Well, goodbye, Ireland. Or maybe I should say, cheers. Today was our last full day here, and I've been trying to figure out how to feel. The mix of emotions is...indescribable. What I can tell you is that the past two and a half months have been the best of my life. I felt I had to include a grand, sweeping statement such as that; it's only fitting. We've seen much, learned much, made a few friends along the way, and taken, I think, some pretty impressive pictures. I won't say that this is the concluding post--it's not quite sentimental enough for that. After all, we haven't left yet. I'm sure that once we're off the plane, we'll be romanticizing about the whole thing, just as we did before we came. I'll let Jeff wrap things up. See you at home.

-Kevin

Howth Head and old guys

hey everybody,

Kevin has been hoggin' the blog lately so i've decided to add my two bits on dublin. Yesterday I was flipping through one of my guide books when I found a 'walking tour' section that involved a hiking trip to a dublin suburb, howth. Kevin and I geared up with some of our fellows and headed out to howth head. The directions were sketchy at best, but through the use of celtic and pagan magic we made it to the quartz-topped peak of howth head. the view was cool and it was all blustery, misty, and such...in other words it was pretty cool (like most things here)

we also visited the irish-jewish museum today and talked to a ancient sage-like guy who ran the place. He asked us some really good questions about our trip, Ireland, and what we thought we would take away from this experience. It was really cool to talk and reflect...especially considering that this is our last day. I'll try to get to a cafe to post pictures. Cheers!

We're Done!

As the subject line suggests, we are officially done with classes (sorry to those of you that still have final exams to take, I wish you good luck). Having completed what was easily our most academically grueling week of the term, Jeff and I are currently bumming around Dublin. It feels good. I would be more descriptive, but I'm afraid I used up all my big words last week. We recovered and celebrated the end of the term by taking in a rather flamboyant production of The Importance of Being Earnest, part of the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. It was good. We also visited the Irish-Jewish Museum, which had a lot of cool photographs and documents on display. I signed the guestbook and chatted with the very old man who runs the place. He was nice, in part because we gave donations.

What fun and interesting things have you done? Feel free to donate comments to our blog. You can look forward to a post from Jeff, and once he gets around to it, some pictures, as well.

Dubliners

And so we're back in the heart of the east-coast, highly developed, historically rich, no-free-internet capital of Ireland, Dublin. I don't have much time left, there are other people here waiting to use this computer that I'm on, so I'll make this brief. I'll also make this entirely picture-free, for there is no way for me to load pictures without the use of my laptop. This week should be tons of fun, the faculty are trying to squeeze in as much work as possible before our finals at week's end. I'm trying to squeeze every penny in a city where in some parts you can't even use a toilet without dropping a chunk of euro change. But it is still Ireland after all, and Jeff and I are still having a great time. Dublin is packed with stuff to do, and our final weeks here should bring a great deal of enjoyment. There's a bit of homesickness creeping in, but I try not to dwell on it. I hope everyone back home is making the most of their spring term, especially the seniors.

That about does it for now. Take 'er easy.

Kevin

This One's for You, Buddy

Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland.

What I Know of Sligo

Been a while since my last update. We've moved on from Galway, through Westport, and finally to Sligo. Saying goodbye to Galway was sad; we had a lot of fun there. But now we're here in Sligo and making the most of it. Just to catch you up, last week we took a trip to the Aran Islands and the fort of Dun Aengus, which was lot of fun. We also had papers and a midterm exam, which were not. A couple of days ago, we went to a large collection of ancient tombs out in a field somewhere, climbed a mountain (another one), and got up to the large, very old passage tomb that sits on top. We also went to the beach, which had significantly less educational value. Today, we went to Yeats country, visited the grave of W. B. Yeats, and took a ferry 'round Innisfree. The island (pronounced "Inishfree") is on Lough ("Lock") Gill, and the whole area is the subject of much poetry.

As for the town of Sligo, i's a little more laid-back, more blue-collar, than previous towns. There might not be a lot of charm to it, and the city centre is a decent walk from the hotel, but there are some fine bookstores, pubs, and pizza joints for us to frequent. Last night, Jeff and I saw a Sean O'Casey play called The Plough and the Stars, presented by the Sligo Drama Circle. It was a darker, more cynical take on the Easter Rising of 1916 that ultimately led to Irish independence. The thick accents and community theatre production values sometimes made understanding the play difficult, but it was an overall enjoyable experience. Also, our hotel is a converted mental institution. Now, some pictures.

Sitting on the cliffs at Dun Aengus, Inismor, Aran Islands.

One of the Norman castles we visited, Aughnanure.

Clanmacnoise, on the River Shannon. Site of many very old churches and Celtic high crosses.

Last night in Galway. Bonfire on the beach.

Knocknarea, site of Maeve's tomb. We climbed it as a group, faculty and all.

Jeff on the beach, Strandhill, right before he got all wet.

happy mountain day!

hello there! (echo hello there)

Its been awhile since I've updated the blog so I've decided to do a few posts just on the really cool places we've been in the last week or so. Over the weekend, Kevin and I were lucky enough to partake in a mountain exhibition (hence the echo). Basically, we caught a bus to westport, which took a couple of hours, walked to a mountain, which took a couple of hours, climbed up the mountain, which took a couple of hours, and then climbed down the mountain, which took a couple of hours (noticing a trend?)

we were tired, stinky, sweaty, and sore but the journey was thoroughly worth it. The view from the top was stunning and Kevin and I will be able to say that we climbed a mountain. Yea, that's right...and what did you do today?

I'm Starting a Band Named "Blood Sausage"

Oh. Hello, there. I didn't see you come in. Well, go ahead and have a seat. Would you like anything to drink? Just a glass of water? Okay, well, if you want anything else, let me know. Now, let me tell you a little about the little town of Galway, in the little county of Galway. First, the town is actually a large, thriving metropolis, full of construction and college students. Second, you may not want to drink that glass of water I gave you, for, you see, the city is under a boil order, so the contaminated water is not safe to drink straight from the tap. Third, you probably shouldn't sit down on that corner of the bed, for, as you've discovered by now, the wheel underneath is broken, and the bed simply tilts until the corner hits the floor.

Now that my introduction is over, I'll tell you that Jeff and I are having a great time in Galway, despite the aforementioned complications. Our hotel is nice, and they provide bottled water daily at no extra charge. We've done a lot of walking around the city already, over to Galway Bay, through the shopping district, etc. The bay is beautiful, especially with the clement weather we've been experiencing over the past few days. We ate lunch there and fed the swans (but not the seagulls). We've also been spending a lot of time in the main hangout of the city, Eyre Square (pronounced "air," for the literarily disinclined). There's a really cool park that's always packed with people. It feels a lot like being on a campus quad. We've also gone to a few of the local drinkeries for darts and such. I got to read some Lady Gregory in the park and Joyce at "Fibber Magee's."

That reminds me--there are many good bookstores around here, and in most places we've been. Anyone have any reading suggestions? I'm sure I'll have enough to keep me occupied. Speaking of reading, I'm going to wrap this entry up, so that I can start reading and you can stop. Enjoy the pictures of the bay and the perilous Cliffs of Moher, at which we stopped on the way here.

it's marchmas in killarney...

greetings from the quaint, country town of killarney! Kevin and I haven't had much time to explore the town because we've been about in county kerry exploring ring forts and beehive huts. Hopefully we'll be able to rent some bikes this weekend and explore the national park.

highlights: high mountain cliff sides and daring bus drivers

Kevin's own take away

dry masonry and ring forts
a waiter saying 'and here's a salad for yerself'

Posts will be sporadic since we have to pay for Internet...but we hope to fare better in Galway.

Goodbye, Cork...Hello, packing!

Well, it's our last night in Cork City, Co. Cork. We've had a grand time this past fortnight. The city is of a nice size, clean, colorful, and without any overly offensive odors. The last few days, in particular, have brought us plenty of enjoyment. Jeff emerged from his hole to rejoin the herd, as it was determined he posed no real threat to the others. I continued about in my normal routine. There were trips to various places--Cashel, Kinsale, Cobh--that I documented thoroughly, so I could tell Jeff about them afterward. We have been going on some nice walks around town, now that he's feeling up to it. Yesterday, there was a picnic in the park, which, after finding that there wasn't much of a park, turned into a picnic on the street. Today, Jeff and I walked up a big hill. We felt a strong sense of accomplishment. The photo included was taken from the crest of the hill, in a small, green patch of vacant land that had no earthly business being in a developed neighborhood overlooking Cork. The other photo is of Jeff eating his "man-sandwich."

On another note, classes seem to be going well, and I think the professors may be taking a shine to us. Then again, it could just be that they are forced by the nature of the program to interact with their students. Either way, they're starting to associate me with Jeff, and vice versa. I suppose I don't really mind, as long as there aren't any unseemly insinuations made. Moving right along, we're waking up early tomorrow to go to Killarney, where we will be staying for a week, I believe. I hear it's nice there. It's a fairly small town; we'll probably be taking trips to surrounding areas, which will make for good stories and stimulating journal entries. So there's that to look forward to. In the meantime, I should finish packing and get some sleep. So long, from Cork.

just my luck...

hey everybody! what's the worst thing that can happen to you while in a foreign country? Getting lost? Pirate attack? deciding between the steak or the veal?

try getting chicken pox! That's right ladies and gents, i'm the proud new owner of the worlds most contagious illness and what can be better than spending the next 3-4 days in isolation?

for all of you concerned, i'm ok and surprisingly not itchy. But i'm now known as the elusive, spotted JLR.

on a lighter note, here's a cool picture of wender lounging in the forest outside blarney castle

St. Patty's Parade

Kevin and I went out to see the Cork parade today. St. Patrick's day is quite different from what I'm used to in Chicago. The parade celebrated different cultural groups and there weren't so many of the"native Irish" walking the parade route as I would've expected. I think St. Patrick's day in Ireland is more about national unity than anything else (hint: the Irish flag is supposed to represent peace between the catholics and protestants). Also, it seemed that the whole day in general was geared towards children, while adults mostly kept to the pubs.

The Wearin' o' the Green

Oh, Paddy dear! an' did ye hear the news that's goin' round?
The shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground.
No more St. Patrick's Day we'll keep, his color can't be seen,
For there's a cruel law agin the wearin' o' the green!

I met wid Napper Tandy, and he took me by the hand.
And he said, "How's poor Ould Ireland, and how does she stand?"
She's the most disthressful country that iver yet was seen,
For they're hangin' men and women there for wearin' o' the green.

An' if the color we must wear is England's cruel red,
Let it remind us of the blood that Ireland has shed;
Then pull the shamrock from your hat, and throw it on the sod,--
And never fear, 'twill take root there, tho' under foot 'tis trod!

When law can stop the blades of grass from growin' as they grow,
And when the leaves in summer-time their color dare not show,
Then I will change the color, too, I wear in my caubeen,
But till that day, plaze God, I'll stick to wearin' o' the green.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Ireland

Ich am of Irlaunde,
Ant of the holy londe
Of Irlaunde.
Gode sire, pray ich the,
For of saynte charité,
Com ant daunce wyth me
In Irlaunde.

I thought I'd start with a few old lines of verse. We've been seeing a lot of really old things lately, so I deemed it appropriate. Yesterday we went on one of the more touristy adventures, taking a trip to Blarney Castle. We had the day off, so a few of us got together and hopped on a bus to the town of Blarney, a small and fairly charming place with a lot of elderly folk. I wasn't sure what the castle would be like, or whether it would be worth the price of admission, but it turned out to be pretty cool. It's situated on a pretty large piece of property, with lots of woods and forking rivers. The castle itself had a lot of winding passageways, narrow staircases, and even a dungeon-like structure. Kissing the stone was sort of anti-climactic, and it turned out to be probably the least exciting part of the whole trip (yes, I am aware of the stories of locals "sullying" the stone). We walked along some scenic trails to this clearing full of rock formations. It was a lot like a playground, but with witches stones and druid circles. That part was a lot of fun. It's a really cool place, if you don't spend all your time at the stone or the in-castle gift shop. I reluctantly included a picture of myself kissing the stone, so you could all see what it involves.


Last night, Jeff and I took a few people to a local pub with a dartboard, as Jeff recently purchased his own set of darts. There was a party in the back, so darts didn't happen. I went up to the bar and started talking with this Irish guy who grew up in America. This was nice, as I could actually understand what he was saying. He told us that his buddy was coming with his band. We decided to stay and hang out for a bit. The band was awesome. They played mostly blues rock, with a few Beatles covers thrown in. The old man on the right is the lead singer, and he plays a pretty mean guitar. We got the chance to talk with him a little, real nice guy.


Well, I'm going to go for now, I think the St. Patrick's Day parade is starting. If you want to know, I'll tell you about it later.

Cork un-corked!

We've arrived in Cork and received an upgrade in accommodations. Kevin and I now have internet access in our room, so blog posting should become more frequent. We've taken a tour of the city already and even visited a really cool farmer's market. Cork has a much more "small town" feel to it than Dublin, and the city is filled with many small shops and alleyways. Classes are going great and we're spending a great deal of time on the political history of Ireland.

On the way to Cork, we stopped at several historical sights. High crosses, roundtowers, and an old monastic site comprised our long commute to Cork.

I've posted all of my pictures on the kodak easyshare online site. See my pics here. If the link doesn't work, send me your e-mail address at Coodman085@yahoo.com and I'll "officially" invite you.

Dawn breaking over Dublin. I took this picture on the rather long plane ride, since I wasn't busy sleeping. Needless to say, the jetlag hit us pretty hard. But we're here, and we're trying to stay awake as much as possible. Today mostly consisted of walking around the city, which is very urban, comparable to Chicago and other major cities. The weather is mostly cloudy, the people are nice, the traffic is heavy. We walked to a beach called "the strand" by some, apparently it's mentioned in Ulysses. There has been much talk of Joyce. On the way back from this faraway beach, we stopped in a pub and had a Guinness. There was a "football" match on TV, so the locals were a little rowdy. We also took a trip to St. Stephens Green, a verdant oasis among cramped apartment buildings and shops. There is much more to tell you, and many more pictures, but I don't have much time left, Internet isn't free, and it doesn't work well at all. I have already made many attempts at posting. We'll try to update when we can, there will be more once we leave the expensive Dublin for the smaller cities. I'll leave you with this image, which I took after it had started to rain a bit.

Picture Test

Hey look everyone! I figured out how to post pictures.

This is how me and Kevin will look roaming about Ireland.

They're showing "Rocky" on our flight tomorrow...

2 days and counting

hey everybody! Welcome to the Bowsieblog!

I set up this blog so that you, the consumer, can enjoy the wacky hi jinx of Kevin and I abroad in Ireland. We'll be posting pictures and tales of our journeys here. check in for updates and post your comments.

Bowsie(n) - Person (esp. male) of very disreputable character. A useless good for nothing.
(usage) "is there anyone in the government who isn't a bleedin' bowsie?"