From a Small Island to an Itty Bitty One

Well, Ireland isn't that small, but in comparison it is. It's not even been 6 days since I left Nottingham, and I feel I have accomplished so much. First stop was Galway on the western side of Galway. Got to know this attractive city pretty well. One thing I noticed, was not only how kind the Irish people are, but also how many Americans are here. Even so, Ireland has been amazing.

On my second day, Hilary, Mary and I took a bus tour out to the Burren and The Cliffs of Moher which was the main reason for the trip. Here is the quick, but still lengthy email i sent to my mum a few days ago....

It was a full day tour for a pretty decent price.
Absolutely an amazing little day trip. i am really glad I did it.
Beautiful pictures, you will love them when I can get them loaded up.
Basically walked around on some IRish cliffs that stretch almost a half
mile above the sea below. loved it, and then explored some of the
landscape called the Burren.
Today I think I walked 14 miles...no joke. This morning I got mary to
the bus station early at 8 and then spent the rest of the morning til
one walking along the bay of Galway exploring. I walked about 4 miles
out of the city and reached some far cliffs which were my destination,
and then headed back to meet the girls for lunch. Had my first
guinness in Ireland last night. I don't know if I've told you but
since I have tried it in England, I love it. Can't wait to visit the
Guinness factory in Dublin. It is a must for anyone who goes there
and it is my favorite drink. Thick, smooth, almost chocalatey with a
hint of coffee flavor. Sometimes tastes a bit burnt but always sweet
and tastey.
I've been taking tons of pictures! Speaking of which, tell Trina
thanks for the pics of Kadin.
Since then I have been in Dublin for Two days already. Just Hilary and I. We have done a ton of walking and have seen a lot of what this great city has to offer. Our first evening after arriving we were wandering around, and made our way into Christ Church Cathedral just in time for the evensong Service. A very good choir, and I hestitantly might say that it was better than my very own in England at St. Mary's. I very calm and reflective 45 minutes. We found a chinese resturant which was harder to find than you think as we were both having cravings. Yeah, I know it isn't all that authentic, but we had plenty of time to have some decent pub grub and most of their food is pretty similar to England's. A bit more seafood, and Guiness is much more readily available.

Before I continue further I should say how Hil and I got to Dublin from Galway. Not to scare you or anything mum, but we in a way hitchhiked. It was very interesting how it happened. on Hilary and I's rushing to catch the bus at noon, a man with a German accent approached us asking if we were students and looking for a ride to Dublin. He offered that we ride in a van that he and a friend had just rented for a much cheaper price. Well, as crazy as this might sound, and it does seem a bit sketchy a felt we could trust them.
They turned out to be pretty legit guys, scouting Ireland so that in a few months they could move to Galway permanently. When they went to rent a car, the company was all out, but had this big white, nine passenger TRANSIT van that ended up being cheaper. They then thought they would hunt around and find some people, especially students who were looking for a deal and would fill up the extra space. Well it was a good deal for everybody, and sadly the other two people they had lined up backed out, so here is Hilary and I bumping along across the center of Ireland in the back of this great white van. NO worries though, we are safe and sound in the Paddy's Wagon Hostel.

Today was a good one, but very exhausting as well. Hilary and i walked around the famous Trinity College, which had all the airs of the most prestigious of colleges. Pretty with trees budding and magnolia bushes in full bloom. Next was the big event of the day. The Guinness factory!!! I cannot express how excited I was to go here. It was everything I hoped it would be and is set up amazingly well for tourists. It takes you through all the different steps in the brewing process, shows how casks were made, a floor of all the history of the Guinness Advertising since it's beginning and the whole story of how Guinness came to be. At the top on the 7th floor you get your free pint and sit in the round observatory which gives some of the best views of all the city from above. Loved it all, and even had a beef and Guinness Stew for lunch with a heavy Guinness flavored bread. You can pretty much put Guinness in everything. Delicious! My favorite drink.
This evening at 7:30 we went on a musical pub crawl which was actually really cool. Two musicians take the whole group of us around to a couple pubs, play music, entertain and explain the history and background of Irish Music and all its misconceptions. Much of what we see is for tourists, and in a way they were too, but they were trying to explain to us the true nature of music and what playing is really about. Not for others but for each other. Musicians will just gather in a corner and play as if they are having their own musical conversation. Anyone who is even remotely connected usually has to bring something to the table and they ask everyone to play at a normal session.

This was no different. They asked the group of 60 of us to volunteer and take the floor. We were always crammed into some room on the top floor of the most authentic pubs in Dublin. Actually the two we went to were the only two to not be rennovated. anyway, no one was volunteering to sing, or play anything so Hilary convinced me and called attention to me. I went up amidst cheers and played and sang Passenger Seat by STephen Speaks for the whole crowd. When I was done, the whole room arupted in huge applause and I felt so proud. First time I truly got to perform in an open mic fashion. Felt good, but was dissappoionted that no one else followed. I thought I would get more to follow as our guides hoped, but no one volunteered and throughout the last hour I get another round of applause or two for being the only brave soul. I am so glad I did it and would have regretted the evening if I hadn't and we all know that I am not here to live with regrets. Got to make the most of all this and I am well on my way.