"Not even for 5?"

At this point of the trip, I think I should comment on the Irish command of a certain 4 letter curse word.  It cracks me up to hear it in virtually every sentence (and in every manner of the word).  It's nice to use it 3 times in a 5 word sentence (I suggest you try it).  Their favorite is "for sake."  I'll let you fill it in but add in the accent and it's glorious.   

Last night walking home from the pub with a few folks from my group, we got into a "discussion" with some local kids (probably in the their 20's) about being from the States.  My recollection of the conversation was that while they love everything American (they really do), they still make fun of us as if we don't know anything.  And that's fine I guess.  I would probably make fun of them in Vegas or something. 

Tonight, we're off to a dinner cruise and will watch the US match that's coming up here in about an hour.  This particular cruise made preparations for us to have a TV on board so we can watch.  Before leaving Dublin, I bought a US flag (€5.99 btw) so that will certainly be on display this evening.  Let's all hope for a US win...we need it. 

So tomorrow will be the travel day from hell.  We have to leave Galway at about 5:30 a.m. and travel to Dublin to catch our flight.  From there it's 9 or so hours to Atlanta then on to good ol' Greensboro arriving around 5:30 p.m. (but taking into consideration the 5 hour time difference).  It's going to be a long day.  I'm sort of ready to get home.  It's been a long and deliberate trip where we were always doing something.  My first real sit and do nothing day was today and it was fun to just either walk around or sit and read my book. 

When I get back, I'll be sure to post some pics as I really don't feel up to it at this point. 

Been green, now ready for some serious red, white, and blue.   

My goodness indeed

The other day I found out a cool liitle fact about Guinness and its
maintenance. Turns out that to ensure the quality of a pint at every
place it's served, Guinness employs these teams that go out to
virtually every pub to clean the beer lines on a maintained schedule.
And they also clean all the other beer lines regardless of what's
being pumped through its lines. I think it's a great service and from
a business perspective, it brings in a lot of new revenue.

Pretty neat I thought. These guys really really love their beer.

About 20 minutes from enjoying the fruits of their labor.

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What 19 verses will get ya

Saw possibly one if the coolest things tonight I've seen in a while.
As I was checking out some traditional Irish music in this very
crowded pub, all of a sudden all the bartenders started shushing
everyone. I start to look around like I don't know what's going on
(because I didn't). Anyway, all of a sudden this rather burly fella at
the corner of the bar (and right in front of me) starts singing. And I
mean singing...like bellowing this old Irish love song to his
(apparently) wife. No one moved. No one spoke. No one ordered a drink.
No one came in or left. It seemed that no one even breathed.

Now, there's no way I was forward enough to record this so therefor I
don't remember the tune but I think you understand. Just had to share
a rare experience for me but what is apparently a common occurence at
this bar.

Galway = fun town.

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Here's da ting...

...the Irish don't pronounce the "th" in anything. Gotta love it.
Anyway, here's a shot of this country castle where we stopped for
lunch today somewhere between Galway and Limerick. The restaurant was
called Durty Nellie's and it was quite good. One person in our group
took exception to the name and actually didn't want to eat there. My
response? "You need to lighten up." Oh well, making friends.

So yesterday we made it over to Galway and I saw my first Irish
rainfall. Before then, the weather has actually been a rare perfect.
After leaving Dublin, we stopped at this place that said they could
get the US match because it was being cast on the web and not
broadcast as the England game was. To say there was technical
difficulties is an understatement. So much so that as the US was
scoring the goal, the video went all choppy but we know the ball was
in. What made it even better was that a group of Algerians were
watching with us.

Anyway, had my first Irish fish and chips at dinner last night (and I
think my 100th Smithwick's). It was very good. Also went out on the
town afterwards and found the most excellent pub that had a great
band. Funny to find out that traditional Irish music is really only
played in the touristy pubs and none of us want that. But this band
was good and played anything from Nirvana to Modest Mouse. Galway is a
quaint little town of about 125,000 people but their pub and
restaurant area is really just a couple streets in the downtown area.
And compared to Dublin, the pubs are a bit more local without most of
the tourists (although I fully recognize I am one!).

Tomorrow I'm not going with the group for their company visits so I
hope to get up early and post some pictures and go walkabout until I
have to meet them after lunch for some more castle touring. Haven't
had a good chance to really get some shopping done so I'm preparing
the group. Plus, I'm sure everyone is aware of my keen interest in
that activity.

Until den...

Not you're normal shot

Okay, I know you're probably sick of hearing from me but I had to
comment on this. In the picture is probably the last known bottle of
this 44 year old whiskey. And yes, it was empty but they still keep it
here at the hotel bar because it is so significant. It was made in
1945 and was bottled in 1989. This is perhaps the coolest thing I've
seen in Ireland so far. A shot of it went for €44 which today is
about $55. If there was any left, I would've done it but alas, it
wasn't so. Apparently, I was several months too late.

And here's the proof that this place is awesome

Honest to God, the whisky book is like 27 pages. I'm not sure who
picked this hotel for the group but I want to thank them personally
when I get back.

(notice the phantom NC State hat in the reflection. Weird.)

How I Met Your Doppleganger

I know everyone is interested in how I'm making out finding everyone's
doppleganger. Well, so far only one. And the lucky winner is Alex.
Yep, redhead and all. Unfortunately, I couldn't get out the camera or
phone fast enough.

While I'm posting, I'll talk about the weather. First off, when we got
off the plane at about 9 in the morning on Saturday, it was about 50
and very overcast. Exactly what I expected. However, ever since it's
been perfectly sunny and about 75 which is about 10 degrees higher
than it should be. I blame Al Gore but most folks I talk with blame
our group from the States for bringing it with us. Although honestly,
not too many locals are complaining. They are very much taking
advantage of it. But I never would've thought that I should've packed
my sunscreen!

Currently watching the France/South Africa match while my "classmates"
are off at their business meetings. Suckers! I pretty much walked a
good bit of the city today going down by the river (although not in my
van) and then checking out some of the local parks. I hope that later
I can accurately describe the atmosphere of the city with all the
sights, sounds, and smells. It's quite something.

Until later...gone green.

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"Well, hello, dear."

Here's some higlights so far about the trip and what we've been up to.  First, I had the worst flight over that I think I've ever had.  Just couldn't get to sleep and the lady across the row looked like Mrs. Doubtfire so that was a bit distracting.  Once we got in, it was straight to the bus then a sort of quick tour of Dublin.  It was 9 in the morning and we couldn't get in the hotel yet so we had to do something.  After that, it was to the Guinness Storehouse where I'm proud to say I had my first Guinness pint in Ireland.  And because a couple of people in the group didn't like or have never had it, I got 2.  Score. 

From there it was off to Trinity College and the Book of Kells.  First, Trinity College is pretty dang old...even for Irish standards and it was very pretty.  The Book of Kells was transcribed by some monks waaaaay back in about 800 AD and it's the gospels plus some very extraordinary illustrations (one of the oldest books in the world).  You can view two of the 4 books (they were split up some time ago) but you only get to see only 2 pages.  This has led the Dubliners to call it the Page of Kells.  Anyway, really neat old book.  Then we went through the Long Room of the library.  Of anything I wanted to take a picture of so far and couldn't, it was this room.  Maybe I'll find a picture online and post later.  One intersting thing about the Long Room was that George Lucas used it as his Jedi Archives in Attack of the Clones...albeit without the permission of the college.  In other words, he recreated it virtually. 

We had a group dinner last night which was incredible.  After that, we sort of broke into groups and did our own pub thing.  The best part about the pubs here is you really can't go wrong...especially on a Saturday night. 

Well, I've got to head to dinner.  Will probably get some fish and chips somewhere with a portion of the group.  I will say that today was a good day.  Not only was I rested but we went to the Rock of Cashel and the town of Kilkenny.  More on those later (and while I forgot my camera cable, I think I can borrow one from someone in the group so I hope to post pictures). 

Oh, and one glorious saying I heard today..."pint it up."  As in "you know, we should go pint it up sometime."  I will now adopt this as my own.  Cheers.  And a final thing, it was 75 and perfectly sunny all day.  Quite the rarity as I understand. 

Go far, go green.