 |
| Galway |
I've already been able to do quite a bit of traveling within Ireland, since many of us are kind of over Dublin. This sounds silly, but... it just doesn't compare to the countryside/smaller towns.
The first Saturday we took a day trip to Glendalough and Kilkenny.
Glendalough proved to be a pretty little secret (and by secret, I mean one of the most popular attractions in ireland... but shush) in the countryside. It was a nice stop to take pictures, pretty when the sun came out, and stayed dry for at least a few minutes. There's legit history and such, but let's be honest. It was pretty. However, our nice walk back from the lake to the bus was pouring and flooded. Never put your money on a sunny day, folks.
However, upon arriving to the bus after the damp walk we were greeted with some freshly baked scones. Enough to make the dampest of dames a happy camper.
Kilkenny was freezing cold and raining. We only had about 3 hours there, so really we just looked at the pretty castle and then went into town to eat. Also, complain. HOWEVER, we are past that part, remember? This was the first weekend and a hard day.
I think we've asked ourselves a million times how the Irish remain the friendliest of beings when their weather is enough to make any human unpleasant feeling to the bone.
Now we fast forward two weekends to GALWAY, by far my favorite destination thus far. Galway is on the opposite side of the country as Dublin, on the Atlantic coast. A two hour and 15 minute bus ride away. You make know it by that song. You know. This one.
Anyway, we were told all the hotels/hostels were booked because it was the first weekend of this big boat race/festival. We were like, meh.. okay. Turns out it was a BIG DEAL and we got a room on a fluke right smack dab on the harbour where the festival was taking place.
I kept on thinking the was the first day or something and involved little sailboats or something. Then I noticed it said, 2011-2012. This confused me. 2011 was so 7 months ago.
Guys, this is a 9 MONTH RACE around the WORLD and it ends this week. Several countries have teams. It's called the VOLVO OCEAN RACE and we felt like the most ignorant human beings not knowing this was a thing that existed.
Anyway, so walking around the festival and stuffing our faces between downpours was fun. Then we ventured into the actual town and fell in love. It's adorable and quaint and so lovely.
I finally gave in and bought a giant Irish woolen sweater because my lips were 50 shades of blue and I was freezing my knockers off. Guys, it literally smells like a farm. I'm pretty sure the sheep is still alive in my sweater. It is unbearable. I already frighten boys off. I don't need a farm to help. This is my current life predicament.
Anyway, that night I had the best fish and chips of my life. So there's more calories I consumed.
The next morning I woke up and went down to grab some breakfast in what is usually a slightly offputting but generally acceptable state to grab a continental breakfast. We took one step into the breakfast room and went straight upstairs to change. For lands sake, Ireland. Cool your class.
This was the first time I've actually had a traditional Irish breakfast offered to me, so I took full advantage of the giant chunks of Brie cheese and tried the "pudding" with an open mind.
This day was supposed to be better weather, but to no one's surprise, it poured all day. We explored a little more, I had the best tea I've had all trip, (a London Fog... Earl Grey, Steamed milk, and a shot of vanilla) and a big ol' garlic and herb brat (more calories?!) and headed home.
Alas, I did lose my lens cap. This is something I managed to do.
 |
| The Unsuccessful Search |
Anyway, Galway, we're coming back.
 |
| Harbour |
Ps. I hear it's consistently unbearably hot in the States right now. Lololol funny joke.
