Saturday to Salthill and Market

Another beautiful day meant an outing! We slept in and lounged about the apartment, just talking for a long while before heading out to the farmer's market. I love the market, the sounds, the smells (oh my goodness how I love the smells), the colors... everything! We bought rolls to eat for lunch, Rachels was fruit and nut, mine was potato and spring onion. A bit too much bread, would've been better had it been multigrainy/wheaty but still yummy.

From there we walked on to Salthill. We walked along the bay for about 3 miles I think, at a nice stroll, enjoying the company, weather and seaside breeze. Others were out enjoying it all too: runners, people walking dogs, pushing strollers, it was lovely. As we got closer to Salthill and the beach, we actually saw people in the water: dogs chasing sticks, kids with shorts splashing around, adults with feet in the shallows. It's crazy here, 50 degrees doesn't scream to me "hot day, let's go swim in the ocean" but I guess here that's hot. I enjoyed it from a warmer distance ;)

We walked until we couldn't really anymore and then just walked on back. Once back to the city center I did my first bit of souvenir shopping. I fail at shopping. I wound up buying myself a white Ireland jacket, really cute. Did I need it? No. Will I wear it all the time? Yes (wore it today and yesterday actually). I found something for my dad, instructions given though that he doesn't get it until I return. Found something for my mom for Mother's Day, found it sort of by chance, i think she'll really like it. Kayla, grr Kayla, I couldn't find anything that really said "I'm for Kayla" so she's still one I need to shop for. I also discovered that I've been shopping produce wrong this whole time. Must always do it at the market. I got 2 zucchini, 2 huge red peppers and a small box of cherry tomatoes for only 5 euros! I know where I'll go next Sat.

That evening we tried to watch a couple different movies, and failed miserably. Fastpass wasn't cooperating. We wound up watching National Treasure 2 (Love it! Especially Riley, ahaha) and an episode of Bones and NCIS. Ah, good times haha. It was one of those, never want the night to end b/c tomorrow means goodbye sort of deals.

Friday to the Aran Islands!

We took a bus from Galway to the port at Rossaveal, an hour away, almost falling asleep on the way. then the ferry to the Islands was also about an hour. We went downstairs/inside to keep warm. It might've been a nice day as far as Irish weather is concerned, but still chilly considering wind and movement.

The Aran Islands greeted us warmly and instead of renting bikes (b/c I fail at life and am incompetent but will be working on it this summer), we took a minibus tour. Our guide was entertaining; horrible jokes, thought he was hilarious, but funny b/c of it at the same time. We also had the cutest older group with us, my favorite was sweet little old Grace. Anywho, he gave us commentary as he drove us to the sights on the island.

Given two hours at Fort Aengus, the main attraction on Inis Mor (Inishmore in English; Big Island), we used them to the max. This prehistoric for along the cliff was possibly more entertaining that the Cliffs of Moher. Although not as tall, Rachel and I much appreciated the freedom to walk right up to the edge and lay down and look out at the sea and down below, an experience not allowed at the Cliffs of Moher. We probably laid about, almost napping, along the edge for a good 15 minutes before moving about to other parts of the fort. I absolutely loved it and couldn't have been happier to share it with Rachel.

We then went to the Seven Churches site, named after 7 roman priests. Here old and new tombstones alike filled the grounds. Interestingly enough, it's still used, and the Aran Islands have no caretakers, so bodies have to be sent to the mainland to be embalmed and then sent back to be burried. BTW, when I die, donate my organs and spread my ashes, none of that nasty poison going into my body and then being put into the ground, o-natural for me thanks a million.

We finished off the tour with some other sites and then had time to check out the stores and such before heading back. Fell asleep again on that ferry. Back in Galway we spent another night in, goodness we're exciting. Doesnt matter if I fail as a college student in the party lifestyle, I had a blast talking and hanging out, it was a perfect day!

On thursday we went to Menlo Castle

On Thursday I had to go to class. It was actually sort of awkward in my Social Stratification class when, at least for the first 10 minutes, as the only American I was also distinguished as the only person who had done the readings... I guess, although I've failed to get paper writing done, I've at least managed to stay on top of readings. After social stratification, I had Irish. Here, I found that we'd actually gone ahead in the book and I'd missed out on some non-songs/poems learning, whoops.

After class I rushed back to the apt and Rachel, who had worked all morning long on her papers. After lunch we went on a run to Menlo Castle. Probably not the best idea to eat first but oh well, we survived the run. Again, another gorgeous day, I'm sorry if this is getting old, but it needs to be said. It was 59 and sunny. We went running in tshirts and shorts. This time, we weren't the only ones at the castle, but there were only a few others. We didn't even go into the castle for a good half hour, choosing instead to sit out in the sun along the river and talk about staying there forever, setting up camp and somehow getting a canoe to play across the river. No worries we did actually explore the castle, I mean, it's one sweet ruin and I believe Rachel enjoyed it (she took all the pictures that day so I haven't any new ones to offer). We had fun dancing around, making shadow dancers and being goofy.

We left to be home by 5 in order to catch Mom on skype. I missed her, but as Rachel pointed out, could just call her on her cell phone. I love technology! We caught Mom and, as Rachel pointed out, we could hear the smile in her "Hey!" once she recognized it as me. Love it!

I fear we got too comfy after stretching and showering that when we went out that evening to a pub we just weren't very into it. haha, kind of pathetic college students as far as the partying goes. Since things don't get too exciting til late, we wound up missing the excitement, although we did catch the start of a pub fight before the bouncer took one guy out. Actually, where we'd been sitting, the table was flipped over in an angry push. Kind of scary. Whatever, it might not have been a crazy night out, but just hanging out and talking with Rachel was a blast!

Oh, that castle is gorgeous but all the more so with beautiful weather, I wish I had pictures, but just imagine those lasts ones I had put up, but now add a sense of warmth and spring and you've got what Thursday was, ;)

Last Wed's trip to Cliffs of Moher

Ok, so all last week was beautiful weather: sunny skies, no rain, 50s, perfect! I'm so glad that I waited to see the Cliffs for when Rachel came to visit!

So on Wednesday morning we made our way to the city center to figure out the best deal for the tours. We wound up going with Healy tours and had a fun bus driver and a grand old time! The bus left off around 10 and made it's way first to the Burren and Aillwee Caves. Having already hiked the Burren, I pushed our personal tour towards the caves. Admittedly, not the best caves, but interesting and pretty nonetheless. From there, we stopped at the Poulnabrone portal tomb in the Burren for a photo opt before heading towards the Cliffs themselves.

The Cliffs of Moher, wow. I wish they'd let you explore closer to the edge but wow. We did go to the "don't step beyond this point" sign, but didn't go much further, although now I wish that we had. We just were amazed by it all. The cliffs are so tall (and not even the tallest in Ireland!) and the sea just seemed to go on forever. I mean we had a perfect day for the cliffs! They were beautiful and I am so glad that I got to share the experience with Rachel!

Honestly, almost more than the cliffs, I liked where we went afterwards. I fear that I cannot remember the name of the place but it was a rocky, very Burren, small cliff. Like everywhere else in the Burren, this area had craggy limestone rock. I think I liked this more because we got to walk around a lot more, look out towards the edge and climb around a bit. Don't worry Mom, all was safe, but it was definitely more fun for Rachel and I who like to stray from the path a bit.

After returning from our lovely adventure, we went grocery shopping and then spent the night in. I believe we completed the night with ice cream and the Emperor's New Groove. Ah good times!

Actual St. Pat's day

Long overdue recaps:
On St. Patrick's we went to the parade down in the city center. We met up with a girl who lives here and all walked down together. Again, what is it with people telling me Missouri/Kansas isn't the Midwest. I'm pretty sure we're the freaking heart of the Midwest, but whatever, what do people from Michigan know? (Just kidding, I'm not overgeneralizing).

The parade was fun but very different. The KC one is huge, and I was actually kind of sad to have missed it b/c I realized Tymara would have been in it this year, dancing with the Foreign Language Academy drill team, just like I did a long time ago. There weren't people throwing candy and there were very few floats. Tons of little kids in school bands playing down the way and lots of different groups, ranging from the Police or Fire Dept to Amnesty International to the Galway Nigerian organization... It was quite fun. I can't remember what all went on between our exploring the bay and the city center and later on that evening. I feel like we went back to the apartment and chilled for a while before heading out. We tried to check out Taffe's but it was too crowded even for standing. Monroe's had reached capacity. We wound up at Roisin Dubh. My first time there, it was kind of insane. They had a live band and we were basically caught standing and listening to it, an interesting sound/feel to the group I must say. I did the fiddle, it's sweet. Anyways, we left after stealing Rachel a Guinness pint glass and heading back to Monroe's. We were lucky and got in. The traditional Tuesday night festivities weren't in swing, but they did have live Irish music and dancers, just a bunch of drunk/happy Irish dancing around instead of the usual group of older people. It was fun! Rachel and I took our first Guinness. This thing was my Everest, I worked hard to finish it. Not a fan, to say the least, I think I'll be keeping to my girly/fruity drinks when I return home. But if I were to drink a Guinness only once, when better than St. Patrick's at my favorite pub with my best friend? We left after finishing the drinks- it took a looong time, haha- and walked out with souvenirs pint glasses ;) I think I actually felt a bit of the alcohol, my first beer was a Guinness and a pint is 2x an American beer, so I think it makes sense that I would've felt it. We did a midnight Tesco run and bought ice cream and chocolate, came back, enjoyed the combo before crashing.

St. pat's was full of great craic (again, pronounced 'crack')

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Rachel is here!
Customs took forever and so she wound up on a later bus than expected. That meant that I went to my second class of the day and could barely sit still, waiting for the hour to end so I could run into the city center to the bus station to pick her up! I was like a little kid at Christmas time, oh so happy!

We walked back to my apartment where Rachel revealed to me the 67 pounds of stuff Mom had sent. Holy Crap! It filled my bed, I took pictures and will post them later, haha. Thank you Mom. I'm pretty sure though I didn't ask for some of those quantities of things (ie, two larger than travel sized toothpastes, three bags of tortillas, and four boxes of one-load tides, haha). yeah, it sounds bad but I might have to send some of those excesses back, don't kill/hate me! I'm so appreciative of everything though. Last night for dinner I had me some delicious pinto beans with avocado on a corn tortilla, happy Mexican (oh stereotypes).

Yesterday after lunch, consisting of delicious "corn" from Mama G (thank you!), I took Rachel on a tour of the city center and we walked along the bay. Such a gorgeous day! She brought the weather with her. After walking and exploring forever we returned to unpack all of that stuff, talk, eat dinner and try to grasp the reality of her actually being here.

We went out, originally with the intent of seeing some traditional music. When we made it to the pub, there wasn't even standing room. We wound up at King's Head pub where we were lucky enough to find seats. The music playing by the dj was sweet. I heard my "You shook me all night long" by ACDC (yeah Mom!) and loads of other jams. Then the band, Kif, came along after 10 or so. They wound up being a really awesome cover band, doing one awesome ACDC and Bruce Springstein. It was sort of like Mama Lopez and Mama G were there with us, good times! Then we called it slightly early around half past midnight and walked back home to crash.

It is now a gorgeously sunny day and I think we're going to go to the parade and adventure some more. I'm excited.

Enjoy your st. Patty's day!

Rachel is now in Ireland!

Ok so this weekend was sort of a bust work wise. For some reason, lack of motivation, laziness (anxiety to talk to home) I don't know, I didn't really get to working on my paper until last night, I'm one-tenth done though with a good outline. I fail.

Oh and I also fail in that, this is hilariously embarrassing, the bag full of stuff from Mom to me weighed 72 pounds to begin with! Wow, that means 1-I am a spoiled brat, and 2-I'm a cow. hahaha, just kidding. As Mandy pointed out, it means 3- My mom loves me very much. Basically, I won't need to go grocery shopping for anything other than fruits and vegetables and yogurt from here on out. Nice.

I just got a call from Rachel, she is in Ireland, customs took forever and she's going to be taking a later bus. Goodness, talk about stretching one's patience. We're in the same country now, I just want to see her, not wait another 2 hrs! Oh well, I'm glad she got here safe and so happy to have her!

I love you all!