Unexpected side trip, The Boys on Bofin &, yes, you guessed it... back "home"

Well! Where to start...

(by the way, when I specifically address people here, it's because they have left a comment on the previous entry... so, I like to respond... you can see the comments if you go back an entry)...

Nessa... yes, I am sure you were waiting. Now that I have realized what's going on though, I certainly have a better sense of it! I can be a little more invisible (yes ma) if I wish to. That certainly was the case this week!

Denise... oh i think you might be in Galway here now! I hope so! yeah! And... you are right, I need to come over here and stay, but it's nice because I certainly am getting a good taste of Irish life living the way I'm living. thanks for the kudos and the welcomes!

Mark... I knew I could leave it to you to point out all the language tidbits I missed! Love it... maybe I share with "our" readers? smiles...

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So, this nice guy from Dublin, Kevin, offered to take me on "the most beautiful drive in Ireland" arriving just where my ferry was to depart to Bofin on Tuesday. How could I refuse that? We actually ended up having a blast with non-stop conversation, an impromtu stop (return in my case) to Kylemore Abbey, dinner/lunch in Cliften... so fun! You're a great guy Kevin and, should I ever make it back to Dublin, I will certainly ring you!

While I was waiting for the ferry, I played fetch with a very cool dog (Timber, wish you would return things as well!) and met 1 frenchman from Brittany, another from Paris and an Italian waiting to board the ferry to Inishbofin. Two of them were camping so, after the rocky, yet REALLY fun ferry ride, we headed off to find spots. On the way in, the castle seemed the most appealing... them on one side and me on the other, of course, but we quickly realized our eyes were deceiving us and we couldn't, nor did we want to, hike that far... especially every night after we were out. So, we tried to go through a round about way... hopping fences (note to self... well, I should have made a note to myself NOT to do this... see referenced later), getting chased by a donkey (scared the living bujezus out of me)... so, the boys continued, but I found a sweet little spot that ONLY required a 20 minute HIKE every time I needed to get there. So, certainly, I stopped and pitched. I went into the pub (quiet quiet) and I was exhausted. Kevin, a friend on Alan's and Vinny's, lives on the island and I met up with him the following day after a LONG hike around one end of the island to visit the 16th century castle. Amazing. The beaches along the way, the sheep I kept interrupting, the stones, the grass, the turf... wonderful.

That night (wednesday) in the pub was fun... met some wonderful older men that were frequent visitors of the island and friends of Kevin. My favorite people to look at were the old fisherman in their worn caps just sitting, very drunk, at the bar looking forlorn. Wondeful sigh actually. The following day I hiked that island, throught the rolling turf hills, around the cliffs, etc. etc. like there was no tomorrow. I was so tired! Now, here is where I should have learned me lesson... although Dad taught me the shortest distance between 2 points is always a straight line, that doesn't apply in this case. I was done and ready to head back and very tired. So, I, naturally, moved some stones to form a small bridge over a small moat around a small field that was enclosed by a small fence with some barbed wire. All was good... moved the stones, over the moat, climbed the fence without a scratch from the wire, got around some really soggy turf (see picture for explination) and headed through the field only to end up in a big soggy, swampy mess mixed with the unavoidable shit (yes, cow and sheep) that I have been becoming used to on the island. So, I had to turn back... should I have learned my lesson earlier that those fences are up for a reason? yes.


I FINALLY made it back to Tig ín and CRASHED... so cumfy though. Oh, I finished (the previous day) that book... Boy in the Striped Pajamas... AMAZING, quick read. You should all grab it... and I have started McCarthy's Bar... funny story about a man travelling through Ireland. Love it actually and reading it right now is just perfect. So, I played a lot while I was there by the way.

Last night I was in the same pub to witness a very interesting night. There were a bunch of boys. I thought they were locals, but it turned out not. 2 of them, VERY talented, were playing music and the rest, seeming very free of all worries, were loudly participating in the song and music. It was actually wonderful and the accordian player (full piano accordian) was just phenominal. Anywho... met this guy, Frank (Dublin), who I talked to most of the night. We determined it was a boys night out and, oddly enough, it was so amazing to witness. They had not a care in the world. I snapped some cool video for you to see later. Frank told me about a drum festival in Waterford that I briefly considered going to. I am supposed to be in Sligo right now for a festival there. BUT... woke up this morning and was SO TIRED that I decided I needed some rest... where better to get rest? That's right... good 'ol Galway. Frank gave me a lift into Cliften and then I hitched to Galway with another nice Dublinite... Turns out he has friends in Rochester and is headed to NYC for 2 months next week. Of course, I offered him a visit to ROC in september... he might be around! Fun...

Got to Galway and this place is insane right now. The Galway races are on. I almost put a bet on a horse, but decided against in. Maybe tomorrow. So, a little stuck for a place to stay, but I will find one surely soon. No worries. The hostel has my mobile number in case they get a bed. Gonna go for a hot chocolate and bailys in a bit... my favorite... just to relax. Alan Jordan is playing a gig tonight and there is a goodbye party for Simon (he's leaving for Mexico) as well so, should be a good night. Elaine comes back tomorrow and that should be fun! Supposed to head to Sligo on Monday for Queen Maeve summer school, but we will have to see. I'm whooped... Bofin kicked my ass. I need a shower and laundry... as usual.


By the way... hopefully I didn't sound snotty about teh 1s and 2s... I didn't mean to. Thanks to Ma, Denise, Nessa and Mark for your comments, reassurance and help!

Talk to ya soon!
Smiles.

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