Home!!!!

12-23

Home

I’m HOME!!!!!! What a crazy day. The plane ride was good – short because I slept so long. The car ride home was six hours! That was not so good. It’s great to be back. I missed it here so much.

Coming back there are defiantly some mixed emotions. I loved my time in Dublin completely. But being home is great. Living with Ann was fantastic. Working with Billy was the best I could ask for. School with everyone was fantastic. My hope is that we’ll all try and keep in contact but I know how unlikely that is.

Well Slante and goodnight.

Dublin

12-22

Dublin

Wow what a last day. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Cody and I woke up, both broke not knowing what to do. He had wanted to see the Dail and Billy had said he’ have something for me so we went in. Showing Cody around was a bit strange because no one was in as it’s suspended until after the Holidays. I showed him around best we could, we got lunch there and then headed up to Billy’s office where we found 100 EURO!!!!!! OH HAPPY DAY!!!! We were livin’ rich! Saying goodbye to the Dail was really sad. I loved my time there. It was strange to be leaving.

Then we headed back to the Hostel changed and met up with Lacey. She had never been to Kilmanhum Gaol before so I headed back to the prison. It was probably the best tour that I’d gotten (third times the charm I guess). Cody loved the history of it all. It meant a lot to lacey and I to be there after learning so much about all the revolutionaries and politicians who had spent time in its walls.

Then I decided I had to do something I’d never done before in Dublin before I left. So we all headed on the DART up to Howth, a little fishing village on the outskirts of Dublin. It was great. We walked along the harbor and watched the sky turn pink over the Irish Sea. It was really, really beautiful. As usual my camera wasn’t working, but Cody got some great shots. Billy Timmins bought us a half dozen oysters from the bay. OOOOOOHHH MY GAWD! SO GOOD.

We headed back down to Dublin and tried to go to the storehouse. It was closed, which was a blessing in disguise. We stumbled across the carol service at Christ Church Cathedral. When the Corries. Mom and Grace were here we heard the choir warming up. They were fantastic. The best. They sang a song in Gaelic, which took my breath away. One thing that was strange was that none of the carols had the same tune as they do in the states which was bizarre and a bit embarrassing. We actually didn’t have tickets but a priest snuck us some which was awesome.

After the carol service we met up with Lacey one last time at Gogherty’s for music. The band played my favorite traditional songs and then some. They actually were the first band that I heard at Gogherty’s which was great. As we were leaving they played Galway Girl and it made my night.

Galway - Dublin

12-21

Galway – Dublin

Today we headed out from Galway and made our way to Dublin. Our hostel is ok – cheap but try’s to get you for every penny. Went to Dublin Castle – for the 5th time. Cody thought it was really cool. Then to Christ Church but it was closed. We met my friend Lacey for diner, we ate at a grocery store lunch counter (very classy). The night took a downturn when the place didn’t accept American express and I was out of money. Thankfully Cody was able to help me out. We went to O’Dunnaghoes for one last night of music but, alas it was not to be. The place was so crowded that we ended up just going back to the hostel. Good night over all, great day once again

Rome - Galway

12-20

Rome – Galway

Today was a crazy day of travel. We flew from Rome to Dublin (a flight packed with priests). There was a cat chilling at our gate which was really funny, especially when priests started coming over to take it’s picture. The flight seemed to take forever. I had finished my book and my IPOD was dead – bad news for a Ryan Air flight. Then we took a bus to Galway.

Galway was packed. Five day’s till Christmas on a Friday and its was out of control. Carolers filled the streets with music, shoppers bustled trough the streets. It was great. Cody loved it. We walked down to the bay to look out over the Ocean. That was awesome. Then we more or less just walked around watching the town go from shoppers delight to club central – a bizarre and rather abrupt shift. We spent the night in the search for music, failing because everyplace was so packed. We had a great time none the less.

Rome

12-19

Rome


Day two in Rome was epic. We destroyed the city. We started off with breakfast – bread and cheese – at the Vatican. Then up to Saint Angelo’s then to Piazza Novana for some fountains and a cool market, then to the massive Pantheon – a massive pre-Christian building that is today a church. Then to the Trevi fountain a massive Bernini fountain that is said to ensure a return trip to the city if you throw a coin in behind your back. Then over to the Tomb of the Unknown solider, the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine and the Coliseum. The forum and the Coliseum were amazing. To see these things that have been there for hundreds of years before Christ was crazy. The Coliseum was breathtaking. Then to the Piazza della Republica for more fountains and an amazing church (Santa Maria Degli Angeli). Then over to the Spanish Steps for sunset. Finally to Piazza del Popolo for more churches and fountains.

We stayed in that night – not wanting to get beaten up – and watched movies with some guys in our hostel. Good night over all. Amazing day. I’d always wanted to go to Rome but never thought I’d get the chance. My blog clearly doesn’t do it justice . But wow. Completely amazing.

Rome

12-18

Rome

Wow what a day. Woke up early and headed out before I was supposed to meet Cody at the bus station. Our hostel was right by the Vatican – yeah how cool – but a bit out of the way. It’s nice to come back to though.

I got up early headed out – something that seems to be a trend. I walked down the road and ran into St. Peters square. It was amazing. To stand in this place that I’d seen so many times in movies and on TV seemed fake. I really felt like there must be a screen up and that it wasn’t really there. Then I walked down the Tiber seeing St. Angelo’s Castle – the fotress of the Pope. It originally was a mausoleum but then the Vatican turned it into a fortress should the Vatican ever come under attack. Pretty cool. Then I made my way up to Piazza del Popolo. It’s an awesome square with two massive matching churches on one end and an amazing fountain in the middle.

Then it was time to meet Cody. I missed him, ran out of credit on my phone, and when I got credit my phone died. Ugh. No worries though I headed back to the Vatican and went into St. Peters. Beautiful. Really just amazing. It’s massive and doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. Then I made my way up the Copola which is a massive staircase that leads up to the top of the Dome of St. Peters basilica. Not only do you get to see inside the dome but the outside as well. Seeing the sun set over the city of Rome was breathtaking. I really just couldn’t have asked for more… but I got it.

The staircase leaves you inside the basilica itself. When I got down I realized that there was mass going on. I decided “hey how many times am I going to get this chance?” When I was going in I saw Cody! What luck. We celebrated mass together and then went back to the Hostel.

We got ourselves some food – pasta – and headed out. It was a good night until I got beat up by some crazy, very drunk, Italian. He started yelling at his friend and pointing at me. Cody and I threw up our arms and said “hey don’t point at me like that” and he launched himself at me. I – in a very manly gesture – curled up in a ball. His friend pulled him off of me and I ran away. Clearly my future in boxing is not very good.

Barcelona - Rome

12-17

Barcelona – Rome

Today I got up early and walked up the Ramblas one more time. Today was gorgeous to bad I had to spend it all on Ryan Air. The flight was good, short. When I got off the plane I tried to withdraw some money, that didn’t work. Little scary for a bit. Mom was able to get some to me by the time that I got to the hostel though. The hostel is great. Everyone here is really nice. The girl running the place use to be in finance on Wall st. but decided she should get out (good timing). There’s an American named Armondo who just got done hitch-hiking across America for a year and a half, and a party crazed Austrian named Greg, quite the crew. I got in really late again so I stayed in ad hug out at the hostel.

Barcelona

12-16

Barcelona

Great day, the city is absolutely gorgeous. It rained off and on all day, which stank but ehhh what are you going to do? Traveling by myself if kinda strange. Not sure how I feel about it. It’s nice cause I get to places really quick, but not so much fun cause I don’t have anyone to joke around with.

Woke up early and headed out – after my free breakfast. First I went to the Roman Wall. It’s pretty much just an old wall, but that it’s been there since Roman times is pretty amazing. Today is the local hang out for pigeons as far as I could tell.

Then I made my way to the City Basilica. I’m sure it’s beautiful from the outside but they had it all blocked off for restoration. The inside though is a very cool courtyard with many little chapels each with a very cool statue with candles that can be lit on the outside. All of the statues are behind bars, which I must admit is a little disconcerting but I guess you do what you have to. The center of the courtyard is filled with giant palm trees. Right now they have a nativity scene with live chickens, geese and ducks. It’s really cool. There are actually nativities all over the city which is nice.

Then I made my way up the Ramblas which is a giant boulevard with an open air market in the middle famous for its flower and bird stands. It was really really cool. Outside one of the bird sands I saw a pigeon eating another birds food through the bars, this just didn’t seem fair.

Right off the Ramblas is an open air food market. It was massive. Everything you could possibly want, meat, fruit, vegetables, seafood, everything. It was really cool just to walk around. I thought it might have been a cool Idea to get lunch there but it was still really early so I didn’t do that.

Then I walked up the Ramblas till I bit the Catalonia Square. Barcelonans don’t actually consider themselves Spanish, but rather a separate nationality called Catalonian’s. I had no idea. Pretty cool though. They have a big square celebrating their history.

After this I headed up the road and took pictures of a bunch of buildings by an architect named Gaudi. He was famous at the turn of the century and has a series of just some beautiful buildings. They’re all very curvy and modern. Hard to describe but look at my facebook for pictures. My two favorite Gaudi’s were Parke Guell and Sagrada la Familia.

Park Guell is a park designed by Gaudi originally meant to be a rich housing estate. It’s filled with almost fairy tale architecture – including two gingerbread houses and a mosaic lizard.

Sagrada la Familia is Gaudii’s “masterpiece. It’s a massive cathedral with 12 towers – one for each apostle. It also has two styles – the front is very modern the back is very … well I’m not so sure but maybe gothic? In any case the back side is filled with tiny little sculptures of bible stories that are put into the sides of the building.

After Sagrada la Familia I made my way to Monteju….. not sure how to spell it. Translated though it means “the Jew hill. It’s this massive park were the Barcelona Jewish Ghetto was before they knocked it down to make way for the Olympics. It’s a massive and beautiful hill that’s today just one giant park. It looks out over the Mediterranean on one side and the city on the other.

That night I stayed in my hostel with some kids from Canada, the states, Brazil, and Australia (they’re everywhere). Good night, and wonderful day.

Ireland - Barcelona

12-15

Ireland - Barcelona

So today I landed in Barcelona. I got in late so I couldn’t do much. My hostel is really cool. Very modern. What’s really nice is that each bed has three walls and then a curtain so it seems like you have your own little private room. Not like most hostels where you’re just there in the open. Free breakfast so that’s good. The bus out here was 20 euro!!!! I hate that. Also they charge extra for a blanket… things I wont be paying for.

Belfast

12-14

Belfast

Went up to Belfast with Seth today. Great day. This being said we spent four hours on a bus for a one hour tour but ehh, what are you going to do, pass up a free nights stay? I didn’t think so.

Belfast was great. We got a black cab tour. This was more or less a cabbie driving us around to a lot of the Murals in Belfast. We went the Shankhill road (protestant area) and down the Falls road (Catholic area). What I hadn’t realized was that they were so close together. Literally the two roads are 1 block from each other. The peace wall from that was erected under Tony Blair is still up dividing the two communities. On Sunday’s (today) the walls are closed and there is only one-way in and out of either communities. We had a protestant tour guide but he was very even handed. His brother was in the PSNI and had been killed in an IRA attack, but he was still very cool about the whole thing. It was really amazing.

The murals were very powerful. Many talked about historical events, or groups. Others were commentary on the way the world is today – one very anit-bush one reading “America’s greatest failure.” What was interesting was that the protestant murals seemed much more militaristic than the Catholic ones. They would show armed UDA and UVFers while the Catholic ones were almost all geared towards peace or History.

The whole thing was just really, really, bizarre. It wasn’t quite as creepy as Derry, but it still was very strange. To think that such a small, closed community could have such divisions is really just beyond me.

One interesting thing that the tour guide brought up was the difference between people who lived through the troubles and those who watched from the outside. He said it’s really easy for people who didn’t live it to talk up the rhetoric and not move on, but when you’re there day in and day out knowing that you might not come home from getting your groceries it’s easy to move on, it’s the only option.

I also got to meet Chris’s mom tonight. She was a bizarre little lady. Didn’t seem very happy, but nice I guess. She was put off by my Belfast Tour and couldn’t understand that a Protestant talked about both murals. She had left in 1972 and I think really felt like it was still 72 in the North.

Made it back to Chris’ watched some South park with his roommates and went to bed. Ready to go to Barcelona!

Sliver Bridge

12-13

Silver Bridge

Wow what a bizarre day. Today I left Ann’s house for the last time. It was really sad. She’s been a great host mom. I really couldn’t have asked for more. Little crazy yes, but then again who isn’t and aren’t things better when they’re a little off kilter? I remember pulling up to her house the first day and just being in complete amazement and full of joy that I was there. I don’t think I was ever let down.

I left that morning and headed out to Silver Bridge. Took Ulster Bus to Newry and then transferred to a Local bus to Silverbridge. I missed the 12:00 bus so I had to wait till 1 to get the bus. Took about half an hour or 45 min to get there. It’s amazing. It’s a little tiny town with a grocery store/gas station, a pub, a coffee shop and a Chinese restaurant (yeah not really sure what’s up with that one).

I got off the bus and walked around a bit trying to find the cemetery that Dad had told me about. I wasn’t able to, but really wasn’t to concerned. The whole time I was just thinking about how many times my ancestors walked up and down these same roads, on that same place. It was amazing. I stopped in the pub for a pint and to ask directions. I walked in and felt exactly like the ever-present outsider in Irish lit. Everyone Kinda looked at me with this strange little look that said “who on earth is he?” I was sitting at the pub when an old guy at the end of the bar said “cold night” and I said “yeah, yeah it is” and he said “…Are you a Yank?” And our relationship took off from there. I asked him for directions to the two cemeteries and he gave them too me along with a little bit of history.

The cemetery that the Irvin’s are buried in (he said he thought that they would be in a certain one that I can’t remember the name of) is in the churchyard of the oldest serving church in Ireland. We’re also buried in the same burial ground as the O’Neil clan, the old Kings of Ireland.

As it turns out it was to far to walk because the sunset was setting so I wasn’t able to make it out there which made me sad. But I figure I’ll be back soon, and I’ll have adventures in Silverbridge.

His wife walked in and I asked if they knew the Toals. They said yeah that Michael and Margaret lived up the way and their son lived just down the road. They walked me up to the house but they weren’t home. They had built a new house and – I figured that they had knocked down the old family house. Fortunately I was wrong, but I didn’t find out until after dark so I missed out on the house as well.

The family didn’t want me just hanging out for the bus so they took me into their house and we had some tea. I love the Irish. Their names were the Kennedy’s and they were great people. They were really interested in my studies at school and what I thought of “the republic” and “the free state” – I’m thinking they had republican leanings.

The pub actually had been blown up by the IRA after they rushed in and gunned down a 14 year old boy, a man who had just been engaged, a man celebrating the birth of his first daughter as well as his friend. To think that that kind of violence could take place in a town that doesn’t even have a church and to me seemed so peaceful and perfect shocks and horrifies me. With 3,600 dead in the troubles and 1.5 million in NI everyone has a story, each just as heart breaking as the next.

I caught the bus home and stayed the night at my friend Chris’. We made spaghetti which was fantastic. There’s just something about bread, meat, cheese and pasta that makes everything perfect.

Fast Times at the IPA

Well it seems as if the curtain is about to close on my time here in Dublin. It's been great. Leaving all of my new friends behind will be sad, but I have to say that so far I have no regrets about my time spent here.

Last night a few of us went out to for some traditional Irish music, figuring that we'll remember the fun we had more than the time we spent studying for what is going to be a killer finals day tomorrow. It was wonderful. We went to a little seedy pub where these two guys played guitar and a banjo while singing some great Irish songs. Two kids with us - Molly and Chris - knew every word to every song, it was great.

Coming home will be great too. I can't wait to get back just in time for Christmas. Missing everyone tonnes.

My adventures in Europe will be great too. Barcelona, Rome and then back to the Emerald Isle for one more go of it!

Merry Christmas... or should I say Happy Christmas as they do over here.

The Night I Met the Future Prime Minister and Made a Fool of My Self

As some of you may know, I have a bit of a reputation for leaving my things places. I even have a facebook group about it. Tonight I lived up to my fame.

I went to a party meeting for Fine Gael who is currently in opposition but will more than likely come to power next election. On my way in I met the party leader Enda Kenny who I've been wanting to meet since I got here. He heard I was from Chicago (I figured I'd go for the familiar). He asked if I'd heard of a Richard Daley, I laughed and said yeah, and then he was like "well I hear you have a new boy... some one some one.... uhhh can't remember his name.....

I said B Something.. Ba ba Barack Obama thats it! And we laughed and headed inside behind him.

The meeting is packed full of constituants. We sit in the corner away from the door. We end up having to leave early to catch the bus. We walk out cause a huge comotion. Get outside and realize I forgot my coat....

I have to go back in, walk past everyone, cause a huge comotion, and walk back out cause a huge comotion right infront of Enda both times....

The second time HE ROLLED HIS EYES AT ME!

I have to say, I've done myself proud, now eve the leader of Fine Gael knows that I leave my stuff EVERYWHERE!

The Family Man

Hello Everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!... if a bit belated. 

Mom, Grace, Dan, and Mackenzie have come and gone, and it was great. Here's a brief rundown of the past week of awesomeness. 

Friday - Laurel flew in Friday night and we had a great time. Her flight got in at about 7 and we went off to go meet my friends at their apartment. A few of the kids from the program wanted to go to a pub by school that night so we met up with them and went out. It was great. Laurel had the chance to meet some of the kids in the program which was great fun. Turns out they have free BBQ on Tursday's at 6...guess where I'll be! We came back that night and Ann was still awake. She made great fun of me, and even Laurel a bit. Laurel loved her, and Ann like her a lot.

Saturday - We had to be out the door by 7 am to pick the fam up from airport. We got there just in time. It was wonderful to see everyone. Grace looked ridiculous as usual. Big baggy sweat pants, some crazy t-shirt and giant sunglasses - she was inside. Not to mention her hat that had ear covers and little tassels with balls on the end hanging off of the ear covers. 

We had a great day. Got them settled in and then headed off to explore. We went to Dublin Castle which they loved. I've been there four times now so I could have given the tour my self, but it was still fun. Everyone loved it. Mom also took decorating tips... 

After the Castle we went to Christ Church Cathedral. Mom loved it. They had the organ playing when we first walked in and when we were on our way out we got to hear the choir warm  up for the service an hour later. They were starving and exhausted though so we headed out before the service. 

That night we went to a really neat pub close by for diner. Great burgers. Dan told the story of how he and Dad went out to Karioke some nights while they were here. I had to laugh, like father like son. 

Sunday - We went to bed early and woke up late. Then we drove to Galway. Laurel and I had planned to take a bus back that night, but we didn't get there till 4 and our Bus left at 7:30 so we decided it was ridiculous and took the train the next morning. Everyone loved Galway. We went out for an amazing dinner. I got Irish stew, Laurel got Shepherds pie (which I think was bigger than she was), Mom and Mackenzie got the Chowder and Grace and Dan got the Chiken. Fantastic. We had an amazing waitress who forced grace to share her French Fries. The best was the Bailies Irish Cream Cheese Cake though.... heavenly. 

That night we went out for music. The musician loved us cause we sang along with this other group of Americans that Dan made friends with. He sang Laurel Galway Girl and she swooned. On our way back we couldn't all fit in a cab so Mom, Grace and Dan took a cab while Laurel Mackenzie and I walked back to the B&B. We stopped by Supermacs for fun. Terrible as usual, but I figured they had to have it.  

Monday - Laurel and I caught at 5:20 train which was awful. Let me tell you tooooo early. She got a flight back to London. I went back to Ann's, changed and met everyone at School to go to the American Ambassador's house. No one gets tours of this place, but because the Ambasador's Private secretary did the program in 2002 she got us in. 

It was fantastic. The house was the house of the Viceroy in the old days - or the Kings man in Ireland. It's right across the street from the Presidents house which use to be the PM's man in Ireland's house. Very Very Very cool. Be-utiful. I forgot my camera though!!!! HOW LAME! It's ok becase i'm going to steal everyone else's. The grounds were amazing and the inside was decadent. JFK, Nixon, Regan, Clinton and many other presidents had all stayed there. Evan and I joked - perhaps a little to loudly - that the only reason Clinton came three times was because the isolation of the house  gave him a chance to walk around in naked outside, something I'm sure the Rose garden isn't too well suited for. 

The family woke up and drove to the Cliffs of Moher, which I hear was an experience to say the least. Then they got into Killarney at about 8:30 that night 

Tuesday - I took an early train to Killarney, met up with everyone and headed out. We drove around Killarney National park and it was amazing. Mountains, valleys, lakes and sheep (which almost fell on the Car one time!) Then we did the Ring of Kerry. I was excited because I had heard so much about it. The whole day's drive was breathtaking. That night we canceled our reservations in Cork - Mom got an Irish ear full - and made the longest drive to Kilkenny ever! We got in late, had dinner and then found some traditional Irish Music. They had never seen Irish bag pipes before and they thought it was awesome. The difference is that scottish bag pipes you have to blow into. The Irish don't have the time for that though so they pump air in with their elbows. 

Wednesday - We drove back to Dublin and went to the Dail. We had to stop at the house so I could change. We got a personal tour of the Dail from one of the Ushers. Dan loved it. He said he thought it was his favorite part. Billy was really busy though because it was the last day that a committee he's on was meeting. We ate lunch there, had tea in the visitors pub, which I must say is s-wank. velvet couches all around with leather stools. Grace wasn't sure if she was aloud to sit down! 

That night I took them into the sub-burbs to listen to some traditional Irish music. I've talked about it a few times. It's down in a basement of a Hotel and they do sessions where people from the community come in and jam. A little old man flirted with mom and tried to impress her by playing the Accordion, a difficult task if ever there was one. 

Thursday - We woke up early and met everyone from the program at school to go to the Hotel. We took a two hour coach bus ride north to the Slieve Russel Hotel. The Irish call it the "Ba-Jaseus Hotel." Because when you turn the corner and see it thats exactly what you say. They don't lie, it was incredible. Its on huge grounds, I didn't get to walk around outside as it was getting dark but a few others did and their pictures are great. This place was crazy. Lounges with fire places everywhere. The rooms were huge. The hotel was massive. The food was out of this world. 

Diner was amazing. I had Lobster, Duck, and Apple Crumble all while the live pianist played away. Not your traditional food I know, but wow was it good. This being said Grandad's noodles would have been a drastic improvement! We sat with Michael the Director of the Program and had great conversation. He once again amazed me telling us that he's been to the states about 20 times and goes on Music vacations, and from time to time hob nobs with Van Morrison in Dublin. 

Friday - I woke up at 8 after going to bed at about 5am to go for a swim, sauna, and steam room...as one does. I forgot my baiting suit so I snuck in wearing plaid boxers, stole a swim cap too. Had a massive breakfast and went back to Dublin. We went to the Guinness store house where we ran into the family we met in Galway (The husband didn't remember Dan which was hilarious) and into  a family from Charleston how bizarre! We got out of there late and got some diner down town. We ended up going to bed kinda early because they had to be out of the hotel by 7am. 

Saturday - The end of a fantastic week. Driving to the Airport was an adventure. Dan did a great job, it was just me as the navigator who failed. I really must commend him on an excellent stint with the whole driving thing. I think we only ended up in the wrong lane one time and that was on his first round about, so not bad at all. They got there just in great time. 

I headed home and crashed until about four and have done nothing sense. I've attempted to finish my final, Final Paper but as I'm blogging I think we all know how well that has gone. 

I've started watching House online. Well I started at midnight last night stayed up till 3 and laid in bed till 4 doing the same all day. I am a bum. 

Ok back to paper writing, sorry for the length, but this week required it! 

If the Third Times the Charm I Missed It

I  have to say that what I love best about working in the Dail is the number of awesome things that I get to go to that I have no business being at. Walking around the Dail in general is one big thing, the election night bonanza and then this past week going to a book event where the former Tiosheach spoke. 

Bertie Ahern the past Tioseach spoke at a book launch at the EU headquarters in Dublin this past week. I and a few students were one of maybe 75 people there. They had cheese and fruit and wine going around and just up in front of the lobby was the man him self. We all stood around while he and three other guys gave quick little 10 minute speeches on  Irish reunification. It was amazing. I love hob nobbing with rich elites. 

This past week has been pretty boring except for that. Mom and the gang get here tomorrow!!! Laurel fly's in at 6:30 tonight. I'm about to head off and pick her up. It's going to be a great weekend!

Volcanic Edinburgh

Here I am again, reporting on another weekend excursion.

This Friday Laurel, here roommate Kelly and I went to Edinburgh Scotland. It was quite simply amazing. Most assuredly one of my favorite weekends.  

I got in early Friday morning not knowing what I was going to do as Laurel and Kelly's Train didn't get in until midnight. I got to the hostel at 8:45am. Had breakfast for 2 pounds - all you can eat! And then farted around on the computer until about 10:30. A company offers free tours - though you have to tip because thats how the tour guides make their money - of the city.  While I was waiting for the tour to start someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and realized it was another RA Jason! How crazy!!!!!!!!!! I was so floored I couldn't place him for a really long time in my head. 

That just blew my mind. He's studying in Madrid and seems to be just having the time of his life. He's gone to a different country almost every weekend.  

The tour was amazing. We had a great guide who took us all over the place. A three hour tour...I was a little worried as I am rather Gilligin-ish. The city is home to an amazing castle on a cliff face in the middle of the city. Google Eddinburgh Castle right now, it's crazy. Also the birthplace of Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde. And a bunch of crazy things. 

The city is ancient. All mid-evil buildings and winding roads. Really hilly too which was a pain, but made it all the more worth it when you got some place. 

The reason Laurel wanted to go there was because it is also the birth place of not just King James VI and I of the King James Bible, not just of Adam Smith of the Wealth of nations father of capitalism, not just David Hume all around Philosophical master, but most importantly J.K ROWLING AND HOME TO HARRY POTTER!!!!!!!

That's right lady's and gents I saw the castle where today there is a school that J.K. Rowling looked at in the coffee shops of Edinburgh as she wrote about the Sorcerers stone. Not only did I see the castle, I sat in the Cafe where she wrote all of her books! A place called the Elephant House. Laurel was, to say the least, unconscious with joy. 

When Jason and I were at lunch he mentioned that he was going to Death Cab for Cutie concert that night. They are one of my favorite bands. I mean seriously what were the chances. So he and this kid from Vancouver named Lewis and I went to the concert. Lewis and I scalped tickets. I got mine for 20 - only 3 Pounds above price and his for 10!!!!! He ran into the family of the opening band and they more or less gave it to him, lucky guy. 

The concert was amazing. Laurel showed up and they ARE her favorite band. She was pretty jealous, but serves her right for not getting in till midnight! Just joking...kinda he he he 

The next morning we woke up early and went to the big park for  hike. We climbed to the top of a Volcano called King Arthur's seat. You could see the ocean and the whole city from there. It was also really really windy. Simply amazing we didn't get blown off. Laurel will post pictures soon. I forgot my camera in Dublin being the idiot I am, so no pictures from me. 

Then we went to Edinburgh Castle which was really cool on the outside, but really cheesy on the inside. What was really cool though is that it is home to the oldest Crown Jewel's in the world dating from the 1500's. They were hidden for about 100 years when cromwell took over. And have gone through some pretty amazing things. 

They also have the scottish king's Stone of Destiny - what a name. No one knows how old it is, but every King of Scotland has been crowned on it since before memory. Legend says that where ever the stone lays the Scotts shall rule. It was stolen by one of the English Kings in the 12oo's but in a few hundred years King James the VI of Scotland or I of England as he is better known took the crown of England and the Scottish line has ruled england ever since. It remained under the thrown in West minster Abbey just to stick it to the Scots until 1940 when some crazy nationalist scottish students broke in with  a crowbar and stole, broke, they buried the stone of Destiny. They dug it up about 10 years latter and the stone went from basement to basement for years before they finally left it at the place where the Scottish had declared their independence under William Wallace. It came back in 1996 thanks to Tony Blair 

Then we went to the Elephant House, then for baked potatoes and HAGIS!!! If you have a weak stomach - Granddad - don't read this next bit. 

Hagis is minced up sheep's liver, heart, kidneys, and intestine that is mixed with herbs and spices, as well as oats and corn , then boiled in a sheep's stomach for three hours. Probably the grossest sounding thing ever, but surprisingly really really good. 

We went to bed at about 12 and I woke up early to have breakfast with Laurel and fly back. 

Over all an amazing weekend. 

A weekend with Roxie

Hey All - 

So this pas weekend has been exhausting! Ann had to go to limerick this weekend so she kicked us out. LAME!!!!! 

It was ok though because I just stayed at one of  my friends apartments that was right across from school. 

The big news was that Roxie came to visit, and I guess still is visiting. She leaves wednesday afternoon. 

She had an early flight in on friday so I got up at 5 am to get to the Airport in time. She's doing great. She brought me notes from Wendy who is the advisor for IOU and our friend ellen. A brownie from my favorite sandwich shop which has the best brownies in the world, Uncle Sammy's, a T-Shirt from University Ministries. Pretty much the best bunch of gifts ever. 

We made our way down town dropped our bags off at my friends place, I showed her school and then we went exploring. We went to Dublin castle which she really liked and then over to Christ Church Cathedral but it was about to close. Then that night we met up with our friend Julia and went spontaneously to a concert. 

The concert was this group I use to love called "Flogging Molly." They were big in about 8th grade to Freshman Year. They play irish music, but add rock. There's just something about a punk rock band with Irish accents, a banjo and an accordion that you just have to love. It was great. Julia was planning on going alone which was crazy. She said her mom told her to go, which I thought was strange. Turns out her moms friend from the Dog Park said they were a good band. Thank god we went because she would have been on the ground floor by her little self all dressed up in the midst of an angry mob. As it turned out we sat in the balcony and enjoyed the madness of the 1st floor from a safe distance. 

The next day we woke up at 5am again to go on a bus tour of Derry and the Giants Causeway. It was a great tour. We took a bus up to Belfast, then met our bus. It took us up through the mountains to a castle and then to this really cool out cropping that looked like a mini cliffs of Moher. 

Then we went to the Causeway. Its a giant cliff with a lot of really cool rock formations. Legend has it that it was built by a mystical warrior who could grow to the size of a giant  who had heard about a lovely lady in  Scotland so he built a rock path to scotland. I should point out that Scotland is only about 7 miles away and you can see it quite clearly which is very strange. There's rocks that look like pipe organs, one that looks like a boot, a chimney, and some really just beautiful things. 

Then we went to Derry. Derry was one of the main sights of the troubles, and is still to day bitterly divided. It was really strange to see the different neighborhoods whose curbs are still painted to mark protestant and catholic neighborhoods. There are murals on a lot of buildings that tell the story of the troubles. It's also home to the Bloody Sunday massacre and we saw the memorial. We took a walking tour from a young kid who had bright red hair and was most clearly republican. They way he talked about the troubles was extremely moving. 

We were all so exhausted when we got back at about 7 that we forced ourselves to stay awake until about 10. 

We slept for about 12 hours and hit Dublin again. Roxie and I went to the guinness storehouse and then where off to Kilmahnium Gaol for a tour. She loved both of them

When we got back to the city center we walked into a giant Christmas celebration. They had a huge road blocked off with lots of people on stilts and music playing. They lit the tree downtown and had a big to do. Downtown looks gorgeous. Personally I think it's a bit early, but I guess when you don't have Thanksgiving to block it up, Christmas can start right after halloween. 

We went up to Ann's for a quick bite to eat and so Roxie could see my digs. Ann invited her up for diner tonight. So we're doing that. Tomorrow we're going to my friend Julia's for diner and then out for some traditional Irish music. I can't wait. 

Election Night Part Deux

Well now that I've had a chance to write my cheesy little bit on the election I'll fill you all in on what I've been doing recently.

Tuesday night I got an invitation to go to a party hosted by the American Amabssador at the guinness store house. It was c-razy. They had hotdogs and doughnuts and lots of red white and blue. Pretty much the most legit thing I'd ever been to. Just about every Irish mover and shaker was there. Probably most of the Dail and their staffs, lots of rich people, air force generals and what not. They had CNN up on a giant screen and the place went nuts every time Obama won a state.

They were loosers in one regard though, they kicked us out before they called the election. This being said they kicked us out at about 5 so I guess I can't be to angry. I went to my friends dorm at trintity to watch the rest, but her computer wouldn't stream CNN so I missed Obama's speech.

That was ok though because when I got home after school the next day I watched it and - I'll admit it - I cried a little when he started talking about the 106 year old woman. What a life.

They kept on showing pictures of Chicago and I was so home sick. Since then facebook has exploded with pictures my friends took at the rally. I think all of DePaul was in grant park. 250,00 people showed up within grant park alone (not to mention the 1 million who wathced from out side). It's hard to imagine going to something where the attendance is about twice the size of Bloomington-Normal alone! I'm in the Dail right now but clearly not much is going on because I'm blogging.

My friend Roxie will be here on friday I can't wait. Then on the 22nd Mom, Grace, Dan and Mackenzine!

Should be great fun

That's it for now

Election Night

Wow. What can even be said? I think last night we all witnessed one of the greatest steps forward that this country has taken in  generations. I told my friends last night that my dad who isn't 60 remembers a segregated Washington D.C. and today - as Colin Powel put it - we elected an American President who just happened to be black.

 The new first family walked onto stage last night and the world saw two smiling children who will live their lives in a world where truly anything is possible for anyone.

 In such a short amount of time we have come so far. And while there most certainty there is work to be done, we from now on look back at this moment and remember that there is always hope in this world. That what ever injustices we may see as humans, as societies, as a people we can look back at this moment -  like so many others and know in our hearts - that we do not have to accept the world as is, but rather can look to the future and to a world that ought to be. 

Regardless of how you voted, take a moment to celebrate, to think about how far we have come as a nation. 

Today  we elected an American to the highest office in the land... and he just happened to be black. What a thing to say. 

Election Day... Two Years + Two Candidates = Too Much Stress

Hey All, 

So here it is, Election Day 2008. We've been looking forward to this for four years. That's crazy. Just so we're all aware I was living with NGH IIII when the race set off. Grace was a Freshman in High School, and Green Gables Cheese Burgers were.... well not much has changed with them, still delicious! 

I spent the day in the Dail. I voted last week absentee. Speaking of Which......

 GET OUT THERE AND VOTE IF YOU HAVEN'T! I don't care who for, just get out there and let the world know that you care, and that your voice is worth being heard. 

OK PA is over.  

In any case I spent the day in the Dail working for Billy. I wrote two questions for him to ask in the Dail tomorrow, one which I hated, one which I loved. The first one was to Bash Obama's Tax policy because Ireland gets hosed pretty hard. The other one was to ask why on earth Europe has done nothing about the crisis in the Congo right now. In case you don't know recently rebels last week took a major city in the Congo. 55,000 people are displaced because of it - adding to the 900,000 refugees in the country after decades of war. The city was the main center of aid for the country. 17,000 UN - all of which are from Asia - troops are in the Congo right now, instead of doing something they left the city to the Rebels. Once again Tutsi's are attacking Hutu's backed by the Rwandan Government, and Once again Europe and the US are sitting on their hands. 

I'll leave it to you to decide which question I enjoyed writing more. 

The big news though is that I wrangled  a Ticket from my TD to a private party tonight. That's right folks yours truly has an invite to a private election night party hosted by the US Ambassador at the Guinness Factory. Yep that's right partying with Dublin hot shots  in a glass room stories above Dublin... God I love this country. 

Remember get out and vote! No excuse not to, except maybe voting for Ralph Nader then you can stay  home! Just kidding....kinda