ASK Musings

No matter where you go, there you are.

Yearly Archive: 2006

Friday

29

September 2006

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Belfast

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After a lovely train ride up to Belfast, I went right to the tourism center and bought a ticket for a bus tour. I’ve seen many amazing things – I really like this city. We drove through Shankhill and Falls road and saw the murals, the peace wall and just barely scratched the surface of the Unionist v Nationalist history. It’s such an interesting and sad history, and I really want to better understand and appreciate it.

I hopped off the bus at Queen’s University to go to the Ulster museum. I listened to BBC recordings of people commenting on their experiences with the Troubles. It was really interesting and heartwrenching to hear people talk about losing loved ones and funeral operators talk about their expressions, the faces of those who were killed so brutally

Thursday

28

September 2006

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A Day in Dublin on my own

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I met up with Sarah and Claire for a late breakfast, and then Claire and I hit O’connell street for some final souvenier shopping. I wandered over to St. Stephens green, and found a spot on some rocks. I listened to the sounds of the waterfalls in the background, looking out over a pond inhabited by a few different types of ducks.

I really love it here. 

Tuesday

26

September 2006

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Back to Dublin

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We took a tour of Trinity college today. The tour was followed by a look at the book of Kells – an extremely old, beautifully illustrated copy of the four gospels. Then we went to this great old hall.


Tonight was the last official night of the tour. The whole group got dressed up and went to Taylor’s Three Rock nightclub / Irish Show, where we ate really yummy food and saw a great show of Irish music and Irish dance. Then we all piled back into the coach and went into Dublin, where we went to a night club and danced the night away. I was essentially out all night, and it was a blast. An absolute blast.

Tuesday

26

September 2006

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Cobh, Kilkenney

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Full day today! We left the manor house around nine – after an encounter with a cat – and went on to Cobh, which was a big port where a lot of ships left to cross the Atlantic during the famine. It was also the last port of call for the Titanic.

We drove on into Midleton, where the Jameson Whiskey distillery is. Great tour, and a free tasting! It’s a bit much for me, but it was surprisingly smooth. I also learned some of the difference between Bourbon, Scotch and Irish Whiskey. Bourbon is distilled only once, Scotch’s barley is dried over an open flame so it is smokey and distilled twice. Irish Whiskey is distilled three times, and barley is dried in a closed area so it isn’t as smokey.

We made a very quick stop at the Rock of Cashel before making our way into Kilkenney. I really like this town, and would love to come back at some point. We did a walking tour, and saw a few great places, including a couple very old churches and a jail. Most of the buildings are built with black marble, which just stands the test of time remarkably well. Some were built 800, event 1,000 years ago.

Tonight some of us went to dinner at a great Italian place called the “Italian Connection” on High Street. Then back to the hotel for a drink and some great traditional Irish music.

Monday

25

September 2006

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Ring of Kerry

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We got up early this morning for jaunting cars – large hansom cabs, basically. Our horse was so cute, and our driver was extremely nice, and gave us a great tour of Killkenney National Park. 28,000 acres, three lakes. We saw a castle, swans, one of the lakes. We saw deer right by the side of the road, and black Kerry cows. The weather was perfect – crisp and sunny. I can just imagine getting up every morning and going for a stroll through the national park. It’s open 24/7, and apparently quite safe.

I’m having a blast – just the time of my life. I’m so happy to see all of these amazing sites. I feel so at home in the middle of this nature – the rocks, the trees, the animals.

We drove along the Ring of Kerry, stopping at Molly’s Gap. The area reminded me a bit of the tops of the mountains at Lake Tahoe.

We visited the Blarney Castle and grounds today. It’s quite old, and I did indeed kiss the Blarney stone. We walked the grounds a bit, bought some bread and fruit and ate lunch in the park.

I wasn’t as big of a fan of Cork City. It has a good feel to it, but not super interesting. However, in general I love the look of the country. Even the fonts on the building signs are beautiful – old and careful and interesting. The buildings have color and character different from what I’m used to. Similar to NYC, but more vibrant.

Sunday

24

September 2006

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Cliffs of Moher and County Kerry

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We left Galway City for a drive through the Burren, where we could get some photos of the Aran Islands. The weather is amazing.

We stopped at the top of the Cliffs of Moher. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. There’s a breeze, but it isn’t too bad. It was a wonderfully crisp, clear day, and we could see the Aran Islands. There were castle-like towers on one of the cliffs, called O’Brien’s towers.

After that we went on to County Kerry, Killarney Town. It is small and beautiful – just on the edge of a national park. I visited this great Cathedral that was 150 years old.

Tonight was really quite fun. We went out for cocktails at a bar, with cheap drinks and good music. Then we went over to a dance club. So fun!

Saturday

23

September 2006

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Galway City

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The weather is quite nice – I’m in a 3/4 sleeve shirt and jeans today – sunny, and no rain coat necessary! Some went to the national park, but I’m already thinking about coming back to go to the Aran Islands, so I’ll just loop that in then. I wanted to stay and see a city in depth. I’m wandering around with a nice girl from Australia who’s also traveling on her own. I love it here. It’s so nice, and the people are great.  


We had a nice dinner at the hotel, then went to a great tavern called O’Conner’s. It was amazing. The place was very dark, and there were thousands of antiques – lamps and lanterns and pictures and knick-knacks all strewn about. And there was music! Celtic/Irish music, live band, with a bass and pipe and guitar and a great singer.


I feel so peaceful here.

Friday

22

September 2006

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Jail and Beer

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Right now I’m sitting in the Guiness Storehouse. This morning I got a bit at breakfast, then we visited Kilmainham Gaol, a very old Dublin jail that housed many prisoners punished for fighting for independence. It was more history lesson than tour, but I enjoyed hearing about the history. Then we headed over to here, where we took a tour and got our free pint. We have about an hour before the bus leaves again for a four hour drive to Galway.

Friday

22

September 2006

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Galway Bay

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The afternoon was quite nice. I finagled a solo seat on the bus, so I got to nap, and generaly just take in the scenery.

Our hotel is great – not quite lush, but fair. And right across from the bay, so it’s very lovely. I’m sleeping with the window open so I can hear the water and smell the air.

I’ve found a couple of girls to hang out with – both Aussies. Tonight we went into Galway and got a good dinner at the Brown Basket, then took in dancing at King’s Head Pub. 

Wednesday

20

September 2006

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I’m in Ireland!

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I found an internet cafe in a chinese restaurant on O’Connell street in Dublin! My flight out was great – they put me in the exit row, so I had yards of leg room. And they had little individual TVs at each seat. We stopped in Shannon, and were delayed about three hours because our connecting flight in Boston was late. But they gave us free breakfast, so I can’t complain. I got into Dublin airport around 11 AM, and grabbed the shuttle to the hotel. It’s a nice, clean place.  


The first dinner with the tour group was loads of fun. I overslept and was a bit late, but that’s no big deal. I sat with the bus driver Kitch and the guide Anna, as well as some others who just joined the tour. For the most part they seem quite nice and fun. A good mix – Canada, the states and Australia.