The Last Week in Ireland . . . For Now

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Our last week in Ireland (October 31st - November 9th, I’m almost caught up!) was spent packing, saying goodbye, and enjoying the last little bits of the home we’d made over the past two months. Halloween in Ireland kicked off our last little bit of time. Halloween here is huge! The kids go all out dressing up with full body makeup and elaborate costumes. Originally I imagined spending Halloween in Ireland by sitting around a pub fire listening to old Irish guys tell spooky stories. Unfortunately, Brian got sick, so we dressed up in the apartment and watched scary movies for the night.

A few days later, Shelley, one of Brian and my friends from back home, came to visit and stay with us. Shelley had the brilliant idea that we should have early Christmas, since Brian and I still don’t know exactly where we’ll be when it comes around. We got stockings, decorations, and a few presents for each other to really make it authentic. I must say that every visitor we’ve had has been a joy. We spent the days wandering Galway, shopping, going to the dog races one last time, and experiencing our first club in Ireland.

The club was a rip off of Coyote Ugly back in the states, so of course they had girls dancing and singing on the bars and American flags everywhere! Due to Obama’s recent election, all three of us were feeling quite patriotic (Shelley and I even made Obama shirts) so we didn’t mind at all. For the first time in my life, I rode a mechanical bull . . . well . . . technically is it “riding” if you sit down and are immediately thrown off? It was hilarious and aside from the bruises I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Our last night in Galway we spent at the Pucan. Shelley, Brian, and I dressed up and were much celebrated by all of the friends we’d made. Kevin sang “Danny Boy” and “The Fields of Athenry” in our honor, and we all enjoyed pint after pint till the whiskey was dry and I was in tears hugging the Irish friends who had let me share their home. I will sorely miss Galway, but I’m glad I came. Since my first visit five years ago, I swore one day I’d live here, and now I have.

We bussed to Dublin the next day for one last laugh with Rob and Carl. Brian made tacos again (last time he made them was Rob’s first taco experience ever!) and Carl and Brian pulled out the sparklers they had bought. We danced around with the miniature lights while Rob played “La Bamba” and “Twist and Shout” on his guitar. That night, I fell asleep with eager anticipation of the upcoming months. Life on a train, foreign countries, and many new experiences, sights, sounds, smells, and tastes to behold! I’ve included the map of our travels for the next few months. Its changing everyday as we find new places we want to explore! The world suddenly feels so accessible. Thank you Galway! One day I will return . . .

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Comments

[Jen]

Mechanical bulls in foreign countries
What is it about other countries and mechanical bulls? My one and only bull ride to date was in a different country, too. Glad to read that you guys are having the best of times!