Blogs from Waterford, County Waterford, Ireland, Europe - page 2

So I've been sitting here thinking of what I should write for my first blog post. I want something epic, and inspiring, and memorable. But I got nothing. It's just me sitting at my computer, watching the occasional Netflix film or TV show, occasionally glancing at the tab for a blog. And thinking. So should I even be writing something if I got nothing to say? But you see, everyone's got something to say. Everyone has a voice to be heard, a smile to be seen, and a step to take. I guess you could say this is my travel blog. Since November 2013, I've been diagnosed with the travel bug. It's sort of like an addiction, but it's not bad. It's a good thing. It's the opportunity and the key to recovering. I have an ... read more

Today was a beautiful day in Waterford. It was a nice crisp 40 degrees and the sun was shining all day. Since all classes were cancelled at the University today because of board meetings, professors sit around and talk about last term's exams, we took the opportunity to spend some time around the city centre and quay (que). Some people in the group did some shopping and I did some exploring. I went into the oldest cathedral in Waterford called Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity. It was a unique experience. The cathedral sits right in the middle of the city centre, which is the main shopping district. The inside struck me at how simple it was. Having travelled to Italy and seeing cathedrals with beautiful ceilings and paintings that is what I was expecting when ... read more

On Friday morning, the international students were given a bike tour of the lovely city we get to call home for the next 5 months. The weather for the tour was miserable. It was rainy, windy and cold and riding a bike seems to magnify all of it. As we went along the tour guide told us stories and history about the various different things we were seeing and also tried to give us a since of direction in the city. At one point, the guide told us how he used to own a family business, a news shop that had been in his family for over sixty years. The shop had to close when the recession hit though. He also told us how on the weekends, he is a doorman at a local hotel. This ... read more

Tonight I got to have my first Irish pub experience. The pub was called Geoff's (Jeff's). It was your stereotypical pub. Many beers on draft with many Irish men sitting around tables drinking and having a good time talking and telling stories. It was dark and the walls were the original stone. Creaky wood floors and furniture topped off the entire experience. It will be Geoff's that will forever be in my memory as the place I first had a pint of Guiness. I went in with an open mind, and to my surprise I actually really enjoyed it. I believe it when they say, "it taste better in Ireland". For dinner, I had a new take on old pub grub and had Morrocan lamb scewers that were delicious. I had good company too, now that ... read more

The place I stayed at last night in Blarney had dogs, and it made me miss my kitties back home. When I checked in to my new place in Waterford, I was super excited to learn there are kitties here! They aren't allowed in the guest sections of the house, but the owner let me snuggle with them for a few minutes near the doorway. It warmed my heart. The drive to Waterford was uneventful. Once I got into town I dropped off my laundry (they don't have laundromats where you do your own out laundry here, you have to drop it off and pay someone else to do it) then went to the House of Waterford Crystal. This place has been on my must-see list for months, ever since I watched a Rick Steves episode ... read more