Monday, March 3, 2008

dollars, euros, and now pounds sterling

     Now that I've been traveling a little bit and meeting more Irish I've picked up the differences between Northern and Southern accents.  Thus, being in the North this past weekend wasn't difficult as I could actually understand what they were saying. I traveled to Belfast and Portrush for a few days with the program that I am here with.  So it was my first experience with a bunch of American students in Ireland, which of course had its good and bad points. When we got there we saw the Protestant and Catholic areas of Belfast that experienced the worst of "the troubles". I actually really didn't like this part of the trip and was glad that it was short but the rest was of the trip was grand. 
     We were in Belfast for the day and stayed in Portrush for the rest of the trip. Portrush is this town  on the northern part of Ireland right on the coast. It was close to Bushmills the town and home of Bushmills Distillery of which we had the chance to tour. Drinking whiskey is really hard to do at ten in the morning but we all seemed to managed. After that we went to Giants Causeway. Find out more about the Giants Causeway myth here. There happened to be 70 mph winds that day which was really dangerous for the type of terrain that Giants Causeway is on.  We had plenty of warnings to stay off the rocks and away from the water because that's how people have died in the past. So I did just that, took a bunch of pictures and then headed up to the top for tea.  
     On the last day we woke up early and went to Dunluce Castle. It was still pretty windy and cloudy so we didn't stay long but what we saw was so beautiful.  I would definitely say that this trip had the best scenery so far. The cliffs and the greenery everywhere reminded me how happy I am not to be in the midwest during winter. Plus I met some more Americans, of whom some are from Kansas City. 
     Tonight I am going to see the Elders in city centre with my friend Anna. She's also from KC but hasn't ever heard of them. I'll let that slide since she's from North KC. The DCU fashion show is also this week which I am excited about. Its actually a big deal because the model that wins receives a contract with a modeling agency in Dublin. Then this weekend I am going back to Carlow for another friend's 21st. It seems like its hard to be bored here but I need to start writing my essays soon. I am lucky and don't have any final tests but I have papers to write. Oh and just to let all of you know, St. Patrick's Day is a big thing here. Maybe its just a Dublin thing but I've heard it gets really crazy and its almost a week long event. So I'll let you know how that turns out.
Bushmills didn't allow pictures anywhere in the distillery so I had to settle for the lobby and the tasting. 
Hot Totties at the end of the tour.
On the way down to the rocks. 
The rocks are the reason for Giant's Causeway. Look at their shapes closely and then read the myth and it'll really amaze you.
Part of Dunluce Castle.
View from the Castle.

3 comments:

Mom said...

I know - I'm your "Photo Fan" - but these pictures really were fantastic - even the ones from Bushmills!

I'm glad you had fun at The Elders show - a great way to start off your week!

Love,
Mom

David Shaughnessy said...

You gotta see Damien Dempsey while in Dublin. I can get ya tickets to that show too. I find out when he's playing next.

Aslan is great too. They play often.

David Shaughnessy said...

Its been 2 weeks since your last update. Jeez! Would ya get outta the pub already!