March 29th

March 22nd

I got up this morning and missed out on my run. I usually get up and eat something before I go run. I did that this morning and I got cut out of the bathroom by people getting ready to go to class. By the time they were out of there it was too late to go out for a run and be ready for work on time so I just sat around for a while. Damien wants me to work on a DVD that has a couple different versions of a movie so that they can sell it. Since I don’t really have a whole lot of experience with that, I spent a good chunk of the morning looking around on line for a program that would work and how to use it, things like that. I eventually found one that had everything we needed so we decided to give the download a try. It worked out pretty good and I think I should be able to do everything he wants me to do with it. I played around with it for a while on his laptop, since I can’t install any programs on the computer I use. Apparently they don’t trust their volunteers with that sort of thing. I also helped Damien do some cleaning. We went down to a couple of store rooms they had and started going through boxes. We rearranged a bunch of them so that more stuff would fit and brought a bunch of upstairs to be used, but we threw most of them out. They were old journals that weren’t going to get used so we put them all in the recycling bin.

After work I was going to a movie called 300 about the battle of Thermopoli. Great movie. I got to Leicester Square pretty early so I went to a pub to get some food and sat around there for a while. After that I got up and explored the area. I have never walked around that part of the town before really so I went and took a look. After the movie we took a bus back and I got all packed up for my trip before going to bed.

March 23rd

I got up and was out the door this morning. I spent the entire day working on the DVD and things are turning out pretty good I think. I think I’ve got a pretty good handle on everything and I really don’t have a lot to do to be honest. The layout will be pretty easy and shouldn’t really be that big of a deal. I have a couple more things to finish up on it, but it shouldn’t take me to long. The big thing is going to be testing it and making sure that everything works. That should be interesting.

I left work early so I could get out to the airport for my flight. The airport, Stansted, was about an hour by bus away from where I work, so it wasn’t close. I took the Tube to the bus station and found a bus. That was actually quite the trek. I walked around the entire station and didn’t see the ticket stand for the buses, so I asked one of the info people. He gave me direction and I still couldn’t find it so I went outside and looked around with no more luck. I did see the buses and that’s when it hit me that you buy the tickets on the bus. Woops. I felt pretty smart. I got on the bus okay and read al the way out to the airport. I met up with Amanda and Austin and we got all checked in through security. That was not without incident though. I brought a bag with an internal frame and apparently that looked like a knife to the screener guy so I had to have my bag searched. Not a big deal, but it was annoying. We got some food and chilled until our flight came up. For being pretty cheap, it was a nice flight. There wasn’t anything special about it, but when you’re only flying for an hour or so you really don’t need that much.

We touched down and had to hurry to find the bus to get us to Galway. We went to one of the bus parks, but apparently that was the wrong one because no one was there. We walked around some more and saw the buses and ran over to make sure we didn’t miss it. We got on one to Galway and made it there in pretty good time. Our hostel was literally right across from the stop so that was really nice. We got all checked in and set out in search of some food. The only place that was open at that point was a Domino’s so we ordered a big family meal and went out Eyre square to eat it. We found a bench and literally inhaled everything we had. The hostel we were staying at had a bar attached so we went and checked that out. There was a guy playing guitar who was pretty good. He must have played for a good two hours without a break. It was pretty impressive. After that we headed back to our room and called it a night.

March 24th

We got this morning fairly early to get going. I got up to take a shower and found out instead of shampoo I had bought a bunch of conditioner. Not a whole lot of help to be honest. We stopped down to the little kitchen and got some food to eat before we headed out to find the bus that would take us to the ferry. That was actually just around the corner from the place we were staying so that wasn’t bad at all. The trip out there was really pretty. The houses along the way were all so nice. None of them were really big or anything like that, they were just all really elegant and well designed. The country was really pretty too. The whole place had been divided up by fences made out of these flat pieces of limestone all stacked together. That was really cool to see. The ride to the stop took us about 45 minutes and when we got there we stopped at a café to get some water. We got on board the boat and had about another 45 minute ride to get out to the island. Really wasn’t much to see there.

The first thing we did once we got on the island was go to a place that rents bikes and pick on up. The island itself really wasn’t that big so almost everything was in biking distance. That was really nice. We got all set up with the bikes and we headed off along the coast. We stopped a couple of times along the way to take pictures of these old buildings or the coast line but we made our first big stop at a beach with a seal colony. It had this rock face that was neatly stepped down to the ocean. On one side there was also this huge rocky burm that ran along that side of the coast then went out to sea. When we were there, there was somewhere around 20 seals all playing around in the outgoing tide or sunning themselves in shallow spots. That was cool. On the other side of the road from this beach there was an old ruined house made of the same stacked stone as the fences. The walls were all still standing but the roof was long gone and the grass had started growing on the floor. We played around in there for a while before heading off.

This place really gave me a sense of how ancient this island was. Walking around London, I get a sense that it is a very old city and has seen a lot of things. Here the feeling is different. The place feels even older than that. It some ways it was like seeing a ghost. Something long forgotten that you just sort of stumble on. It was a weird feeling but a nice one.

After we got done with that area we moved on and made a stop a little ways further on and took some more pictures of the coast. We finished up and moved on to a proper beach with sand and everything. We sat around that and took in the view. You could see the mainland through a kind of haze that has settled in. It looked nice. There was a little village just a few minutes away so we went there and found a little café to eat lunch in. It was a cool little place with a thatched roof and a peat fire going. It smelled really earthy. We finished up with that and made a trek to an old ring fort that was two or three thousand years old and still standing. We had to walk up to that because there wasn’t any sort of road and the terrain was pretty bad. We made our way up to the fort and we were in for a real treat. Part of the defences included being butted up against a sheer cliff wall. The view was absolutely amazing looking out over the Atlantic. I took a ton of pictures of the waves crashing on the rocks and breaking on the cliffs. It really was stunning.

We finished up there and slowly made our way back. We took our time and just enjoyed the weather. That was the other great thing about this day. The temp was in the 60’s the entire time and there was great breeze coming in off the sea. It was so nice. This was the first time that they had had weather like this for a couple weeks apparently. Anyways, we got back into the port and had a lot of time to sit around. Another thing I learned on this trip was that this is were Aran sweaters originated. There the ones with all the fancy stitching on the front. Apparently, all the stitches have some specific meaning and they are all hand made with out any sort of pattern. Pretty cool. We looked around there for a while then went to a place called, I kid you not, The American Bar. There was the Ireland v Wales game on so we got some chips and watched that. Then, we returned our bikes and headed home.

I do have a story about that though. I was sitting next to a guy who looked like he was having a rough time. He was keeping to himself and I was looking out the window on the other side. As we were getting into the city he asked me where I was from. It took me some time to explain that to him but eventually we got it figured out. His name was Rorrie and he ran a fishing boat out of Aran. He was telling me about how dangerous the waters up there were and then offered me a job. There you go.

We were all pretty tired and hungry when we got back so we went out in search of some food. We found a pub that served a full Irish breakfast and chowed down. I pretty well inhaled that. It was bacon, sausage, eggs, baked beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, potatoes, bread, toast and tea. It was really good. After that we were going to go take a little nap but got distracted. We were in a dorm style room with four beds. As we were laying down that fourth roommate came in and we started talking. His name was Shane and was from Belfast via Dublin. Really great guy. He was in town for a bachelor party and was apparently in his 36th straight hour of drinking. I was quite impressed. We must have talked for half an hour before he had to go out and get ready.

After out little rest, we headed out to a pub. The first couple of places we found were all really packed and we ended up settling in a place called Monroe’s. We got ourselves a spot in the corner and stayed there for a few hours. They had a live band that was really good. They played some great songs and after they finished up we headed back to the hostel.

March 25th

We got up pretty early this morning, checked out and went in search of food. That was not so lucky to be honest. There wasn’t a lot happening anywhere in the area where we lived. We eventually found a place that was opened and seemed to cater to tourists. I had what they called a breakfast roll. It was a baguette stuffed with sausage, bacon and eggs. They also served it with ranch crisps and a little salad. I can’t say I really got the last two. We hadn’t really explored the city so we did that. We were already set up with out bus tickets so we had around an hour to wander. We just walked around the back street and explored. We came to the river and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I could actually see the bottom of it. It was amazing how clean it was compared to what I have seen previously. It was a nice shock though.

We got back on the bus and started riding to the cliffs of Mohr. It was about a two hour ride there and I just stared out of the window and took in the view. It was really nice country. There were still all those fences though. We had a little over hour to explore the cliffs so we got to that. We walked up and down them taking pictures and just admiring the breath taking view. It was cool. At one end of the area there was a fenced off area with a big sign that said don’t cross. The thing was though there were probably about a hundred people on the other side and some really worn paths. We took our chances and entered into the forbidden zone. Scary. Oh well, the view was even better over there and the rangers there certainly didn’t care. We finished up taking pictures and got back on the bus.

The trip back wasn’t so hot. We had to go almost all the way back to Galway to get a bus that would get us to the airport. That was the only way that we could get back in time. I just spent the entire time reading pretty much. I did spend some time looking out the windows, but it was all pretty familiar at that point. We got off at the stop and waited. The bus ended up being close to twenty minutes late. Pretty sweet. Another couple of hours and we were at the airport. The first thing we did was go look for a place to eat. Unfortunately, both the places to eat were closed for the day, so we went and raided one of the shops downstairs and sat around eating. After we finished and got checked in we headed through security and spent some time looking through the duty free shop. There was also a huge group of soldiers on there way through. An interesting thing about this airport was that it had a US customs post in it. I found out later that it was because there were so many American that came through here. Popular place. The plane ride back was uneventful

When we gto back we got some bus tickets for the ride home and once we found that and got going I was out like a light. I slept until we were almost home and when we got back there I started unpacking. I got some emails out and downloaded all my pictures. Once I was done with that I headed to bed.

March 26th

I got up this morning and headed out to the Imperial War Museum to go take a look at the World War Two exhibits. That was pretty interesting. I got to see some stuff from the home front that I wasn’t familiar with, so that was cool. I got done pretty early with that and headed home. I whipped up some lunch and had good intention of getting some work done. The problem was it was an absolutely beautiful day out and I really couldn’t keep focused. It didn’t help that I was in the common room with a bunch of other people who kept distracting me. Oh well, I can afford that. I did get some work done and after a few hours of that I got myself ready to go run. I went fairly short and just enjoyed the beautiful day. I went to the Union to get ready for circuit training but I was pretty early. I waited around for a while and still no one showed up. That’s when it hit me that they were all on Easter break already. They had started that at the end of last week I’m pretty sure. I headed home from that and made myself some dinner. I did get some good work done though.

I got all caught up on my journal and got a bunch of homework out of the way. I also waited around for my parents to give me a call. They eventually did and we talked for a quite a while. I also got to talk to Katie for the first time in a while, which was really nice.

March 27th

I got out for a nice run this morning and headed to work. I ended up getting there a little late this morning, but there really wasn’t anyone there. I sat around for awhile and worked on the DVD and after a little while Kate came up and asked me help get out some publications. There big quarterly journal had just come in from the printers so they needed to get that sent out pretty quick. I spent almost all the day working on that. I had to address the envelopes, stuff them, and then frank a bunch of them. I think I was actually getting high from the fumes in the room I was in. The ink smell was pretty strong from journals and then I was sending out a bunch of them in plastic envelopes which were giving off a unique odour. I made it through it alright and headed home. I made myself a big pasta dinner which I have to say I was pretty proud of.

After that I went to rehearse a scene for my theatre class. We have to memorize and come with actions for a scene out of a packet that our professor gave us. Its not a big deal, it’ll just take some time. I worked on that with my partner for a while and we had a pretty good handle on things. We got back fairly early from that and I got my computer out and messed around on that for a while. I finished up some more homework; some reading and then questions for it, so that’s out of the way. Its not due for some time, but I have a few other papers to do and I need to do some research for that.

March 28th

It was already a really nice day when I got out for my run this morning. While I was out though I came across something a little strange. Out in front of the Albert memorial there was a full orchestra putting on a concert. They were all dressed up and had the area all miked up. I found it a little weird, not gonna lie. I got back from that and after lunch I went out and took some more pictures of the park. I probably wandered around there for an hour and half before heading to class. Ethno today was great. We continued with our study of British music and started with some of the American music that influenced the artists that would come to form the core of British Rock and Roll. We listened to some Elvis and then a bunch of bands I had never heard of before. We then started on the Beatles. Justin gave us a big explanation about how they came to be and their history. I had heard a lot of it before, but it was still really cool. Fun class today.

I had to head to Metrogate during my break so I could register for my classes next semester. I ended being a little late for class because of it actually. I made it into all the ones I had wanted with no problems, so that was really nice. Theatre class was more rehearsing. I pretty much just sat around and watched since I had gone last week. We got out of that class pretty early which was really nice. I got back and ate some leftovers and then headed out to do some laundry. While I was there I worked on my blog and talked to Katie. I got my laundry done and headed back to the flat. I got everything put back and then finished up my blog posts and talked to Katie some more.