farm and other things he wanted. He is somewhat of a Jeep enthusiast, he has 4! I am his 41st wwoofer, and he's had a lot of great experiences through that. One wwoofer that stayed with him named Baptista ended up going to another farm in Ireland and married the woman he stayed with! She was married at the time but gave the boot to her husband. Ha! Such stories.
I challenge you to look how epic that grin is, and not smile.
One day I went with Aidan to a hospital that was specifically built for horses. One of his had to get an x-ray. That was unique, something I've never seen before. A lot of horses in Ireland.
One time after dinner I was in one of those moods where I couldn't stop laughing. We had some music going and I was flowin, in the zone, dancing. After that little session he's like, "wow you're amazing." He was blown away. Ha ahhh too much fun.
After dinner one night Aidan, Diego, and I went through a couple fields to check out another cottage Aidan owns on his land. He had re-built the entire place, it had such a simple old school log cabin feel to it. Somewhere where I'd easily live. Then we continued on to visit Kenneth who owns a brand new house with this view!!! Wow! And here in Ireland alcohol is a part of the culture. Most people I've seen will have a beer with dinner, and for example this night Kenneth offered everyone a beer. It's just part of the lifestyle. I took a 7-UP instead. We got a tour of the place, and it was a modern design and literally brand new. I didn't even see dust anywhere ha. Aidan & Kenneth had an hour or so long chat while Diego and I watched a movie on plants on his new 3D tv! That was shweet.
What an unreal view from Kenneth's house.
3 Amigos
And I purchased a ticket last week from Rome to Morocco for 45 euros plus a little extra for my pack but wow what a deal! So after Sicily, Morocco for 3 months, and then back to Europe.
