IRELAND!

I have decided not even to attempt to describe Wales. Any description of the scenery, or the kindness of the people, or the warmth I felt from the moment I left the train in Holyhead to when I boarded the ferry this morning bound for Ireland could not express the area. I walked to the ocean on the day I was there in foul weather and found that all the pictures I took on my camera could not do justice to the view and the sensations I was treated to. To experience Wales, I'm afraid you have to go there (which is pretty much true of all the places that I have been, but especially so with Wales).
Have you ever felt that you were in excatly the right place at the right time, as if you were destined to be in one certain spot at one specific time in you life? I may be playing it a bit dramatically, but that is how I felt about being on the coast of Wales high above the waves as they met the shore.
As I said, I have pictures, but they are completely inadequate.
I boarded the ferry early this afternoon, sad to be leaving Wales, the people, and even the livestock. After a wonderful lazy morning eating a tuna fish sandwich and drinking heavily sugared coffee in the Hostel talking to the owner and the cleaning lady about the weather and my impending trip to Ireland, I took a taxi to the Holyhead Port.
In the Port, the foot passengers, myself included, were bustled onto buses that would take us to the ferry (which was more like a cruise ship complete with resturants, shopping, movies, and lounges, than a ferry). I connected here with one of my fellow passenger, a middle aged, English woman by the name of Jace. We talked about my travels, her reasons for going to Ireland, and her daughter, who had attended the University of Tennesse for a year.
On the ship, I found a seat close to the windows overlooking the sea with no horizon (I sweat the ocean almost seemlessly melted into the clouds) reading from my Kindle (I have come to the conclusion that this was one of the best purchases I have made in my entire life).
We were again sheperded onto the buses to debark at Dublin Port, where I connected again with Jace. We went through customs (one of the most painless procedures of my life) and collected our bags.
Note to all current and future travellers: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS. Here I am in Dublin Port, having no idea how to get to my hostel, only knowing it was called Generator Hostel and that it was located in Dublin at Smithfield Square. Jace comes up to me, and offers me a ride with her in her taxi. And as we have been talking I already know that she is late for a function (a televised ball, no less) and is meeting her husband for their 23rd Anniversary. She insists it will be no trouble for the taxi to let me off at my spot. I resest, telling her that I have no euros to pay her back and that I wouldn't want her to be any more late than she was. I must not have protested enough, because soon my huge backpack is being lifted into the boot of the taxi with her tiny suitcase.
I probably will never meet Jace again, and I don't even know her last name. But let me tell you, I will never, ever, ever, forget her. I was tired and hungry, and she took care of me for 20 minutes.
By the way, Dad, if you are freaking out, it was a registered taxi, completely safe. I, of course, checked before I got into the car.
This has not been my only experience with the kindness of strangers here in Europe. There was the woman who stopped me on the streets of Salisbury when I was lost and tired to ask if I was alright. When I told her I was, she simply told me to "remember that Jesus loves you." I have never been a religious person, but I was reminded that here people look out for each other.
Or even the kindness of people you know, like Mrs. Strohm who offered not only to let me crash with her for a couple of days in London, but as I was leaving also indicated that her door in London was always open to me. And that I was free to use it as spot for crash landing if I ever got tired of Ireland.
Or the the kindness of the  people in Holyhead, who, when I asked for directions, had no problems pointing me in the right direction. Especially, the kindness of the  people who walked me parts of the way to my destination, out of the way of theirs.
Or of the cleaning lady, who took 15 minutes of her time to  talk to me about my trip and calm me of my homesickness.
So, after all that blabbling, I just want to extend a huge "thank you" those who have helped me on this trip so far (and it's only been a week). I know that without the encouragement and the warm smiles (and the free rides!) that I would probably be packing up my bag right now and heading home.
Fortunately, I am too excited for all the people I'm going to meet to do that just yet.