Baile Atha Cliath...3

Well I was a VERY good tourist today. Kind of. One slight pet peeve in Dublin...everything closes around 5-6:30. And then it is just time to drink. Normally I wouldn't have a huge problem with that, but I had a full schedule today!

Anyway, I got up early and went straight to the Guinness Storehouse. It was amazing. Seriously, it's worth stopping over in Dublin for a day just to see it! I followed the advice I'd heard and went early in the morning. Good call, because there was no line. I took my time meandering through the whole thing. The advertising section was cool. I really like the funny ads with the zoo animals. Anyway, the whole process of making Guinness and sending it out was really fascinating.

The top floor was the Gravity Bar where you get a "complimentary" pint of Guinness (even though you paid 12.60 to get in) but it was still good. Even at 12:30...on an empty stomach...okay, not my best idea thus far. When I left, the line to get in was around the block. Hahahahahaha, I am so clever!

Next stop was the Jameson Distillery. Unlike the Guinness storehouse, this is strictly a museum, not a working plant. It was not nearly as interesting. I would skip it next time around. But we got a complimentary drink at the end with our choice of mixer. I had Jameson and Coke...it was delicious. My stomach was beginning to hate me though. Can't say I blamed it.

I went back to the hostel after that and dropped some stuff off. Then I headed out to Trinity College to have a look at the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is an ancient Celtic manuscript detailing the Gospels. It's really beautifully done, but basically you are looking at an old book. Not a sight for those with ADD. Then I went upstairs to the Long Room where they have a huge library lined with busts of famous philosophers, writers and scientists. It's really pretty. The one downer about the whole place was that you weren't allowed to take pictures. Boooooooooo!

Then I walked up to Dublin Castle. I went in and took some pictures of the outside of the buildings but entry is by guided tour only and they were full up for the day. Too bad. So I decided to head over to the Dublinia exhibit and tour of Christ Church Cathedral. Unfortunately the last one starts at 4:15 and it was 5:00. Ahhh, frustrating!

So I took a walk to take some pictures of things that I saw but hadn't documented. The Spire (it was supposed to be the Millenium Spire but wasn't finished in time) is this really tall, super pointless structure in the middle of Dublin's busiest road. Apparently the locals hate it. There are also some statues along the road and the post office that served as the headquarters for the 1916 revolution (BIG deal). Then I walked back over the Liffey River and took pictures there. I continued to Temple Bar and then ended back at the hostel.

My legs were quite tired so I stopped back in at the hostel for a quick sit-down before Liam picked me up. I had dinner at Sadie and Liam's house which is only 20 minutes away from my hostel driving. Their daughter Mary and her fiance Martin were there as well. The Ireland-Namibia match was on in the background and we all enjoyed a good Irish win. The food was delicious and we all had a good time. Sadie sent me off with some pictures which was nice to have since I completely forgot to take any of all of us!

Back at the hostel I re-packed all my bags, hopped in the shower, set my alarm and got ready for bed...PARIS TOMORROW!!!!!

Baile Atha Cliath...2

What a day...I didn't manage to drag myself out of bed until 9 am...which is bad when I need to stay programmed for 8 (how else am i going to see the sights???). I went and found a coffee shop first thing. Coffee and water. Apparently the Irish don't believe in being strung out on caffeine all day the way Americans do because the large coffees here are not even small coffees in the States. Not that they don't cost as much. Oh well...

I walked around a bit taking it all in. Dublin really is a beautiful city. It looks relatively new because in 1916 there was a revolution and parts of the city were completely destroyed. But then the building next to it will be from the 1200's. Coolness.

I called Sadie when I got back and we arranged to meet outside my hostel at 2. I had about an hour and a half so I decided to go have a kebab. It came with chips (french fries) and a teeney-tiny pop. I couldn't finish the sandwich, the chips or the pop. Oh well, it was delicious. I still had about an hour left so I decided to go in search of a book. I finished the Russian novel I was reading but it's the first of a trilogy so I decided to go find the second one. I had to walk all the way across the city to find the big bookstore and when I got there I found out it was on order. Apparently it's a lot more popular here than in the US (as in no one back home has ever heard of it with the exception of Lili). Boo.

I walked back to the hostel and got there just in time. Sadie and Liam were outside. We decided that I would go over to their house for dinner tomorrow but Sadie was taking me on the City Tour today!

We climbed onto one of the double decker buses and it drives past all the major sights in the city. You buy a ticket and then you can get off wherever you want to go and get back on to go to the next one. The tickets are good for 24 hours so I can still use it tomorrow (tours start at 9:30 so I have to be ready by then). We passed the Guinness storehouse (I'm going tomorrow morning), the Jameson distillery (stop 2 tomorrow), Trinity College (stop 3) and some other fun places. Sadie was taking me to the jail though because there is a picture with our relatives in it hanging in the museum. Very cool. So I went on the tour through Kilmainham Gaol and got a crash course in Irish history. It was actually really interesting.

We finished up the bus tour around the city. Then she dropped me back at the hostel and I am going to their house tomorrow night at 6:30 for dinner. I haven't decided what I am doing tonight. I have to see what everyone else it up to. Just as long as I can get up tomorrow! Right now we are all sitting around watching England play Israel in football (soccer) on BBC sports. It's also the rugby world cup this week so that's been on every day and night as well. Good fun!

Oh, and as I post this my Buckeyes are playing...GO BUCKS!!!!!!

Baile Átha Cliath...

Well, it was quite a journey (and by that I mean it took ALL day) but I made it to Dublin!!!

I was only in Galway for 30 minutes or so before we boarded the bus. I fell asleep for at least half of the trip. When I woke up I knew we were in Dublin because I was greeted by the sight of the Guinness Storehouse. Sweet!!

It took quite some time to orient myself and find the hostel, but eventually I did and settled in. I went to my room, locked my stuff up and went in search of other backpackers. I found the common room where a good number of people were chatting and watching "My Super Sweet 16." I am embarrassed for America. Seriously.

I was starving and one other guy was as well so we walked down the street and found a nice place to eat. We both got bangors and mash. Interesting stuff. Turns out he is from Canada and was just in Dublin for the night. We went back to the hostel (he was in the same dorm as me...along with 22 other people) and we got a small group together to go to Temple Bar which is the big pub district. We decided to go for a pub crawl so as not to get bored or spend too much in one place. The beer was a bit pricey but I was prepared for that. We got Guinness and Bommer's everywhere we went. Very tasty. We took pictures with a street performer dressed as a mime and then the mime kissed Marie. She was shocked...it was hilarious.

We went to a nice pub with pool tables and such. Rob and Peter challenged me and Marie to a game of foosball in which we OWNED them. Haha, mostly on accident I scored 2 goals though I was playing defense, haha. Marie and I raced cars at the arcade and then just played a bit. Loads of fun but we were starting to get quite drunk.

We got ourselves back to the hostel in one piece. A great night all in all. Tomorrow I think I am going to Sadie's house and hopefully will meet the whole family.

Oh and P.S. I LOVE Dublin!!!!!!

Leenaun...2

I didn't really have nearly the plan today as I did yesterday. Margaret and Paeder went to Westport and there is not really a whole lot to do so I decided to go for a walk and take loads of pictures. I decided to go to Aasleagh Falls which is a solid 3-4 miles away. Seemed like a good way to while away the hours.

Along the way I took pictures of the mountains and whatnot. It really is quite gorgeous but, well, I am not all that big a nature fan, haha. It was a BEAUTIFUL day though so it was not a bad walk. Across the street from the church was a graveyard where I found quite a few of my relations. Morbid, I know, but you couldn't choose a more beautiful seeing to be buried in.

Eventually I got to the falls (amazingly without being hit by a car) and took some pictures. Which was really the whole point but was still a bit of a letdown. It felt good to walk though.

I went back, which seemed to go quicker although I stopped more frequently for pictures. I got back and realized that I was exhausted. The fresh air might be good for me but it takes a lot out of you. I settled for a nap. When I woke up I saw that I had got a teeny bit sunburned. Nothing terrible, but I really must be more careful. I read for a while and then went into town. I met Paeder and all of his buddies and their sons at the local pub and enjoyed a Guinness and a game of poker. I didn't have much luck, but it passed the time.

I went home before the night was up since I have to be up early tomorrow. I have to go a few towns over to catch the bus back to Galway and then another to Dublin. Yay!

Leenaun...

Well, I was up and ready to go by 8 am today. I took a traditional Irish breakfast and then got ready for the day. Maureen told me where I could find Margaret and Paeder's home so I walked through the town, up the hill and then decided that I had found it. I went and knocked on the door and Paeder answered and welcomed me inside.

The three of us sat and gabbed for awhile (and drank Jameson) and then Margaret made tea for us. We enjoyed some more talking and then Paedar drove me over to Kitty and Martin's house. It's just across the fjord (in fact you can see it from town) but it's actually a good six miles away. We went flying down the road and let me tell you, it's a very good thing I decided against renting a car and driving. The roads are super narrow and winding. Plus there's the whole driving on the other side of the road which I still can't get used to. Aghhh!!

Once I got there wen went inside and Kitty brought out beers for us (Budweiser, which made me laugh). We talked about the family and what was going on around town. Most of the people that live in Leenane are not full time residents, which I suppose makes them even better targets for gossip, haha!!

Eventually Paeder and I left and he dropped me back at the B&B. I put my purse away, grabbed my camera and went for a walk along the beach. It's really pretty with the mountains surrounding but I misjudged where I was stepping and ended up shin-deep in mud. Ewww. I walked around a bit more but couldn't get over the mud on my leg so I went back to the B&B.

I was a little tired so I grabbed my book and read in the common area for awhile after I had changed and washed off the mud from my shoes and jeans in the sink. I hope they dry. Then I went and got ready to go back down to the town and meet Paeder for dinner. We went to the Blackberry House where I had chicken stuffed with cream cheese and salmon. SO good!

After dinner it was nearly 10:30 so I took a quick shower and went to bed...not sure what I am doing tomorrow but I will figure out something!

Gaillimh...

I LOVE the city of Galway. It is sort of the ideal college town (beat only slightly by the C-bus). Like I said, I had 7 hours to kill so I spent a while walking through the town. I stopped at a coffee shop and saw my friend from the bus again! Small city apparently...

Eventually I finished the book I was reading and had to go in search of a new one. I finally found a bookstore and bought a Russian novel that I've been watching the movies of. Then I went and found another coffee shop and sat down to read for awhile. When it stopped raining outside I went to the public square (which, incidentally, is dedicated to JFK) and read there. I went on a little picture spree and even found a church and went inside. It was pretty and I lit a candle and said a prayer for the travelers. Seemed appropriate.

I was terribly tired by the end and went to the train station for the last hour. When I got on the bus to Leenane I realized that Leenane was NOT the last stop. So I had to stay awake for the whole trip so that I would not miss my stop. Two hours later I was in Leenane. It was a very uneventful bus ride.

It was dark out so I walked into the local pub and asked where Maureen Joyce lived since I am staying with her. They pointed the way out to me so I went. I had some tea and forced myself to stay up until 10. Then I went took a shower and was in bed by 10:30...notttttttttttt impressive, haha.

Eireann (that's Ireland to you!)

And I thought Gaelic was out of use! Nope, everything is in English and Gaelic here. Well, everything I have seen in the last 3 hours I suppose...

The flight went well. We took off a bit late which was miserable because the gate at JFK was not air conditioned (how did people used to survive?) and there were several hundred people at it. Eww. I went to the food court and got a slice of pizza and a water. I debated the small bottle of wine but decided against it because it was more money that I was wanting to pay. Meh...

After the first trip this summer the 6 hour plane ride was a breeze! I suppose it also helped that I had two seats to myself on the VERY full flight. Before I knew it I was told we were getting ready to land. I opened my window and looked out over what looked like the biggest patchwork golfcourse you have ever seen. Everything is just so green!

We landed this morning around 8:30 am (Shannon time) and got through customs and baggage quite quickly. I changed some money and took out a little more (they wouldn't take an old bill so I had to get some). Then I went and bought a bus ticket to Leenane. I had to take a bus transfer at Galway which is a bit south of Leenane.

I met a very nice young man at the bus stop who told silly stories about his time in the States where he apparently spent 3 months fixing bikes and living on the beach in San Diego and was now going back to university in Galway...2 days late! He was funny and kept me entertained for awhile. Then I pulled out my book and started reading. I laughed when he did the same and it turned out to be the new Harry Potter...I'm very glad that 23 year olds everywhere read it and not just me, haha!

Along the way we drove through pretty little towns. Brand new condos with smart new VW's outside would be the next-door-neighbor to a cow pasture. Makes for good company I suppose. I loved looking at the stone walls that seemed to run for miles and the whole GREENNESS of this country. And the weirdest thing is that menacing wrought-iron gates between proud stone pillars will be protecting a small farmhouse and a run-down shed. Hey, your house is your casle no matter what the shape and size I suppose...

Well I got off at the Galway station at about 11 and went to the help desk because I could not find Leenane's timetable anywhere. That was because there is only one bus a day there and it is at 6:15 pm. So I have 7 hours to kill. I am just going to explore Galway a bit (which appears to be a very college town). I have just now found a very nice little cafe that smells fantastic and had resonable internet rates. I suppose I will grab a bite and then go be touristy...