40 Shades of Green

The very first overwhelming difference between Ireland and home was just how GREEN everything is. Watching out of the airplane’s window, I was entranced before we even touched the ground. I had heard the saying that Ireland has “40 shades of green” but did not realize how accurate that statement was. The temperate and generally wet climate of the island creates the perfect environment for lush forestry and plants of all kinds. It may rain a lot, but rain is a small price to pay for stunning natural beauty all around.

At Wicklow National Park, the picturesque view of Guinness Lake from one of the many mountaintops across the county was just as impressive as the ground view where a trail through the woods directly out of a fairy tail opened up to the view of a stream cutting between two mountains, flowing into a glacier lake as smooth as glass. Even in the inner city, the greenery shines through the cement in patches of bright green grass and clovers in every corner.

Transitioning into the lifestyle of a brand new country is definitely not easy, but the unique beauty that Ireland has in spades made it easy to remember why the struggles are worth it. Nothing could have prepared me for what it’s been like to live abroad, but with the unavoidable difficulties presented were an equal amount of awe inspiring and unbelievable moments that have already changed me for the better.

Flight into Dublin

Wicklow National Park