Ireland...

Alrighty everyone... My trip was a wonderful adventure full of surprise, spontaneity and roller coasters of many kinds. So, because of that, I didn't feel like going to a computer, rather, live in the moment of what was happening. I also don't feel totally comfortable telling some of these stories via my blog... so, I'm giving you a very general and "surfacey" overview. I will put a few pictures on here, but there are many more that depict the story.

If you have any questions, or want to hear more, just email, call or come over and I will share! Thanks for understanding!

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Took off early from school (Thanks Sleeman for covering) only to find out at the airport that my Rochester to Philly flight was delayed so much that all international flights has to be rerouted... lucky me, I convinced them to send me to Shannon (vs. Dublin) saving me 2 connections and 6 hours... NICE! Also, was placed into a cushy 1st class seat :) Great trip.

Friday, April 14, 2006

Spent the day in Ennis (beautiful little town I was in in February) and met two crazy Irishmen (boys) that were still drunk from the night before. We spent some time in the main square laughing and having a damn good time! I caught the bus to Galway that afternoon and arrived to the beautiful new Eyre square where I spent some time recooperating from the trip, reading, people watching, soaking in the sun, etc. It was WONDERFUL. Vinny arrived that evening and went to eat at a yummy mexican restaurant and then ventured to meet his friend Thibeaux and their other roommates. We met Rachel, who is just as fun as can be! We spent that night in their apartment singing and having such fun.

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Headed to the market after sleepin' in and got some food and did a little sight shoppin'... that market was wonderful. We had planned to go out to Inisheer (Aran Islands) that day, but stopped at the pub for one and was joined by Vinny's friend, Liam, and several others. So, it turned into an awesome afternoon and we didn't want to leave. So much fun. Met Roíshín who is Vinny's close friend and an amazing whistle player. She played a couple tunes and we loved it. We moved pubs as Vinny and I tried to cure our early hangovers... kinda funny. We had planned to go to Reggae thing that night, but when we laid down for a "short nap" we didn't wake up 'til the wee hours of the morning. Ha! so, we missed it.

Sunday, April 16, 2006

We headed to breakfast where we ran into Niko and a few others from the night before. They had a strange man, being referred to as "Lord Florence" buy everyone their breakfast. Nice... Vinny and I had a game of pool and then met Liam and walked out to the place where Roíshín was staying. There I met a few people including Alan Jordan who proceeded to blow my mind with a tune he played on the whistle. Unbelievable. His website is http://www.theoutsidetrack.com and he is currently trying to get some gigs in the Boston area (so any of you out there, if you can help, let me know). They sang and we laughed at the painting you see here in the blog. Roíshín said (about war) "Why can't we just give everyone instruments?" (instead of weapons)... these people were wonderful. We moved to Nochton's (pub... spelling?)... to see a band play (they were awesome) and then watch Chad play (friend of Vinny's who joined us for breakfast). He was also amazing and we had a great time. We went to see some Reggae after that... the music sucked, but the people watching was funny. On the way home, Liam got a tattoo... yeah... long and hillarious story. We ended up at this guy's house where we stayed up all night singing silly songs.

Monday, April 17, 2006

We "kidnapped" the dog from the house and brought him to breakfast with us. Despite the car alarm, we had a really nice time. Vinny and I made it to the ferry for Inisheer... had a great time getting tossed around. We arrived and ran right into his wonderful friends who were in a session in Ned's. We sat down, Derek talked politics with me, had a moment on the rocks, good fun. Derek taught me a little about the Bodhran and Vinny sang a bunch of wonderful tunes. It was, by far, the best session I have seen yet. We got a beautiful room at the B&B there...

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

... cleaned up a bit, had a wonderful breakfast, I took a trip to my favorite cemetary and then we headed back after a quick game of darts and a few pints. We landed in Doolin and had a delicious dinner at O'Connor's. Ran into David (the manager of Paddy's hostel) and it was nice to see him. We settled and went to the session. Christy Berry was playing, but the session wasn't all that exciting, especially after the previous evening....

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Had a good night's sleep and then took off to Galway the following afternoon where we found Liam... almost right where we left him. We took off to Shligo and put our stuff in Liam's house in Sooey (his parents were so nice). We went into Shligo and hung out at a cool bar called Shoot the Crows... saw some good music... met some wonderful people at a pub later... Angela, Gary and friends. We didn't sleep that night either as we trapsed around the city! Vinny took a small adventure and we linked up the next morning.

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Good breakfast... introduced Liam to a Car Bomb which was tactfully regergitated following the intake. Funny. That afternnon, met Tara (Vinny's friend) and she's wonderful. We went shopping for a quick pair of jeans because we were heading out to The Barn (Joseph owns this and was letting us stay there. It is an old hostel and in a beutiful place). Had a fun time going out there, arrived, cooked dinner, drank a bit and went to sleep early.

Friday, April 21, 2006

That morning was wonderful. Hatim cooked us french toast and we took a walk to the sea. We spent a couple hours out there just laying on the soft grass, having good conversation and just enjoying the beautiful sun. It was amazing. Then, the funny part came... we decided to try and get Hatim off of work so I called his boss... it worked! We decided to go back to Inisheer because Derek was playing that night. We started our mad rush back to Liam's to get our stuff, then to Leitrim (saw Vinny and Hatim's house... nice) and then on our way to Rossaveal. We were FLYING and, despite our efforts, we did not make it. It was such a blast trying though. Actually, that drive contained some of the most amazing views I have seen yet. We ended up in Spiddal instead and found a fun beach where we had quite a time stealing stuff from each other. We left and went to pick up Emily, Joey's girlfriend, in Galway and then returned to that same beach and set up tent.

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Good times, good sleep, nice morning. We had a wonderful breakfast while watchin' the boys play darts and pool. We took off back to Galway and had a little bit of fun there before leaving for Leitrim. Hatim and Vinny were amazing. Hatim offered to drive me from Leitrim to Dublin to catch my flight if I would return with them back to Leitrim for some Reggae gig. I took him up on it... so kind. We bought some food and Hatim cooked us an amazing Cous cous dinner... we ate in front of the fire... the 3 of us with 3 spoons out of one bowl while Hatim explained some Morrocan traditions. It was unbelievable. Then, we took off to the music. I met a bunch of people there and just really really really enjoyed my last couple hours in Ireland...

Sunday, April 23, 2006

... Liam and Sarah came there and were there when I left. Hatim drove Vinny and I while we slept to Dublin airport. We had some coffee, said our goodbyes and then I headed home. I flew to Manchester and when I arrived there, the international flight was running a bit late to Philly. My TV was broken in my seat so they moved me to the back where I had 3 seats to myself. Haaaaa very lucky. I arrived, tired, to Philly. I immediately said if they needed to bump anyone to please bump me. It worked. I got another free ticket that I will sell on ebay again to help pay for my ticket back. So, I was in philly to late at night, arrived home, crashed... that's about it.

Today...

At the moment I'm in post-trip funk, but, as always, I'll pull out. If you would like to see all the pictures, please visit my website

My students are wonderful as their smiles always bring me joy... the painting project is going great and I'll just start counting down the days until my return. Plan... live in Ireland for the summer an study the whistle...

To my new friends in Ireland... you each "got to me" in a very special way. I'm so happy I met all of you and cannot wait to see you again. Please know, you always have someone here in New York who will welcome you with open arms.

Cheers and thanks for the great Craic...
Smiles...

---

---