I traveled to Dublin, Ireland this weekend with my study abroad group. I had never been there before– when I thought of Ireland, I pictured the rural. While Dublin wasn’t what I stereotypically expected (rainbows and endless greenery and cows freely roaming), I still had an amazing 48 hours living and learning in a personally unfamiliar, historic, stunning city.

On our second day, we were given the choice to go on an optional nature walk (**hike**). I was on the fence about going, but I ended up deciding to go. The countryside was what I pictured when I thought of Ireland– and while the city of Dublin was incredible, I couldn’t wait to see the rainbows and endless greenery and cows freely roaming.

The walk was a 2.5-hour trek along the Irish countryside: and yes, it was just as beautiful as it sounds. I brought my camera with me– I couldn’t wait to take pictures of the view at the top.

I took pictures along the way, as I desperately tried to capture everything I saw, in hopes to never forget it. Sometimes I didn’t even know what I was taking pictures of, but I took them anyway. I was so excited to be there, and even more so, I was so excited to get to the top of the hill. I couldn’t wait for the view and to finally see the stereotypical Ireland I had sketched out in my head.

We reached the top: dehydrated and out of breath, but we reached the top. The view was undoubtedly beautiful. I took so many pictures. I was satisfied that I made it to the top, and I was thrilled to take pictures of the long-awaited view.

After the pictures and videos and the attempt to soak it all in, we followed the path back down the hill, headed towards the train station, and eventually made our way back to the hostel where we were staying. I turned on my camera and couldn’t wait to see all the pictures I took at the top.

The pictures I took at the top were beautiful, because the view was beautiful. I kept scrolling and eventually got back to the first pictures I took: these pictures were not of “the view”– they were of the beginning of the walk, people who I went on the walk with, houses I passed during the walk.

I took these pictures because I was excited. I didn’t think I can’t wait to take pictures of the beginning of the walk, or, I can’t wait to take pictures of the people on the walk with me, or, I can’t wait to take pictures of the houses I pass during the walk! All I was focused on was “the view”. I’m glad my excitement drove me to take these pictures, because if I only listened to my head, I would have missed out on capturing some truly beautiful things.

Greg Anderson once said, “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. ”

I spent my weekend in Dublin, Ireland. I didn’t see any rainbows, or endless greenery, or cows roaming freely. I spent 2.5 hours walking along the Irish coastline, anxiously awaiting “the view”. And while I made it to the top, I found myself overlooking all the beautiful things that were on the way there.

I didn’t expect to spend my weekend in urban Ireland, but I did, and it was beautiful. I didn’t expect to enjoy the hike more than the view, but I did, and it was beautiful.