Cliffs of Moher and the Burren

Since it was Saturday and the store managers would likely not be in, we decided to get some tourist stuff in and not waste CVs that would likely not find their way to the right people. We joined the tour Marcus had signed up with for 17 Euro (student price). We got a bus tour of the area south of Galway from 10am-5pm. We stopped at an old medieval castle where they have banquet dinners at night for 56 Euro. That would be fun, but not quite in the budget.

We stopped at a pull off to take pictures of the landscape and the Atlantic Ocean. The Burren hills where we were are 315 million years old. Very little grows on them and they are made from limestone – a very soft rock. Burren actually means rock. At one point they were buried under the ocean.

Zach and Marcus were having a discussion about Ireland and Northern Ireland and countries splitting up and getting back together. Zach mentioned that as soon as there are more Catholics in Northern Ireland than Protestants, N. Ireland will likely rejoin Ireland. The Catholics were thus reproducing in numbers far faster than the Protestants. I thought this bit of information was interesting.

We stopped for lunch in Doolin. A LITTLE town with a pub that is set up for all of the bus traffic to have lunch as they drive by. Lunch was also not in the budget today if I could help it, so I had a pack of crackers and water I had brought as well as a Euro 50 muffin that was possibly the worst thing I’ve tasted as far as muffins are concerned.

From there we went on to the Cliffs of Moher. So far the weather had held off the rain. It was just really overcast and cold. The cliffs were beautiful. 650 feet tall, the ocean below crashed against their bases with some fury. The wind was so strong up there I could lean into it a ways and not fall over. After that I think I’m well on my way to starting my own dreadlocks! It would rain in certain areas of the cliff. Those areas where the wind was so strong it carried the ocean spray up that 650 ft. and further to fall back on the top of the cliffs like rain. Sea foam also accompanied the spray. It was kinda like the Rock of Gibraltar, but much much windier.

After our hour stop at the cliffs, we visited an old burial ground marked by a 5 ton slab of limestone atop four other stones. It was like a mini Stonehenge. The carbon dating puts the place at 3,000 BC before the Great Pyramids were built.

The next stop was Aillwee Cave. It was an extra 8 Euro to go in. Since I had recently visited Linville Caverns in the good Ol’ North Carolina mountains, I passed on this option. Marcus did as well, but Zach took the tour. I wandered around the gift shop and then sat down at a table with my map of Europe checking off places I’ve been and circling those I still wanted to visit. I was sitting near the bus driver, so I had a good idea of when to leave and not get left behind.

The drive from the caves to Galway was about an hour. An hour straight of Irish music the driver decided we needed on the way back. At first I liked hearing it, but it’s all really similar and kind of got to me after awhile. I realized that this bus tour was one of the touristiest things I’ve done in a long time and while it is convenient to see Ireland, it kind of ruins it at the same time. You feel like cattle being herded along. Tourism opens up the world to people, but it also pollutes the culture by mixing it and warping it. People are always trying to find the “old” ways/roots of places, and when they do it gets turned into a way to make money – commercialized. Probably because it is so easy with today’s technology to get on a bus, train, plane. Take the masses to see it. We have printing capabilities to advertise and promote in mass production; we have the ease of making things accessible. I can see both positives and negatives in this, but the things that are hard to achieve are the more valuable ones. Supply and demand. It’s almost like capitalism vs communism in a way. If everyone has access to it, is it as valuable? Does a place as beautiful as the Cliffs of Moher lose its value? I think it can. I believe I would have liked the cliffs better if I was one of few people out there discovering it for myself, not being told to step here not there. The masses of people crawling around the place took away from it a little, but is that price worth it for everyone to have access to it? We are also kind of looking at some of the principles of natural selection. Those best capable of seeing it can (physically and monetarily) while others can’t. I realize that these principles still apply, but in most cases we’ve dumbed it down a lot. Sure you have to pay for the plane ticket and the bus ride, but think if you had to pay for a boat passage, roughing it in the wilderness, hiking across to the cliffs with maybe a guide, maybe not.

Anyway, when we got back in town we were famished. Papa John’s was the verdict and Marcus came over for dinner. Our first guest! We settled up with Mrs. Teresa the rest of the deposit and the first week’s rent then ordered pizza with free delivery. I felt so cool and proud when they asked for the address and I spouted off 8 Mary Street.

Waiting for the pizzas got creative. Without TV, radio, sound etc. conversation is about the only thing going for ya. Conveniently, even though we all had just spent the day together we had a subject none of us ever tired of – History. Zach, being the history buff that he is, actually has podcasts on his phone of history lectures that I’m super excited about. Who needs TV. I also think I’m going to figure out how to get a library card here. Marcus had seen me with my map at the caves and suggested we hang that up on the wall. So I did. It pretty much consumed our conversation for the remainder of the evening.

We were delivered two Carnivale pizzas. The special was a large sausage, pepperoni, salami, onions, roma tomatoes, and balsamic drizzle for 10 Euro. It was a good deal because the regular cheese was 12 Euro, so we got 2! I chowed through 5 pieces, Marcus 6 and Zach 7, so I’d say the leftovers are mine.

After dinner I stayed and chatted for a bit, told Marcus goodbye, and left for the internet place 2 doors down around 8. After 8 they have a discounted rate for usage, so that works for now I guess. Marcus stopped in and said goodbye one more time when he left our apartment. That’s probably the last time I will ever see him again. That happens a lot with people when you’re traveling.

8 Mary Street

Friday, September 4

I’ve moved into a new apartment! Wahoo

My address is:

Jessica Allen
c/o Teresa’s Green Grocer
8 Mary Street
Galway City, Ireland

I officially have little to no internet access right now, so my blogs are going to be limited. I am going to keep them written in Word and copy and paste every few days.

We had a 10:00am apt to see Teresa at her green grocery about the apartment. We asked all our questions, took one more look around and said “we’ll take it!” Teresa is a very nice lady in her mid to late 40s with a husband, John, and a son, Kevin. It was her son who had showed us the apartment the day before. She is very nice and helpful, but all over the place. She is a multi-tasker who seems to lose track of her tasks half way through.

The apartment is center city. Couldn’t have asked for a better location. The street it is on is not very busy, but its two blocks away from the busiest pedestrian street in Galway. On out street is a Turkish café, Mexican café, student café, convenience market, Asian restaurant, Chatter-net (internet), USIT student travel and the corner pub showing all G.A.A. sporting events. At the corner across the street is Eddie Rockets – Ireland’s version of Johnny Rockets. As soon as I get a job I’m going there to celebrate with an American style cheeseburger and milkshake.

We paid our deposit (well most of it. You can only withdraw $500 a day from the ATM and that’s a max of about 300 Euro – the deposit was 400 each). She was understanding and told us that we should give her less that 300 for now because we shouldn’t “leave ourselves stuck”. The deposit we will get back in December anyway. Rent for this apartment is paid weekly and it starts on whatever day you move in, so my rent is now due every Friday. Rent includes all bills (refuse, trash pick up, water) except ESP, the electric bill. We also do not have internet. The NTL (cable of Ireland) only has yearly contracts, so we aren’t sure yet what is to be done about that. There is no TV either, so regardless of the money, a job is needed for idle hands.

We immediately went back to the hostel (about 5min away) and packed up our things to be lugged across the square and down a few streets. Thankfully, it was not raining. It was so nice to set up in the apartment and take everything out of my suitcase.

We spent the whole day moving in and getting things straightened up. Two blocks over on the main street is a mall with a Dunnes Store. Dunnes Stores tell you to shop there because they’re Irish. The first one started in Cork some years ago and now they are everywhere. There are even two on the same square in Galway City. It’s kind of like Wal-mart, but not quite. They have men’s, women’s, children’s clothing, bed and bathroom, and a grocery store.

I’m big into grocery stores. I like to go to the ones that give me a good feeling. I don’t really know what criteria it has to match, but I just know. This Dunnes grocery is in the middle. I’ll go there because it is close and decent, but I’m in the market for a new grocery store (no pun intended  ). It needs to be close though because I have to walk whatever groceries I buy in big tote bags back to the apartment.

Today we got a bed in a bag and a towel, washcloth, hand cloth pack to get us started. The apartments come fully furnished, but no bedding. The bed in a bag contains a pillow protector, a pillow case, a pillow, a mattress protector, a bottom sheet, and duvet. When we got this thing open, we found the texture of each of these items to be like that of a dryer sheet and 100% polyester. The bottom sheet might have some traces of cotton in it, but the jury is still out on that one. I’m accustomed to a flat pillow, so I can deal with that, but the sheets are going to need some additions.

I went back to Dunnes later to see if they had some soft blankets or something, but I found nothing of interest. My objective this time was groceries and a hairdryer; the latter of which they did not have. I got some pasta, pasta sauce, paper towels, TP, milk, butter, bread, olive oil, dish soap, pizza, OJ, soup and cereal. I had started out with a basket, but realized things were getting a bit heavy. I asked the nearest clerk where I could get a buggy. She said “a what?” I said “a buggy, a kart”. She said “ Oh, you mean a trolley dear. Those are outside the store near the carpark”. Great. I left my basket with a girl at the register (also called a till) and found a trolley for the remainder of my shopping. They do not bag up your stuff for you. That is your job, and you only get plastic bags if you ask for them. Sometimes you’ll even get charged for the bags, so I bring my own. I got the big bags from TJ Maxx at home and they work really well.

I got back home and decided to settle into cleaning. I had found John downstairs to ask for a mop and broom. The stairs here are covered on carpet in bad need of a vacuum, but the bedrooms have the plastic hardwood floors, and the bathroom/kitchen are tile. I swept the floors while Zach moped.

He had started a load of laundry, which is an interesting thing here. The washer and dryer (located in the kitchen) are one in the same. We still haven’t figured out if there is a dry only function (Teresa and John both did not know either). So far it takes about 3 hours for a load about the size of how much clothing you can fit in a book bag. I feel like most of our electric bill will be a result of the laundry. As for lighting, we have 3 skylights that bring in a good deal of light during the day when it isn’t too cloudy. The price of electricity at night is also cheaper than during the day, so that helps then too. The good thing about the washer/dryer is that we can run a load during the night and in the morning it will be waiting – dry (maybe a bit wrinkled).

After the floor dried, I decided to cook some spaghetti. I went downstairs to Teresa’s and bought a pack of peppers and an onion. She charged 2 Euro for all, giving me the onion for free. I talked with her a bit and I left the store beaming with a smile wide across my face. I had just bought fresh veggies from my landlord to make dinner that night just upstairs. I began cutting up peppers and onions. For a minute I got excited because the onion didn’t seem to take its toll on me, but just as I’d finished cutting it up I began to have burning tears stream down my face. I’ve tried the tricks. Doesn’t seem to really help. I saw some onion goggles in a cooking store in Charleston. They looked like ski goggles, and I’m sure the swim goggles I actually brought with me would work – maybe I’ll try those out next time.

I threw some stuff together, but I was surprised to find that the sauce was pretty darn good if I say so myself. I tried to toast some bread, but I couldn’t get the toaster to work. So far it seems like in Ireland you must flip a switch where the plug is in order for the power to come on. This happened to be my problem. I got it worked out and we had toast with our pasta. Zach and I sat down to our three person kitchen table and consumed some spaghetti. He said we could rotate the cooking, something he’s pretty good at evidentially so that was fine by me. Although, I feel like he is able to put away a lot more food than I am, so I must be quick to claim the leftovers for lunches!

We waited around for John to stop by to show up how to run the heat, ask about internet, and some other various switches. He showed an hour later than he had said. I made a cup of hot chocolate (imported from NC). It was wonderful; however, I learned that the majority of our cups are coffee only. They have a gold plated rim around the top. Metal can not go into a microwave. When I poured my milk and put it into the microwave, I did not realize that it was actually metal I was dealing with here until sparks started flying. Thankfully, I was watching it because I wasn’t sure about the dial/timing system. I took it out and investigated. Then switched it to one of the three cups we have not laced with metal and it worked fine.

After John came, I headed over to the hostel with my laptop since we had paid for that night at the hostel (11 Euro) I was going to get my moneys worth in internet and breakfast the next morning. I even got some printing out of it too. Zach went for a bit to do some stuff online as well.

Getting back to the apartment and falling asleep in dryer sheets was alright. The bed isn’t that bad. I hadn’t turned the heat on because I wasn’t sure about leaving it on all night. They are space heater in each room, not central heating. We have one in the bathroom too though for getting out of the shower and not freezing. It works rather well. I slept in a sweatshirt and footies. I woke up freezing a few times so I actually balled up in the fetal position – knees tucked inside of my sweatshirt and arms pulled in as well. I made it through the first night!

Apartment Search

Zach and I decided we were sick and tired of dealing with hostel situations and in need of some consistency in order for the job search to proceed. He had no clean unwrinkled clothing and I was in about the same situation, not to mention greasy hair isn't appealing when you're applying for a job dealing with food!

I got up a little after everyone else in the room so I could have a little bit of privacy. When I got ready and refolded everything in my suitcase, I went around the corner to the TI (tourist information. I picked up some brochures listing hotels and restaurant, which I thought would be a good way to find somewhere I could work then I went over to the lady at the counter. I explained I had just arrived in town and asked what would be the best way to go about getting a job and a place to live. She got a Galway Advertiser for me. It lists all classified ads. She got me set up with a bus route map and a city map! Whee! I was off.

I found Zach sitting in the middle of the square pondering over a copy of the advertiser as well. I sat down to go over it with him, but of course it started to rain! Women here even have baby strollers with standard issue plastic rain covers. We ran into the nearest mall area and settled down to a Burger King table after I purchased an OJ. We both went through the accommodation to let section in Galway City, and then compared and divided the list. Burger King was blaring some music, so we found a bench in a quieter area to start calling the 17 each places. After weeding out the no longer vacant, too expensive, and couldn't understand ones we came up with a list of about 6 places to visit. It was 12 and our viewing appointments started at 2pm and lasted till 7pm. We had one place to check out first. Couldn't get too many details, but we got a general direction and that it was above a fruit stand...sounded sketchy, but we decided to check it out anyway.

Viewing #1:
The fruit stand was on Mary Street and It is actually a fruit and veggie stand. We weren't really sure where to go, so I took the paper and showed it to the guy in the shop. He said we'd come to the right place and grabbed a key to show us around upstairs! It was a nice place. Cute. 2 bedroom. 1 bathroom. Kitchen/dining room/living room combo.

Waiting on the landlord to open up the next place I think I took my jacket on and off 5 times in 20 min. due to temp and weather changes.

Viewing #2:
Gort Na Glaise apartment about a 20 min walk outside the center city. A 4 bedroom flat already rented by 2 girls. One Polish and one French. One bathroom for all. Kitchen and living room. The guy who met us there was really nice. When we told him we would call if we wanted it that we were viewing a few places he asked where our next destination was. He offered to take us there since it had started raining again. I walked around to get in and realized ooops! It was the driver's side. My mistake.

Viewing #3:
We were ahead of schedule and had to wait around again. It was actually only a 3min. drive down the street to this next place on Moneenageisha Court. This was a 2 bedroom apartment with 1 bathroom and kitchen/living area. It was nice, but in the process of being painted and could only be ready by Monday at the earliest. We wanted a place by Friday if possible! Nowhere has had internet yet either.

Viewing #4:
Dun Na Coiribe. This place was a 4 bedroom with 2 people already in it. Sasha and Larry. I had talked with Larry on the phone about seeing the place. When Larry opened the door in this nice apartment complex not much unlike The Verge, I did not expect what I saw. A shaved head minus the blue ponytail in the back, gauges in both ears, piercings and such. He was polite and friendly, but the decor of skulls, 3 fish tanks and a reptile cage were not exactly what I'd say is to my taste. The apartment was nice, but again one of the rooms would not be available for 2 weeks...wheew, easy way out.

We had a little bit of time before our next viewing, so I popped over to Griffin Bakery and put in a CV in response to their help wanted ad. It is all girls that seem to work there in green t-shirts and green bandannas in their hair. I've never really worn a bandanna! This is my dream job. While I was there I picked up a chocolate eclair. It was delicious! I want to work there so bad I get jitters.

Viewing #5:
134 College Rd. This was a house. A rather large house with 11 people in it! We would have our own rooms with locks and a tiny bathroom. The kitchen and living room are shared with everyone else. The living room was smokey and the kitchen had locked drawers and fridges to be shared among 2 or 3 people. Kind of hostel like and not homey at all. However, it did include wifi. The people living there were all in their 20s and 30s and described as not wasters or alcoholics. So that's good I guess.

We had a lot of thinking to do, but options 1, 2 and 5 were the best. Mainly narrowed to 1 or 5 and leaning toward 1 actually.
We tried calling but got no answer, so we went back to the hostel. I laid down for a bit and was talking to two Aussies. One have been traveling around Europe for 5 months and still had a month to go. Just bouncing from hostel to hostel seeing it all. It's crazy. I don't think I could do that. She was even a seemingly normal girl, not your typical nomad. The other girl had been away for two months and was starting what would be a year of mixed travel and work. Crazy.

Zach came in and said Marcus (Canadian from Kilkenny) had arrived and wanted to go see the movie Funny People. A movie? on his first night here? alright, whatever! We headed toward the theater by way of neighborhood, woods, soccer field, stone wall, parking lot, and finally the building. The theater is just like the ones we have back home. 10 screen. The movie was alright, not really my favorite. The route we took back was more direct and under my navigational management.

Worst experience yet

While waiting on the bus in Kilkenny I was told to "pull the luggage back it's starting to lash". Lash, I'm assuming, is what happens when it first starts to rain and the drops collect on a ledge and then fall in heavy drops. I don't think we have a word for this in America, but there ya go. I also saw my first leprechaun! That was actually kind of bad for me to say, but it got me to thinking about how bad it would be for a "tiny person" to live in Ireland.

We caught the 9:15 bus from Kilkenny to Dublin and arrived around 11:30. Conveniently the bus dropped off just on the other side of USIT where we were headed. I grabbed a sandwich at the grocery store deli and printed off about 30 CVs in preparation for a job storming in Galway. We looked up the address for the bus pickup nonstop to Galway and were told it was located at Merrion Square. I have a 48 lb suitcase on wheels, a 23 lb duffel bag and bookbag containing various books, documents and my laptop. Traveling around with a laptop is not something you want to do. As soon as I start making some money I want to see a masseuse about all the knots and strains in my upper and lower back.

The Celts used to worship the sun. I can see why. It is a tantalizing and mystical being. One moment it is there shining in glory and the next it has receded only to be replaced by chilly precipitation.

While traveling the little over a mile distance to Merrion Square it started to pour. Not the misty sprinkle we've usually had, but pouring rain unlike I've seen in Ireland so far. Of course there was nothing much to do, we had a bus to catch so we couldn't wait it out. Once arriving in the square we evidently looked lost before we even knew it. An Irish man stopped us and asked if he could help us find where we were going. He had an umbrella for this rainy occasion, but I've noticed that the Irish are so accustomed to the rain that even in little showers many will have no umbrella out or even hood on. They just deal.

This little man was so polite and helpful, as I've found most Irish to be. He whipped out his cell phone and immediately started calling the information services to find out where "gobus" direct to Galway was to be stationed. Turns out we needed to go to Tara Street...back the direction we'd come from and a little further!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By this point Zach and I were soaked. The luggage wasn't fairing much better. The nice little man started walking and said follow me. I was surprised to see he was going to show us the way. I assumed he would go a distance then point us in the direction. Nope...he hand delivered us to the exact point another mile later. [Thank you Lord for taking super good care of me!] It was only by an act of the LORD and maybe a little pay it forward coming back around (from me taking Vera to her plane back at JFK). You never know how much it means to someone when you take some time out for a stranger in need.

While we were on our way to the bus pick up, we passed the man's little friend who I suppose he was on his way to meet. I started talking to the friend who walked with us a bit. He asked me how I managed my own personal tour guide. I laughed and said only because he seems to be one of the nicest people I've met. The friend told me that we were expected to have nicer weather this weekend and good luck to us both before turning away from the group. In resuming conversation with the guide, he was a jolly old fellow who informed me that it had only rained twice in the last week. Once for 3 days and then again for 4 days. I laughed at his joke, but really I don't think it was a joke. Supposedly this is the rainiest August on record since 1850s something. He also said that this is that only country where it rains in between the showers. Just to give you an idea of how crazy it really is. I promise you I'm not overreacting - it's really that crazy here...sun, rain, sun, rain..., sun, storm, night.

We arrived in Galway around 5pm. Our hostel was just around the corner from the bus station. It is an eclectic sort of place. Fake stained glass windows, chili peppers, bluegrass, and Bob Marley have been blaring on the speakers here. We encountered Franklin at the entrance. A German Aussie of sorts. Hard to understand and all over the place. I had to keep reminding him what task was next for him to do in the check-in process. He was really polite though and gave us a good rate on Friday night, free lock and towel even though there was usually a charge. I was still soaked and tired, so I decided to get a shower as quickly as possible. Let's just say that the shower here sucks! You have no control over the temp and the pressure is like a trickle. A bohemian couple was using the shower together even though it was the female's room. However, being bohemian they don't shower really so I think it was more of a foot washing because they both had their clothes on. Getting a rasta wet is like getting a dirty dog wet for the first time... it smells...REALLY BAD. I finished up in the shower room - alone. Got my soaked clothing out of my suitcase and hung them up to dry before getting in bed for the night.

Poor Petronella

Since I loved the castle area so much, I went back today and took the tour (student price with my ISIC card!). In addition to part of the castle redone to 14th century refurbishments, there were modern spacial imaging displays with thought provoking videos. While it may have seemed like a good channel to get out information (seemingly not related to the castle at all) it interfered with my tour!

My favorite part of the tour was the upper bedroom where John Kelly, tour assistant, told the story of the beautiful Alice Kyteler. She was a lady of Kilkenny with the ambition to marry well. She did so four different times. Each time the husband seemed to mysteriously die not too long after they were married. On the fourth husband it was said a few days after the wedding his hair turned gray and his teeth fell out and after a week he was cold in the grave. The deceased's family did not take the news very well and in turn had Alice investigated by the new bishop in town. The bishop declared Alice and her maid, Pertonella, to be witches. They were captured and tortured for a week where they admitted to all sorts of black magic and creating potions with spiders legs. They even said the devil had visited them many times in the form of a black dog. I can imagine you'd admit to many things with the torture prominent in those days. Petronella was imprisoned in the jail while Alice, being a lady of wealth (by her 4th husband),was locked up in the upper bedroom of Kilkenny Castle. It was here where she made her escape whether by broom as some say, or by the trap door hidden in the sidewall of the bedroom (which was on display for tourists to see). It was said the tunnel used to go down the 6 miles to Dunmore Caves where Alice escaped, and then left for England. Poor Pertonella did not fair as well. She was burned at the stake as the first and last woman Ireland bestowed such a punishment upon.

Last day in Kilkenny

This is for you dad:


I just watched a German put down a good sized bowl of tomatoes, onions and garlic then a whole box of spaghetti with a mushroom cream sauce with half a stick of butter minced on top. I don't think I've ever seen anyone eat that much. What is more impressive is that he cooked it all himself.

Zach and I cooked enchiladas. It surprised me when I found an Old El Paso packet in the eurospar (grocery store) today when I ducked out of the rain for a bit. I picked up a tomato, chicken cheese sandwich and some Pringles for lunch ringing in at about 4 euro. So approximately 6 dollars. I've currently been sitting at the kitchen table with a Canadian, Marcus, and a Californian, Jessica. We've been talking for quite awhile now...like I said - another benefit of a hostel if you're into meeting new people.

After seeing the cows coming into Kilkenny and being close to the countryside, I've been thinking about how sad I am that I'm missing the Cleveland County Fair. However, I didn't even get to go last year because of rain (a word I'm really starting to hate). It was sunny this afternoon in Kilkenny though. If you get a chance to go to the fair this year, do me a favor and go!

I must of looked really tired this morning when I set out to job hunt. My appointment was at 12:30, so I got up at 8:30 and set out at 9. I was walking by some construction and a very nice looking old man in a gruff voice spoke up and said "you look tired, very tired already". I smiled. What do you say to that? Well darn, let me go back and get some more sleep? I actually did wake up too early. (I hate when that happens, I value every minute of sleep I get in the mornings. I'm one of those people who gets up, quickly does what needs to be done in the mornings then goes back to sleep even for 5-10 min. if I have time). I passed out CVs (resumes) to about 5 hotels then made my way to Newpark. I was about an hour ahead of schedule. I had been walking rather quickly since it was quite chilly this morning. I walked down a road I had not yet explored and found the grocery store where I stocked up on meal for the day items. When I got out of my second interview (the food service job) it was raining pretty hard. However, by the time I got my rain jacket and umbrella out and walked one block the sun came out and the rain stopped. It was warm for most of the day after 1pm, but still a little chilly in the shade.

I'm still getting accustomed to looking the correct way before crossing streets, especially in traffic circles. Look left, right then left again is really what must be done. They drive on the opposite side of the car and road here. Even as a pedestrian it makes a difference in navigation safely around.

Surprise! Maybe not Kilkenny afterall - but I do like the castle

So I'm going to divide these up for my readers and give the appearance of shorter segments. (Still just as much info - for those who actually enjoy the anecdotes)

I got offered a job today. Not as a receptionist because the 8 weeks of training then leaving shortly after made no sense. However, I was offered a part time position in food service (12-39 hrs a week depending on how busy they were). I need "safety" shoes, a black shirt and flesh hose to get the job, and I have till Monday to decide. That said - I'm not taking the job. I was the only one to get the offer and I don't like the establishment that much - mainly going on location since it's a good walk from everything. I also don't think it's wise for me to have a waitress job. Hostess maybe, but not waitress. I tend to have the short term memory of a goldfish and taking orders without pen and paper isn't going to be easy for me. Most would agree that I'm inclined to interrupt conversations, but I'm not trying to be rude, I just know I'll forget what ever it is I have to say.

I'm moving out again tomorrow, although I love this hostel. I've gotten the best sleep here yet and the shower pressure is phenomenal! There are also two dogs of course - Tilda and Sonny. Zach and I are going to Galway by way of Dublin. We bought a round trip ticket, so we'll use that to get back and pick up the rest of our luggage. Its Galway or no way! :) Kathelyn says there seem to be plenty of jobs there, and the help wanted ads in the online newspaper back her up. I'm fantasizing about working in a Christmas shop, but I'd settle for hostess of an Italian restaurant (well really any restaurant, but Italian sounds nice...hopefully, I'd like it better than Bridger). There also might be a part time receptionist position available at a less large-scale hotel.

If Galway and the surrounding area doesn't work out then I might just throw in the towel. It's not fun feeling damp all the time.

I do kind of want to experience curling up with a nice cup of hot chocolate (maybe some baileys :P) in my oversized Darkside sweatshirt, gym pants and footies on a couch I know will be my own for a few months while a mix of Irish folk music and Christmas spirit float in from the streets. Is that too much for a girl to ask for?