July 31/August 1:
Today was a hard day to wrap my brain around...I was going to be leaving Ireland in however many hours it was still my plane left the ground at 645 in the morning.
I got up and had breakfast and packed up my stuff to get ready to check out of the hotel, and then I went and wandered around Galway for one last time. I went to Dunnes to get another bag since I accumulated so much stuff while I was away, and then I went and finished buying peoples gifts on Shop street. I took a while there, just enjoying the sites and sounds of the city that I love so much.
I had a lot of time to kill because I had to wait around to go and pick up Sarah and Katie at the train station at 515. I finished shopping and eating lunch and stuff at around 2, and then I had no idea what to do, so I just got in my car and drove out of Galway. I drove around for a little while down along the coast, and it was beautiful! It was sort of grey and cloudy and rainy, but that is Ireland for you. I drove for a while and then I turned around and stopped at this pull off that overlooked Galway bay, and had a nice little beach. I sat there in my car for a while just thinking about my trip and everything that had gone on, it was nice.
I finally made my way back into the city and picked up Sarah and Katie. They had to do some more gift buying so we walked down Shop street for a while, and then went and had one last meal at Couch Potata together. After that we went over to Taaffes to have one last pint, but it was JAM PACKED with people, mind you this was at 7pm, which at that time it is normally empty. However, it was Ladies Day at the Races, and that is the biggest day, so not only was it packed with people, it was people who were dressed up all fancy. So we decided it wouldn't be fun there so we went over to the Kings Head to have our last pint, because even if there were a ton of people there, it is a bigger space, so we actually had room to move.
After we left Galway we made the journey down to Shannon because we were staying at the airport the night before all of us left. We finally got to the hotel and I returned my car and then we went into the hotel room and we all had to repack stuff. It was pretty late by the time we did all that so we all just went to bed.
I didn't sleep really at all that night, I just laid there thinking that this was the last night I would be spending in Ireland. It was pretty depressing. Then I got up at 3am and got ready and walked over, in the pouring rain, to the airport. It would have been nice to know that the check-in counters do not open until 5am, so even if your flight leaves at 645am, and normally you have to get there really early, you don't have to be there till 5am. The airport was EMPTY! except for the few people who were on my flight as well.
I finally got checked in and got on the plane, and started my VERY LONG journey home. It was a pretty nice flight, no one sat next to me so I had 2 seats all to myself, which was INSANELY nice. I got to stretch out and lay down, so I actually slept some on the way home.
I got into LAX and as we were flying over the city I just had this overwhelming feeling of disdain for this place that I had to come back to. They say you have culture shock when you travel to different countries, but it was fine getting into Ireland, but coming back it was like "oh my god, this is awful." It is really hard to explain what I'm feeling right now because it is such a mixture of feelings.
As much as it pains me to say, I am home now, after the adventure of a lifetime. I have already started thinking about when I am going back, and it is going to be sooner rather than later.
This trip was an amazing experience, and it was life altering. I am not the same person I was before I left, and there are a lot of life changes that I will be making as a result of being on this trip. I just hope that everything works out the best.
Slán agus beannacht leat
Saturday 2 August 2008
Wednesday 30 July 2008
Day 38
July 30:
Today was my last full day in Galway...and that's depressing. I woke up and went and ate breakfast...toast and cereal again BLECK! Then I came back up to my room and took a shower and did a whole lot of nothing until I decided that I should head out and do something. When I took the day trip to Connemara oh so many weeks ago I had thought that we would be going through Clifden, but I was wrong. I really wanted to go through this town...so I went on my own today. I headed out at about 12 and its about 70km which took almost 2 hours...there arent many straight roads in ireland. What I really had wanted to do was drive down the Sky Road which is in Clifden...and I was really glad I did.
If you ever get a chance to come to Ireland, Sky Road is a must. It is an 11km drive up around the top of clifden...but the views from the top are amazing. There are little islands off the coast, and it was clear and beautiful today, so i was really lucky. The only scary thing about the road is that it is very narrow, and it is 2 lanes...plus since you drive on the left you are right on the edge of the cliff for a good portion of it. You get used to it. There are a few places where you can pull to the side and get out and take pictures, and the view is breath taking. It was seriously one of the most beautiful things I have ever looked at. The region you drive through, Connemara, is beautiful as well--lots of sheep on the side of the road, plus a lot of mountains and lakes. This whole region around Galway is beautiful, I can't imagine what it must be like to be able to live out in the wilds of Connemara and wake up everyday and see such beautiful surroundings as far as the eye can see.
I was pretty tired by the time I got back, considering I only slept about 4 hours last night, so I came back and watched a little TV and then took a nap. Oh how I love my naps. Then I got up and got ready and went to Taaffes for one last night out.
The place was seriously busting at the seams with people...it was maddness. Race week here is a really big deal and there are a TON of people here, but the nice thing is they are all IRISH people--not tourists. So even if they arent from Galway, they are still from Ireland. The band that I don't really care for was there, so I didn't stay that long, plus I dont really like being squeezed into a tiny corner because of all the people...so I stayed for about 2 hours and then left. As I was leaving these 2 guys stopped me and one of them was like, to his friend, "have you met the this galway girl yet? She is american, but she is a galway girl through and through." Apparently they had been watching me sing (which is a bit creepy I admit) but what a more perfect ending to the night? To be called a galway girl from a galwegian (thats what youre called if you are from galway..weird huh?).
I can't believe it is almost over. That in two days I will be home...not even two days. It hasn't fully hit me yet, and I'm glad it hasn't. I think it will be like when I left home...it didn't really hit me till a week or so into the program...and thats how it will be now. It won't hit me that it is all over until like a week after I get home.
Bed time. Slan go foill.
Today was my last full day in Galway...and that's depressing. I woke up and went and ate breakfast...toast and cereal again BLECK! Then I came back up to my room and took a shower and did a whole lot of nothing until I decided that I should head out and do something. When I took the day trip to Connemara oh so many weeks ago I had thought that we would be going through Clifden, but I was wrong. I really wanted to go through this town...so I went on my own today. I headed out at about 12 and its about 70km which took almost 2 hours...there arent many straight roads in ireland. What I really had wanted to do was drive down the Sky Road which is in Clifden...and I was really glad I did.
If you ever get a chance to come to Ireland, Sky Road is a must. It is an 11km drive up around the top of clifden...but the views from the top are amazing. There are little islands off the coast, and it was clear and beautiful today, so i was really lucky. The only scary thing about the road is that it is very narrow, and it is 2 lanes...plus since you drive on the left you are right on the edge of the cliff for a good portion of it. You get used to it. There are a few places where you can pull to the side and get out and take pictures, and the view is breath taking. It was seriously one of the most beautiful things I have ever looked at. The region you drive through, Connemara, is beautiful as well--lots of sheep on the side of the road, plus a lot of mountains and lakes. This whole region around Galway is beautiful, I can't imagine what it must be like to be able to live out in the wilds of Connemara and wake up everyday and see such beautiful surroundings as far as the eye can see.
I was pretty tired by the time I got back, considering I only slept about 4 hours last night, so I came back and watched a little TV and then took a nap. Oh how I love my naps. Then I got up and got ready and went to Taaffes for one last night out.
The place was seriously busting at the seams with people...it was maddness. Race week here is a really big deal and there are a TON of people here, but the nice thing is they are all IRISH people--not tourists. So even if they arent from Galway, they are still from Ireland. The band that I don't really care for was there, so I didn't stay that long, plus I dont really like being squeezed into a tiny corner because of all the people...so I stayed for about 2 hours and then left. As I was leaving these 2 guys stopped me and one of them was like, to his friend, "have you met the this galway girl yet? She is american, but she is a galway girl through and through." Apparently they had been watching me sing (which is a bit creepy I admit) but what a more perfect ending to the night? To be called a galway girl from a galwegian (thats what youre called if you are from galway..weird huh?).
I can't believe it is almost over. That in two days I will be home...not even two days. It hasn't fully hit me yet, and I'm glad it hasn't. I think it will be like when I left home...it didn't really hit me till a week or so into the program...and thats how it will be now. It won't hit me that it is all over until like a week after I get home.
Bed time. Slan go foill.
Day 37
July 29:
So as you guys know instead of going to Dingle for the next two days I changed my plans and headed back to Galway. I left Kinsale at about 9am and didn't get up to Galway until 1pm that afternoon. It was quite a long drive, and I was really happy to FINALLY get into the town. When I saw the sign for the city I was like, "thank GOD!!! I'm finally here!!!" Being in the car for 4 hours is a longggg time.
My hotel isn't as close to the city centre as I would like it to be, but it isn't bad. I got here and got settled and then I laid down and fell asleep for three hours. It was a much needed nap. Then I got up and it was only 4...so it was too early to go to town because I wanted to stay for the music at Taaffes, plus it was raining. So I watched some TV, ordered some room service, took a shower, and did a whole lot of nothing until 830 then I took a taxi into town. I can't even begin to explain how it felt to be walking back down shop street with all the hustle and bustle of people milling about, in and out of the pubs. To feel so right in a place it is indescribable unless you have felt it yourself. You wander around in life trying to find a place that feels like home, and when you finally find it you never want to leave. Even if things are bad, even if nothing else is right, you know that you are home and thats the most important feeling in the world.
I walked into Taaffes and it was crowded, as usual. I walked up to the front and made my way to the bar and ordered my Bulmers. As soon as I did this man started talking to me, he was nice. He and his friends ended up buying me drinks all night. The same band was there that was there last Tuesday night, the one that I posted up on here singing Galway Girl. There were wonderful, and I stayed till they were done, then took a taxi home.
I talked with liz for a while when I got home, which was nice, because I haven't talked to her much since I got here. It is starting to set in that i am leaving in two days, and I thought i was going to be fine...but now that it's getting so close I'm feeling the way I thought I would. Liz was saying it is not like it is goodbye forever, but it feels that way. I know I will come back, but when? It's not exactly cheap to come over here. Ideally I would like to come back for my birthday...St Patrick's Day, and then again next summer. I feel like this whole adventure has turned my world upside down, and everything that I wanted before I left isn't there anymore. Like, I am a completely new person and I have to start this new life when i go home. It will be interesting to see how things work out once I am actually home.
So as you guys know instead of going to Dingle for the next two days I changed my plans and headed back to Galway. I left Kinsale at about 9am and didn't get up to Galway until 1pm that afternoon. It was quite a long drive, and I was really happy to FINALLY get into the town. When I saw the sign for the city I was like, "thank GOD!!! I'm finally here!!!" Being in the car for 4 hours is a longggg time.
My hotel isn't as close to the city centre as I would like it to be, but it isn't bad. I got here and got settled and then I laid down and fell asleep for three hours. It was a much needed nap. Then I got up and it was only 4...so it was too early to go to town because I wanted to stay for the music at Taaffes, plus it was raining. So I watched some TV, ordered some room service, took a shower, and did a whole lot of nothing until 830 then I took a taxi into town. I can't even begin to explain how it felt to be walking back down shop street with all the hustle and bustle of people milling about, in and out of the pubs. To feel so right in a place it is indescribable unless you have felt it yourself. You wander around in life trying to find a place that feels like home, and when you finally find it you never want to leave. Even if things are bad, even if nothing else is right, you know that you are home and thats the most important feeling in the world.
I walked into Taaffes and it was crowded, as usual. I walked up to the front and made my way to the bar and ordered my Bulmers. As soon as I did this man started talking to me, he was nice. He and his friends ended up buying me drinks all night. The same band was there that was there last Tuesday night, the one that I posted up on here singing Galway Girl. There were wonderful, and I stayed till they were done, then took a taxi home.
I talked with liz for a while when I got home, which was nice, because I haven't talked to her much since I got here. It is starting to set in that i am leaving in two days, and I thought i was going to be fine...but now that it's getting so close I'm feeling the way I thought I would. Liz was saying it is not like it is goodbye forever, but it feels that way. I know I will come back, but when? It's not exactly cheap to come over here. Ideally I would like to come back for my birthday...St Patrick's Day, and then again next summer. I feel like this whole adventure has turned my world upside down, and everything that I wanted before I left isn't there anymore. Like, I am a completely new person and I have to start this new life when i go home. It will be interesting to see how things work out once I am actually home.
The Galway Hooker beer...this isn't at Taaffes, but I haven't taken any new pictures to post.
Tuesday 29 July 2008
I recorded this one of the first couple days in Galway. The guy was from Dublin and we chatted with him for a bit...he was actually quite good. We saw him there during the day, and he was still there when we left the pubs, and I really liked that song, so I recorded it...and then took a picture with him. haha. I actually saw him again a couple days ago...small world.
Sorry, I know its the wrong way, just tilt your head and you wont notice! Oh, and ignore my commentary. lol
Sorry, I know its the wrong way, just tilt your head and you wont notice! Oh, and ignore my commentary. lol
Monday 28 July 2008
Day 36
July 28:
This morning I woke up feeling pretty bummed and not too happy with the plans I had for the rest of my stay here. I felt a little better after I had PANCAKES! Yes, you heard me right, PANCAKES! Not toast. Not cereal. Not eggs, or bacon or anything else that is apart of an irish breakfast. PANCAKES! Good pancakes too. I was so excited...you have no idea. Then after I finished breakfast I came back into my room and tried to figure out what I wanted to do for the day. Well, I didn't think much about it because it was raining outside, and I still wasnt feel much up to doing anything. So I started looking up Galway hotels again, and as luck would have it...I found one, not too far from the city centre, at not too bad, well...relatively speaking, a price. I wasn't sure if I should book it or not, since it was more than I wanted to spend really...way more actually. So I called Sarah and she talked me into it, and I'm glad she did.
I'm really really glad to be going back to Galway. I could cry it makes me so happy. I know the town, I LOVE the town, and I won't feel crappy like I have the past couple days staying in these towns that I don't know, and that have nothing to do in them. It doesn't even bother me that it will probably take about 4 hours to get up to Galway from where I am at now. I did have a bit of a scare this afternoon though after I recieved an email saying when they tried to preauthorize my card it was declined...even though there was more than sufficent funds in my account. I realized what the problem was though, the amount was over my daily spending limit, but everything got sorted out. (oh and the b&b that I cancelled on last minute isn't going to charge me, hurray!!)
So after I changed all my plans and was in a much better mood I headed out to go and see Charles fort which is the big historical thing to see when you are in Kinsale. I was really glad I drove, because I thought I might be able to walk to it...but no way, it was way too far. It was pretty neat, the tour was pretty interesting, and I got to hear more about the battle between James II and William of Orange. After I finished there I went back into town and ate at one of the pubs. It was quite the interesting experience....a screaming baby, three old Irish men in their cute Irish hats, and 2 drunk french people (mind you this was at 1 in the afternoon). My food wasnt that great, but it wasnt too expensive. I meandered around the town a bit, and then who do I see as I'm walking down the street? Alix, the girl that I flew into Ireland with. It was so weird!! She is staying in Blarney right now, so she came down to Kinsale for the day. I took her over to charles fort so she didnt have to take the bus, and then back into town. It was nice to see a friendly face.
Walking into Charles Fort...yes those are colored windows. They were installed as a part of some artists creation for the Kinsale Arts week, which was last week. They were ridiculous.
That hills there, covered in trees, is where they fought the Battle of Kinsale in 1609? I believe.
More of the Fort.
View from a watch tower.
After I dropped her off I was going to head back home, but I went the wrong way, but it was the way to Clonakilty, which is somewhere I wanted to go, so I decided to just head on out. It was only about 20 km. I went to the Michael Collins Heritage Site and watch a couple films and saw some memrobilia, it was a nice site, I got there only an hour before closing, so I didn't get to see everything. Then I headed back home.
Michael Collin's armored vehicle.
View from the Michael Collins centre...the picture doesn't even come close to what my eyes could see when i was standing there...it was breath taking.
It was a nice day, and I'm glad I didn't just sit around and do nothing all day. I'm in for a long day tomorrow...but this time tomorrow night I will, hopefully, be sitting in my pub drinking a pint, and all will be right in my world.
This morning I woke up feeling pretty bummed and not too happy with the plans I had for the rest of my stay here. I felt a little better after I had PANCAKES! Yes, you heard me right, PANCAKES! Not toast. Not cereal. Not eggs, or bacon or anything else that is apart of an irish breakfast. PANCAKES! Good pancakes too. I was so excited...you have no idea. Then after I finished breakfast I came back into my room and tried to figure out what I wanted to do for the day. Well, I didn't think much about it because it was raining outside, and I still wasnt feel much up to doing anything. So I started looking up Galway hotels again, and as luck would have it...I found one, not too far from the city centre, at not too bad, well...relatively speaking, a price. I wasn't sure if I should book it or not, since it was more than I wanted to spend really...way more actually. So I called Sarah and she talked me into it, and I'm glad she did.
I'm really really glad to be going back to Galway. I could cry it makes me so happy. I know the town, I LOVE the town, and I won't feel crappy like I have the past couple days staying in these towns that I don't know, and that have nothing to do in them. It doesn't even bother me that it will probably take about 4 hours to get up to Galway from where I am at now. I did have a bit of a scare this afternoon though after I recieved an email saying when they tried to preauthorize my card it was declined...even though there was more than sufficent funds in my account. I realized what the problem was though, the amount was over my daily spending limit, but everything got sorted out. (oh and the b&b that I cancelled on last minute isn't going to charge me, hurray!!)
So after I changed all my plans and was in a much better mood I headed out to go and see Charles fort which is the big historical thing to see when you are in Kinsale. I was really glad I drove, because I thought I might be able to walk to it...but no way, it was way too far. It was pretty neat, the tour was pretty interesting, and I got to hear more about the battle between James II and William of Orange. After I finished there I went back into town and ate at one of the pubs. It was quite the interesting experience....a screaming baby, three old Irish men in their cute Irish hats, and 2 drunk french people (mind you this was at 1 in the afternoon). My food wasnt that great, but it wasnt too expensive. I meandered around the town a bit, and then who do I see as I'm walking down the street? Alix, the girl that I flew into Ireland with. It was so weird!! She is staying in Blarney right now, so she came down to Kinsale for the day. I took her over to charles fort so she didnt have to take the bus, and then back into town. It was nice to see a friendly face.
A view of Kinsale from across the Harbor, on the way to Charles Fort.
Walking into Charles Fort...yes those are colored windows. They were installed as a part of some artists creation for the Kinsale Arts week, which was last week. They were ridiculous.
That hills there, covered in trees, is where they fought the Battle of Kinsale in 1609? I believe.
More of the Fort.
View from a watch tower.
After I dropped her off I was going to head back home, but I went the wrong way, but it was the way to Clonakilty, which is somewhere I wanted to go, so I decided to just head on out. It was only about 20 km. I went to the Michael Collins Heritage Site and watch a couple films and saw some memrobilia, it was a nice site, I got there only an hour before closing, so I didn't get to see everything. Then I headed back home.
One of the cars that the, uhhh I can't remember the name though, the Irishmen who were for the Home Rule treaty, they rode around in these cars. And originally they had a cloth top, but they couldn't shoot out from it, but when they took it off they were getting shot at by the IRA. So they covered the back in chicken wire, to keep out the hand grenades, and so they could shoot out from them, but then a clever IRA member started attaching hooks to the grenades so that they would get caught on the chicken wire.
Michael Collin's armored vehicle.
View from the Michael Collins centre...the picture doesn't even come close to what my eyes could see when i was standing there...it was breath taking.
Sunday 27 July 2008
Day 35
July 27:
Today, by most peoples standards, was a waste. I got up and left Cashel at about 9 or so and got to Cork at around 1030. I was going to get out and walk around, but there was no where to park, and nothing looked open because it is Sunday. So i drove around the city a bit and looked around from my car, and then I got lost a little bit. I found my way back and started back on my way to Kinsale.
I got to Kinsale at about 1130 or 12 and drove through the town and parked. It was too early to check into my b&b so I had to do something. There were a MILLION people in town. I walked down to the end of the harbor and then walked back to my car. I made some lunch in my car because i was starving...but then I decided to just drive over to my b&b. It is off the beaten path...and not that close to town. It is alright--at least my bathroom is in my room, and the TV has more than 2 channels.
I sat around and checked my email and stuff and then at 230 I turned on the Wexford V. Waterford Hurling match. It was a really good match, and Waterford won. After that match, at 4pm, was the match between Cork and Clare, the one I really wanted to watch. It was an EXCELLENT game. I wanted Cork to win, and they did...by 2 points. They were down by 8 or 10? I'm not sure..in the first half, but they made an AMAZING comeback. Since they beat Galway last week they are who I am rooting for to win the thing. The next match isnt for 2 weeks, so these 2 matches were the last 2 that I will get to watch in Ireland...very sucko.
After the match I made myself another sandwich, and thought about walking into town, and then decided against that thought. I am really just exhausted and not in the mood to be dealing with masses of people and wandering around not knowing where I am going or anything. I want to just cancel the rest of my plans and go back to galway...but it is impossible to find a place to stay because the races start tomorrow. However, since I am staying with Sarah and Katie the last night, they are going to take a train into Galway that day, and we are going to meet up there for one last pint at Taaffes, and one last goodbye to the town. That will be really nice. Then we are all going to drive back down in my car to Shannon, and stay the night in a hotel in the airport.
I'm ready to go home in the sense that I miss the comforts of American life...the food, knowing my way around...being able to get stuff after 5pm at night, tivo...all those things. Of course I don't want to leave because my heart is here...but all this moving around and having to pack things up every day really sucks, and is really annoying.
At least I know my way around the last town I'll be in...and I think I'll feel more like doing stuff, hopefully.
Today, by most peoples standards, was a waste. I got up and left Cashel at about 9 or so and got to Cork at around 1030. I was going to get out and walk around, but there was no where to park, and nothing looked open because it is Sunday. So i drove around the city a bit and looked around from my car, and then I got lost a little bit. I found my way back and started back on my way to Kinsale.
I got to Kinsale at about 1130 or 12 and drove through the town and parked. It was too early to check into my b&b so I had to do something. There were a MILLION people in town. I walked down to the end of the harbor and then walked back to my car. I made some lunch in my car because i was starving...but then I decided to just drive over to my b&b. It is off the beaten path...and not that close to town. It is alright--at least my bathroom is in my room, and the TV has more than 2 channels.
I sat around and checked my email and stuff and then at 230 I turned on the Wexford V. Waterford Hurling match. It was a really good match, and Waterford won. After that match, at 4pm, was the match between Cork and Clare, the one I really wanted to watch. It was an EXCELLENT game. I wanted Cork to win, and they did...by 2 points. They were down by 8 or 10? I'm not sure..in the first half, but they made an AMAZING comeback. Since they beat Galway last week they are who I am rooting for to win the thing. The next match isnt for 2 weeks, so these 2 matches were the last 2 that I will get to watch in Ireland...very sucko.
After the match I made myself another sandwich, and thought about walking into town, and then decided against that thought. I am really just exhausted and not in the mood to be dealing with masses of people and wandering around not knowing where I am going or anything. I want to just cancel the rest of my plans and go back to galway...but it is impossible to find a place to stay because the races start tomorrow. However, since I am staying with Sarah and Katie the last night, they are going to take a train into Galway that day, and we are going to meet up there for one last pint at Taaffes, and one last goodbye to the town. That will be really nice. Then we are all going to drive back down in my car to Shannon, and stay the night in a hotel in the airport.
I'm ready to go home in the sense that I miss the comforts of American life...the food, knowing my way around...being able to get stuff after 5pm at night, tivo...all those things. Of course I don't want to leave because my heart is here...but all this moving around and having to pack things up every day really sucks, and is really annoying.
At least I know my way around the last town I'll be in...and I think I'll feel more like doing stuff, hopefully.
Saturday 26 July 2008
Day 34
July 26:
Today was a pretty interesting day. I got up and checked out of my nice hotel and ventured off to go pick up my rental car. I had a lovely scare when I was picking up my car. No one cared to mention that the rental agency would have to put a deposit on my credit card of 800 EURO in addition to paying for the rental. Now, don't you think that this is a very VERY important piece of information to tell a person? 800 euro. Thats like...1200 dollars. Thank GOD I had enough on my credit card!!! I wouldn't have if they hadn't just raised my limit. But all was well and I got in the car, and sat there for a minute to reassure myself that I could do it. I actually got used to it pretty quickly, and it is way more fun to drive on the wrong side.
I had a nice, about, two hour drive down to Cashel. I was going to stop in Kildare, and I had told my taxi driver this, and he was like "no, don't stop there, just keep going! theres nothing there!!" But I stopped to make sure he wasn't wrong...and he wasn't. If you ever wanted to go to Kildare, sorry to burst your bubble, but it isn't worth it.
I got into Cashel at about 11 or so, which was too early to check into my b&b so I parked the car and walked around the town for a bit. Let me stress the "a bit" part...Cashel is a pretty small town, with not much in it. I was getting bored, and had to wait till 2pm to check in, so I decided to make my way to the Rock of Cashel.
It was pretty amazing up there. It was even more impressive looking up at it from the hill below. I was sort of bummed though because there were a million people there, and so everything was crowded. I didn't stay too long, I took pictures and left to go find some food. I ate at a nice little resturant called Oasis. Had a chicken pesto and mozzarella panini, and a bulmers :)
After lunch it was finally time to head over to my b&b, I asked the tourist office how to get there so I found it pretty easily. It is not too far from the main road, but you still need to know how to find it. It is a nice place, on a really pretty piece of land. Lots of flowers and my room is pretty nice. However, I was under the impression that my room was ensuite...but it is not. This is also some information that I think someone should have told me before hand. It's not a big deal, and I'm only here for the night...so I'm not too upset about it.
So yeah, I didn't really do anything else today...took a nap, watched some TV, and went to the store and bought some food so I don't have to keep eating out. Tomorrow I am off to County Cork for my stay in Kinsale.
The Rock of Cashel. Isnt it crazy that people live with that in like, their back yard?
The view from the rock. It is also known as St. Patricks Rock. (Carraig Phadraig)
Celtic Cross
Today was a pretty interesting day. I got up and checked out of my nice hotel and ventured off to go pick up my rental car. I had a lovely scare when I was picking up my car. No one cared to mention that the rental agency would have to put a deposit on my credit card of 800 EURO in addition to paying for the rental. Now, don't you think that this is a very VERY important piece of information to tell a person? 800 euro. Thats like...1200 dollars. Thank GOD I had enough on my credit card!!! I wouldn't have if they hadn't just raised my limit. But all was well and I got in the car, and sat there for a minute to reassure myself that I could do it. I actually got used to it pretty quickly, and it is way more fun to drive on the wrong side.
I had a nice, about, two hour drive down to Cashel. I was going to stop in Kildare, and I had told my taxi driver this, and he was like "no, don't stop there, just keep going! theres nothing there!!" But I stopped to make sure he wasn't wrong...and he wasn't. If you ever wanted to go to Kildare, sorry to burst your bubble, but it isn't worth it.
I got into Cashel at about 11 or so, which was too early to check into my b&b so I parked the car and walked around the town for a bit. Let me stress the "a bit" part...Cashel is a pretty small town, with not much in it. I was getting bored, and had to wait till 2pm to check in, so I decided to make my way to the Rock of Cashel.
It was pretty amazing up there. It was even more impressive looking up at it from the hill below. I was sort of bummed though because there were a million people there, and so everything was crowded. I didn't stay too long, I took pictures and left to go find some food. I ate at a nice little resturant called Oasis. Had a chicken pesto and mozzarella panini, and a bulmers :)
After lunch it was finally time to head over to my b&b, I asked the tourist office how to get there so I found it pretty easily. It is not too far from the main road, but you still need to know how to find it. It is a nice place, on a really pretty piece of land. Lots of flowers and my room is pretty nice. However, I was under the impression that my room was ensuite...but it is not. This is also some information that I think someone should have told me before hand. It's not a big deal, and I'm only here for the night...so I'm not too upset about it.
So yeah, I didn't really do anything else today...took a nap, watched some TV, and went to the store and bought some food so I don't have to keep eating out. Tomorrow I am off to County Cork for my stay in Kinsale.
Look!! It's my last name!!!
I love the Guinness signs on the sides of buildings
The Rock of Cashel. Isnt it crazy that people live with that in like, their back yard?
The view from the rock. It is also known as St. Patricks Rock. (Carraig Phadraig)
Celtic Cross
**I didn't post that many pictures because they took like 5 mins, EACH, to load...so I'll add more when I have a better internet connection.
Friday 25 July 2008
Day 33
July 25:
Today was a pretty good day. I got up around 730 and got ready and went and ate my free breakfast, and then headed out for the day. I had to be in front of this one hotel at 10:25 for my tour to Newgrange, but I left the hotel around 845 or so to go and see some stuff before I left for the day.
I walked down O'Connell street with all the people walking to work and I walked all the way up to Parnell Square to see the Garden of Remembrance. This garden was created to honor all those who have fought and died for Irish independence. It is sort of off the beaten path...at least above where all the tourists end up going, and it was way smaller than I expected. There was a big reflecting pool in the shape of a cross and a statue at the end, and some engravings on the wall...pretty flowers and some benches, but it was just somehow...lacking. You would think that a monument to those who fought for the independence and freedom of your country would be grand and I don't know...just something more than it was. I sat there for a little while and thought about all I had learned and I was really disheartened. Those people had so much passion and vigor for what they were fighting for...for Ireland and for their homeland, and only reminents of that fevor remain. Those who are too hardcore about their Irish nationality are just labeled extremists even though it was those same extremists that created Ireland as we know it today.
I still had a bunch of time to kill before my bus would arrive so I walked back down O'Connell street and looked in some shops, then went and stood in front of the hotel for half an hour. It was interesting just to watch the people walk by. I do the same thing at home, but in Dublin there are some REALLY itneresting people. So my bus arrived and I got on, and we headed to the Hill of Tara and Newgrange.
To be quite honest I was pretty dissapointed with both places, especially the Hill of Tara. It is basically a giant grass field...with a bunch of sheep in it, and a couple of higher patches. Granted the view is pretty spectacular...you can see for miles around (even though it wasnt that clear) but I don't know I just felt like I was trapsing around someones backyard.
We arrived at Newgrange and it was pretty cool. I do think the best part was our hot tour guy though. It is really amazing to think that people who lived thousands of years before us could build things that would last till modern times, especially when they had none of the building technology that we have today. It is also interesting to note that stone age people were TINY! Every tomb and thing I have been to that was made during that time, for people, is so small...much smaller than we are today.
Once I got home from the tour I had to get ready to meet Hannah and JR an hour later for dinner. It was really nice to see them, we had a really great dinner, and I forgot how much I liked them. They are really nice, and we had great conversations about being abroad and just everything in general. They even paid for my dinner. :) After dinner I headed back to my hotel, and I was going to go out again, but I am exhausted...and I have to get up early tomorrow. Tomorrow starts my travels with a CAR...it should be an experience to remember, I'm sure of it.
Today was a pretty good day. I got up around 730 and got ready and went and ate my free breakfast, and then headed out for the day. I had to be in front of this one hotel at 10:25 for my tour to Newgrange, but I left the hotel around 845 or so to go and see some stuff before I left for the day.
I walked down O'Connell street with all the people walking to work and I walked all the way up to Parnell Square to see the Garden of Remembrance. This garden was created to honor all those who have fought and died for Irish independence. It is sort of off the beaten path...at least above where all the tourists end up going, and it was way smaller than I expected. There was a big reflecting pool in the shape of a cross and a statue at the end, and some engravings on the wall...pretty flowers and some benches, but it was just somehow...lacking. You would think that a monument to those who fought for the independence and freedom of your country would be grand and I don't know...just something more than it was. I sat there for a little while and thought about all I had learned and I was really disheartened. Those people had so much passion and vigor for what they were fighting for...for Ireland and for their homeland, and only reminents of that fevor remain. Those who are too hardcore about their Irish nationality are just labeled extremists even though it was those same extremists that created Ireland as we know it today.
I still had a bunch of time to kill before my bus would arrive so I walked back down O'Connell street and looked in some shops, then went and stood in front of the hotel for half an hour. It was interesting just to watch the people walk by. I do the same thing at home, but in Dublin there are some REALLY itneresting people. So my bus arrived and I got on, and we headed to the Hill of Tara and Newgrange.
To be quite honest I was pretty dissapointed with both places, especially the Hill of Tara. It is basically a giant grass field...with a bunch of sheep in it, and a couple of higher patches. Granted the view is pretty spectacular...you can see for miles around (even though it wasnt that clear) but I don't know I just felt like I was trapsing around someones backyard.
We arrived at Newgrange and it was pretty cool. I do think the best part was our hot tour guy though. It is really amazing to think that people who lived thousands of years before us could build things that would last till modern times, especially when they had none of the building technology that we have today. It is also interesting to note that stone age people were TINY! Every tomb and thing I have been to that was made during that time, for people, is so small...much smaller than we are today.
Once I got home from the tour I had to get ready to meet Hannah and JR an hour later for dinner. It was really nice to see them, we had a really great dinner, and I forgot how much I liked them. They are really nice, and we had great conversations about being abroad and just everything in general. They even paid for my dinner. :) After dinner I headed back to my hotel, and I was going to go out again, but I am exhausted...and I have to get up early tomorrow. Tomorrow starts my travels with a CAR...it should be an experience to remember, I'm sure of it.
Thursday 24 July 2008
The new journey begins (day 32)
July 24:
This morning I woke up at the butt crack of dawn to get ready and head off on the next part of my journey. Me and my roomies said our goodbyes, and it was really sad...but I'm glad its over with. Michelle and I took a taxi to the train station together and then she hopped on a bus and was headed home. I, however, got on a train at 9:15 and slept most of the way to Dublin. I finally arrived and hauled all my crap down the longggg walk way out to the taxi line up. There was no way I was going to wander around Dublin trying to find my hotel with all my REALLY HEAVY luggage.
I got to my hotel very cheaply, at 7 euro, and was surprised to see how nice it was!!! It is in the heart of the Temple Bar District but is far enough away so I don't have to be kept up till all hours of the morning by the noise in Temple bar. My room is really nice, and my bed is REALLY comfy...thank heavens because after 4 weeks of sleeping on a crappy bed my body needs nice.
I played around a bit on my computer and got settled into my room. Then I ordered ROOM SERVICE! This was very exciting to me because I have never done it before, and it was just as expensive as it would have been to go buy lunch somewhere in town, and I didn't have to WALK! I did however end up walking quite a bit. I went down to the Archaeology and History Museum but didn't stay long because it was pretty lame...but then I decided to just wander around the city. I walked in St. Stephens Green for a while, it was pretty, but sort of dirty. Then I walked by the Liffey and took some pictures on the Ha'Penny bridge. Then on my way back to the hotel I went into the actual Temple Bar district and looked around a bit. Something exciting happened while I was out and about...I got asked DIRECTIONS! I looked like I knew where I was going enough to be asked, I was so excited. And the best part is I actually knew where the place I was being asked for directions to was. Good times.
St. Stephens Green
"The Temple Bar"
View from the Ha'Penny of the Liffey
Look, it's another Quays bar!!!
St. John Gogartys
Then I rested a bit and took a shower and got ready for, RIVERDANCE! I was really excited about this, because the show has gotten so many rave reviews that I had really high expectations for it. My expectations were not only met, but succeeded, but the performance given at the show. It made me tired just watching them dance...and they weren't even breathing hard, that was the most amazing part haha. I think one of the best parts was when 2 black guys came out and were doing like, normal tap dancing, and then the Irish guys show up in old style clothes and start Irish stepping and they are both trying to show each other up, and they would like mock each others moves, and it was just really funny. It really was a good show, and if you ever get the chance you should go see it.
I got a little lost coming home, but I eventually found the right path again...sort of scary walking around the not so main streets of dublin at night by yourself...but all was fine in the end, and here I am, and now it is off to bed...it has been a very long first day of the journey.
(Btw, I got yelled at for taking these pictures...or well, for trying to take a picture when the stupid usher guy didn't want me to. But see, they said at the beginning that you couldn't take FLASH photos...and I wasn't!!! So I don't think I did anything wrong.)
Galway Girl Video
So I took this video the night before the last night...they were a really good band. The song was actually written by an American who came to Galway and fell in love with a Galway girl...Steve Earl I think his name was?
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
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