Post by Caitlin on Oct 26, 2007 20:16:15 GMT
Hi everyone. I thought I'd regale you with my tales of Ireland. Not entirely too exciting, but it was my journey none -the -less. Oh yes and pictures will come as the entires require.
Ireland Day 1: Cork City and Blarney
22nd October 2007
Words of advice: if you’re in Ireland don’t expect your hair to stay straight or frizz free, unless of course it’s stick straight and has no curl or wave in it what-so-ever. Also, buy some wellies because you’re going to need them. The draining system isn’t very good so there are huge puddles in the street which speeding cars splash all over you. Trust me, you’ll be much happier when your shoes and jeans are a heck of a lot drier. Have you ever been in a really old city? A city where you can just feel the history oozing from the uneven sidewalks and see it in the tired buildings lining the streets. This city has history. The hostel (Brú Bar and Hostel) has a wonderful atmosphere. There are brilliant, colorful paintings on the walls. In fact, I learned my way around Cork by looking at the map that was painted on the wall! I just want to sing here. The TV room is quiet, but I spy a guitar and a fiddle. If I started singing would they begin to play? Might have to try that out. I’d like to learn some Gaelic while I’m here and maybe even some step-dancing. Gaelic is another language I’ve added to my list of languages to learn.
Later.
I settled in my room at the hostel (which as of now only has one other person in it) and headed off to Blarney, a thirty minute bus ride away. I went and toured the castle (so neat!) exploring all the ‘hidden’ nooks and crannies. It just so happened I had a flashlight with me so I really could explore all. I managed to get my jeans really muddy, but hey, it was all in good fun. I kissed the Blarney stone, which involved tipping backwards hiiigh above the ground, and now I’ve got the gift of eloquence. I then did the walk around the castle grounds which took me through forest, beside rivers, around waterfalls, up enchanted staircases, between sacrificial rocks and in Druid’s Circles. At one point I stopped in the Druid Rock Circle closed my eyes and began to sing whatever came to mind – which included ‘Gartan Mother’s Lullaby’ and ‘Newgrange.’ I opened my eyes to see two guys standing outside the circle in their wellies. I think they secretly thought I was mad, but they smiled as I passed and moved down the path. I spent some time looking through gift shops and waiting until the rain let up so I could wait at the bus stop without getting soaked. After returning to Cork I walked around and discovered the city centre is very modern with an old look to it. In other words it was designed to look old. After dinner (porridge) I met a girl, Firtha, from Wisconsin. She actually went to school in Minneapolis. Firtha and I decided we were going to go out to hear some live music. We went to Old Oak and according to Firtha I only got in because the (really cute) guy thought I was cute. Who really knows though. I had the ‘mandatory’ glass of Guinness and Firtha and I chatted while we waited for the music. The group was called ‘Company X’ and the lead singer had a really nice voice. On the walk back to the hostel Firtha and decided we were going to have to jam before I left for England. Also on the walk back I sang a little bit of ‘Mairi’s Wedding’ and for once I didn’t get strange looks singing in the middle of the street! I came back to my room to find I now had three roommates already fast asleep at only 11.30pm.
<3 Caitlin
Ireland Day 1: Cork City and Blarney
22nd October 2007
Words of advice: if you’re in Ireland don’t expect your hair to stay straight or frizz free, unless of course it’s stick straight and has no curl or wave in it what-so-ever. Also, buy some wellies because you’re going to need them. The draining system isn’t very good so there are huge puddles in the street which speeding cars splash all over you. Trust me, you’ll be much happier when your shoes and jeans are a heck of a lot drier. Have you ever been in a really old city? A city where you can just feel the history oozing from the uneven sidewalks and see it in the tired buildings lining the streets. This city has history. The hostel (Brú Bar and Hostel) has a wonderful atmosphere. There are brilliant, colorful paintings on the walls. In fact, I learned my way around Cork by looking at the map that was painted on the wall! I just want to sing here. The TV room is quiet, but I spy a guitar and a fiddle. If I started singing would they begin to play? Might have to try that out. I’d like to learn some Gaelic while I’m here and maybe even some step-dancing. Gaelic is another language I’ve added to my list of languages to learn.
Later.
I settled in my room at the hostel (which as of now only has one other person in it) and headed off to Blarney, a thirty minute bus ride away. I went and toured the castle (so neat!) exploring all the ‘hidden’ nooks and crannies. It just so happened I had a flashlight with me so I really could explore all. I managed to get my jeans really muddy, but hey, it was all in good fun. I kissed the Blarney stone, which involved tipping backwards hiiigh above the ground, and now I’ve got the gift of eloquence. I then did the walk around the castle grounds which took me through forest, beside rivers, around waterfalls, up enchanted staircases, between sacrificial rocks and in Druid’s Circles. At one point I stopped in the Druid Rock Circle closed my eyes and began to sing whatever came to mind – which included ‘Gartan Mother’s Lullaby’ and ‘Newgrange.’ I opened my eyes to see two guys standing outside the circle in their wellies. I think they secretly thought I was mad, but they smiled as I passed and moved down the path. I spent some time looking through gift shops and waiting until the rain let up so I could wait at the bus stop without getting soaked. After returning to Cork I walked around and discovered the city centre is very modern with an old look to it. In other words it was designed to look old. After dinner (porridge) I met a girl, Firtha, from Wisconsin. She actually went to school in Minneapolis. Firtha and I decided we were going to go out to hear some live music. We went to Old Oak and according to Firtha I only got in because the (really cute) guy thought I was cute. Who really knows though. I had the ‘mandatory’ glass of Guinness and Firtha and I chatted while we waited for the music. The group was called ‘Company X’ and the lead singer had a really nice voice. On the walk back to the hostel Firtha and decided we were going to have to jam before I left for England. Also on the walk back I sang a little bit of ‘Mairi’s Wedding’ and for once I didn’t get strange looks singing in the middle of the street! I came back to my room to find I now had three roommates already fast asleep at only 11.30pm.
<3 Caitlin
It sounds quite strange.
