30 APRIL 2002
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Subject: Ireland Date: 30 April 2002 From: James Clark
DublinTwo weeks in London made Dublin feel provincial in comparison, and after a day I had already felt like I'd "done it". I knew though that Dublin was not about impressive buildings and museums. I recall someone describing Dublin to me as "like Geelong, but funkier". The city feels similar to the cities of Northern England, where the generated wealth was funnelled to fuel Londons Opulence. Dublin is about the people.I was not due to start work for a couple of weeks so I got out of town. As soon as I left it started raining. I had heard about the rain here, now I was experiencing it. I had a poncho with a hood that covered a fair portion of me, even with a back pack underneath, but Irish rain falls in every direction, including up, so I was wet inside my poncho as well. I squelched back to my hostel in Wexford. Rain 1, Jimmy 0. WexfordThe Kennedy's came from this county, so did my Irish relatives.Hmm....must find out about that.CorkThe second largest city in the Republic. An unremarkable port city. It's redeeming features are its narroow city streets that give it that European charm. Corks biggest attraction is just outside the city, the Blarney castle. I seldom, if ever do the really touristy things if you gotta pay for it. One always gets the sensation of being fleeced, and at 5.50 Euro, this was no exception. However, this was one of those times when I felt compelled to go. Kissing the Blarney stone seemed one of those quintessential Irish experiences.Bending over backwards to kiss the Blarney stone is reputed to give you the gift of the gab, the gift of eloquence, or as it was put, "the privilege of telling lies for seven years". I have the ability to talk nonsensical rubbish, but after puckering up, it has not come on tap like they said it would. KillarneyI met up with some international students from all corners of the EU who are currently studying English as a fourth language in Dublin. we were all on a bus going around the Dingle peninsula, in the south west. This is classic Ireland. Stonewall fences and a road that reminded me of the Great ocean road in Victoria, except it is one lane and it is hemmed in by a stone fence. An oncoming car means someone has to reverse until both cars can fit past each other. Ther was even an atlantic fog to add to the atmosphere.We all had lunch at a pub in Dingle, and being that I had just got to Ireland, they had organised a place for me to stay in Dublin. It's moments like these when you say to yourself, "travelling rocks". LimerickToilet. Oh my god, what a toilet. It's only April, but I feel confident in awarding Limerick the golden toilet of the year 2002 award already. You should not be there unless you have a really good reason. I was there visiting a friend.GalwayThis place is awesome. Funky west coast city (town really). Its University influence gives it a bohemian influence, and there is loads to do there. Cafes with real coffee as well. Nearby is the spectacular Aran Islands with its 4000 year old stone fortresses built on the edge of the cliffs. More stone wall lined country lane ways. Great for bike riding.I'm back in Dublin now. I move into a share house tonight and I start working this week. Later, James |
