I flew from London to Shannon Ireland. I picked up a rental car that I would have for the week and drove up to a friend's place in Galway, Ireland. From there we visited a little down called Doolin, another called LaHinch and drove through many other great Irish towns on the way. There were quite a few intricacies of Ireland learned on this little adventure.
- One of the best parts of Galway was having the fish and chips from my friend's chipper. They were perfectly yummy and everything I have been thinking about for 2 months :-)
- The weather the whole time I was in Ireland was impeccable. Everyone asked me before I went ...WHY are you going to Ireland in April, it is going to rain the whole time? Oh really, I say. It didn't rain once the whole time I was there. Not a drop. But I did get a tanned face.
- I stayed with friends who have to heat their water before using hot water. How crazy is that? It isn't like they live in a 16th century place or something either. Their place was built not that long ago, but each time they want hot water they have to heat it and wait.
- I had cottage pie in one of the towns. Cottage pie for those of you that don't know is minced beef with vegetables covered with mashed potatoes and then baked. While this was spectacularly yummy, the real interesting part of the meal was that it was served with French Fries (chips). Yes, you read that correctly. I had a dish that is topped completely with mashed potatoes that was served with Chips. It is Ireland, they do love their potatoes. and frankly, so do I.
- Power plugs in Ireland have switches on them that must be turned on and off to use the power. I have no idea why, but you cannot just plug something into an outlet and have it work, the outlet must be switched on.
- One very dangerous part of being in a country where people drive on the other side of the road is that when you are a pedestrian, you have to remember to look the opposite way before crossing the street or you'll get plowed.
- the friends I stay with smoke, while this is neither here nor there, what I found interesting was that cigarettes are 7.75euro a pack. whoa nelly. Just another reason I'm glad I don't smoke.
on to the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher
Friday, April 23, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thoughts on London
It feels like I visited London about 5 years ago, but it was only last weekend. Here are some thoughts on my trip:
- A ride on the underground in London costs 4 pounds!! That is astronomical. I went one stop and it cost me almost $6. If it weren't 11pm at night I would have walked. Ah the hassles of traveling alone.
- The first night I got a little lost trying to find my friend's place. He didn't have a cell phone yet, which led to me wandering around London until 1am when I found a hotel that I could use the internet. Moral of the story: I should have planned better, but am out of practice due to the ability to use cell phones
- The weather in London was spectacular and everyone was out and about. Londoners were telling me to enjoy the sun Saturday because it would be their "one day" of summer (they were wrong, it was nice on Sunday as well)
- Shows in London mostly don't run on Sunday, which I found odd, as I would think it is a big day for tourism. Seems to me they shouldn't run on Tuesday or something instead
- Speaking of shows, I had no idea that Andrew Lloyd Weber had a new show in London! Sadly I dind't have time to see it, but it is a sequel to Phantom. I need to read some reviews or something, but I really want to go back and see it.
- The Grand National horse race is crazy. We watched it with friends and I can't say that I thought it was all that humane. The track is about 4 miles long with tons of jumps for the 40 horses, if they fall and the jockey goes flying, oh well. Everyone else continues on.
- If you ever go to London and find yourself in the financial district, you should go to Smith's of Smitthfield. The breakfast was good and the place is pretty cool.
- Being back 8 years after living there was pretty crazy. Stuff was hazy, but I knew I had been there before!
- I like London more than Paris. Not really sure why, I think the way it is laid out is more condusive to enjoying the city. Plus they are better at mixing the old with the new.
- A ride on the underground in London costs 4 pounds!! That is astronomical. I went one stop and it cost me almost $6. If it weren't 11pm at night I would have walked. Ah the hassles of traveling alone.
- The first night I got a little lost trying to find my friend's place. He didn't have a cell phone yet, which led to me wandering around London until 1am when I found a hotel that I could use the internet. Moral of the story: I should have planned better, but am out of practice due to the ability to use cell phones
- The weather in London was spectacular and everyone was out and about. Londoners were telling me to enjoy the sun Saturday because it would be their "one day" of summer (they were wrong, it was nice on Sunday as well)
- Shows in London mostly don't run on Sunday, which I found odd, as I would think it is a big day for tourism. Seems to me they shouldn't run on Tuesday or something instead
- Speaking of shows, I had no idea that Andrew Lloyd Weber had a new show in London! Sadly I dind't have time to see it, but it is a sequel to Phantom. I need to read some reviews or something, but I really want to go back and see it.
- The Grand National horse race is crazy. We watched it with friends and I can't say that I thought it was all that humane. The track is about 4 miles long with tons of jumps for the 40 horses, if they fall and the jockey goes flying, oh well. Everyone else continues on.
- If you ever go to London and find yourself in the financial district, you should go to Smith's of Smitthfield. The breakfast was good and the place is pretty cool.
- Being back 8 years after living there was pretty crazy. Stuff was hazy, but I knew I had been there before!
- I like London more than Paris. Not really sure why, I think the way it is laid out is more condusive to enjoying the city. Plus they are better at mixing the old with the new.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Signs...
This post has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I live in France other than the conversation was started by an Italian that I would never have known if I weren't studying here. We were discussing birthdays and I told him I was a Virgo. He said, yeah obviously, you are the only Virgo I have liked, usually they are too rational. Ha. My roommate agreed that I'm super rational and the epitome of a Virgo. Well I don't pay much attention to all the astrological stuff, but surfing the web today I came across this:
Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
Virgos are known to be true perfectionists, with rational, active minds that deliver quick reactions and analytical answers. That's why wild salmon is your surefire brain food. Its omega-3 fatty acids pump up brain power, while niacin keeps cognitive thinking nice and steady -- perfect for a perfectionist! Stomach-soothing ginger is also an ideal food for Virgos, as your stomach and digestive system tends to be problematic.
Other than the part about liking salmon, which is actually my least favorite fish, I was pretty amazed by the assessment. Really there isn't much here, but the part that was interesting was the last part...I didn't realize that was a astrological sign commonality.
Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
Virgos are known to be true perfectionists, with rational, active minds that deliver quick reactions and analytical answers. That's why wild salmon is your surefire brain food. Its omega-3 fatty acids pump up brain power, while niacin keeps cognitive thinking nice and steady -- perfect for a perfectionist! Stomach-soothing ginger is also an ideal food for Virgos, as your stomach and digestive system tends to be problematic.
Other than the part about liking salmon, which is actually my least favorite fish, I was pretty amazed by the assessment. Really there isn't much here, but the part that was interesting was the last part...I didn't realize that was a astrological sign commonality.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Consumption
The stereotype is that Americans consume more than the rest of the world. We are a consumption society. We spend more money, have more choices and generally like to have bigger and better things that the rest of the world. I'm not sure I'll go that far and characterize us all this way, but I will tell you one thing, the beverage holders over here are a bit smaller than they are at home. Take for example your normal morning coffee. At home? There is big cup of coffee, here? a shot of expresso really. I don't drink coffee or I might have taken a picture of the difference for you, but I do drink water and here is the difference between what I carry around to drink water out of and what French students use when they are "thirsty".
I was at the water machine filling up my water bottle the other day and a girl came out next to me and was like "I'm so thirsty too" Then she saw what I was filling up and she was like "whoa, you have a lot of water". Uh huh. She filled up her little cup and drank about two notches worth and took the rest back into the classroom to save for later. Are you kidding me? When I forgot my water bottle one day I had to stand at the water machine and have about 4 shots before I actually felt satiated. Come on now.
Emergency Vehicles
When you are driving down the street at home and you see flashing lights in your rearview mirror, or hear sirens, you generally pull over to the side of the road until the emergency vehicles have passed and the way is clear again. Here? No pulling over. Cars keep driving like normal and give the emergency vehicle space to go around, but no pulling over or really getting out of the way. Also, the emergency vehicles drive down the street all the time with their lights on, but no sirens. I'm not sure why, but I find this a little odd. I think it is because if I were driving one of those things I'd be like "GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!" Not necessarily because I needed to get somewhere fast, but just because I would have that power in the states :-) On another note, if I were in the ambulance I'd want people to get out of the way so I could get to the hospital without being stuck in traffic because no one pulls over.
Easter
At home we look forward to the Easter bunny bringing us baskets and all kinds of yummy chocolate and goodies in our baskets. Here? There is a bell that brings the chocolate. Ok probably doesn't bring it, but Easter is around a bell here, no Easter bunny. Of course unless you are in a big town that caters to American tourists (i.e. Paris). They do take full advantage of the chocolate selling season here. I asked some friends about Easter and while none of them said they were religious or celebrating the holiday for the religious reason, they were really looking forward to the family time and chocolate. Pretty similar to home huh? Of course the patisserie had lots of goodies for Easter and then there were stores with all the chocolates. 
I did successfully make it all the way through Lent without drinking a beer. It wasn't the hardest thing I have ever given up, but there were a few days that a nice cold beer would have been nice. I actually didn't drink a beer until Tuesday night. I really wanted a Boulevard Wheat at the home opener, but since I was only there in spirit, that would have been difficult.
I did successfully make it all the way through Lent without drinking a beer. It wasn't the hardest thing I have ever given up, but there were a few days that a nice cold beer would have been nice. I actually didn't drink a beer until Tuesday night. I really wanted a Boulevard Wheat at the home opener, but since I was only there in spirit, that would have been difficult.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Travel annoyances
Trying to get home from Paris early I recall two things that I hate about travel.
1. I got to the train station 2 hours early because my traveling partners were catching a flight and we didn't have time to eat together. When I got there I saw that there was a train one hour before mine, so I went to the ticket office to see if I could just change trains. It was 28 euro to change my train. The ticket cost 34 euro to start with. Just dumb.
2. Why are people totally oblivious to the world going on around them? While I was sitting waiting for the train platform to post, this family stopped right in the middle of a main walkway that was only wide enough for two people to pass with luggage.
You can see that there are people sitting in chairs on the opposite side of them, and I am sitting along a barrier on the other side. Next to the lady on the left is a phone booth. They just planted themselves in the middle to wait for their train announcment. In the meantime, people are trying to get around them the whole time. People with luggage are squishing through and the lady keeps getting annoyed that people are nudging her as their luggage slightly makes it through the opening on either side of her. You'd think at some point it would click and they'd think, "Oh wow, I'm in the middle of everything totally oblivious to the fact that I'm not the center of the universe and this walkway was not created for me to wait in." Nope, stood there getting jostled and dirty looks from the rest of the travelers until their train was posted. I know I shouldn't be annoyed, and maybe they are first time travelers, but I think it is more about consideration for other people. Sheesh.
1. I got to the train station 2 hours early because my traveling partners were catching a flight and we didn't have time to eat together. When I got there I saw that there was a train one hour before mine, so I went to the ticket office to see if I could just change trains. It was 28 euro to change my train. The ticket cost 34 euro to start with. Just dumb.
2. Why are people totally oblivious to the world going on around them? While I was sitting waiting for the train platform to post, this family stopped right in the middle of a main walkway that was only wide enough for two people to pass with luggage.
You can see that there are people sitting in chairs on the opposite side of them, and I am sitting along a barrier on the other side. Next to the lady on the left is a phone booth. They just planted themselves in the middle to wait for their train announcment. In the meantime, people are trying to get around them the whole time. People with luggage are squishing through and the lady keeps getting annoyed that people are nudging her as their luggage slightly makes it through the opening on either side of her. You'd think at some point it would click and they'd think, "Oh wow, I'm in the middle of everything totally oblivious to the fact that I'm not the center of the universe and this walkway was not created for me to wait in." Nope, stood there getting jostled and dirty looks from the rest of the travelers until their train was posted. I know I shouldn't be annoyed, and maybe they are first time travelers, but I think it is more about consideration for other people. Sheesh.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)