Andrea and Erica

Sadly, our trip has come to an end. We spent our last day today in Dublin, savoring the last few scones and coffees we could fit into our stomachs. I think it’s safe to say that we both put on a few pounds during the last few weeks - we have never eaten so much bacon or potatoes in our lives. We took advantage of our accommodations’ gym and started off the day with a quick workout, which felt oh-so-good…until we both collapsed afterwards. It’s amazing how out of shape you can get so quick, even when you are walking everywhere. We both said today that we wished we had pedometers with us during the entire trip - I think we walked more than 100 miles! After we finally got ourselves up and running (we both ... read more

We were told before we even got to Galway that you don’t go there for the sites - you go there for the people. So, Erica and I spent the entire day amongst the townies, shopping, eating, and going out to the pubs. We slept in late, as the past week has been spent been gallivanting around the island like crazy. Our B&B landlords Eddie and Helen, couldn’t understand why two girls in their 20’s would choose to go to bed before 1am (the night before), but we were “wrecked.” After some fuel (coffee, sausage, scones and eggs and more coffee), we shopped for hours! Shoes, handbags, dresses, souvenirs…it was so fun. I had died and gone to shoe and handbag heaven! As you can see in the photos, the shoe selection here is phenomenal. We ... read more

We did more today than most people do in a week of travel. We’re actually writing this blog later and just posting now, because we were so exhausted that we couldn’t write a word last night, except for a brief “hi” to our family and boyfriends. But… it’s good to be busy, and especially with a quick trip and so much to see. We woke up yesterday morning with anticipation that had been built up for 10 years. We were going to the farm. Both of us remember when Derry would talk about the farm when he coached Erica. He used to compare the mud to “slurry,” telling Erica that she was lucky to be diving (as a soccer goalkeeper) in mud and not “slurry.” We had no concept of what this “slurry” he spoke of ... read more

Today we had our first “Irish Breakfast.” For those of you who are unaware, we’re not talking omelets or pancakes…or even simply sausage and fruit. A traditional Irish Breakfast consists of rashers (meaty bacon - the amount of meat was phenomenal), sausage and good old “Black Pudding.” Not to be confused with chocolate pudding, cocoa pudding, or even licorice pudding, “Black” Pudding is a pureed sausage, bacon and pig blood dish. Yes, you heard it right. Ruth wouldn’t tell us what was in it until after we tried it, so that alone tipped us off that something in it wasn’t a savory American choice. Neither of us were huge fans, but can’t knock it till you try it, right? The Irish are thanking us, since we definitely brought the sunny California weather with us. We have ... read more

Today we took a trip down the Dingle Peninsula, which encompassed about eight different little villages. Dingle is known for it's famous live attraction of "Fungi the Dolphin." The story is, that Fungi is the only dolphin in the world that doesn't travel in a pod - he likes to fly solo. So, there is a small little boat cruise (I use the word "Cruise" lightly. Let's just say it fell along the lines of "champagne taste on a beer budget") that takes about 15-20 people out off the coast of Dingle to spot Fungi. If you don't see him, you get your money back (I'm not sure if that's entirely true, but I'm going with it). Erica and I spotted Fungi pretty soon into the trip, as he followed the wake of the boat and ... read more