Drumshambo!!!!!

Ah what a whirlwind week it has been... absolutely amazing.

(first... Paul... go back a few entries to Inis Oirr and there is a picture of me in a session! lying huh? ha!)

So... I returned to Galway (as you know) with Elaine and ended up staying with her. The first night here was very low-key, but so fun. Her roomate myself and Elaine headed out for some tunes and a couple drinks to return in for an early night. The next day the streets of Galway were buzzin' away because it marked the beginning of the arts festival. I headed to the internet early and kinda met the guy working the front desk... headed to the market and did some walking, listened to some buskers, went to my special/secret place (Liam I love you) to practice and then returned back for some laundry and a well-needed shower.

I headed back out for the afternoon when the street party began and ended up talking with Mike (internet cafe guy) for a couple hours. Met his friend... Elaine came and joined us... Rachel (remember her from April?) showed up and we hung out down at the arch in Galway. Then, who walks up by Conner and Thibeaux!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!! Elaine ended up going home but the rest of us hung out on the street and had such a blast. We played this thing called a "Hang" ... it's from Switzerland and it looks like 2 woks put together... it has small dimples that make different sounds and it's so cool. Mike was amazing at that thing!

So... the next day Elaine and I took the truck up to Drumshambo... it was an unbelieavably beautiful day and the drive was so fun... we got there, pitched here tent (holey jesus is that house big to put up!!!!!) and then I got my little sucker up too. We went out every night in Drumshambo and went to the beach during the days. I am so thankful for Flor (he is the one who got me to introduce myself to Elaine) because meeting Elaine led me to meet the most amazing group of people I have ever met travelling. Really... every single one of them. Not to mention talented musicians!!!! uh!

So, here's the lowdown... all Irish, but Elaine was born in the states... Jessica (learning the box and is allergic to the sun), Elaine (living in Ireland for seven years now, learning the harp and whistle), Sean (unbelievable flute and concertina player) and his twin brother Garod, Tommy (amazing concertina player and dating Siobhan) and his brother Barry (awesome concertina player!), Siobhan (wonderful fiddle player and loves nutella), Ronan and Cormac (brothers and so much fun!)... That was the wonderful group... oh... there was Roisin too who was histerical! Katie popped in on Wednesday night to come join us for a night... she was so fun...

So, everywhere we went, these guys just started a session. And what music it was. We had such a blast every day at the beach as it was just spent laughing (and freezing) our asses off despite the fact that it was 100 degrees every day and we were roasting in our tents and everywhere else!

On Thursday I headed down to Limerick to visit a friend Mark, who I met in Milltown. We had a wondeful time, listened to some music, discovered we had some common friends and then I returned to Galway yesterday morning! Alan and I were on the same bus so we shared dinner ... ah a lovely salad... it was wonderful to catch up with you, Alan. I hope you survived the weekend! I will be here for 2 days and live up this arts festival as the streets are REALLY buzzin'! Elaine returns back today and then I'll head to Achill Island Sunday for the next music school and bout of camping! Fun fun!

So, I just want to thank all you Drumshambo kiddies... really. honestly. what an amazing time. I KNOW I will see you all soon again at Feakle, Letterkenney, Ballybunion... wherever you show up!

Smiles.

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