Things I have come to a new respect for:
1) Lotion. The usefulness of lotion is suddenly extremely apparent.
2) Belts. Are a great invention.
3) Toilets. Flushing toilets are surprisingly luxurious. Especially ones with non-see-through doors and locks.
4) Wool socks. They make all the difference in keeping warm.
5) Dry weather. Rain is in fact not completely joyous in all situations. Such as harvesting. Harvesting in the rain actually kind of sucks.
6) Clean clothing! It’s wonderful having clothing that doesn’t smell like goats. And as a bonus isn’t caked with mud.
7) And dryers!! Dryers are so novel. Who knew how wonderful dryers were? (UPDATE: Actually, this was written at the beginning of the trip. I am now less than enthralled with dryers. Luxury, not necessity.)
8) Nettles. Despite the awfulness of touching them, nettles are freaking delicious. (boil ’em, blend ’em, stick ’em in a stew…)
9) Having long(ish (for me anyways)) hair. Didn’t see that one coming. Ever again. But it’s true, my hair is longer than usual and it is really quite optimal in conjunction with the vivacious Irish wind.
10) Pubs. Irish pubs are absolutely the best things in the world. Everything you could possibly need, can be found inside the warmth of an Irish pub. Phone? Yeah. Internet? Yep. Place to store your luggage while you traipse the city? Check. A not-ridiculously-marked-up cup of tea to go with your internet? absolutely. Friendly people who are willing to help with whatever you happen to ask them? Pretty sure that’s a bingo.
11) Butter. I have never liked butter. Which is weird for a baker-y, chef-y type person. I’ve always preferred margarine, despite it’s completely inexcusable nutritional makeup. Butter just tastes gross. I’ve often wondered how people could ruin a perfectly good slice of bread by asphyxiating it with butter. But. Irish butter. Irish butter is a completely different thing. It is so creamy, and tasty, and…it actually improves a slice of bread!
12) Hitchhiking. Yeah, that way to achieve certain death that you always hear about? Mmm, not so true. That stereotype is specific to individual countries. And even in said countries I wonder how true it actually is. I personally really enjoyed my hitchhiking experiences. The people were lovely, and there is something about having to rely on others that strips you of the belief that you are in control. I refrained from hitchhiking during the latter part of this particular trip to appease my parents, but shhhhh!, I’m pretty sure there will be further hitchhiking ventures in my future.
13) Cell phones. Yes, not having a cell phone was glorious. Oh, what a wonderful feeling that was. But, alas not having a mobile did not only affect me. Admittedly it would have been loads easier/quicker to connect with CS hosts, Wwoof hosts, and other new friends if I had a mobile. Conceded, I’ll ameliorate the issue in the future. Maybe…
14) The sun. It’s true, the sun is actually pleasant in moderation!
You want there to be a fifteenth, don’t you? Too bad! There are fourteen. Deal with it.