My dear Swedish friends told me about this song and granted, I have NO IDEA what it's about....I do understand "Haj Monika". Haaaaaaaaj.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Last Day in Ireland....
My last day in Ireland was actually Thursday. However, I had no internet to post my travels for a couple of days.
I'm officially back in Austin now, and as soon as I can muster up the energy, I will post the details.
What I will say right now is YAY for Ireland. :)
I'm officially back in Austin now, and as soon as I can muster up the energy, I will post the details.
What I will say right now is YAY for Ireland. :)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Goodbye Galway
Today marks the end of my stay in Galway, so that I can spend tomorrow heading back towards Shannon Airport. Here are the rest of the sights of Galway!
#17: Galway Bay a.k.a. Corrib River
I started the day with a walk with Meghan along the Corrib River on the edge of Galway. The houses lining the bay and the flock of seagulls overhead paint a very coastal scene. It was cold and rainy this afternoon, so we didn't spend a whole lot of time along the bay, but it was a pretty sight nonetheless. I saw a lovely swan swimming solitary along the water. It looked at me and we connected for a moment.....strangely, I thought of my dog Jack whom I have missed very much on my trip.
#18: Spanish Arch
The Spanish Arch was built in 1584, built as a facet of the city's wall to protect the quays. What is a "quay"? Yeah, I had to look that up too. It is a bank where ships or other vessels are loaded. So essentially this Arch played a role in the protection of merchant ships as they unloaded and loaded materials during transport. It is thought to be called the Spanish Arch in reference to the area's merchant trade with Spain. It was originally called Ceann an Bhalla which means "Head of the Wall" (Gaelic, I assume.)
#19: Shop Street
This is a high pedestrian traffic area named appropriately for its multitude of shops lining narrow streets. It felt like I was at Disney World when you enter a country's area and there are these little mock stores and streets...with "authentic" music playing. I half expected to see some cartoon characters pop out of the street to greet passerbys and small children....except this is all very real. And it was awesome to walk by all the buildings---cafes, boutiques, pubs, bakeries, little pharmacies. I really enjoyed my time on Shop Street and bought a few treats for my friends and family!
#20: St. Patrick's Primary School for Boys
Okay, so technically I didn't bust in on the school and spy on a bunch of elementary kids, but I did stop by it to check out what their schools looked like and to have a picture to take back to my kiddos at Heart House. While we were out and about today, I actually saw kids of all ages roaming the streets in their school uniforms. And no one knows what "elementary" means here, they only respond to the phrase "primary". There are also many private schools here--for boys and girls separately. I wish I had had time to learn more about their education system, but at least I saw a school.
We came home in the early evening and stayed home for the rest of the night, ordering in Chinese and looking up pictures of baby animals. I'm not gonna lie. I'm tired. There's so much to see and do! Tomorrow I will be trekking on my own, saying goodbye to Meghan and the city of Galway. For my last day in Ireland, I have made plans to venture out to Bunratty Castle to see a collection of over 450 medieval furniture and artifacts...all housed in a castle of course! Then I head to a town called Sixmilebridge where I will experience staying in a hostel for the first time in my life. I'm excited for my last adventure, luggage in tow....and 50 euro left. :)
#17: Galway Bay a.k.a. Corrib River
I started the day with a walk with Meghan along the Corrib River on the edge of Galway. The houses lining the bay and the flock of seagulls overhead paint a very coastal scene. It was cold and rainy this afternoon, so we didn't spend a whole lot of time along the bay, but it was a pretty sight nonetheless. I saw a lovely swan swimming solitary along the water. It looked at me and we connected for a moment.....strangely, I thought of my dog Jack whom I have missed very much on my trip.
#18: Spanish Arch
The Spanish Arch was built in 1584, built as a facet of the city's wall to protect the quays. What is a "quay"? Yeah, I had to look that up too. It is a bank where ships or other vessels are loaded. So essentially this Arch played a role in the protection of merchant ships as they unloaded and loaded materials during transport. It is thought to be called the Spanish Arch in reference to the area's merchant trade with Spain. It was originally called Ceann an Bhalla which means "Head of the Wall" (Gaelic, I assume.)
#19: Shop Street
This is a high pedestrian traffic area named appropriately for its multitude of shops lining narrow streets. It felt like I was at Disney World when you enter a country's area and there are these little mock stores and streets...with "authentic" music playing. I half expected to see some cartoon characters pop out of the street to greet passerbys and small children....except this is all very real. And it was awesome to walk by all the buildings---cafes, boutiques, pubs, bakeries, little pharmacies. I really enjoyed my time on Shop Street and bought a few treats for my friends and family!
#20: St. Patrick's Primary School for Boys
Okay, so technically I didn't bust in on the school and spy on a bunch of elementary kids, but I did stop by it to check out what their schools looked like and to have a picture to take back to my kiddos at Heart House. While we were out and about today, I actually saw kids of all ages roaming the streets in their school uniforms. And no one knows what "elementary" means here, they only respond to the phrase "primary". There are also many private schools here--for boys and girls separately. I wish I had had time to learn more about their education system, but at least I saw a school.
We came home in the early evening and stayed home for the rest of the night, ordering in Chinese and looking up pictures of baby animals. I'm not gonna lie. I'm tired. There's so much to see and do! Tomorrow I will be trekking on my own, saying goodbye to Meghan and the city of Galway. For my last day in Ireland, I have made plans to venture out to Bunratty Castle to see a collection of over 450 medieval furniture and artifacts...all housed in a castle of course! Then I head to a town called Sixmilebridge where I will experience staying in a hostel for the first time in my life. I'm excited for my last adventure, luggage in tow....and 50 euro left. :)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Tour Bus Tuesday
This morning we boarded a special bus to give us a day tour of an area called the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. These were some of the best sights I've seen of Ireland countryside yet, but at what cost? Incredible motion sickness all day! IT SUCKED. But nonetheless, I made it through the day and captured some incredibly beautiful landscape.
#11: Oceanside at the Burren
First of all, thanks to Chris (our crazy tour guide) for taking this photo of us. I will cherish the expression on my face forever. (It pretty much captures how I felt on the entire ride to and from the Cliffs.) Our first stop was about 10 minutes into the Burren at a small cliffside where rockclimbing and surfing are popular past-times.
#12: Dulin
We made a lunch stop in Dulin, a small village just outside of the Cliffs of Moher. It felt very much like a ghost town, with only a few shops open but all other stores and buildings vacant. We were told it is a popular summer vacation spot which is booming with visitors come May. We ate lunch at Fitzpatrick's Bar, where I had a vegetable soup.....which makes a later appearance in my story.
#13: Cliffs of Moher
How can I even begin to describe the wonder of this place? Quite simply, photos do not do it justice. To give you a little history:
"The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South." (I stole that from their website: http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/TheCliffs.aspx)
Proof that we were actually here:
When you climb to the top of the cliffs you are met with an awe inspiring view of the Atlantic Ocean and the Cliffs towering high above the splashing waters. It's terribly cold and windy at the top as you can imagine (and here's a photo to help you imagine just that)
but you kind of forget all that when you take a look around you and realize what you can see. It's amaaaaaaazing.
#14: The Burren
Actually, our entire drive out to Cliffs of Moher was in an area called "The Burren" which is an expanse of rolling hills, rock fences, grazing animals and small villages. These are a few photos taken both entering the area and returning from the Cliffs back to Galway.
#15: Poulnabrone, Ancient Burial Ground
This burial ground marked by a large rock formation contains the remains of "between 16 and 22 adults and 6 juveniles, including a newborn baby". Further scientific invesigation of radiocarbon dating suggests that the burials took place 3800 and 3200 BC. "The neolithic community would have been much larger than this and there are easier ways to bury the dead, so Poulnabrone is generally considered to contain the remains of special dead and to have been a center for ceremony and symbolism." (http://www.burrenpage.com/Poulnabrone.html) We walked off the bus to capture some photos. I was also distracted by a herd of cows directly behind the property and felt compelled to give them a moment in the spotlight as well. And then I thought I was about to puke due to my motion sickness, but had no such luck, realizing it was bound to happen in the near future.......
#16: Dunguaire Castle
In an area of the Burren called Kinvara, sits this infamous Irish castle. It was built in the 1500s and as you can see, much of it still remains, unlike alot of other Irish castles, which lay in ruins or bits and pieces. Honestly, I have wanted nothing more than to see a castle since I arrived in Ireland. I had fanciful ideas of roaming the countryside snapping photos of all them. However, when my chance finally arrived and we pulled up to Dunguaire, my experience was tainted with the return of my vegetable soup. It was literally like this: "And this is Dungauire Castle.....Bleeggghhhh (over the side of the stone wall fence) Let's not discount the fact that I lasted almost the entire trip without vomitting and I did not do it on the bus (well technically I did throw up in my mouth a little first)....and at the end of the day I got my picture of a castle.
Unfortunately, because of my reaction to travelling by tour bus, I do not think I will be able to make another day tour---which sadly strikes out my much awaited tour to Connemara to see Kylemore Abbey. Tomorrow will most likely be a slow and easy day and I'll take in some more sights of the Galway area. I'm so excited to already be on number 16!
#11: Oceanside at the Burren
First of all, thanks to Chris (our crazy tour guide) for taking this photo of us. I will cherish the expression on my face forever. (It pretty much captures how I felt on the entire ride to and from the Cliffs.) Our first stop was about 10 minutes into the Burren at a small cliffside where rockclimbing and surfing are popular past-times.
#12: Dulin
We made a lunch stop in Dulin, a small village just outside of the Cliffs of Moher. It felt very much like a ghost town, with only a few shops open but all other stores and buildings vacant. We were told it is a popular summer vacation spot which is booming with visitors come May. We ate lunch at Fitzpatrick's Bar, where I had a vegetable soup.....which makes a later appearance in my story.
#13: Cliffs of Moher
How can I even begin to describe the wonder of this place? Quite simply, photos do not do it justice. To give you a little history:
"The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South." (I stole that from their website: http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/TheCliffs.aspx)
Proof that we were actually here:
When you climb to the top of the cliffs you are met with an awe inspiring view of the Atlantic Ocean and the Cliffs towering high above the splashing waters. It's terribly cold and windy at the top as you can imagine (and here's a photo to help you imagine just that)
but you kind of forget all that when you take a look around you and realize what you can see. It's amaaaaaaazing.
#14: The Burren
Actually, our entire drive out to Cliffs of Moher was in an area called "The Burren" which is an expanse of rolling hills, rock fences, grazing animals and small villages. These are a few photos taken both entering the area and returning from the Cliffs back to Galway.
#15: Poulnabrone, Ancient Burial Ground
This burial ground marked by a large rock formation contains the remains of "between 16 and 22 adults and 6 juveniles, including a newborn baby". Further scientific invesigation of radiocarbon dating suggests that the burials took place 3800 and 3200 BC. "The neolithic community would have been much larger than this and there are easier ways to bury the dead, so Poulnabrone is generally considered to contain the remains of special dead and to have been a center for ceremony and symbolism." (http://www.burrenpage.com/Poulnabrone.html) We walked off the bus to capture some photos. I was also distracted by a herd of cows directly behind the property and felt compelled to give them a moment in the spotlight as well. And then I thought I was about to puke due to my motion sickness, but had no such luck, realizing it was bound to happen in the near future.......
#16: Dunguaire Castle
In an area of the Burren called Kinvara, sits this infamous Irish castle. It was built in the 1500s and as you can see, much of it still remains, unlike alot of other Irish castles, which lay in ruins or bits and pieces. Honestly, I have wanted nothing more than to see a castle since I arrived in Ireland. I had fanciful ideas of roaming the countryside snapping photos of all them. However, when my chance finally arrived and we pulled up to Dunguaire, my experience was tainted with the return of my vegetable soup. It was literally like this: "And this is Dungauire Castle.....Bleeggghhhh (over the side of the stone wall fence) Let's not discount the fact that I lasted almost the entire trip without vomitting and I did not do it on the bus (well technically I did throw up in my mouth a little first)....and at the end of the day I got my picture of a castle.
Unfortunately, because of my reaction to travelling by tour bus, I do not think I will be able to make another day tour---which sadly strikes out my much awaited tour to Connemara to see Kylemore Abbey. Tomorrow will most likely be a slow and easy day and I'll take in some more sights of the Galway area. I'm so excited to already be on number 16!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday's Adventures
#5: Eyre Square
The square is the pinnacle of City Centre, the center area in Galway. Around the square area is where you will find tourist information, bus stops, the train station, pubs, clubs and shops. We take the bus to the square on a daily basis in order to get to most areas of interest. Also included at the square is this public restroom where you must pay to get in, and a statue of a man whom I have no idea of what importance he holds.....obviously some if there's a statue erected in honor of him in the center of Galway. But in my defense, there is no placard or description next to the statue so I could not educate myself on this matter.
#6: Galway Cathedral
While I did not go inside this church, I did feel compelled to take a picture of its beauty at night. I mean what constitutes a "visit"? Sometimes I visit places for only a few minutes. This happened to be one of those I came across on my way somewhere else. The cathedral in the early 1920s, but it does not rival St. Nicholas's Collegiate Church, which is the largest medieval parish church in Ireland still in use. And it's in Galway, so I plan to visit this place later this week....
#7: The Concourse @ Univeristy of Ireland, Galway
I tagged along with Meghan as she made her way to class at the university she attends. This is where I waited for her with a hot chocolate and the Vampire Chronicles in hand. Inside, is a cafe and a large seating area, where many students congregate. It made me realize just how long its been since I enjoyed the camaraderie of college peers. Ignorant and annoying, yes......but still so full of energy and enthusiasm.
#8: Public Restroom
This was my first journey into a public bathroom. Yes, I swear....the first time. Can you believe it? Anyway, it was rather confusing because I didn't know what their signage for restrooms looked like because there were all these signs of stick figures doing things, so after finally asking someone I was shown the way. And there you have it. Big blue door with a little lady on it.
#9: Centra
This is a common Irish convenience store where I stepped in to purchase a small bottle of wine. Nothing really interesting worth noting, other than cigarettes cost 7 euro which is like $9. I would totally stop smoking if I lived here.
#10: Bar 903
Determined to experience Galway nightlife, we ventured out to a local bar called Bar 903 in Eyre Square. It was one of the few clubs with FREE admission and it was swing night, so it was our top choice all around. Well, we definitely were not disappointed with the entertainment, both from the band and from the crowd. For this visit, I will be posting an extra blog very soon which include two very special videos featuring some of our favorite patrons from Bar 903. Also, here's a picture of me enjoying my 7 euro mixed drink (which is like $9). Yeah, I will not be buying any more drinks at the bar while I'm here. I'm so serious.
At this point I'm already at #10 (not 10 drinks, 10 sights...) and I know some of you may be thinking...."Hey where are all the pictures of green rolling hills, castles, cliffs, and magical landscapes?" I've been thinking the same thing, friends. To remedy this, tomorrow we take a day tour to Connemara where I will FINALLY get to visit a freakin' castle, along with many many other "breathtaking" sights. Oooohhh...betcha can't wait!!!
The square is the pinnacle of City Centre, the center area in Galway. Around the square area is where you will find tourist information, bus stops, the train station, pubs, clubs and shops. We take the bus to the square on a daily basis in order to get to most areas of interest. Also included at the square is this public restroom where you must pay to get in, and a statue of a man whom I have no idea of what importance he holds.....obviously some if there's a statue erected in honor of him in the center of Galway. But in my defense, there is no placard or description next to the statue so I could not educate myself on this matter.
#6: Galway Cathedral
While I did not go inside this church, I did feel compelled to take a picture of its beauty at night. I mean what constitutes a "visit"? Sometimes I visit places for only a few minutes. This happened to be one of those I came across on my way somewhere else. The cathedral in the early 1920s, but it does not rival St. Nicholas's Collegiate Church, which is the largest medieval parish church in Ireland still in use. And it's in Galway, so I plan to visit this place later this week....
#7: The Concourse @ Univeristy of Ireland, Galway
I tagged along with Meghan as she made her way to class at the university she attends. This is where I waited for her with a hot chocolate and the Vampire Chronicles in hand. Inside, is a cafe and a large seating area, where many students congregate. It made me realize just how long its been since I enjoyed the camaraderie of college peers. Ignorant and annoying, yes......but still so full of energy and enthusiasm.
#8: Public Restroom
This was my first journey into a public bathroom. Yes, I swear....the first time. Can you believe it? Anyway, it was rather confusing because I didn't know what their signage for restrooms looked like because there were all these signs of stick figures doing things, so after finally asking someone I was shown the way. And there you have it. Big blue door with a little lady on it.
#9: Centra
This is a common Irish convenience store where I stepped in to purchase a small bottle of wine. Nothing really interesting worth noting, other than cigarettes cost 7 euro which is like $9. I would totally stop smoking if I lived here.
#10: Bar 903
Determined to experience Galway nightlife, we ventured out to a local bar called Bar 903 in Eyre Square. It was one of the few clubs with FREE admission and it was swing night, so it was our top choice all around. Well, we definitely were not disappointed with the entertainment, both from the band and from the crowd. For this visit, I will be posting an extra blog very soon which include two very special videos featuring some of our favorite patrons from Bar 903. Also, here's a picture of me enjoying my 7 euro mixed drink (which is like $9). Yeah, I will not be buying any more drinks at the bar while I'm here. I'm so serious.
At this point I'm already at #10 (not 10 drinks, 10 sights...) and I know some of you may be thinking...."Hey where are all the pictures of green rolling hills, castles, cliffs, and magical landscapes?" I've been thinking the same thing, friends. To remedy this, tomorrow we take a day tour to Connemara where I will FINALLY get to visit a freakin' castle, along with many many other "breathtaking" sights. Oooohhh...betcha can't wait!!!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
#1: Tourist AgencyOur first stop of the morning was at a local tourist
travel agency, where we met a lovely lady named
Christina who told us about all the cool and hip
places in Ireland to hang out. She also confessed her love of country music and the irony of a girl from Texas hating it. She encouraged heavy drinking and confessed that she had been up late the night before (most likely doing that). She gave us some helpful pamphlets on some Ireland day tours. We even went back to see her, but she refused to take a picture with us because she thought she looked gross. I will be back to see her on Tuesday to take her a nice little gift and perhaps to see if she would like to hang out with two awesome American girls. Am I moving too fast?
#2: The Home Plate Cafe
We ate my birthday lunch at this quaint little cafe on Shop Street in Galway. I was craving a burger, but when I asked if they had mustard instead of mayonnaise, the waitress looked at me all confused......so I had pasta instead.
#3: TESCO & Penney's
Next we moved on to shopping for groceries, some winter accessories, and a hair dryer at a strip mall on the bus route back to Meghan's. We bought stuff. It was nice. Except they make you pay for grocery bags....even plastic ones.
#4: Headford Rd.
Okay, so on the way "home", our bus's last stop ended up being like a mile from Meghan's house. She didn't realize that they didn't drop off at her stop on Sundays. So we ended up walking back to her house in the rain. Our groceries bags broke open. It was unfortunate really, but we are survivors. And therefore, ended up visiting the Headford Rd for about a 15 minute walk.
It was a great first day out. And definitely an exceptional birthday in Ireland. Who knows what tomorrow brings.....hopefully more laughs and scenic routes.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
27 places for 27 years....
After finally getting some much needed sleep from a day of traveling, I have been wide awake making plans for my adventures in this beautiful country.
In honor of my 27th birthday, I have decided to make it my goal to visit 27 places during my stay here in Ireland. I am sincerely hoping to be able to accomplish this on my small budget, otherwise alot of the places I might be visiting will be random buildings along the street. :)
However, on my list so far are some mountains, castles, abbeys, and of course pubs. Wow, I'm really here!
Look out for some cool photos and stories starting tomorrow!
In honor of my 27th birthday, I have decided to make it my goal to visit 27 places during my stay here in Ireland. I am sincerely hoping to be able to accomplish this on my small budget, otherwise alot of the places I might be visiting will be random buildings along the street. :)
However, on my list so far are some mountains, castles, abbeys, and of course pubs. Wow, I'm really here!
Look out for some cool photos and stories starting tomorrow!
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