Somewhere over the rainbow...

You must be wondering if the pot of gold is waiting for me on the other side, right? I feel like I should be on the front of a Lucky Charms box!

Had a great trek today through Salthill and Knocknacarra...the sun was shining, and for once...sunburn precautions were taken! The forecast looks good for the next few days, with of course, the occasional "break through shower.

Connemara, Inis Mor and my dancing debut!

I took a daytrip last Monday to the Kylemore Abbey, out in Connemara. It's a 13,000 acre estate that now is the home to a community of Benedictine nuns. There is a beautiful Neo-Gothic Church down a ways from the Abbey as well as a Victorian walled garden. It was a pretty grey and rainy day, so the tour around the gardens was short lived.






The following day out in the Aran Islands...

in front of one of the thousands of dry-stone walls out on Inis Mor. I'd say I've never had a more beautiful bike ride...









Just a partial glimpse of the walls again. Rory, our tour guide, told us there are over 4,000 miles of dry-stone walls on the island!











My view from the top of Dun Aonghasa...note the lack of any walls or fences. I think this was just about where the ol' vertigo set in.





















Out at the ruins of the "Seven Churches" on Inis Mor. There were three cemeteries out on the island and Celtic crosses were commonly seen on each grave site.














Okay, despite the silly facial expression on my part, the audience looks like they're enjoying themselves, huh? This was last Monday down at Richardson's Pub--where both Sandy and Patrick work. Every Monday and Wednesday they have a beginner session where anyone and everyone can bring their guitar, bodhran, tin whistle, accordion or pipes and have a go! This night there were a few Italians that joined in...and the music was just incredible. After a few pints...I felt a few reels were a must.

Back from the Arans...

It's so true when people say things move a bit slower on the islands. It's been over 6 years since my last visit out to the Arans, well...Inis Mor, and luckily (unlike most of Ireland) still remains untouched. Okay, there are a couple new pubs...bringing the total number to 6, but overall, its simplistic ways carry on. One grocery shop, a few restaurants, bicycle rentals, and of course, Aran sweater shops. My good friend (and partner in crime) Sandy and I caught the ferry from Rossaveal Tuesday, hired some bikes and cycled until we could no longer feel our legs. What an experience...and with the sun shining (finally!) it was just a picture perfect day. Wednesday we decided to give the cycles (and our asses) a break and go on a small tour bus. Had a great guide, Rory, who's sense of humor earned him a well deserved tip at the end of the day. We were dropped at the bottom of Dun Aonghasa, a 2,000 year old Celtic dry-stone fort. Little did I know that once I reached the top of the semi-circled fort, my view would be atop a 300 foot cliff. Gotta say...my first real experience with vertigo, but worth every minute of it. Pictures to come...

So now I'm "off-island" and trying to put together a plan for my last month here. It's absolutely insane how quickly 2 months have passed. I think a visit back down to Kerry is a must...plus, there is a family friend down in Kenmare who is willing to show me around, which is always helpful!

My first real reel...

Much more to follow as well as pictures of my irish dance session here. Off to the Aran Islands with Sandy for the next couple of days...

Rootical Sound System

...was the name of the reggae group I went to see last night. It's like the cosmos knew exactly what I needed. I felt like I was back in Vermont...free flowing skirts, heads of dreads, the scent of patchouli in the air. It was just perfect. My soul needed it, you know?

After several days of interviews, it looks like without the work visa, no work will be happening. Even the pub connection I had said he could be fined 10,000 euros and be put in jail if "they" were to find an illegal worker. Things have a funny way of working out. Luckily I have been pretty tight with my summer teaching money, so all is well. Jess, my friend from VT, will be coming over on the 6th of September and staying until the 20th (my original departure date). The plan is to get a longterm car rental and trek about for 2 weeks or so. It will be great, as I have yet to see a lot of the midlands as well as the east coast. A stop back up the Antrim coast is a must. So I continue to take it day by day here. Many day trips on my own...as well as evenings out with some new friends and acquaintances.

We're off to the Roisin Dubh for another reggae show tonight -- both Sandy and Patrick have the day off so it'll be good to have some housemate bonding time.

Non-alcoholic shots from galway

Galway Bay

St. Nicholas's Cathedral

down at the Salthill promenade

Not sure how these two crazies got into the mix?! Sandy and Patrick...my kind new friends that have an extra bed in Rahoon. If you are wondering...yes, Patrick has cling-wrapped Sandy a new gown.

I was thiiiis close to stealing these boats

employment in galway?

Is it possible? Based on my last weeks experience, it's not looking too hot. Every restaurant and pub in the city are first and foremost looking for a work visa. That's something that without dual citizenship is a bit tough to come by...anyway...I went into Salthill today to meet Owen (part-time solicitor in Dublin and Salthill, part-time owner of The Bal Pub), who has connection's with one of mom's good teaching friends from Boston. I was told to "call in at 11" (which, by the way does not mean to actually call, but rather stop by...the Irish never call someone, they phone...). So there I was at 10:45, a bit nervous, actually...only to be greeted by a nice receptionist who tells me that Owen won't be in until after lunch. So I frolic around Salthill for 3 hours, trying not to get too sunburned or sweaty before the "interview." I walk back to his office to have...get this...a less than 2 minute meeting where he basically told me to walk down to the pub and talk to the new manager. Don't get me wrong, he was very warm and welcoming for the entire 120 second encounter. Ok...so off to the pub I go. But of course, by the time I get there, the manager is out...not returning until 7 (Irish time=8/8:30). I left my name and number with a (far from charming) Polish bartender...but will take it into my hands to check back in tomorrow. Until then...

The idea of volunteering at a school come September is a possibility, as that could possibly lead to a paid position. I'm hoping to hear back from a production potter in Galway as well. Oh the possibilities for little ol' me.