Although I could claim I'm the happiest person in the world right now, there is this hint of guilt living somewhere inside me and I haven't discovered why. I've met so many people and made great friends, I've been traveling and am making more arrangements, I go to most of my classes. I'm not sure if it's the lack of personal theatre involvement? But there's still something that feels incomplete and I hope I can put my finger on it before too long. Regardless, I've been having tremendous adventures.
Here's my life the last couple weeks.
Nora and I went and saw Penelope at the Town Hall Theatre. We were sipping our wine a little too long before we realized it was 7:30 and we should've been half way there at this point. It was pouring rain and we were running in our heels trying to protect our hair. After we trekked for too long, we got a taxi for the rest of the way. The show was really abstract and gorgeously put together on the stage, but it was also weird and hard to follow. After the show it was still raining so we continued our jog and hopped into the first pub we could find. It was nothing special, not an uplifting, warm Irish pub, so we stayed for one drink and to talk about the show; it was good talking to her because she helped me realize some great points from the show I'd missed. One drink down and many to go tonight - I think one my favorite nights in Galway so far. After this, we found Tig Coili. A gem. The Irish music stole our hearts and the whiskey and beer stole our minds. We had so much fun. Nora has been Irish dancing her whole life and taught me a little Irish jig; we were doing this for a while. Our friends came in for a bit, and then all left except George. The three of us talked to the bartender for a long time and then closed down the bar. He gave us an umbrella since it was still pouring; these are the kinds of people I live with! We weren't ready to end the night so we found Sonny's. Another gem. It's big and open late and we partook in so much drunken dancing all over the bar. When we left here, George got separated from us and Nora and I met up with Gary, a bartender we'd met the week before. He opened up his bar, got us all a glass, and let us pour our own pint! The three of us sat at the quiet bar for a while and chatted. Nora and I didn't get home until 5 a.m.so naturally we didn't catch our 10 am bus to Connemara.
That weekend I went to the Aran Islands. I woke up Saturday feeling awful, I could hardly talk and considered not going. But, as grandma would say, I needed to put on my big girl panties and deal with it. I'm glad I did because this trip took my breath away. And I even felt better by the time I was home on Sunday! There were about 20 of us that went together, it's my new preference not to travel with a group that size anymore. Everyone was talking about renting bikes to tour the island on and I felt discouraged because I was sick and exhausted and knew I wouldn't be able to handle biking all day up and down those hills. So I prepared myself to spend the day alone and take it easy around the main village. I was even getting a little excited to do this. But as soon as we got off the ferry I talked to Nora and then an old Irish man approached us asking if we wanted to go on a horse and carriage tour. Yes, please! His name was Jerry and no questions asked it was the best way to see the place. He knew all the details of the Island - where Julia Roberts stayed for a couple weeks vacation time, where the oldest woman on the Island lived and that she married two of her brothers, where the live music would be that night, how the locals spend their time.
He dropped us off at Dun Aengus (an old fort that sits on top of the cliffs) and gave us about two hours to hike up there and admire everything. You could certainly spend a whole day up there with a picnic basket and your camera.
Between our tour and dinner, Nora and I walked around the island some more and found what I called "the secret garden" and took pictures of the beautiful life on this island: the wandering chickens, cats, goats, etc. We're good at traveling. Dinner at the Aran Fisherman, then live music at Ti Joe Watty's, a walk to the hostel under the milky way like I've never seen it, followed by finding a place to lie down to stare at the stars for a while. I had never stayed in a hostel before, no complaints.
The next day some of us stayed later than others and I wasn't excited about this at first because I was tired and felt like I had seen plenty the day before. But boy, anticipation can really slap you in the face. It turned out to be a really fun day. Nora, Jake, and I went to see the old castle and light house, then continued wandering off course to see real great parts of the Island. A little dog followed us around for about 45 minutes before we decided we couldn't ACTUALLY take him home with us and we returned him. He was so cute and never wanted to leave our side. A cup of seafood chowder before we caught the ferry home. Isn't that cool? I call Galway home!
The next week was filled up with going to class, drinking, getting to know my friends, brainstorming future travel plans, and more drinking. They don't have bloody marys here. Or Mexican food. I think that's one ticket bringing me back to America this December. I miss enchiladas and chimichangas and tostadas. Once we had tequila night and I made pico de gallo for everyone.
On Tuesday of this week Sean and I went to Dunnes grocery store to buy stuff for mimosas, it was early in the afternoon, and we saw a hit-and-run. A woman went rolling and flying off this man's windshield which was completely smashed in, and he peeled out of there so quick, smoke and screeching of tires and all. It was aweful, we didn't move for a couple seconds because it was so mind blowing and suddenly several pedestrians and people in their cars moved towards this woman. Sean and I walked by one of her tennis shoes that had flown off so we brought it over to her. I happened to hear that she was talking but didn't see her move at all. It was unbelievable to not only see the accident happen but to see the man drive away. It was upsetting, but our afternoon cocktails were a treat to go home with!
The following Saturday I did a tour of the Cliffs of Moher with my roommate Skylar and friend Sean. I couldn't believe how touristy this attraction was. We took a tour bus that brought us to a couple places before we saw the cliffs and it was great to have a knowledgeable guide; I don't think I'll do another tour like this though. It was incredibly windy up there: our tour guide told us that either at the end of last tourist season or right before this one, the park crew had collected 3,000 umbrellas at the bottom of the cliffs. We had fun here but because we were with the bus we were really time restricted. I think the cliffs at Dun Aengus might have been my favorite, perhaps because we lucked out with weather but there was something a little more exciting about them. Maybe the fact that I could lay over the edge and stare down at the water? We were so tired when we got back and it was raining so we took a cab back, rested, then found the energy to make it downtown in our little group of five. Sunday we explored what was left of the market and other little side streets of the city center.
Finally all of my classes started this week! I now was getting a real taste for my schedule and the classes that had been going on before were now starting to pick up. It was nice to stop anticipating my schedule and actually live it. In my human sexuality course we watched a video about a man in the army who falls in love with a transsexual and is then brutally murdered. Never have I ever left a class so disenchanted and upset. I love my Early Modern Literature class. So far we've investigated Hamlet, Othello, and now The Merchant of Venice. My Service Learning course is going well too, and the exciting part is we figure out the homework clubs ourselves. I was expecting to already be signed up for a specific homework club once joining the class; that he would tell us when we started, how we'd get there, etc. But we pick the club, get in contact with the people ourselves, and go from there. It's a great learning experience.
Because the cost of energy in Ireland is high, our hot water heater is on a timer. I rarely have a hot shower and if I do it's cold by the end. I'm wearing a new scent: Lola by Marc Jacobs. I'm in love with my friends. I don't have class Thursday and Friday - it's awesome. There are so many places I want to see, but I don't know how to prioritize it yet. I've already booked my Amsterdam flight! It'll be Sean, Jim, Alex, George, Skylar and myself the first weekend in November. London and Stratford are next on my list (excluding many places in Ireland) and hopefully Scotland. I have friends going to Paris, Italy, Spain, Greece has even been mentioned. So I need to do a little budgeting, a little e-mailing, and figure out my essay schedule so I can get the ball rolling on these flights! I saw Fool for Love a week ago by myself. The one put on by my friends at the University of Iowa for Sarah's honors project found more of my appreciation. After the show my friends weren't downtown yet so I went to a pub. By myself. It was great! But because I was by myself, the beer went down a little faster than it normally would. Three pints later, I met up with some friends and went to a place called The Crane. They're famous for their traditional Irish music. Have I mentioned how in love I am with that noise? After this we met up with the guys at Sonny's.
My roommate left for the weekend - Oktoberfest. She said it was completely insane and she couldn't have handled one more day. She didn't get to meet mom, dad, and grandma who came in on Friday. They got here at about noon, and it was about one by the time they found and walked over to my apartment. I made them home-made alfredo & pasta. Then we toured campus, got some coffee, explored downtown and took dad shopping for a wool hat (he loves it so much I'm sure he sleeps in it), introduced them to Tig Coili where we had a few pints and listened to music, then we went to Galway's Culture night.
This night was great and I was hoping to explore more of it. It was a night basically celebrating all the different art forms: dance, traditional music, literature, theatre, art, etc. All over town at many different venues there were events going on all day and night. First we went to a traditional music show where there was a traditional Irish Harp and a French bagpipe and other whistles and drums. They were dressed in their renaissance clothing and talked about the intruments and the dance that goes with the song. It was really great to see; the even better part was the venue it was in is a ruin of an ancient stone building. I didn't even know this place existed in Galway and it reminded me how much more exploring I have to do. Anyway, this was a wonderful event. Then we went and saw a screening of a show by John Millington Synge. I wrote a research paper on him and another one of his plays last year, so it was fun to know a little bit before going in. I also saw a sign for the show that I specifically wrote the paper on, The Playboy of the Western World, and it's coming to Galway soon! It feels good to know I've learned something in college. Not only that, but something I enjoy. When we were at the Book of Kells at Trinity College in Dublin, we went through the old Library were they have different exhibits. On display was the typewriter and some other memorabilia used in The Playboy. I was excited to say "hey guys, I know this stuff! I wrote a paper on it!". Further down the exhibit was the original script I wrote another paper on for theatre history: Shakuntala.
After our miniature taste of Galway's Culture Night we found dinner. Seafood Chowder for the ladies and Lamb for the man. Supper made the long-time travelers tired and as I was walking them out of The Quays, Jim George and Sean found me. So they briefly met the folks, and then we went to The Kings Head to listen to an amazing band. On Saturday I met the family downtown to do some more exploring and walk through the market which is abundant with veggies and artwork and food and Jewelry. This weekend was also Galway's famous Oyster Festival so downtown was pretty crowded. After we had an afternoon lunch and drink at Nimmo's by the bay, I went my own way from my parents who were embarking on a cruise on the river. I had some alone time. What better thing to do than go shopping! Found a hat and dress - just the deal for tonight's plans: out on the town with the guys and the family.
Mom, dad, G, and I had a wonderful seafood dinner at McSwiggans. Before hand they had shared a bottle of wine and while we waited for our table, dad and I ventured into the whiskey. Jameson on the rocks for me. After we ate, we walked up the street to The Hole in the Wall to meet Jim, George, and Sean and after a beer moved along to Sonny's. This was a riot. We all had a bit much alcohol in us and the place was totally packed. I was so proud to see my grandma squish through all those people and sit down to have another drink with all of us! We found a corner table and after a throw back of Jameson realized we should move to an atmosphere that permitted talking and getting to know each other better. So we went back down by the bay to The Townhouse Bar where we sat at a table outside and my parents got to know my friends; I was so happy to be showing my family my new friends and my new life. Also, everyone had a great time!
Sunday morning was a bit slow for the Gansen family and Ms. Dickinson. I went to the B&B where they were staying to have a gourmet breakfast with them before heading out; just the perk I needed for the day! I got into the front passenger seat of the rental car...on the left side. I was pretty impressed with how calm and collected dad was with driving in this country, and pretty impressed with how calm I was as well. There were a couple run-ins with the curb and bushes, but overall it wasn't too shabby. Our first stop on the drive was Brigit's Garden. Definitely my favorite stop of the day, with all of these mythical and magical huts and woods and gardens and stone monuments and information. Fairies definitely come out at night. I had so much fun frolicking and playing. After an hour there we continued the drive through Connemara and the Inagh Valley and to Kylemore Abbey. After a lunch at a little hotel we made it to Cong to see another Abbey. I was exhausted by this point, so the family dropped my off at my apartment and were on their way back to their B&B for a long night's rest since their week is full of more driving and sight-seeing.
I hope I'll get my next entry in sooner than this one. I had a lot of good memories to dig up but staring at the computer screen for more than four hours isn't my forte.
I just re-read some of my writing journal and can't believe how happy I am, how proud I am. I have already seen gorgeous parts of Ireland outside of where I'm living, I'm attending a University and everything is finally making sense, I've gotten familiar with this wonderfully artsy and cozy town, but most importantly I've met my people. There are still many more to meet and learn from, but the people I see and play with every day are the people I love and who are a huge part of my new life. After hours of working on this blog, I think I know the last part missing: finding some other way to get involved. Once my volunteering at a homework club begins, this will probably feel a little better, but there are still other clubs or theatre events I should become a part of. So. On to my next goals, my next adventures.
Until next time,
Dancin' Gansen
