Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Home
So I've been back stateside for a quite a few months now. Ireland never leaves you....it buries itself in your soul and grows daily. Senior year is going well so far, working, interning, living. C'est la vie!!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Home
My adventures in Eire are finally over, and what an experience it was. I think I'll keep writing periodic memories about my time in Galway because it's a huge part of who I am now.
But I must say it is good to be back. It's incredible how so much has changed in my absence, but at the same time nothing changed at all. It's as if the last five months of my life didn't happen. How is it possible that I was living in Ireland, traveling around Europe - and suddenly I find myself back in New England and the Bronx. It is just so bizarre.
My last week in Ireland was lots of fun. My mom and aunt came to Galway and it was one helluva of a week. I showed them around Galway for about three days which was a lot of fun. They got to experience the weather I became so accustomed to - gorgeous sunshine one minute, the next a torrential downpour. We walked up and down Shop and Quay Streets, ducking in and out of the touristy gift stores. We strolled down to the Claddagh so they could get a view of Galway Bay, but the wind was pretty icy so we then checked out some churches. We went to mass at the Cathedral after walking along the Roisin Dubh canal. At night it's a little creepy, but in evening light it's gorgeous - mini waterfalls, vines with purple flowers on a stone wall - absolutely lovely. Then it was dinner time. We walked along the Corrib River and went to McDonagh's for fish and chips. It was pretty good I must say. Then we went to King's Head to catch some music.
The next day we went to the Galway Crystal Factory and Royal Tara China store. We picked up a few goodies. Then we took a drive through Connemara which was breathtakingly beautiful. It's just so green and mountainous. We stumbled upon a horse fair so we checked that our for awhile - those horses were incredible creatures. We saw Kylemore Abby - this gorgeous manor on a lake surrounded by trees and giant rhodendron bushes. We checked out some cute little towns along the way as well. When we returned it was the huge Mayo v. Galway rugby game so Galway was bustling with cars and people. We walked along Salthill so I could show them where we spent most of our sunny days on the beach, looking at the hills of Clare and the Burren. We ate at An Pucan - my FAVORITE Galway restaurant. They loved it - it's just so cute and authentic and has great music every night without fail. We stayed there until closing then hit the hay.
Next day was a drive through the Burren, which I had only seen briefly. It's this large area covered in rocks. There's nothing quite like it. I mean there's tons of vegetation and it goes for miles - but there are so many rocks!! We saw the dolomon (i think) from thousands of years ago. Then we hit the Cliffs of Moher. I had seen them since we last went 7 years ago, but my mom and aunt were shocked at how much it's changed. It's much more of a tourist trap than it was then - you have to pay for it now and it's built up. Nonetheless, it's still an incredible sight to see. That night we ate at Monroe's, another of my favorites. They always have good music too, and since it's a bit off the beaten path it's not so touristy. Unfortunately though I was coming down with an awful cold, so I felt like death most of this weekend.
Then in the morning we were off the Kilarney. We first stopped downtown to take one last stroll through Galway and take some photos. God, I'm going to miss that place. There is no other city in the world that is comparable. It's Bohemian and Irish all at once. Lots of colorful characters, delicious food and memorable music. Salthill is my favorite area, and I'll miss our beach and our view. I have to go back because I didn't get to jump off the tower. Well I have to go back for many reasons - but that's just one excuse. Next time I wouldn't live so damn far away from everything in Dunaras, but I kind of liked being able to say I lived in Rahoon - the 'dodgy' area. So farewell Galway, you were good to me.
But I must say it is good to be back. It's incredible how so much has changed in my absence, but at the same time nothing changed at all. It's as if the last five months of my life didn't happen. How is it possible that I was living in Ireland, traveling around Europe - and suddenly I find myself back in New England and the Bronx. It is just so bizarre.
My last week in Ireland was lots of fun. My mom and aunt came to Galway and it was one helluva of a week. I showed them around Galway for about three days which was a lot of fun. They got to experience the weather I became so accustomed to - gorgeous sunshine one minute, the next a torrential downpour. We walked up and down Shop and Quay Streets, ducking in and out of the touristy gift stores. We strolled down to the Claddagh so they could get a view of Galway Bay, but the wind was pretty icy so we then checked out some churches. We went to mass at the Cathedral after walking along the Roisin Dubh canal. At night it's a little creepy, but in evening light it's gorgeous - mini waterfalls, vines with purple flowers on a stone wall - absolutely lovely. Then it was dinner time. We walked along the Corrib River and went to McDonagh's for fish and chips. It was pretty good I must say. Then we went to King's Head to catch some music.
The next day we went to the Galway Crystal Factory and Royal Tara China store. We picked up a few goodies. Then we took a drive through Connemara which was breathtakingly beautiful. It's just so green and mountainous. We stumbled upon a horse fair so we checked that our for awhile - those horses were incredible creatures. We saw Kylemore Abby - this gorgeous manor on a lake surrounded by trees and giant rhodendron bushes. We checked out some cute little towns along the way as well. When we returned it was the huge Mayo v. Galway rugby game so Galway was bustling with cars and people. We walked along Salthill so I could show them where we spent most of our sunny days on the beach, looking at the hills of Clare and the Burren. We ate at An Pucan - my FAVORITE Galway restaurant. They loved it - it's just so cute and authentic and has great music every night without fail. We stayed there until closing then hit the hay.
Next day was a drive through the Burren, which I had only seen briefly. It's this large area covered in rocks. There's nothing quite like it. I mean there's tons of vegetation and it goes for miles - but there are so many rocks!! We saw the dolomon (i think) from thousands of years ago. Then we hit the Cliffs of Moher. I had seen them since we last went 7 years ago, but my mom and aunt were shocked at how much it's changed. It's much more of a tourist trap than it was then - you have to pay for it now and it's built up. Nonetheless, it's still an incredible sight to see. That night we ate at Monroe's, another of my favorites. They always have good music too, and since it's a bit off the beaten path it's not so touristy. Unfortunately though I was coming down with an awful cold, so I felt like death most of this weekend.
Then in the morning we were off the Kilarney. We first stopped downtown to take one last stroll through Galway and take some photos. God, I'm going to miss that place. There is no other city in the world that is comparable. It's Bohemian and Irish all at once. Lots of colorful characters, delicious food and memorable music. Salthill is my favorite area, and I'll miss our beach and our view. I have to go back because I didn't get to jump off the tower. Well I have to go back for many reasons - but that's just one excuse. Next time I wouldn't live so damn far away from everything in Dunaras, but I kind of liked being able to say I lived in Rahoon - the 'dodgy' area. So farewell Galway, you were good to me.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Barcelona
Hola!!! I just spent a fabulous weekend in Barcelona – one last hurrah before I head back to the states! I’m really glad I squeezed it in – even though I had my last final the day after we got back!! I’m officially done with junior year, I’m a senior – eek!! I absolutely loved Barcelona because it’s just such a fun and unique city. Apparently it’s nothing like the rest of Spain, but I really wouldn’t know so I’ll take people’s word for it.
We left Galway at 3:30am to catch a 7am flight. We got to Girona Airport at 10amish, then hit Barcelona by 11. The metro was pretty easy to figure out and we hopped on that, then a ferrocarril – which is just another train system – and headed to our hostel. We got there, then climbed up one of the steepest mountains I’ve been on. Our hostel was located in the city’s Natural Park way up in the mountains. It was super cute, tucked away on a windy road. The countryside was absolutely beautiful, and the temperature was perfect. The hike was unbelievable with our backpacks. But we got there and the staff was very sweet and the hostel was like a glorified sleep away camp, and I mean that in a good way. Our beds were clean, we had personal lockers, the whole place was actually great – very unusual for a hostel!!
We then went to the Placa Catalunya, which is the main center. We walked along Las Ramblas, which is the busiest street. People lined it dressed up like statues or bizarre garden people or kittens, all to pose with tourists. It was so busy and cute. Further down were merchants with cute handmade jewelry and a whole section was full of artists. The architecture is the real draw to Barcelona. Every single building is different from the one next to it – some look like mini castles, and some look like they are straight out of Zorro with elegant balconies and flowing flower boxes. We popped into this little square that had a huge fountain and tons of little café tables around it. Palm trees lined the interior, and the flower boxes had vines dangling down them with vibrant blossoms coloring the yellow stucco buildings. We found a great market filled with fresh fruit, meats, and candies, but best of all – a Dunkin Donuts!!! I haven’t seen one of those puppies in 5 months! We then walked down to the port which had these modern art sculptures and beautiful sailboats. Gigantic fish just hung out along the stone lining we were sitting on – it was so cool. We walked along the boardwalk and then down the strip checkin out the palm trees. BMW was doing this huge promo thing, so we decided to partake and took a test drive in the X5 on their test course. It was literally like being on an amusement park ride in Disney, and we had an adorable German pilot for Luftansa in the car with us. We then walked all the way down the Ramblas again to the other side, and when we both almost fell asleep on a park bench we decided it was time to head to the hostel.
Next day we had a great lovely little breakfast in the outdoor café at our hostel, then headed back to Catalunya. We went to the Sangrada Familia, this gorgeous unfinished cathedral. It looks like a giant sand castle, and the top looks like a drip castle. We strolled around and went to where the Olympic Village was and hung out on the beach for a few hours – don’t worry mom – in the shade!! We then took a sky ride over the Mediterrean into the mountains and got off in these great gardens that had saguaro cacti! While we were relaxin on a bench listening to the music from the local restaurant this lady approached us and asked to take pictures of us for this tourist magazine she’s a graphic designer for. We just had to look and act really hot, and then she gave us tickets to a bunch of museums. It was hysterical. Oh and then I got the call about AIDAN!!! Very exciting news! We then went back to the center and I got some tapas – it was fried chicken pate and just thinking about it makes me nauseous. But we walked to the cathedral which was under massive construction, but I got Sangria at a café across the square and we hung out listening to a mariachi band – except they weren’t dressed like one. Someone Katie went to high school with was sitting right next to us so that was a small world experience! Also these kids started walking around with signs saying Free Hugs, and we hugging people. I thought they were definitely pick pocketing, but turns out they were just giving out some free love, and yup I got some Spanish hugs. We then walked back to the port and hung out on a bench for awhile, till it was dinner time and then back to the hostel.
Unlike our last few trips we literally just hung out in Barcelona and took it all in. We strolled – a new experience for us – and just took our time to appreciate the city since it doesn’t have major tourist attractions. It’s really cool because they have two official languages – Catalonian and Spanish, with the former almost more prominent. Katie knows Spanish and she was completely thrown by the Catalonian, but luckily her knowledge of espanol came in handy a few times. It was a fun weekend – literally no sleep though with all our early flights. I’m glad I saw it, I’ll definitely be back!!
We left Galway at 3:30am to catch a 7am flight. We got to Girona Airport at 10amish, then hit Barcelona by 11. The metro was pretty easy to figure out and we hopped on that, then a ferrocarril – which is just another train system – and headed to our hostel. We got there, then climbed up one of the steepest mountains I’ve been on. Our hostel was located in the city’s Natural Park way up in the mountains. It was super cute, tucked away on a windy road. The countryside was absolutely beautiful, and the temperature was perfect. The hike was unbelievable with our backpacks. But we got there and the staff was very sweet and the hostel was like a glorified sleep away camp, and I mean that in a good way. Our beds were clean, we had personal lockers, the whole place was actually great – very unusual for a hostel!!
We then went to the Placa Catalunya, which is the main center. We walked along Las Ramblas, which is the busiest street. People lined it dressed up like statues or bizarre garden people or kittens, all to pose with tourists. It was so busy and cute. Further down were merchants with cute handmade jewelry and a whole section was full of artists. The architecture is the real draw to Barcelona. Every single building is different from the one next to it – some look like mini castles, and some look like they are straight out of Zorro with elegant balconies and flowing flower boxes. We popped into this little square that had a huge fountain and tons of little café tables around it. Palm trees lined the interior, and the flower boxes had vines dangling down them with vibrant blossoms coloring the yellow stucco buildings. We found a great market filled with fresh fruit, meats, and candies, but best of all – a Dunkin Donuts!!! I haven’t seen one of those puppies in 5 months! We then walked down to the port which had these modern art sculptures and beautiful sailboats. Gigantic fish just hung out along the stone lining we were sitting on – it was so cool. We walked along the boardwalk and then down the strip checkin out the palm trees. BMW was doing this huge promo thing, so we decided to partake and took a test drive in the X5 on their test course. It was literally like being on an amusement park ride in Disney, and we had an adorable German pilot for Luftansa in the car with us. We then walked all the way down the Ramblas again to the other side, and when we both almost fell asleep on a park bench we decided it was time to head to the hostel.
Next day we had a great lovely little breakfast in the outdoor café at our hostel, then headed back to Catalunya. We went to the Sangrada Familia, this gorgeous unfinished cathedral. It looks like a giant sand castle, and the top looks like a drip castle. We strolled around and went to where the Olympic Village was and hung out on the beach for a few hours – don’t worry mom – in the shade!! We then took a sky ride over the Mediterrean into the mountains and got off in these great gardens that had saguaro cacti! While we were relaxin on a bench listening to the music from the local restaurant this lady approached us and asked to take pictures of us for this tourist magazine she’s a graphic designer for. We just had to look and act really hot, and then she gave us tickets to a bunch of museums. It was hysterical. Oh and then I got the call about AIDAN!!! Very exciting news! We then went back to the center and I got some tapas – it was fried chicken pate and just thinking about it makes me nauseous. But we walked to the cathedral which was under massive construction, but I got Sangria at a café across the square and we hung out listening to a mariachi band – except they weren’t dressed like one. Someone Katie went to high school with was sitting right next to us so that was a small world experience! Also these kids started walking around with signs saying Free Hugs, and we hugging people. I thought they were definitely pick pocketing, but turns out they were just giving out some free love, and yup I got some Spanish hugs. We then walked back to the port and hung out on a bench for awhile, till it was dinner time and then back to the hostel.
Unlike our last few trips we literally just hung out in Barcelona and took it all in. We strolled – a new experience for us – and just took our time to appreciate the city since it doesn’t have major tourist attractions. It’s really cool because they have two official languages – Catalonian and Spanish, with the former almost more prominent. Katie knows Spanish and she was completely thrown by the Catalonian, but luckily her knowledge of espanol came in handy a few times. It was a fun weekend – literally no sleep though with all our early flights. I’m glad I saw it, I’ll definitely be back!!
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Springtime in Ireland
So the other day was my first day out and about in Galway after traveling around Ireland and it was just one of those perfect days. The weather has finally been extremely nice here - trips to the beach, walks in the sunshine, etc.
But everything was finally in bloom, so not to sound really corny, but I couldn't stop smiling as I walked. I strolled to campus, and I've done this walk about 300 times in the last five months, but it was the first time all the trees along the walkway were in blossom. The bright green leaves, the light pink and white flowers just added a new dimension to my usually drab view. The grass was even greener.
Campus was bustling with students, and surprisingly the library was manageable. These Irish kids don't do work at home or print at home apparently. It's bizarre compared to America, where everything is done in your dorm, or the library is at least big enough to house everyone. I realized the other day that I only a month left and it's an extremely depressing thought. How did these four months go by so quickly? I love it here, and I don't want to go home. I miss my friends and family and WFUV, but I'm so comfortable here. Galway is adorable, the people are friendly and my life is very familiar here. I'm a brisk walk away from a gorgeous beach that's filled with families and adorable children with even more adorable accents. I'm two miles from a charming little town, I've got two grocery stores nearby. I guess I could do with a different laundry system. Currently I lug my load of dirty clothes about a half mile and they wash and dry it at the cleaners then deliver it. However, I don't feel my clothes get that clean or soft and my lights aren't so bright. I digress though.
Even today was cold and rainy and it was still nice and pleasant to be here. I like having my own apartment where I have no one to answer to. At home I'm not this neurotic about cleaning or being organized. If I go home I'll go back to being sloppy and lazy and my insomnia will come back. I think everyone in my life should move here. Problem solved!!
But everything was finally in bloom, so not to sound really corny, but I couldn't stop smiling as I walked. I strolled to campus, and I've done this walk about 300 times in the last five months, but it was the first time all the trees along the walkway were in blossom. The bright green leaves, the light pink and white flowers just added a new dimension to my usually drab view. The grass was even greener.
Campus was bustling with students, and surprisingly the library was manageable. These Irish kids don't do work at home or print at home apparently. It's bizarre compared to America, where everything is done in your dorm, or the library is at least big enough to house everyone. I realized the other day that I only a month left and it's an extremely depressing thought. How did these four months go by so quickly? I love it here, and I don't want to go home. I miss my friends and family and WFUV, but I'm so comfortable here. Galway is adorable, the people are friendly and my life is very familiar here. I'm a brisk walk away from a gorgeous beach that's filled with families and adorable children with even more adorable accents. I'm two miles from a charming little town, I've got two grocery stores nearby. I guess I could do with a different laundry system. Currently I lug my load of dirty clothes about a half mile and they wash and dry it at the cleaners then deliver it. However, I don't feel my clothes get that clean or soft and my lights aren't so bright. I digress though.
Even today was cold and rainy and it was still nice and pleasant to be here. I like having my own apartment where I have no one to answer to. At home I'm not this neurotic about cleaning or being organized. If I go home I'll go back to being sloppy and lazy and my insomnia will come back. I think everyone in my life should move here. Problem solved!!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Roma
The train ride to Rome was even more beautiful – we passed really cute towns and gorgeous countryside with lakes and mountains. When we finally got to Rome we found our hotel much more easily than the other places – it was right by Termini train station thankfully!! We immediately headed out and saw almost everything in half a day. Katie and I don’t fool around – we walk everywhere and see everything. Roma was a very interesting experience because by this point in the trip we were tired and the first two places were so charming and small, and Rome is enormous and crowded. Everywhere is Times Square. So while I did like it a lot and everyone should get there, I can’t say it was my favorite.
We went to Santa Mara Maggiore first – an unbelievably beautiful basilica in a residential/business area. Just – wow – like jaw-on-the-floor wow. We then went to the piazza della Republica – which is a lot like Lincoln Center in NYC. It has an ancient basilica with this more modern structure highlighting it. We walked to the Spanish steps which were covered in people and purple flowers and then Trevi Fountain. A man somehow got to the middle and dove into the fountain and was then arrested – it was quite the show. We went into many churches which were really cool because from the outside they look like nothing – just a building, but inside they are trimmed in gold and deep blues or pinks or greens and angels painted all over the ceilings.
We saw St. Ignacious Loyola’s church (go Jesuits!) – which I actually really really liked. The outside and in are beautiful. We saw the Pantheon which is so cool because you can really see how old it is. Next up piazza Navona which is a long oval center filled with the cutest restaurants and cafes and the buildings are all these bright colors. People were painting and playing music or doing comedy routines. We strolled to the Monument Victor Emmanuel which is so impressive and HUGE – I loved it! I think we headed back at this point – I’m honestly not sure if we even ate we were so tired. But we met a really cool guy from Chile in our hostel and girls from South Africa and Spain.
The next day we got up really early and went to Vatican City – Sunday. We got mixed in with this crowd of really pushy old people - and not very Christian regardless of their crosses and banners and pictures of Il Papa. It was chaos and we somehow ended up in a very special private ticket-only section in front of St. Peter’s…but we had no ticket and on one bothered us. Next thing we know the Pope comes out and says Mass about 200ft or 300ft from us!!! Parts were in English, but it was great to listen to nonetheless – lovely music. I mean I saw mass by the POPE. I could never go again and I’m pretty sure I’d still be covered. We then strolled over the museums which were closed, and then saw the Castel Sant’Angelo – an enormous egotistical mausoleum for some ancient person I forget. We walked along the river for a bit and then got some gelato and headed for Ancient Rome. We saw the Sacred Area, the Campidoglio and then walked through the Roman Forum which was incredible. As you go through suddenly the Colosseum pops up and it’s massive. It was really impressive to see and walk around. We hung out around there for a bit then headed back and pretty much crashed. We got dinner at this ridiculous place with rude waiters who microwaved our food. Bizarre!! That night as we were getting ready for bed this guy walks in the room and we know him from Fordham!! It was so random – of all the cities and hostels and rooms, and this kid we hung out with in Galway and Paris is in our hostel. So that was fun.
Next day we got up at 6:45 and went to the Vatican Museums. We only had to wait for them to open which was a relief and we were pretty far up in line. The museums are filled with insanely good art and sculptures – you really need a full day there. But we had a goal: the Sisteen Chapel. It’s not what you expect – you’re walking along and go up and down stairs and suddenly you’re in this small little chapel covered in wall to wall paintings. It’s beyond worth seeing – the paintings are so humbling and just knowing one man painted that ceiling and those walls – quite an experience. We left there and saw some ancient Roman sculptures, and then went into St. Peter’s. I really struggle to describe how impressive this building is – it’s enormous and the alter is so big you don’t even believe it looking at it. We saw La Pieta and just walked through it with our eyes as wide as they can go. I’m still not sure how to put the whole experience into words – I guess surreal. You’re in the heart of Catholicism and it should be so sacred, but it’s almost too much – too much gold and decorations and designs and tourists and people taking cheesy photos in the confessional booths. It was breathtakingly beautiful, but something didn’t feel right. I expect basilica’s around the world to be ostentatious, but I guess I wanted this to be humble and sacred, and not such a tourist trap.
Next we walked to Piazza del Popolo and at this point you’re really north in the city and it’s so pretty, way less people, and just cute. We got great pizza and the piazza itself is really cool. The center has a huge fountain you can sit in and around and two enormous churches sit in the entrance. This day was honestly kind of miserable because of the heat and our exhausted we were, but we still had things to see and do. We walked all the way to the bottom of the city and stuck our hand in the Mouth of Truth – mine’s still here, no worries! And then saw the Circo Massimo, where all the chariot races took place. We walked by the Colosseo again, and crashed back at the hostel. At night we walked around saw the Piazza della Republica lit up with the fountain – just like LCenter in summer.
Rome is huge. Just huge. The people aren’t very friendly and barely anyone speaks English which was quite a shock and very frustrating. It’s a capital city for Pete’s sake!! However the gelato was unbelievable – this one place had a chocolate that might as well’ve been brownie batter. It’s way too crowded, but I really liked how it’s a city with all these ancient ruins or gorgeous churches that just pop up as you turn a corner. Everything is ornate and the churches are really stunning from the inside – even just itty bitty chiesas make you go “Wow.”
I was a big hit with Italian men had many men profess their love for me – one man dressed as an ancient Roman soldier put his fake sword to my neck and said “I love you.” The city felt like a twilight zone at times.
Also – I had multiple people tell me I don’t look American! I’ve gotten that before from NYC cabbies…I don’t know what makes me not look American but they didn’t believe I wasn’t English, Irish, or French. They thought Katie was American, but not me!!
Overall, Italia is bella!!! The people are so darling and I picked up more Italian in one week than I have of Irish in 5 months. Ciao bella, Prego, Gratzie, and many more phrases will be stuck in my head. The whole place just tests your senses – one minute it’s cool windy – the next smoldering heat. The colors are enchanting and I’m not kidding you could smell lilacs, gardenias, and wonderful food smells everywhere. I had many forms of chocolate gelato, as well as coconut, pineapple, orange, peach, mint, nutella, tiramisu and stractiatella. Even though I feel like I ate the country’s entire store of gelato, most of those flavors were combined on one cone!! Also – I’m aware I probably spelled most of the Italian words wrong, so those of you who are Italian, my apologies but I’m too lazy to double check!! I loved Italy, but I’m glad to be back – Gaillimh is still my favorite, followed by Paris then Venice!! Ciao!!!
We went to Santa Mara Maggiore first – an unbelievably beautiful basilica in a residential/business area. Just – wow – like jaw-on-the-floor wow. We then went to the piazza della Republica – which is a lot like Lincoln Center in NYC. It has an ancient basilica with this more modern structure highlighting it. We walked to the Spanish steps which were covered in people and purple flowers and then Trevi Fountain. A man somehow got to the middle and dove into the fountain and was then arrested – it was quite the show. We went into many churches which were really cool because from the outside they look like nothing – just a building, but inside they are trimmed in gold and deep blues or pinks or greens and angels painted all over the ceilings.
We saw St. Ignacious Loyola’s church (go Jesuits!) – which I actually really really liked. The outside and in are beautiful. We saw the Pantheon which is so cool because you can really see how old it is. Next up piazza Navona which is a long oval center filled with the cutest restaurants and cafes and the buildings are all these bright colors. People were painting and playing music or doing comedy routines. We strolled to the Monument Victor Emmanuel which is so impressive and HUGE – I loved it! I think we headed back at this point – I’m honestly not sure if we even ate we were so tired. But we met a really cool guy from Chile in our hostel and girls from South Africa and Spain.
The next day we got up really early and went to Vatican City – Sunday. We got mixed in with this crowd of really pushy old people - and not very Christian regardless of their crosses and banners and pictures of Il Papa. It was chaos and we somehow ended up in a very special private ticket-only section in front of St. Peter’s…but we had no ticket and on one bothered us. Next thing we know the Pope comes out and says Mass about 200ft or 300ft from us!!! Parts were in English, but it was great to listen to nonetheless – lovely music. I mean I saw mass by the POPE. I could never go again and I’m pretty sure I’d still be covered. We then strolled over the museums which were closed, and then saw the Castel Sant’Angelo – an enormous egotistical mausoleum for some ancient person I forget. We walked along the river for a bit and then got some gelato and headed for Ancient Rome. We saw the Sacred Area, the Campidoglio and then walked through the Roman Forum which was incredible. As you go through suddenly the Colosseum pops up and it’s massive. It was really impressive to see and walk around. We hung out around there for a bit then headed back and pretty much crashed. We got dinner at this ridiculous place with rude waiters who microwaved our food. Bizarre!! That night as we were getting ready for bed this guy walks in the room and we know him from Fordham!! It was so random – of all the cities and hostels and rooms, and this kid we hung out with in Galway and Paris is in our hostel. So that was fun.
Next day we got up at 6:45 and went to the Vatican Museums. We only had to wait for them to open which was a relief and we were pretty far up in line. The museums are filled with insanely good art and sculptures – you really need a full day there. But we had a goal: the Sisteen Chapel. It’s not what you expect – you’re walking along and go up and down stairs and suddenly you’re in this small little chapel covered in wall to wall paintings. It’s beyond worth seeing – the paintings are so humbling and just knowing one man painted that ceiling and those walls – quite an experience. We left there and saw some ancient Roman sculptures, and then went into St. Peter’s. I really struggle to describe how impressive this building is – it’s enormous and the alter is so big you don’t even believe it looking at it. We saw La Pieta and just walked through it with our eyes as wide as they can go. I’m still not sure how to put the whole experience into words – I guess surreal. You’re in the heart of Catholicism and it should be so sacred, but it’s almost too much – too much gold and decorations and designs and tourists and people taking cheesy photos in the confessional booths. It was breathtakingly beautiful, but something didn’t feel right. I expect basilica’s around the world to be ostentatious, but I guess I wanted this to be humble and sacred, and not such a tourist trap.
Next we walked to Piazza del Popolo and at this point you’re really north in the city and it’s so pretty, way less people, and just cute. We got great pizza and the piazza itself is really cool. The center has a huge fountain you can sit in and around and two enormous churches sit in the entrance. This day was honestly kind of miserable because of the heat and our exhausted we were, but we still had things to see and do. We walked all the way to the bottom of the city and stuck our hand in the Mouth of Truth – mine’s still here, no worries! And then saw the Circo Massimo, where all the chariot races took place. We walked by the Colosseo again, and crashed back at the hostel. At night we walked around saw the Piazza della Republica lit up with the fountain – just like LCenter in summer.
Rome is huge. Just huge. The people aren’t very friendly and barely anyone speaks English which was quite a shock and very frustrating. It’s a capital city for Pete’s sake!! However the gelato was unbelievable – this one place had a chocolate that might as well’ve been brownie batter. It’s way too crowded, but I really liked how it’s a city with all these ancient ruins or gorgeous churches that just pop up as you turn a corner. Everything is ornate and the churches are really stunning from the inside – even just itty bitty chiesas make you go “Wow.”
I was a big hit with Italian men had many men profess their love for me – one man dressed as an ancient Roman soldier put his fake sword to my neck and said “I love you.” The city felt like a twilight zone at times.
Also – I had multiple people tell me I don’t look American! I’ve gotten that before from NYC cabbies…I don’t know what makes me not look American but they didn’t believe I wasn’t English, Irish, or French. They thought Katie was American, but not me!!
Overall, Italia is bella!!! The people are so darling and I picked up more Italian in one week than I have of Irish in 5 months. Ciao bella, Prego, Gratzie, and many more phrases will be stuck in my head. The whole place just tests your senses – one minute it’s cool windy – the next smoldering heat. The colors are enchanting and I’m not kidding you could smell lilacs, gardenias, and wonderful food smells everywhere. I had many forms of chocolate gelato, as well as coconut, pineapple, orange, peach, mint, nutella, tiramisu and stractiatella. Even though I feel like I ate the country’s entire store of gelato, most of those flavors were combined on one cone!! Also – I’m aware I probably spelled most of the Italian words wrong, so those of you who are Italian, my apologies but I’m too lazy to double check!! I loved Italy, but I’m glad to be back – Gaillimh is still my favorite, followed by Paris then Venice!! Ciao!!!
Firenze
If Venice is a storybook or fairytale, Florence is a movie. I mean walking along the river looking at the mountains just looks straight out of a movie – Much Ado About Nothing had to have been filmed nearby. I was really surprised by Florence because it wasn’t quite what I expected, but I loved it nonetheless. The train ride from Venice to Florence was great – the Tuscan country side was beautiful. Our little train compartment was filled with 6 people – all really nice Italian people.
We got there around 1pm and it was soooo HOT!! I expected a cute little town but it’s a bustling city with lots and lots of people! We took a bus – well many city buses to our hotel and got there FINALLY after lugging our bags through busy, hot hot streets and it was really nice and in a great location on Via Cavour on the Piazza della Liberte. We took our map and headed toward old Firenze and saw the Il Duomo – a massive white cathedral decorated in green and pink panels, with the bapistry? right across. We then just strolled from piazza to piazza and passed beautiful buildings and gardens and statues. One piazza was filled with gardenias so I was in heaven.
We walked along the river and just couldn’t get over the view of the mountains. We walked over the Ponte Vecchio and drooled over all the diamonds in the windows. We then went to Piazza della Signoria where the famous Uffizi museum is – again the line was crazy so we passed. But the piazza holds a copy of David and many other statues – like Perseus and Rape of Sabine. All the outdoor cafes were so cute and the apartments were lined with red flowers in the flowerboxes. After some more gelato we met up with Katie’s friend who took us to Santa Croce where Michelangelo and many other famous folks are buried as well other neat piazzas and palazzos. We got sparkling red wine and a delicious dinner – tortellini pruscuitto for me, followed by chocolate gelato. We strolled back to the Ponte Vecchio and listened to a man play the guitar for a while, and went back to Piazza Signoria with all the statues and fountains lit up.
The next day we went to the Fortezza da Basso which should have a pretty lake, but we couldn’t find it so we left. We tried to buy train tickets but apparently the trains were on strike, so instead we check out the basilica across the street – Santa Maria Novella. We saw the Accademia museum from the outside (it houses the real David) and passed the Palazzo de Medici. We strolled through a great outdoor market and chatted with the vendors – just so nice and not the fake kind. One guy warned us about Roma, “In Firenze we are all nice people and like nice people. In Roma – mean. Mean people, you won’t like it.” We met up with Sarah – our new friend again and scammed our way into the Boboli Gardens using her student pass.
The gardens were my favorite – huge and beautiful filled with ponds and statues of Roman gods. They love Neptune in Firenze! We walked around for a few hours and saw the most amazing view of the city and the Tuscan countryside. It’s dotted with olive trees and purple and pink flowers. Old buildings line the tops of the hills and mountains and it’s just absolutely breathtaking. Katie and I were pretty much dead at this point so we walked back to our hotel and then went to Sarah’s for some home cookin. We had pasta covered in garlic and olive oil, bread with olive spread and more olive oil. I feel like I ate and entire olive grove – so I was in heaven. The next day we left for Roma, and while Florence was much more urban than I expected, I still found it lovely and people were pretty great.
We got there around 1pm and it was soooo HOT!! I expected a cute little town but it’s a bustling city with lots and lots of people! We took a bus – well many city buses to our hotel and got there FINALLY after lugging our bags through busy, hot hot streets and it was really nice and in a great location on Via Cavour on the Piazza della Liberte. We took our map and headed toward old Firenze and saw the Il Duomo – a massive white cathedral decorated in green and pink panels, with the bapistry? right across. We then just strolled from piazza to piazza and passed beautiful buildings and gardens and statues. One piazza was filled with gardenias so I was in heaven.
We walked along the river and just couldn’t get over the view of the mountains. We walked over the Ponte Vecchio and drooled over all the diamonds in the windows. We then went to Piazza della Signoria where the famous Uffizi museum is – again the line was crazy so we passed. But the piazza holds a copy of David and many other statues – like Perseus and Rape of Sabine. All the outdoor cafes were so cute and the apartments were lined with red flowers in the flowerboxes. After some more gelato we met up with Katie’s friend who took us to Santa Croce where Michelangelo and many other famous folks are buried as well other neat piazzas and palazzos. We got sparkling red wine and a delicious dinner – tortellini pruscuitto for me, followed by chocolate gelato. We strolled back to the Ponte Vecchio and listened to a man play the guitar for a while, and went back to Piazza Signoria with all the statues and fountains lit up.
The next day we went to the Fortezza da Basso which should have a pretty lake, but we couldn’t find it so we left. We tried to buy train tickets but apparently the trains were on strike, so instead we check out the basilica across the street – Santa Maria Novella. We saw the Accademia museum from the outside (it houses the real David) and passed the Palazzo de Medici. We strolled through a great outdoor market and chatted with the vendors – just so nice and not the fake kind. One guy warned us about Roma, “In Firenze we are all nice people and like nice people. In Roma – mean. Mean people, you won’t like it.” We met up with Sarah – our new friend again and scammed our way into the Boboli Gardens using her student pass.
The gardens were my favorite – huge and beautiful filled with ponds and statues of Roman gods. They love Neptune in Firenze! We walked around for a few hours and saw the most amazing view of the city and the Tuscan countryside. It’s dotted with olive trees and purple and pink flowers. Old buildings line the tops of the hills and mountains and it’s just absolutely breathtaking. Katie and I were pretty much dead at this point so we walked back to our hotel and then went to Sarah’s for some home cookin. We had pasta covered in garlic and olive oil, bread with olive spread and more olive oil. I feel like I ate and entire olive grove – so I was in heaven. The next day we left for Roma, and while Florence was much more urban than I expected, I still found it lovely and people were pretty great.
Viva Italia
Italia – Ciao Bella!!
I just got back from my week-long trip to Italy and it was aaamaazzinngg. We did a lot - Venezia, Firenze, and Roma - so I’ll break this up into 3 posts. In Italy overall we found out they have strange laws on construction – they can only do it certain years and times of the year – and we went during prime construction. So every famous basilica and building had tons of scaffolding, but it was still unbelievable to see.
Our first stop was Venice, and it was my absolute favorite city out the three. My Italian tour book described it as “disturbingly beautiful,” which at first I thought was an odd choice of words. But once there I realized what it meant – the humidity makes everything hazy so it’s almost dreamlike. It was like a storybook - small and charming. When we got there it was about 9:00 at night and we had no idea where to go – all we knew was that we needed to take a water taxi to the island of Lido where our hotel was. So not to freak out mom I’ll just say it was a nightmare, but after a long night we got to our hotel safely by 12:30amish. It was really nice and right on the water.
We woke up really early and got on our water taxi and headed towards the main parts of Venice – first stop Piazza San Marco. The water trip was amazing – all these little islands surrounded us filled with palm trees and buildings you’d see in an old Spanish movie. The Piazza is gorgeous and we couldn’t go into the Basilica because of the line, but it was beautiful to look at. We then put the map away and just started meandering through the little streets. Shops filled with beautiful Murano glass and jewelry were lined up one after the other, and windows were filled with Venetian masks and mannequins in stunning masquerade costumes. The streets were like little alleys and as you went along you’d come across a bridge over a waterway and beneath you would be a gondola trimmed in gold and velvet. The gondoliers would yell after me, “You! Blondy girl! Ride?” Since we wound through the streets I’m not exactly sure of all the famous sites we saw, but we popped into beautiful churches as we went – one was enormous on the inside and the pillars were covered in red velvet –I think it was San Stefano. It was just so much fun – you’d be in these narrow shady streets and then out of nowhere you’d be in this huge open piazza filled with music and people. The buildings were all reds and oragnes, and some were blues with the plaster peeling away to reveal red brick beneath. Lilacs were flowing over every wall so the city smelled of salt water and lilacs. All over are water fountains with water just flowing out into a pool, and people drank from them, but I wasn’t daring around.
Our first gelato was as amazing as they tell you – I got a vanilla with nutella mixed in for a euro. Then we got pizza for lunch – and Ireland doesn’t have good pizza so this was an unbelievable treat. It tasted like pizza on Arthur Ave, but better! A man was outside Chiesa San Rocco singing opera songs in a beautiful tenor voice as we ate. We then went to the beginning of the Grand Canal, hopped on a water taxi and took a tour for an hour. The water taxis are like subways, but on water with a great view of all the buildings and bridges. We then walked through this great market by the Ponte di Rialto which is a beautiful bridge that connects two huge sections of Venice. We then stopped for dinner at a cute outdoor restaurant and I got lasagna and a glass of the house red – delicious!!! But most restaurants charge you to sit and for the service, so we didn’t eat out much. We were pretty beat so we headed back to our island, and walked around Lido down to the beach and I’m not kidding, it was so humid and hazy you could barely see 100 ft. down the beach, but it didn’t feel gross – it just looked so mysterious. We then went to the other side of the island and sat on the canal at sunset and couldn’t believe where we were.
The next day was basically the same, but we went to the island of Murano where all the famous glass comes from. It was small and adorable and then we went back to Venice and strolled through the streets again. We had lucked out the day before by walking around early because in the afternoon those tiny streets are packed with people so you can barely move. We then went back to Lido and hung out on the beach for the afternoon. The water was so clear and it was so hot – something I haven’t experienced in Ireland and forgot about!!
I wish I could describe every minute but it’s just impossible. The people in Venice were so friendly and nice and spoke excellent English and were willing to help us with any question or directions. When they found out we were Americans they didn’t get that look of dollar signs in their eyes like everywhere else we’ve been – instead they just seemed intrigued and wanted to chat. Sunset each night was gorgeous – it’s really a city for lovers and Katie and I just watched all these couples with extreme envy. The water taxis and gondolas and speed boats are so much fun to watch, and the food was amazing. People stand around the piazzas dressed in masquerade costumes and masks posing for pictures and money – it’s a riot! The city is a breeze to walk – it takes maybe a half hour to walk from top to bottom and probably an hour side to side – but there is so much to stop and see!! I really loved it, and will without a doubt make it back there when I have money and someone to ride a gondola with!!
I just got back from my week-long trip to Italy and it was aaamaazzinngg. We did a lot - Venezia, Firenze, and Roma - so I’ll break this up into 3 posts. In Italy overall we found out they have strange laws on construction – they can only do it certain years and times of the year – and we went during prime construction. So every famous basilica and building had tons of scaffolding, but it was still unbelievable to see.
Our first stop was Venice, and it was my absolute favorite city out the three. My Italian tour book described it as “disturbingly beautiful,” which at first I thought was an odd choice of words. But once there I realized what it meant – the humidity makes everything hazy so it’s almost dreamlike. It was like a storybook - small and charming. When we got there it was about 9:00 at night and we had no idea where to go – all we knew was that we needed to take a water taxi to the island of Lido where our hotel was. So not to freak out mom I’ll just say it was a nightmare, but after a long night we got to our hotel safely by 12:30amish. It was really nice and right on the water.
We woke up really early and got on our water taxi and headed towards the main parts of Venice – first stop Piazza San Marco. The water trip was amazing – all these little islands surrounded us filled with palm trees and buildings you’d see in an old Spanish movie. The Piazza is gorgeous and we couldn’t go into the Basilica because of the line, but it was beautiful to look at. We then put the map away and just started meandering through the little streets. Shops filled with beautiful Murano glass and jewelry were lined up one after the other, and windows were filled with Venetian masks and mannequins in stunning masquerade costumes. The streets were like little alleys and as you went along you’d come across a bridge over a waterway and beneath you would be a gondola trimmed in gold and velvet. The gondoliers would yell after me, “You! Blondy girl! Ride?” Since we wound through the streets I’m not exactly sure of all the famous sites we saw, but we popped into beautiful churches as we went – one was enormous on the inside and the pillars were covered in red velvet –I think it was San Stefano. It was just so much fun – you’d be in these narrow shady streets and then out of nowhere you’d be in this huge open piazza filled with music and people. The buildings were all reds and oragnes, and some were blues with the plaster peeling away to reveal red brick beneath. Lilacs were flowing over every wall so the city smelled of salt water and lilacs. All over are water fountains with water just flowing out into a pool, and people drank from them, but I wasn’t daring around.
Our first gelato was as amazing as they tell you – I got a vanilla with nutella mixed in for a euro. Then we got pizza for lunch – and Ireland doesn’t have good pizza so this was an unbelievable treat. It tasted like pizza on Arthur Ave, but better! A man was outside Chiesa San Rocco singing opera songs in a beautiful tenor voice as we ate. We then went to the beginning of the Grand Canal, hopped on a water taxi and took a tour for an hour. The water taxis are like subways, but on water with a great view of all the buildings and bridges. We then walked through this great market by the Ponte di Rialto which is a beautiful bridge that connects two huge sections of Venice. We then stopped for dinner at a cute outdoor restaurant and I got lasagna and a glass of the house red – delicious!!! But most restaurants charge you to sit and for the service, so we didn’t eat out much. We were pretty beat so we headed back to our island, and walked around Lido down to the beach and I’m not kidding, it was so humid and hazy you could barely see 100 ft. down the beach, but it didn’t feel gross – it just looked so mysterious. We then went to the other side of the island and sat on the canal at sunset and couldn’t believe where we were.
The next day was basically the same, but we went to the island of Murano where all the famous glass comes from. It was small and adorable and then we went back to Venice and strolled through the streets again. We had lucked out the day before by walking around early because in the afternoon those tiny streets are packed with people so you can barely move. We then went back to Lido and hung out on the beach for the afternoon. The water was so clear and it was so hot – something I haven’t experienced in Ireland and forgot about!!
I wish I could describe every minute but it’s just impossible. The people in Venice were so friendly and nice and spoke excellent English and were willing to help us with any question or directions. When they found out we were Americans they didn’t get that look of dollar signs in their eyes like everywhere else we’ve been – instead they just seemed intrigued and wanted to chat. Sunset each night was gorgeous – it’s really a city for lovers and Katie and I just watched all these couples with extreme envy. The water taxis and gondolas and speed boats are so much fun to watch, and the food was amazing. People stand around the piazzas dressed in masquerade costumes and masks posing for pictures and money – it’s a riot! The city is a breeze to walk – it takes maybe a half hour to walk from top to bottom and probably an hour side to side – but there is so much to stop and see!! I really loved it, and will without a doubt make it back there when I have money and someone to ride a gondola with!!
Easter
Last week was Easter – Sunday April 2, 2007 – in Gaillimh, Ireland. It was so nice, and by nice I mean lovely, wonderful and comfortable. For the first time I felt pangs of homesickness since I’ve been in Ireland because of all the small but extraordinary things my mom always does on Easter. She outdoes herself every holiday, but particularly on Easter because of the effort she puts into thinking of the perfect present. I mean she still pretends to be Santa for my 35 year old sister – that’s how amazing she is, but on Easter it’s just a basket, and it’s perfect. Around 8am she sneaks into my room and puts a basket on the floor next to my bed; I know it’s her because I wake up and look at her and we always exchange a smile when she’s caught in the act.
“Happy Easter babydolly,” is all she says, and I fall back asleep with my Easter morning complete. That’s all I need – that could be it – that could be all that happens on Easter and it would be complete. That moment where we look at each other, catch eyes and share a knowing smile. I love her. I love her because she’s the most considerate person I have ever and will ever know. I try to emulate her consideration and ability to make everyone feel unbelievably special, but I always come up short.
This Easter though I’m across the Atlantic Ocean. When baseball season opened I missed home because of what baseball is – America, green grass being cut, T-shirts, hot dogs, and an escape from the mundane. But I love Easter – my mom makes about 5 baskets just to put around the house, she buys everyone bunny stuffed animals, candy they especially like, costume jewelry and a simple everyday-type shirt.
So this year I played Mom. I made my friend Katie an Easter basket – sort of. I bought her a pink purse I could only hope she’d like or use, and since Ireland doesn’t have the fake grass I stuffed it with this Tri-color feather boa I had for St. Paddy’s. Then I placed a chocolate bunny on top, and placed a dark-chocolate Kit-Kat, Cadbury mini-eggs, Lindt eggs, and a Butler’s chocolate egg in the bag around the bunny. It was the best I could do. I made a similar one for my friend Chris – sans the purse. I did for the sense of normalcy it would bring for all of us. I needed to do this for them as much as for myself so we wouldn’t miss home too much. The look on their faces made it all worthwhile – I know them both well and I can’t say I’ve seen such a happy look on either of their faces.
Chris, Katie and I went to 10am Mass which was nice, but lacked music so it was anti-climatic. We all anticipated the annual “Jesus Christ is risen today...” but were denied. After Mass we headed back to our apartment and I made chocolate chip pancakes and had Chris cut up a fresh pineapple. My roommate Sarah supplied some Irish bacon, then we all sat together at the spots where I puts place cards down ( I made them) for each person. It was actually really nice.
Afterwards the three of us headed down to the Salthill beach and just goofed around for a bit. We played soccer with a potato the whole walk down and then dropped it into the ocean – an Easter feast for the fish.
Once we returned home I began dinner. I cooked a ham, mashed potatoes, a veggie mix, and warmed up mac n’cheese. Chris is a vegetarian and Katie is the pickiest eater on the planet, but I found a way to please everyone. It was just nice – and nice is a really good thing. Chris and I finished 3 bottles of wine and a Kopperburg – maybe that’s what made everything so pleasant! Or that fact that I finally found jelly beans to put out with my centerpiece (jellybeans, an Easter card from my rents, and my Easter palm/pine branch).
Then after sitting and watching TV for a bit I put the cookies I had baked the day before in the oven and reheated them for about 2 minutes and put them out for the three of us to enjoy. My roommate had left for her own feast hours before, so no worries – she wasn’t excluded.
A few minutes later my family called from Whitestone, NY. They were all almost there – minus my brother, sister-in-law and nephew. I spoke to almost everyone which really made my night, but it was a 45-minute call!! But I needed it. Easter is usually low-key, but it was quite the party from the sounds of it. Of course the year I leave! I guess it’s just because we’ve all finally grown up. My cousin James is the youngest at around 10 and his brother is 15…but the rest of us are 20 and older. My sisters are married to great men and my other cousins are men themselves now. It’s now food, music, laughter and drink, instead of tears and yelling like when we were kids. Listening to their joy didn’t so much make me sad as it did just happy that they were happy. There was no fighting at this point in the day and it was so comforting to hear their joy.
So that was my Easter – my makeshift family and I loved it. I missed my real family, but it was nice. It wasn’t with the “closest thing to family” it was with family as makeshift as it is. I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. Yes I’d have loved to be home with my other family, but Galway has finally started to feel like home - I’m in love with this place and I’m in love with Chris and Katie as family.
I do miss home-home family, but I feel like Europe is where I belong, for right now at least.
“Happy Easter babydolly,” is all she says, and I fall back asleep with my Easter morning complete. That’s all I need – that could be it – that could be all that happens on Easter and it would be complete. That moment where we look at each other, catch eyes and share a knowing smile. I love her. I love her because she’s the most considerate person I have ever and will ever know. I try to emulate her consideration and ability to make everyone feel unbelievably special, but I always come up short.
This Easter though I’m across the Atlantic Ocean. When baseball season opened I missed home because of what baseball is – America, green grass being cut, T-shirts, hot dogs, and an escape from the mundane. But I love Easter – my mom makes about 5 baskets just to put around the house, she buys everyone bunny stuffed animals, candy they especially like, costume jewelry and a simple everyday-type shirt.
So this year I played Mom. I made my friend Katie an Easter basket – sort of. I bought her a pink purse I could only hope she’d like or use, and since Ireland doesn’t have the fake grass I stuffed it with this Tri-color feather boa I had for St. Paddy’s. Then I placed a chocolate bunny on top, and placed a dark-chocolate Kit-Kat, Cadbury mini-eggs, Lindt eggs, and a Butler’s chocolate egg in the bag around the bunny. It was the best I could do. I made a similar one for my friend Chris – sans the purse. I did for the sense of normalcy it would bring for all of us. I needed to do this for them as much as for myself so we wouldn’t miss home too much. The look on their faces made it all worthwhile – I know them both well and I can’t say I’ve seen such a happy look on either of their faces.
Chris, Katie and I went to 10am Mass which was nice, but lacked music so it was anti-climatic. We all anticipated the annual “Jesus Christ is risen today...” but were denied. After Mass we headed back to our apartment and I made chocolate chip pancakes and had Chris cut up a fresh pineapple. My roommate Sarah supplied some Irish bacon, then we all sat together at the spots where I puts place cards down ( I made them) for each person. It was actually really nice.
Afterwards the three of us headed down to the Salthill beach and just goofed around for a bit. We played soccer with a potato the whole walk down and then dropped it into the ocean – an Easter feast for the fish.
Once we returned home I began dinner. I cooked a ham, mashed potatoes, a veggie mix, and warmed up mac n’cheese. Chris is a vegetarian and Katie is the pickiest eater on the planet, but I found a way to please everyone. It was just nice – and nice is a really good thing. Chris and I finished 3 bottles of wine and a Kopperburg – maybe that’s what made everything so pleasant! Or that fact that I finally found jelly beans to put out with my centerpiece (jellybeans, an Easter card from my rents, and my Easter palm/pine branch).
Then after sitting and watching TV for a bit I put the cookies I had baked the day before in the oven and reheated them for about 2 minutes and put them out for the three of us to enjoy. My roommate had left for her own feast hours before, so no worries – she wasn’t excluded.
A few minutes later my family called from Whitestone, NY. They were all almost there – minus my brother, sister-in-law and nephew. I spoke to almost everyone which really made my night, but it was a 45-minute call!! But I needed it. Easter is usually low-key, but it was quite the party from the sounds of it. Of course the year I leave! I guess it’s just because we’ve all finally grown up. My cousin James is the youngest at around 10 and his brother is 15…but the rest of us are 20 and older. My sisters are married to great men and my other cousins are men themselves now. It’s now food, music, laughter and drink, instead of tears and yelling like when we were kids. Listening to their joy didn’t so much make me sad as it did just happy that they were happy. There was no fighting at this point in the day and it was so comforting to hear their joy.
So that was my Easter – my makeshift family and I loved it. I missed my real family, but it was nice. It wasn’t with the “closest thing to family” it was with family as makeshift as it is. I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. Yes I’d have loved to be home with my other family, but Galway has finally started to feel like home - I’m in love with this place and I’m in love with Chris and Katie as family.
I do miss home-home family, but I feel like Europe is where I belong, for right now at least.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Lá Fhéile Pádraig
Lá Fhéile Pádraig!! Well, it's way past St. Paddy's Day, but that was the last major event.
Two of my friends from home came to visit for a week and it was pretty intense! My other roomie had 2 friends also, so it was quite the packed house. It was an interesting mix of people too - we had three people from Wisconsin, 2 from Jersey, 1 from Boston, and 1 from Connecticut. At one point 2 other people stayed so we had 4 from Wisconsin and 2 from CT, trust me - the accent ratio was insane and we had a lot of fun with that.
Kris, Jacks, Kat, and I hit up the Cliffs of Moher which were just unbelievably beautiful. I had been there years ago, but it's something you can never see too many times. The weather was perfect - sunny, cool, and clear. Driving through the Burren alone made the trip worth it. The rolling Irish hills were in perfect form for our friends. I had class during their stay so I couldn't visit Connemara with them on another day, but I'll get there. I had to pass up on a trip to the Aran Islands also, but I'll make it there no doubt.
At the end of the week was St. Patrick's Day - which contrary to some American's belief, it is a big deal in Ireland. A very big deal. Thousands of people descended upon Galway from around the world, but the weather was awful so you didn't really see half of them.
We started off in Monroe's, a great pub, and a marching band played some music to kick off the parade. We hid under an awning during the actual parade because the rain was so bad. The parade was short but cute - lots of kids in uniforms and bagpipers. We then hit up Wards Hotel for some lunch and to watch the big rugby match. Ireland won, but not by enough points to secure the entire six-nations games. Nighttime was when the real festivities began. The rain relaxed a bit and we hit downtown.
We went to the Quays first and met some obnoxious Irish boys. I was almost set on fire by some idiot, and that idiot then literally set his friend on fire. I was asked by multiple boys for a kiss - it's the Irish pick-up line. We met up with some more American friends we had made earlier in the day and then went to Hole in the Wall. We met more crazy Irish people and danced for awhile, where we met some great people. We followed them back to their apartment and went to a real Irish house party. It was amazing.
We drank, we sang, people Irish danced and played the tin whistle, and I met some great people. We all even fell in love for the night with some nice Irish boys with great Irish names. We partied till 4am and had probably the best night in Ireland thus far. I miss my family and friends and NYC, but I am in love with Galway!!!
Two of my friends from home came to visit for a week and it was pretty intense! My other roomie had 2 friends also, so it was quite the packed house. It was an interesting mix of people too - we had three people from Wisconsin, 2 from Jersey, 1 from Boston, and 1 from Connecticut. At one point 2 other people stayed so we had 4 from Wisconsin and 2 from CT, trust me - the accent ratio was insane and we had a lot of fun with that.
Kris, Jacks, Kat, and I hit up the Cliffs of Moher which were just unbelievably beautiful. I had been there years ago, but it's something you can never see too many times. The weather was perfect - sunny, cool, and clear. Driving through the Burren alone made the trip worth it. The rolling Irish hills were in perfect form for our friends. I had class during their stay so I couldn't visit Connemara with them on another day, but I'll get there. I had to pass up on a trip to the Aran Islands also, but I'll make it there no doubt.
At the end of the week was St. Patrick's Day - which contrary to some American's belief, it is a big deal in Ireland. A very big deal. Thousands of people descended upon Galway from around the world, but the weather was awful so you didn't really see half of them.
We started off in Monroe's, a great pub, and a marching band played some music to kick off the parade. We hid under an awning during the actual parade because the rain was so bad. The parade was short but cute - lots of kids in uniforms and bagpipers. We then hit up Wards Hotel for some lunch and to watch the big rugby match. Ireland won, but not by enough points to secure the entire six-nations games. Nighttime was when the real festivities began. The rain relaxed a bit and we hit downtown.
We went to the Quays first and met some obnoxious Irish boys. I was almost set on fire by some idiot, and that idiot then literally set his friend on fire. I was asked by multiple boys for a kiss - it's the Irish pick-up line. We met up with some more American friends we had made earlier in the day and then went to Hole in the Wall. We met more crazy Irish people and danced for awhile, where we met some great people. We followed them back to their apartment and went to a real Irish house party. It was amazing.
We drank, we sang, people Irish danced and played the tin whistle, and I met some great people. We all even fell in love for the night with some nice Irish boys with great Irish names. We partied till 4am and had probably the best night in Ireland thus far. I miss my family and friends and NYC, but I am in love with Galway!!!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Visitors
Our friends from Fordham are here!! So far it's been a lot of fun, pretty low-key. Last night we hit the pubs - An Pucan, King's Head, and The Quays. Some Dublin friends were there, and a family from my home town!! It was bizarre!!
Today we went to the Cliffs of Moher and drove through the Burren. It was a gorgeous day and just so unbelievably beautiful. I saw the Cliffs years ago, and they are definitely worth seeing again. We walked along the edge, so great. Well that's about it for now!
Today we went to the Cliffs of Moher and drove through the Burren. It was a gorgeous day and just so unbelievably beautiful. I saw the Cliffs years ago, and they are definitely worth seeing again. We walked along the edge, so great. Well that's about it for now!
Paris Holds the Key to Your Heart
Last week we went to Paris. I've wanted to go there for as long as I can remember - I took French for seven years just so I could go there and know the language!! Luckily it turned out to be everything I had hoped for!!
We left Saturday morning from Shannon airport and flew via Ryan Air to Beauvais, France, and then took about an hour long bus to Paris. Pulling into the city you can see the Eiffel Tower so believe me, I got tres excited. The bus pulled into a place called Port Maillot, and then Katie and I were in the middle of Paris with my basic knowledge of the language and no map. But the hotel concierge nearby directed us to a subway stop, we asked around and eventually made it to our budget hotel on the exact opposite side of the city. The hotel was pretty decent and about the same cost as our terrible hostel in London so it worked out well, and the location turned out to be perfect. Katie got in touch with a childhood friend of hers studying in Paris, so we headed over to meet her by Sacre Coeur. The best part about being abroad is you become best friends with everyone else studying, simply because we're all in the same boat and everyone wants places to stay or to be shown around. Katie hadn't talked to this girl in about four years but she was gung-ho to show us around! So we headed that way and tried to find food but Katie is the pickiest eater of all time and French food is tricky, so I just grabbed a four-cheese pizza tart thing at a boulangerie (bakery), and it was surprisingly good. I'm not a cheese person but I ate more cheese this weekend than in my whole life. We wandered around and stumbled into the Red Light district and saw the Moulin Rouge which is pretty cool to see at night because of the lights, and then we walked down the street - it was hilarious, I'll just leave it at that. We met up with Lisa the friend and her friends, and then we met up with more people and got fondue! It was so delicious! We had meat and cheese fondue, and they serve you 2euro wine out of baby bottles! It was such a cute gimmick! We also made some Canadien friends backpacking across Europe that night, so it was successful.
The next day Katie and I got up early and hit the tourism route. We started at Notre-Dame on the Ile de la Cite and went to mass, which I found to be amazing. The music was in Latin and very eerie, which fit such an historic building. We then walked along the Seine and saw the Hotel de Ville and got lunch - I got un croque-monsieur, which is basically a glorified grilled ham and cheese, but I had to pretend order them all through highschool French classes, so I finally wanted a real one. Pretty good. We also checked out the Centre Georges-Pompidou which is the one of the coolest buildings I've ever seen. Next the Louvre, which was great because it's free the first Sunday of every month! We walked around for 2 hours and saw the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo - which I found cooler than Mona Lisa, and lots of great art. The Egyptian exhibits were the best, and they let you walk down along where the old moat used to be. It got way too crowded so we had to leave, and then hit the Touleries Gardens, Place de la Concorde where all the executions took place during La Revolution, and then walked along the Champs-Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. That was one heck of a hike. From there we walked to the Eiffel Tower, which is honestly so much bigger than I thought!! We didn't go up but if you go the building behind it - the Trocadero, you get a great view of the city. Why stop there? We then walked down the Eiffel's lawn - the Champs de Mars and checked out the military school - it's beautiful, and then headed towards Les Invalides, where Napolean is buried. It was probably 5 or 6 at this point, so we headed back to the hotel to relax. At night we met up with Lisa again and got dessert - a crepe with nutella and bananas...I don't think anything better exists. Then we went to an Australian pub where it was American night of all things and met up with our new friends.
On Monday we went to Sacre-Coeur which is so so so beautiful and breathtaking. The view is to die for, but the people harrassing you for money were out of control. We went inside and it was so impressive. We walked around Montmatre after that which is very cute and it wasn't too packed but artists ask to draw you every five feet. The art was so great and the buildings are charming. One particular square had a restaurant called Chez Eugene, and right near it was another cafe called La Mere Catherine, which I found to be just perfect. We walked all over that hill and then headed towards the St. Michel area to meet a friend of mine for lunch, but the Metro stop we planned to meet at had multiple exits and entrances so we missed each other! Instead I got a baguette with chicken and cheese and headed towards the Jardin du Luxembourg which was beautiful, then the Pantheon, the Sorbonne, and back to Notre Dame to see St. Chapelle - but you had to pay to get in so we didn't see the stained glass which is its draw. We walked along the Seine again to the Palais Royale, stumbled into St. Gervais church which was so haunting - really mysterious and creepy but beautiful. At night we met up with some Fordham kids and got dinner and then hit an Irish pub called The Galway - ridiculous! But I got a glass of red wine to appease my sister.
Tuesday, our last day was awful weather. The other days were mild and sunny and I walked around in a tee-shirt, but this was cold, rainy and windy and we had to lug our bags everywhere. We went to the Catacombs, which I thought were just unreal. So humbling and frightening but a necessary experience. I'll just say that Katie is claustrophobic, which I thought was just a term she threw around to mean she didn't like crowds, but I learned she really really is. We then walked to the Montparnasse area and met Lisa for lunch and I got a great little tart and une baguette sandwich. Honestly, the French understand good food better than anyplace I've ever been. We then pretty much walked to the Eiffel Tower again and then to Port Maillot, to the Arc de Triomphe and back to Port Maillot to kill time in the pouring rain. Basically it was time to go home, so after security threw out half of Katie's stuff and a bumpy plane ride, we just wanted to go home. But of course it's Ireland and Bus Eirrean would stop running at 8 at night at an international airport, so our return ticket was useless - rip off!!! But we took a different bus back to Galway and finally, finally went to bed.
The French really do walk around with baguettes sticking out of their purses, the croissants are delicious, they are actually nicer than people give them credit for and will ask if you prefer English or French at some restaurants. No one talked politics unlike the Irish, and I just had an amazing time. The Canadiens we met put the American-thing into perspective, one of them said he'd never met an American he didn't like and in fact thought we're great overall, our government just ruins it. Paris has a lot of trees and without being in bloom it gave the city a very brown, dead look, but I imagine in spring and summer it's just gorgeous. I have to go back because we didn't see the city lit up at night, except the Eiffel Tower which sparkles every so often. J'adore Paris, c'etait magnifique!!
We left Saturday morning from Shannon airport and flew via Ryan Air to Beauvais, France, and then took about an hour long bus to Paris. Pulling into the city you can see the Eiffel Tower so believe me, I got tres excited. The bus pulled into a place called Port Maillot, and then Katie and I were in the middle of Paris with my basic knowledge of the language and no map. But the hotel concierge nearby directed us to a subway stop, we asked around and eventually made it to our budget hotel on the exact opposite side of the city. The hotel was pretty decent and about the same cost as our terrible hostel in London so it worked out well, and the location turned out to be perfect. Katie got in touch with a childhood friend of hers studying in Paris, so we headed over to meet her by Sacre Coeur. The best part about being abroad is you become best friends with everyone else studying, simply because we're all in the same boat and everyone wants places to stay or to be shown around. Katie hadn't talked to this girl in about four years but she was gung-ho to show us around! So we headed that way and tried to find food but Katie is the pickiest eater of all time and French food is tricky, so I just grabbed a four-cheese pizza tart thing at a boulangerie (bakery), and it was surprisingly good. I'm not a cheese person but I ate more cheese this weekend than in my whole life. We wandered around and stumbled into the Red Light district and saw the Moulin Rouge which is pretty cool to see at night because of the lights, and then we walked down the street - it was hilarious, I'll just leave it at that. We met up with Lisa the friend and her friends, and then we met up with more people and got fondue! It was so delicious! We had meat and cheese fondue, and they serve you 2euro wine out of baby bottles! It was such a cute gimmick! We also made some Canadien friends backpacking across Europe that night, so it was successful.
The next day Katie and I got up early and hit the tourism route. We started at Notre-Dame on the Ile de la Cite and went to mass, which I found to be amazing. The music was in Latin and very eerie, which fit such an historic building. We then walked along the Seine and saw the Hotel de Ville and got lunch - I got un croque-monsieur, which is basically a glorified grilled ham and cheese, but I had to pretend order them all through highschool French classes, so I finally wanted a real one. Pretty good. We also checked out the Centre Georges-Pompidou which is the one of the coolest buildings I've ever seen. Next the Louvre, which was great because it's free the first Sunday of every month! We walked around for 2 hours and saw the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo - which I found cooler than Mona Lisa, and lots of great art. The Egyptian exhibits were the best, and they let you walk down along where the old moat used to be. It got way too crowded so we had to leave, and then hit the Touleries Gardens, Place de la Concorde where all the executions took place during La Revolution, and then walked along the Champs-Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. That was one heck of a hike. From there we walked to the Eiffel Tower, which is honestly so much bigger than I thought!! We didn't go up but if you go the building behind it - the Trocadero, you get a great view of the city. Why stop there? We then walked down the Eiffel's lawn - the Champs de Mars and checked out the military school - it's beautiful, and then headed towards Les Invalides, where Napolean is buried. It was probably 5 or 6 at this point, so we headed back to the hotel to relax. At night we met up with Lisa again and got dessert - a crepe with nutella and bananas...I don't think anything better exists. Then we went to an Australian pub where it was American night of all things and met up with our new friends.
On Monday we went to Sacre-Coeur which is so so so beautiful and breathtaking. The view is to die for, but the people harrassing you for money were out of control. We went inside and it was so impressive. We walked around Montmatre after that which is very cute and it wasn't too packed but artists ask to draw you every five feet. The art was so great and the buildings are charming. One particular square had a restaurant called Chez Eugene, and right near it was another cafe called La Mere Catherine, which I found to be just perfect. We walked all over that hill and then headed towards the St. Michel area to meet a friend of mine for lunch, but the Metro stop we planned to meet at had multiple exits and entrances so we missed each other! Instead I got a baguette with chicken and cheese and headed towards the Jardin du Luxembourg which was beautiful, then the Pantheon, the Sorbonne, and back to Notre Dame to see St. Chapelle - but you had to pay to get in so we didn't see the stained glass which is its draw. We walked along the Seine again to the Palais Royale, stumbled into St. Gervais church which was so haunting - really mysterious and creepy but beautiful. At night we met up with some Fordham kids and got dinner and then hit an Irish pub called The Galway - ridiculous! But I got a glass of red wine to appease my sister.
Tuesday, our last day was awful weather. The other days were mild and sunny and I walked around in a tee-shirt, but this was cold, rainy and windy and we had to lug our bags everywhere. We went to the Catacombs, which I thought were just unreal. So humbling and frightening but a necessary experience. I'll just say that Katie is claustrophobic, which I thought was just a term she threw around to mean she didn't like crowds, but I learned she really really is. We then walked to the Montparnasse area and met Lisa for lunch and I got a great little tart and une baguette sandwich. Honestly, the French understand good food better than anyplace I've ever been. We then pretty much walked to the Eiffel Tower again and then to Port Maillot, to the Arc de Triomphe and back to Port Maillot to kill time in the pouring rain. Basically it was time to go home, so after security threw out half of Katie's stuff and a bumpy plane ride, we just wanted to go home. But of course it's Ireland and Bus Eirrean would stop running at 8 at night at an international airport, so our return ticket was useless - rip off!!! But we took a different bus back to Galway and finally, finally went to bed.
The French really do walk around with baguettes sticking out of their purses, the croissants are delicious, they are actually nicer than people give them credit for and will ask if you prefer English or French at some restaurants. No one talked politics unlike the Irish, and I just had an amazing time. The Canadiens we met put the American-thing into perspective, one of them said he'd never met an American he didn't like and in fact thought we're great overall, our government just ruins it. Paris has a lot of trees and without being in bloom it gave the city a very brown, dead look, but I imagine in spring and summer it's just gorgeous. I have to go back because we didn't see the city lit up at night, except the Eiffel Tower which sparkles every so often. J'adore Paris, c'etait magnifique!!
RAG Week
RAG week happened a few weeks ago - Raise up And Give. It's basically a week of insanity and alcoholism - it was a lot of fun!! The Irish kids get wasted morning, noon and night for a week and then drunkenly give their money to charities. These kids were walking to class drunk, drinking in the concourse, etc. It was nuts!! I unfortunately had two papers to write, so I didn't get to partake in the mayhem too much. Next time!!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
London
This past weekend was London!! Kat, Sarah and I hit up the capital city and I seriously want to live there, it's just so expensive!! I loved every minute and it's so beautiful, and yes very cosmopolitan like New York, but I think it has so much more original and historic character.
We took a 4 hour bus to Dublin, waited 2 hours then took a 4 hour ferry (which was awful), then took a 7 hour bus to London. That trip was hell. We got to London by 9amish and walked to Buckingham Palace then figured out the Tube and headed to Borough St for our hostel. We then went back to Victoria and bought tickets to ride a double-decker hop on and off bus. It was so worth it because we saw everything. I got a hole in my pants and had to wrap my sweatshirt around my waist so I was freezing under my jacket w/just a little Tee on. Luckily I found a cheap pair of jeans and solved that problem! At night Katie and I found peanut butter KitKats - which the US needs NOW - and then walked around our hostel area. Turns out back in the day it was the slummy area that Shakespeare got his inspiration from - pretty cool if you ask me. Now it's such a hidden gem - great little night life - one bar was made out of the arch of a bridge!
We rode the bus all over the first day and then walked around Leicester Square and Regent St at night which was great. The next day we tried for cheap West End tickets with no luck, then Katie and I headed to watch the changing of the guard. I dunno I wasn't that impressed - it was really cool and all, but a lot of pomp and circumstance over nothing. Then we hopped on the bus and went all over again, walked around Trafalger Square, Picadilly, Leicester again, the Horse Guard, Parliament and Westminster. We also took a river cruise also from Tower of London to the London Eye along the Thames and saw Shakespeare's new Globe theatre, and an actual pirate ship - which Katie kind of freaked out about. We took the bus over to the Kensington are of town which was beautiful and saw Harrods, Princess Di's memorial park, all the museums and Albert Music Hall. Then by night we ate at Garfunkels - I had cottage pie which was delicious. Then we hit Leicester again - it's very Union Squareish, and at delicious gelatto and waffle desserts - we had to indulge it's vacation! Two Russion/London boys begged us to club with them because they needed girls to get in, but we declined the offer, we're not much of club people and we were dressed like bums! We headed back to the hostel and that great night life was non-existant. Everything closed on a Saturday night so we walked over London Bridge and saw everything at night, sooo pretty. Then we found a local pub called the Old Kings Head and chilled out there. We just really didn't want to go back to our hostel - the people were creeping us out.
On Sunday we headed to Tower of London and tried to get in for free with no luck (again) so we bought tickets, did a tour then explored for about 2 hours. That place was great - soo soo much history. Then we snuck on our tour bus (our tickets had expired) and rode over to Victoria Station. We got lunch and wandered, but we were ready to go home. We then took that dreadful trip back, but I popped some sea sickness motion and just slept the whole ferry and bus ride home. I would reccommend it tho because it's so much cheaper than flying. And back to Galway we were, and I had to quickly finish a paper, shower, and head to class!!!
We took a 4 hour bus to Dublin, waited 2 hours then took a 4 hour ferry (which was awful), then took a 7 hour bus to London. That trip was hell. We got to London by 9amish and walked to Buckingham Palace then figured out the Tube and headed to Borough St for our hostel. We then went back to Victoria and bought tickets to ride a double-decker hop on and off bus. It was so worth it because we saw everything. I got a hole in my pants and had to wrap my sweatshirt around my waist so I was freezing under my jacket w/just a little Tee on. Luckily I found a cheap pair of jeans and solved that problem! At night Katie and I found peanut butter KitKats - which the US needs NOW - and then walked around our hostel area. Turns out back in the day it was the slummy area that Shakespeare got his inspiration from - pretty cool if you ask me. Now it's such a hidden gem - great little night life - one bar was made out of the arch of a bridge!
We rode the bus all over the first day and then walked around Leicester Square and Regent St at night which was great. The next day we tried for cheap West End tickets with no luck, then Katie and I headed to watch the changing of the guard. I dunno I wasn't that impressed - it was really cool and all, but a lot of pomp and circumstance over nothing. Then we hopped on the bus and went all over again, walked around Trafalger Square, Picadilly, Leicester again, the Horse Guard, Parliament and Westminster. We also took a river cruise also from Tower of London to the London Eye along the Thames and saw Shakespeare's new Globe theatre, and an actual pirate ship - which Katie kind of freaked out about. We took the bus over to the Kensington are of town which was beautiful and saw Harrods, Princess Di's memorial park, all the museums and Albert Music Hall. Then by night we ate at Garfunkels - I had cottage pie which was delicious. Then we hit Leicester again - it's very Union Squareish, and at delicious gelatto and waffle desserts - we had to indulge it's vacation! Two Russion/London boys begged us to club with them because they needed girls to get in, but we declined the offer, we're not much of club people and we were dressed like bums! We headed back to the hostel and that great night life was non-existant. Everything closed on a Saturday night so we walked over London Bridge and saw everything at night, sooo pretty. Then we found a local pub called the Old Kings Head and chilled out there. We just really didn't want to go back to our hostel - the people were creeping us out.
On Sunday we headed to Tower of London and tried to get in for free with no luck (again) so we bought tickets, did a tour then explored for about 2 hours. That place was great - soo soo much history. Then we snuck on our tour bus (our tickets had expired) and rode over to Victoria Station. We got lunch and wandered, but we were ready to go home. We then took that dreadful trip back, but I popped some sea sickness motion and just slept the whole ferry and bus ride home. I would reccommend it tho because it's so much cheaper than flying. And back to Galway we were, and I had to quickly finish a paper, shower, and head to class!!!
Dublin
I've been very far behind on writing - I've been so busy!
A few weekends ago I went to Dublin w/Kat and Audrey and it was a blast. We visited a few Fordham friends who live in an amazing flat and our friend from London visited and stayed there too. We took the train which provided a lovely view of the countryside and then got there at night and had a home cooked meal, which we needed after a month of cooking for ourselves! Then we hit the pubs - Porterhouse, Stag's Head, and O'Sullivans. Porterhouse was great, the guy was playing great covers.
On Saturday we walked aaall over the city and started with lunch at Lemon which has delicious crepes and the like. We met up with my friend Tim and he gave us a tour of Trinity college. It's a beautiful campus and the Book of Kells is impressive - the exhibit more so than the book, but I like it much more the 2nd time around. I first saw it when I was 14 and I was less impressed. Then we walked and saw all the sights - the General Post Office where the Easter Rising took place, Christ Church, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Grafton Street, and the Guinness Factory. I'm sure there was more, we walked everywhere. We took in the views of the Liffey on H'Penny Bridge too. That night - more great food and then off to a party.
This trip has made me realize what a small small world it is. My friend Jason from highschool is in Dublin and in the same program as my Fordham friends and their roomates so we were all invited separately and realized that night we were going to the same party. When we got there it was great to see Jay, and then my friend Pat from Galway was standing there too! He's friends from highschool w/another Fordham Dubliner and he was on a trip and decided to visit Brian and off they went to the party. So bizarre, but lots of laughs too. The next day was just hanging out and a museum - the weather wasn't great and we had a train to catch. We thought it'd be a great idea to walk to the station along the Liffey - longest trek ever. Overall the trip was great, I could visit Dublin every weekend there is so much to do, but Galway is still better.
A few weekends ago I went to Dublin w/Kat and Audrey and it was a blast. We visited a few Fordham friends who live in an amazing flat and our friend from London visited and stayed there too. We took the train which provided a lovely view of the countryside and then got there at night and had a home cooked meal, which we needed after a month of cooking for ourselves! Then we hit the pubs - Porterhouse, Stag's Head, and O'Sullivans. Porterhouse was great, the guy was playing great covers.
On Saturday we walked aaall over the city and started with lunch at Lemon which has delicious crepes and the like. We met up with my friend Tim and he gave us a tour of Trinity college. It's a beautiful campus and the Book of Kells is impressive - the exhibit more so than the book, but I like it much more the 2nd time around. I first saw it when I was 14 and I was less impressed. Then we walked and saw all the sights - the General Post Office where the Easter Rising took place, Christ Church, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Grafton Street, and the Guinness Factory. I'm sure there was more, we walked everywhere. We took in the views of the Liffey on H'Penny Bridge too. That night - more great food and then off to a party.
This trip has made me realize what a small small world it is. My friend Jason from highschool is in Dublin and in the same program as my Fordham friends and their roomates so we were all invited separately and realized that night we were going to the same party. When we got there it was great to see Jay, and then my friend Pat from Galway was standing there too! He's friends from highschool w/another Fordham Dubliner and he was on a trip and decided to visit Brian and off they went to the party. So bizarre, but lots of laughs too. The next day was just hanging out and a museum - the weather wasn't great and we had a train to catch. We thought it'd be a great idea to walk to the station along the Liffey - longest trek ever. Overall the trip was great, I could visit Dublin every weekend there is so much to do, but Galway is still better.
Monday, January 29, 2007
River Dance I am Not
We joined Irish Dance last week and it was nuts. She didn't even teach us the steps. She went straigh to routine and told us we have a recital next week. We looked like a bunch of bouncing idiots. So Kat and I are hysterical the whole time, and I realize I end the number, center stage, by myself as the point of a triangle. Even though we will be laughed at, I find something hilarious in the fact that I, a girl with no dance training or skill, am ending the show front and center. So pretty much we're going to do it and revel in the embarassment. When else am I going to be in a dance recital in Ireland???
I also signed up for the radio expecting some sort of orientation or training, but nope, the station manager put me on the schedule for this week right away. I'm doing news headlines, which is fantastic because that's what I do at FUV. I'm still really nervous though, even though not nearly as many people will be listening to FlirtFM as do FUV. I'm more scared of the equipment to be honest - I've never been good at running my own board or anything like that.
I considered choir, but eh...I'll miss Bsides at Fordham but it's such a commitment. I'd really love love to find some place or band where I could sing Irish music just once at least. And I want to play the harp and the bodhrain once! Okay maybe that's a lot, but a girl can dream!
I also signed up for the radio expecting some sort of orientation or training, but nope, the station manager put me on the schedule for this week right away. I'm doing news headlines, which is fantastic because that's what I do at FUV. I'm still really nervous though, even though not nearly as many people will be listening to FlirtFM as do FUV. I'm more scared of the equipment to be honest - I've never been good at running my own board or anything like that.
I considered choir, but eh...I'll miss Bsides at Fordham but it's such a commitment. I'd really love love to find some place or band where I could sing Irish music just once at least. And I want to play the harp and the bodhrain once! Okay maybe that's a lot, but a girl can dream!
JoCo Comes to Town
This weekend was pretty great. Our friend JoCo from Fordham came for a visit and we took him to some great pubs. It was actually a lot of fun - we went to a pub that has dancing, called Hole in the Wall. For those of you from FU it was a lot like Gorman's in the good old days when it was dominated by North kids. We also walked to Salthill and explore more of Galway Bay and found a fantastic little cafe - Roscoe's. But first on Thursday our friends came over to our place and we went to the bar next door. We ran into the kid we met the first night and well, or course craziness!
The kid Martin and his cousin Martin with some friends awkwardly joined us, after I hear them go, "I thought you liked that one? Well pick one!" referring to us girls. So after some small talk Martin1 asks me to kiss Martin2, which I laugh politely and say No, I don't think so. I turn towards Kat to say something, and suddenly I get this WHACK! to my leg and I swing around to look at Martin2, and he goes, "So are you gonna kiss me, or what?" I laughed again and said No much more firmly this time, but neither of them can let it go. I tried to tell them that American girls don't really like getting hit and then asked for a kiss, he said it was the Irish way, but I said I don't think Irish girls like it either. I realized they had put money on whether on I'd kiss him or not, so I ask this older guy, "Do you think all American girls are easy?" He honestly answers yes and we go hysterical. This other guy hits on our friend Meg so we're all givin each other a hard time being like "Just go for it!" and Kat finally got me to the point where I was like, thanks traitor, so I made her switch with me so Martin1 could hit on her. Which was not so great cuz he licked her ear creepily. Martin1 kept begging me, so I finally was just like, "Look, your cousin (Martin2) didn't stand a chance because I don't kiss complete strangers [while sober], but most importantly, he's 18 and I'm 21. It's never gonna happen." I then told him he needs to learn how to talk to girls. He got a little annoying, okay a lot annoying, so I had to be firm. Our friend Chris told me he was really impressed by how I handled those Irish boys. I credit my Irish-American mom and aunts - and my sister warned me not to trust a word out of any Irish man's mouth.
The next night we went out again and I made a "friend" from London who followed me forever - he had to be like 34. He said I had a "nice hiney" and I told him "Nice meeting you. Night." Aka go home. Then at SuperMac's some old guy started yelling at me and my friend Pat for no reason except he was drunk, crazy, and old, so I told him to mind his business, he gets up in my face, but I just stood my ground, looked him in the eye and told him he'd better get out of my face and sit down that second. After a few more heated words he backed down. Ooooh yea. Again Chris was quite impressed. All I'm lookin for is some nice Irish boy to talk to, and instead I get creepy 18 year olds or people who should be home with their wives. However, it's all been great craic and I kinda get a kick out of it.
And yea some people have expressed confusion over the names I use in here to refer to people we all know...they're just like code names to somewhat shield people's identity. I'm just being respectful so stop being complete and utter amadans and eejits.
The kid Martin and his cousin Martin with some friends awkwardly joined us, after I hear them go, "I thought you liked that one? Well pick one!" referring to us girls. So after some small talk Martin1 asks me to kiss Martin2, which I laugh politely and say No, I don't think so. I turn towards Kat to say something, and suddenly I get this WHACK! to my leg and I swing around to look at Martin2, and he goes, "So are you gonna kiss me, or what?" I laughed again and said No much more firmly this time, but neither of them can let it go. I tried to tell them that American girls don't really like getting hit and then asked for a kiss, he said it was the Irish way, but I said I don't think Irish girls like it either. I realized they had put money on whether on I'd kiss him or not, so I ask this older guy, "Do you think all American girls are easy?" He honestly answers yes and we go hysterical. This other guy hits on our friend Meg so we're all givin each other a hard time being like "Just go for it!" and Kat finally got me to the point where I was like, thanks traitor, so I made her switch with me so Martin1 could hit on her. Which was not so great cuz he licked her ear creepily. Martin1 kept begging me, so I finally was just like, "Look, your cousin (Martin2) didn't stand a chance because I don't kiss complete strangers [while sober], but most importantly, he's 18 and I'm 21. It's never gonna happen." I then told him he needs to learn how to talk to girls. He got a little annoying, okay a lot annoying, so I had to be firm. Our friend Chris told me he was really impressed by how I handled those Irish boys. I credit my Irish-American mom and aunts - and my sister warned me not to trust a word out of any Irish man's mouth.
The next night we went out again and I made a "friend" from London who followed me forever - he had to be like 34. He said I had a "nice hiney" and I told him "Nice meeting you. Night." Aka go home. Then at SuperMac's some old guy started yelling at me and my friend Pat for no reason except he was drunk, crazy, and old, so I told him to mind his business, he gets up in my face, but I just stood my ground, looked him in the eye and told him he'd better get out of my face and sit down that second. After a few more heated words he backed down. Ooooh yea. Again Chris was quite impressed. All I'm lookin for is some nice Irish boy to talk to, and instead I get creepy 18 year olds or people who should be home with their wives. However, it's all been great craic and I kinda get a kick out of it.
And yea some people have expressed confusion over the names I use in here to refer to people we all know...they're just like code names to somewhat shield people's identity. I'm just being respectful so stop being complete and utter amadans and eejits.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Trad Music and Killer Blow Dryers
Last night we finally got to hear traditional Irish music!! A few of us got drinks at a pub in Eyre Square and just hung out - it was fun and the music was great. Of course - "Oh, so you're American?" The locals just love that American accent. It's RAG week at a nearby school so the kids line up at 10am at pubs and drink all day - you could tell by the lovely "presents" left on all the streets. Irish people are nuts. The girls dress like skanks, the guys were in shorts and flip-flops, and I dunno - the rest of us had classes!
We also officially registered with NUIG at 9am, and I bought a blow dryer - FINALLY! I was all excited to use it and actually have pretty, non-frizzy hair but nope! Instead it shorted, made a scary scary noise and started smoking. I thought I was going to get electrocuted - Kat and our friend even came running to the room to make sure I wasn't dead. So today I took it back and got a new one - we'll see. It might not sound scary reading - even slightly dramatic - but trust me - terrifying.
Sunday night we went to Garvey's to watch the Patriots game. It's really funny because they stay open so us Americans can watch the game, but apparently they aren't supposed to, so they dim the lights, shut the blinds, and tell us to keep it down. You'd think they were going to kill us all. They booted us out after half time, which is too bad because apparently the second half was amazing - and the Pats lost :( But it was a fun night, and regardless we'll head over for the Superbowl - Go Bears! So I was exhausted yesterday - the first sunny day in about 2 weeks, and I slept through it taking a "kip." Alright more later!
We also officially registered with NUIG at 9am, and I bought a blow dryer - FINALLY! I was all excited to use it and actually have pretty, non-frizzy hair but nope! Instead it shorted, made a scary scary noise and started smoking. I thought I was going to get electrocuted - Kat and our friend even came running to the room to make sure I wasn't dead. So today I took it back and got a new one - we'll see. It might not sound scary reading - even slightly dramatic - but trust me - terrifying.
Sunday night we went to Garvey's to watch the Patriots game. It's really funny because they stay open so us Americans can watch the game, but apparently they aren't supposed to, so they dim the lights, shut the blinds, and tell us to keep it down. You'd think they were going to kill us all. They booted us out after half time, which is too bad because apparently the second half was amazing - and the Pats lost :( But it was a fun night, and regardless we'll head over for the Superbowl - Go Bears! So I was exhausted yesterday - the first sunny day in about 2 weeks, and I slept through it taking a "kip." Alright more later!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Tim Finn
This weekend Kat and I went to Cork and the Blarney Castle and had one of our usual adventures. She and I cannot go anywhere without encountering some form of trouble (usually good) or bizarre occurances. The night before we went to our friend's place for a wine and cheese party which turned out to be a lot of fun, but we were out late and had to get up at 7am. Before we knew the alarm clocks were going off and we had to head over to Eyre Square to catch an 8:05 bus. Of course I was running late - but you try getting ready in the pitch dark with a roomate making noises signafying she's clearly annoyed at you. But we made it after hauling butt down there and got on just in time.
The ride was 4 hours and we experienced every weather pattern known to mankind. It started out gloomy, then sunny, then a hurricane, then sun on one side of the bus, rain on the other, fog, clear blue skies, hail, sleet, etc. I was actually awake for most of the trip because Southern Ireland is so gorgeous to look at, but when I did sleep and wake up - it was a new form of weather. It made the journey feel like days. By the time we reached Cork we'd picked up a bunch of obnoxious guys singing in Spanish and making donkey noises - over and over. I had to work to suppress my inner Mom from telling them to shut it.
Cork is a really cute town - we explored for a bit. I got a sandwich - no mustard because apparently they don't do condiments in this country. We hopped on a bus to Blarney at around 1:30 and off we went. Luckily most of the day was lovely weather. KitKat was really excited to see a castle, and I'm proud of her for leading the way to the top because she's very claustraphobic and those stairs get tinnyy. We kissed the stone - because either of us really needed the gift of gab - and headed back down. We checked out the wishing stairs and the rock close - so so gorgeous and bumped into someone from NUI Galway there oddly enough. We then headed back to Cork, found a hostel for the night and hit the town.
Here's a note to Cork: you are Ireland, not Manhattan. Stick to green grass, rainbows, and leprachauns. It was raining raining and girls were in super high heeled pumps and boots, short short skirts, tube tobs, dresses etc - basically vegas showgirls in person. We got rejected from a club because I was in boots and Kat was wearing wellies. We pretty much laughed at the doorman. We found a local pub which was pretty fun because of course, we met some characters. A guy and I both made a move for a stool, and I beat him so we started talking and his friend swings around and says "Is that an American accent you got there?" That's a signal that this is going to be interesting and fun.
So we chatted with the guys who were probably 34 and Tim Finn - the drunk one in love with our accents asked me to say "Something American, like - 'oh my god!'" So I did, and I didn't disappoint. Tim fell in love - hard - with Kat and begged her to kiss him. He also offered me two-thousand dollars to strip for his friend's stag party in Galway sometime in the next 4 weeks. I don't know if it's just the accent - but he wasn't creepy. The poor dear was just drunk and hilarious. His friend was mortified. So his lads left but he stayed and bought me a beer - a pear cider - kopper something. It was de-licious. He left eventually we he got the point that Kat was not going to kiss him, and I started to get kinda mean because I was no longer amused, he had worn out his welcome. We were going to stay at the pub - called The Bodhrain, but some 47 year old men started hitting on Kat mostly, so we had to go. Sorry Dads, 21 year olds don't like when you hit on their friends. We walked around for a bit, but it was cold and rainy and Cork is a bit too wanna-be posh for my tastes. So we headed back to the hostel, talked to our Spanish roomates for a bit, and hit the hay. I slept with my purse in my bed and my phone under my pillow - I wasn't taking any chances even though the hostel seemed nice enough.
So then we were up at 7am to head back to Galway. Ireland is dead every morning until at least 10am. We were walking the streets at 8am - you would've thought it was 5:30 for how quiet everything was. Even on a weekday I never see life until 9amish. So people better not ever refer to American's as lazy in my presence because we work all day!! NYC is hopping before the sun is up!
Alright it's time for a kip! Cheers!
The ride was 4 hours and we experienced every weather pattern known to mankind. It started out gloomy, then sunny, then a hurricane, then sun on one side of the bus, rain on the other, fog, clear blue skies, hail, sleet, etc. I was actually awake for most of the trip because Southern Ireland is so gorgeous to look at, but when I did sleep and wake up - it was a new form of weather. It made the journey feel like days. By the time we reached Cork we'd picked up a bunch of obnoxious guys singing in Spanish and making donkey noises - over and over. I had to work to suppress my inner Mom from telling them to shut it.
Cork is a really cute town - we explored for a bit. I got a sandwich - no mustard because apparently they don't do condiments in this country. We hopped on a bus to Blarney at around 1:30 and off we went. Luckily most of the day was lovely weather. KitKat was really excited to see a castle, and I'm proud of her for leading the way to the top because she's very claustraphobic and those stairs get tinnyy. We kissed the stone - because either of us really needed the gift of gab - and headed back down. We checked out the wishing stairs and the rock close - so so gorgeous and bumped into someone from NUI Galway there oddly enough. We then headed back to Cork, found a hostel for the night and hit the town.
Here's a note to Cork: you are Ireland, not Manhattan. Stick to green grass, rainbows, and leprachauns. It was raining raining and girls were in super high heeled pumps and boots, short short skirts, tube tobs, dresses etc - basically vegas showgirls in person. We got rejected from a club because I was in boots and Kat was wearing wellies. We pretty much laughed at the doorman. We found a local pub which was pretty fun because of course, we met some characters. A guy and I both made a move for a stool, and I beat him so we started talking and his friend swings around and says "Is that an American accent you got there?" That's a signal that this is going to be interesting and fun.
So we chatted with the guys who were probably 34 and Tim Finn - the drunk one in love with our accents asked me to say "Something American, like - 'oh my god!'" So I did, and I didn't disappoint. Tim fell in love - hard - with Kat and begged her to kiss him. He also offered me two-thousand dollars to strip for his friend's stag party in Galway sometime in the next 4 weeks. I don't know if it's just the accent - but he wasn't creepy. The poor dear was just drunk and hilarious. His friend was mortified. So his lads left but he stayed and bought me a beer - a pear cider - kopper something. It was de-licious. He left eventually we he got the point that Kat was not going to kiss him, and I started to get kinda mean because I was no longer amused, he had worn out his welcome. We were going to stay at the pub - called The Bodhrain, but some 47 year old men started hitting on Kat mostly, so we had to go. Sorry Dads, 21 year olds don't like when you hit on their friends. We walked around for a bit, but it was cold and rainy and Cork is a bit too wanna-be posh for my tastes. So we headed back to the hostel, talked to our Spanish roomates for a bit, and hit the hay. I slept with my purse in my bed and my phone under my pillow - I wasn't taking any chances even though the hostel seemed nice enough.
So then we were up at 7am to head back to Galway. Ireland is dead every morning until at least 10am. We were walking the streets at 8am - you would've thought it was 5:30 for how quiet everything was. Even on a weekday I never see life until 9amish. So people better not ever refer to American's as lazy in my presence because we work all day!! NYC is hopping before the sun is up!
Alright it's time for a kip! Cheers!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Wellies in Action
Today Kat and I woke up at 4:30am and headed over to campus at 5 because we had to register for the English seminars. Registration doesn't start till 9am, but it's so competitive that people line up early. When we arrived - there was already at line - the first people got there at 1:30am. It was unreal. We sat on the cold, cold concrete for two hours and even though we had shelter overhead, the wind and rain still pelted us, not to mention the air was about 2 degrees. It was one of the most miserable experiences of my life. Finally we were let inside and given numbers - I was number 49 - can you believe that?? After a quick breakfast we headed back over to register - and I was closed out of my class - Cinema/Media Studies of John Ford. I'm a Communications and Media studies major....I had to get the class. Instead I picked up Film and Shakespeare - but it's at 9am on Fridays, and Fridays was supposed to be a travel day so now I'm freaking out. I was under the impression that coming as an international student I would get my classes - not get shut out of a class that only reserved spots for 3 international students. NUI is the most backwards place I have been in my life. Three separate registrations is unheard of - and it's 2007- REGISTER ONLINE LIKE AMERICAN SCHOOLS. It's efficient and almost fair. Almost.
However things looked up (after getting hailed on mind you) when I went to my first archery club meeting. Turns out I might have a knack for bows and arrows. My first go-around wasn't too shabby, but my second was pretty impressive. Call it beginners luck, but I hit the bullseye - the 10 point marker on my first shot. My second was just as close - 9 points. But my third was thrown off by a crazy soccer player who ran into our section to fetch his ball. Had he burst in 2 seconds earlier, I probably could've killed him. But I didn't, so let's move on. So far - I love love archery. Even if I wasn't good, I'd still love it, it's just fun feeling like Robin Hood or Legolas. I"ll say it - putting on the arm guard and pulling the bow string - I felt pretty bad ass. Next week I'll head to Irish dance class right after archery practice, which I'm sure will be equally awesome. I Irish danced when I was little, and I miss it. I also signed up for the campus radio station, they seemed impressed I had worked as a reporter for a station back home - WFUV (www.wfuv.org). One note though - even though I paid to join these clubs, I have to pay 1.50 euro every time I enter the gym. I dont think so.
Anyways, the London trip is planned for February, Dublin is possible end of January, and Blarney should be this weekend! It's fun pretending like I have money. Oh and a cutie invited me to the pub tonight, hooweever I hit the wall at about 7pm after being up all day, so I had to pass. Damn you NUI registration!! That's about all the news for this insane rainy cold place!!
However things looked up (after getting hailed on mind you) when I went to my first archery club meeting. Turns out I might have a knack for bows and arrows. My first go-around wasn't too shabby, but my second was pretty impressive. Call it beginners luck, but I hit the bullseye - the 10 point marker on my first shot. My second was just as close - 9 points. But my third was thrown off by a crazy soccer player who ran into our section to fetch his ball. Had he burst in 2 seconds earlier, I probably could've killed him. But I didn't, so let's move on. So far - I love love archery. Even if I wasn't good, I'd still love it, it's just fun feeling like Robin Hood or Legolas. I"ll say it - putting on the arm guard and pulling the bow string - I felt pretty bad ass. Next week I'll head to Irish dance class right after archery practice, which I'm sure will be equally awesome. I Irish danced when I was little, and I miss it. I also signed up for the campus radio station, they seemed impressed I had worked as a reporter for a station back home - WFUV (www.wfuv.org). One note though - even though I paid to join these clubs, I have to pay 1.50 euro every time I enter the gym. I dont think so.
Anyways, the London trip is planned for February, Dublin is possible end of January, and Blarney should be this weekend! It's fun pretending like I have money. Oh and a cutie invited me to the pub tonight, hooweever I hit the wall at about 7pm after being up all day, so I had to pass. Damn you NUI registration!! That's about all the news for this insane rainy cold place!!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Two weeks almost
Wow I can't believe it's been two weeks! We've been so busy I didn't catch the time flying!! Clases started - they are huuge lecture halls - 100 to 400 kids. We've hit Kings Head, the Quays, Monroe's, Roisin Dubh, Hanley Oaks, and College Bar. I love them because they are nothing like the bars back in NYC. They are clean, not packed, and the Irish guys are great. An Irish drummer told KitKat she had an "arse like Beyonce's." It took us awhile to recover from that one. The second a guy learns you are American it's all over from that point - he's in love. And not gonna lie - I basically am too!
However, this weather has got to go! Pouring rains, blustery winds - gray, gloomy - no thanks. They keep telling us it's just going to get nicer from here, but it's not soon enough! You need good weather to check out a lot of the stuff we want to see! Alright well, no juicy stories yet, but give me time!
However, this weather has got to go! Pouring rains, blustery winds - gray, gloomy - no thanks. They keep telling us it's just going to get nicer from here, but it's not soon enough! You need good weather to check out a lot of the stuff we want to see! Alright well, no juicy stories yet, but give me time!
Monday, January 8, 2007
Week One
It's been very very interesting. Lots of walking and exploring - today we found the tourism office and got info on public transportation. Found another grocery store. However it POURED. We were soaked to the bone and my umbrella is officially dead. And my jeans will never dry in this weather, nor will my coat.
Tonight we hit the restaurant and pub next door w/some kids in our apartment. It was "brilliant." A 31 year old man started hitting on me then asked me to be nice and talk to his nephew - who turned out to be gorgeous so no problem by us! So we've got our first local friend - who happens to be a cage fighter and ultimate fighter. My old internship (www.lx.tv) was doing a documentary on ultimate fighting and I have some friends back home who fight - so I know it's a big thing. My friends at school make fun of me for talking about it - but thank you Martin for giving credibility to my claims! A crazy old drunk man wouldn't leave us alone - neither could a few others. It's amazing - they all have the wrong idea about American girls, but I can't blame them. The American shows they get here are terrible - "My Super Sweet Sixteen: watch America's richest kids throw the biggest most expensive parties!" and plenty of other gems. Alright well tomorrow is registration so bed time for me!
Tonight we hit the restaurant and pub next door w/some kids in our apartment. It was "brilliant." A 31 year old man started hitting on me then asked me to be nice and talk to his nephew - who turned out to be gorgeous so no problem by us! So we've got our first local friend - who happens to be a cage fighter and ultimate fighter. My old internship (www.lx.tv) was doing a documentary on ultimate fighting and I have some friends back home who fight - so I know it's a big thing. My friends at school make fun of me for talking about it - but thank you Martin for giving credibility to my claims! A crazy old drunk man wouldn't leave us alone - neither could a few others. It's amazing - they all have the wrong idea about American girls, but I can't blame them. The American shows they get here are terrible - "My Super Sweet Sixteen: watch America's richest kids throw the biggest most expensive parties!" and plenty of other gems. Alright well tomorrow is registration so bed time for me!
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Tours and Shifty Weather
Listened to a talk on Galway's history today then went on a walking tour. Pretty interesting - it helped me get a little bit more oriented. Had lunch in a little pub - finally got the brown bread and tried a half pint of Bolmer's beer - delicious!!! It's sweet but quite good - dangerously good. Did some more shopping - bought a pair of rainboots - kids, bright orange. Should be interesting walking around in them. On the walk back home it went from being 45 degrees, clear, and sunny to dark and ominous. The wind was wet - it wasn't exactly raining - the air was just wet. It got heavier and mistier by the time we got home. So we curled up and walked some OC Dvds, planned to go out, but man I'm telling you - all this walking is sucking the energy right out of me!! Not to mention my sleep is all off - I woke up at 7:20am and have been up since - it's now 9:40pm. And both my roomates have zero desire to go out - which doesn't bode well for a girl who's always up for a good time. Oh well!!
Friday, January 5, 2007
Boys Boys Boys
I'm never going to survive all these cute Irish boys. I've encountered way too many gorgeous Gaels - sorry mom I might have to break my promise and fall in love with quite a few of them.
Today we had advisory sessions for all the classes we want to take. Basically as boring as it sounds, but I suppose important. KitKat and I took a tour of campus together with one of the student gov V-P's and let's just say I'm never going to get to my classes. The campus is huuuge and all the buildings look alike. I'm sure I'll get adjusted and figure it out no problem, but the first few weeks are going to be hell.
Then it was lunch time - I got the delicious Irish vegetable soup - I just need to get my hands on their brown bread. Oh and crazy - they charge for their ketchup, mayo, and jam packs - 15 cents. I was insulted!
Afterwards - we hit town again and found an amazing mall - very similar to the Chelsea Mall in NYC. We hit Penney's - a store that could be likened to Kohls I guess - and it's going to be dangerous. Great stuff on the cheap. Of course like eejits we bought too much stuff and had to walk the three miles or so home. And we stopped in a grocery store - Dunne's. Two broken bags and very very sore feet later, we made it home alive. I feel like a bum because we haven't hit the pub scene yet - but honestly you try walking at least ten miles everyday carrying heavy packs and try to walk the two + miles back into town for drinks. I'd never make it back! Tomorrow night though - it's a done deal!! That's all for now. Sorry no excitement!!
Today we had advisory sessions for all the classes we want to take. Basically as boring as it sounds, but I suppose important. KitKat and I took a tour of campus together with one of the student gov V-P's and let's just say I'm never going to get to my classes. The campus is huuuge and all the buildings look alike. I'm sure I'll get adjusted and figure it out no problem, but the first few weeks are going to be hell.
Then it was lunch time - I got the delicious Irish vegetable soup - I just need to get my hands on their brown bread. Oh and crazy - they charge for their ketchup, mayo, and jam packs - 15 cents. I was insulted!
Afterwards - we hit town again and found an amazing mall - very similar to the Chelsea Mall in NYC. We hit Penney's - a store that could be likened to Kohls I guess - and it's going to be dangerous. Great stuff on the cheap. Of course like eejits we bought too much stuff and had to walk the three miles or so home. And we stopped in a grocery store - Dunne's. Two broken bags and very very sore feet later, we made it home alive. I feel like a bum because we haven't hit the pub scene yet - but honestly you try walking at least ten miles everyday carrying heavy packs and try to walk the two + miles back into town for drinks. I'd never make it back! Tomorrow night though - it's a done deal!! That's all for now. Sorry no excitement!!
Thursday, January 4, 2007
The Ex-patriot Days Begin
I'm in Ireland, safe and sound!!!
So far, so good - it's really great. The flight was long and I didn't sleep, but it wasn't too bad. At Shannon I found my roomie KitKat (we'll refer to her as that) and another friend and we met a bunch of other NUI kids and all took the bus to Galway together. K and I got to our apartment around 9-amish and explored a little bit. We found behind a wall on our complex a Gaelic football field - where very cute men play.
All day I had been joking that I wanted a roomate from Wisconsin because I love their accents, and I just really didn't want a girl from Jersey, and I kept referring to her as (codename) Swissmiss. When our roomie finally showed up she's like "Hi, I'm Swissmiss." and I asked her where she's from, and she said "Wisconsin." How weird is that?? It poourred all day so we just unpacked, napped, and hung out - we watched American TV and ate American pizza. Ridiculous. However we did find some great Irish, Australian, and UK soap operas/teen dramas.
Today was orienation for international students, there were 400 of us, mostly American with some EU kids. I met a girl from the Netherlands with a fabulous accent and talked to a boy from France named Maxime for awhile. He spoke very little English and I offered to speak in French - but he only wanted to speak English to improve it. Thank Jasus - my French would've made him cry. After hours of orientation and a scary lecture from the intimidating immigration officer, K, S and I explored downtown Galway. We found a 2Euro store - the equivalent to our dollar store and went to town. We walked all over Eyre Square - very cute but also touristy. We made quite a spectacle when we walked into a bar that advertised food. You know how when you walk in a door everyone looks at you - well everyone looked at us, but they didn't stop. We must've looked like quintessential American girls. Kitkat was in a BRIGHT pink coat and the three of us were carrying the bath caddies we'd just bought. It was extremely awkward because we just stood there until we finally just seated ourselves. Turns out they stopped selling food, so we had to leave - and walk past all those people. So awkward.
So overall it's great, and I've met a ton of friendly American kids - the Irish still aren't back from break yet. I have a month until classes start - the next few weeks will be advisory meetings and figuring out schedules - it is very very confusing how their clases and exam schedules work. My room is like a mini condo, very nice furniture and it came with a comforter (trust me - a huge concern while packing). Only a few complaints - the Irish avoid using heaters like the plague, too many Irish people engage in public displays of affection, and they don't quite understand water pressure or the concept of combining hot and cold water into one faucet. Seriously I can deal with the rain and the cold coastal wind - but honestly - don't makeout next to me on a plane or in the middle of a public square.
So far, so good - it's really great. The flight was long and I didn't sleep, but it wasn't too bad. At Shannon I found my roomie KitKat (we'll refer to her as that) and another friend and we met a bunch of other NUI kids and all took the bus to Galway together. K and I got to our apartment around 9-amish and explored a little bit. We found behind a wall on our complex a Gaelic football field - where very cute men play.
All day I had been joking that I wanted a roomate from Wisconsin because I love their accents, and I just really didn't want a girl from Jersey, and I kept referring to her as (codename) Swissmiss. When our roomie finally showed up she's like "Hi, I'm Swissmiss." and I asked her where she's from, and she said "Wisconsin." How weird is that?? It poourred all day so we just unpacked, napped, and hung out - we watched American TV and ate American pizza. Ridiculous. However we did find some great Irish, Australian, and UK soap operas/teen dramas.
Today was orienation for international students, there were 400 of us, mostly American with some EU kids. I met a girl from the Netherlands with a fabulous accent and talked to a boy from France named Maxime for awhile. He spoke very little English and I offered to speak in French - but he only wanted to speak English to improve it. Thank Jasus - my French would've made him cry. After hours of orientation and a scary lecture from the intimidating immigration officer, K, S and I explored downtown Galway. We found a 2Euro store - the equivalent to our dollar store and went to town. We walked all over Eyre Square - very cute but also touristy. We made quite a spectacle when we walked into a bar that advertised food. You know how when you walk in a door everyone looks at you - well everyone looked at us, but they didn't stop. We must've looked like quintessential American girls. Kitkat was in a BRIGHT pink coat and the three of us were carrying the bath caddies we'd just bought. It was extremely awkward because we just stood there until we finally just seated ourselves. Turns out they stopped selling food, so we had to leave - and walk past all those people. So awkward.
So overall it's great, and I've met a ton of friendly American kids - the Irish still aren't back from break yet. I have a month until classes start - the next few weeks will be advisory meetings and figuring out schedules - it is very very confusing how their clases and exam schedules work. My room is like a mini condo, very nice furniture and it came with a comforter (trust me - a huge concern while packing). Only a few complaints - the Irish avoid using heaters like the plague, too many Irish people engage in public displays of affection, and they don't quite understand water pressure or the concept of combining hot and cold water into one faucet. Seriously I can deal with the rain and the cold coastal wind - but honestly - don't makeout next to me on a plane or in the middle of a public square.
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