Dingle: The Western Edge of Europe

Not many people can claim that they have been to "the westernmost town in Europe," but now I can (although I wouldn't've known it if the guide book hadn't said so). Now, there are a few villages further west of Dingle...so I haven't been as far west as you can go...but really, I think we did rather well considering we decided to take a day trip.

So, this morning we left from the bus station at the early hour of 8:30 am. I learned at 7:30 that my phone alarm also lights up when it goes off, since it's was completely dark then. The sun was starting to sort of come up around 8:00, but it was cloudy all day -- until it went dark again around 6:30 pm (although, I'm sure it was still cloudy, it doesn't really matter as much then).

The bus went from Cork to Tralee. Then we had to wait in Tralee to get to Dingle -- or An Daingean (pronounced: on dang-un), as it is now offically called since it's in a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area); full story over at the BBC, if you're interested (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6062312.stm).

We got into Dingle after the most horrific bus ride I've had in ages. It was fine until we went up into the mountains seperating Tralee from Dingle. Up there the fog, the winding road, the jerking driving and the funky smell combined to make 3 out of 4 of us feel ill (the fourth was in a deep sleep).

So, after being released from the bus about an hour after getting on, we headed for lunch. Because that seems like the logical thing to do after nearly getting sick, right? Then after lunch we went in search of water (and possibly the local celebrity: Fungi the Dolphin). We did not see Fungi (aside from the bronze statue by the pier) and there were no lovely views to be seen due to the fog. We did manage, however, to wile away three hours there, just wandering around. 'Twas grand.

The fog decided to lift some around the time we had to head back (we caught the last bus out of Dingle that would allow us to catch the last bus out of Tralee), which made the ride back much more enjoyable. Even if there was this lady talking to the driver (for longer than was probably necessary to cover the topic) about how most people don't have any respect anymore, thanks to the prosperity that came with the Celtic Tiger.

Then we had dinner in Tralee -- on The Square (which sounds so official). And then headed back to the bus station, since everything touristy had closed by the time we got into town anyhow (around 5:30 pm & everything closes at 5, of course). Then we came back to Cork -- & despite all of us being exhausted, none of us could really sleep on the bus ride back, alas.

So that's pretty much the most exciting thing I've done recently. Unless you want to count actually going to a nightclub on a student night (which, I admit, was hilarious) & going to a very late Oktoberfest at Francisan Wells (one of my new favourite pubs, if you were wondering). Although, things should get interesting agian with Hallowe'en just around the corner -- I might have two parties to go to! This is perhaps more exciting than it should be...but I don't care. :P

Also, pictures have been massively updated (since I actually went somewhere), so go check 'em out!

Céilí & Other Nonsense

Well, it's been a week. I'm still alive. In case you hadn't figured that out yet. Woo!

Anyhow.

I went to the céilí on Saturday night week (translation: last Saturday). It was fun. Even if I didn't know how to do most of the sets...and by most I mean all of them. Although, Irish set dancing is very repetitive, so it's sort of easy to pick up after a while. We set out at 9:30 to meet our driver -- an old Corkonian, probably around 60, who runs a produce stand in the English market and who none of us knew his name until partway through the night. We joked about it being a kidnap attempt...and who would be sacrificed. Morbid, and yet hilarious...as usual, with that sort of subject.

I thought it was going to be a rather small affair -- like 50 people -- but we were informed by our driver, that this céilí was usually attended by 400 to 500 people!

It was crowded, it was loud, it was super hot -- but it was also terribly fun. There were also some amazing dancers (young and old). It was nice to be coupled with them because a) they know the steps/moves you're suppose to do & b) when you get the hang of it, you feel like a pretty good dancer yourself. Ego-boosts are always nice. Although, the one young (& American) guy we managed to wrangle into coming & I did quite well with the Connemara Set. I don't remember the steps, but I'm sure if I saw it again I could manage to dance it rather well.

The best part, however, came just before midnight. They turned on the lights, several tables appeared and tea was brought out -- and scones & little sandwiches.I felt like I had time-traveled to the Regency period -- to the Victorian era -- to any time that the accepted hospitality was to give refreshments ("supper"). It was brilliant.
And probably the closest I will ever get to feeling like I lived in Jane Austen's world.

After the "supper" we danced one last set & got home around 12:40 am. Apparently the céilí usually goes until 2 am!

The rest of the week is terribly boring, especially in comparison. I went to class (well, expect for when I was a bad child & decided not to go to two of them on Tuesday). I had a cold...which I'm almost over now, thankfully. Oh, yeah...and it rained almost the entire week. Seriously. I've seen the sun thrice the entire week -- and each time it was merely for a handful of hours. I can't wait until the "rainy season" is over (I've decided to give it a name, 'cause I'm awesome like that).

Work on the bibliography (the very preliminarly bibliography, mind you) is going well. Although it's slightly unnerving that I have nearly 4 pages worth of books that I should read/look at.

Also, I stumbled across this site: http://www.new7wonders.com/index.php. You can vote on the New Seven Wonders of the World. I thought it was cool & so voted (it's free, you just have to register on the site). Something to waste some time on, if nothing else.
Sadly, there are no Irish sites.

"There's Whiskey in the Jar"

I survived yet another week. Yay!

It's all about celebrating the little things in life.

Today Nienke & I went out to Midleton, which is about 50 mins by bus. Now, you might wonder, what on earth could be so interesting about Midleton?


The Jameson Distillery is located there. Both the current new distillery and the old one, which is a visitors center...and which after a tour, you get a glass of Jameson whiskey. Brilliance, really.

Before the tour, they make you watch a video (the Irish like videos at historical sites -- much like the Brit's). This one had a very grandiose title (something along the lines of "Water of Life, ___ of Time"). It was hilarious...much more so than I'm sure it was intended to be. But, really, when they use the opportunity to basically advertise Jameson whiskey and use such dramatic language and music, it's almost harder not to laugh at it. The tour itself was perfectly normal & rather interesting. Although, if I had heard one more time the differences between the whiskeys, I might've screamed (okay not really). So, in case you were wondering: Irish whiskey is distilled thrice, Scotch whisky twice, and Bourbon (ie, Jack Daniels) once.

And, for the record, I did drink most of a glass of Jameson & ginger ale -- Jameson is really sweet (esp compared to Jack!). I also couldn't resist buying an official whiskey glass (according to the box it's called a "Blenders' Glass") -- with "JAMESON" blazoned across it. Not a bad souvenir, I think -- also, it was rather cheap. :)

That's about all the news I have right now. I've been rather boring of late (I blame school). Although, I might go to a céilí (pronounced "kay-lee") tonight -- Irish set dancing is such fun.

One Week Down...One Year to Go

I survived the first week. Although, I obviously need to find things to do during the hours in between classes. Aside from wandering. Wandering aimlessly is fun...unless there's a very strong, cold wind...and then it's not so much fun.
But, I'm starting to get things together for my thesis now, so I'm sure I will find plenty to do instead. Namely: hunch over books scanning bibliographies in a vain attempt to find something new to add to the topic I've chosen and will fill up the thesis. I already have about 2 pages worth of books to look into after looking over some book lists I compiled last semester. Clearly I was far too bored this afternoon.

Yesterday, to celebrate making it through the week (my first of classes, and Nienke's first of actually having to teach Latin & Greek grammar), we went to Franciscan Wells (pub & brewery). It was fun. Although this very random (& I'm almost positive very drunk) Irishman decided to "quiz" me on random things from American history. Like -- how did the word "Yankee" come about? In general it was just weird randomness...slightly amusing, but I felt bad for Nienke, 'cause he kept looking at her like she was American as well and should know some of the answers.
Although, he was suitably impressed that I knew what was wrong with this statement: "I got some bourbon from Tennessee." Bourbon comes from Kentucky, not Tennessee. It seems fairly common to me, but then, I do have a relative in who works for Jack Daniels, so maybe that rubbed off somehow? (It's more likely that since my mom is from Ohio things like that found their way into my head.)

Saw Little Miss Sunshine tonight. Amazing. I loved it. The characters were brilliant.
Also, their were no previews prior to the movie. It was a bit jarring. I'm so use to ads, movie trailers, etc. beforehand.

Tomorrow it's off to Killarney! With Arcadia study abroad kids. For which I get paid a ridiculous amount of money. And, thus, as a poor postgrad student, I really can't complain.
I'm glad I was slightly devious in finding a way into this "job".
Even if the lady in charge here thinks my name is Cathy. Which brings me to my next point: I've found a worse nickname than being called "Katie" -- that name at least makes sense as a diminutive for "Katherine"..."Cathy" however is slightly harder to get too, I think. Especially in a country full of Kates.
But maybe that's just me.

I've been here for just over three weeks now. It feels like so much more. Odd how the mind warps time like that.

Christina: I have a midterm today
Me: Icky. ... Also, it's weird that you're having midterms whereas it's just the 2nd week of term here
Christina: It's weird that its the second week over there. I'm the normal one
Me: The Irish would argue the opposite
Christina: Well ... the Irish are opposite ... so there

That Dreadful "C" Word

Classes started today. Yay?

I get to attend such interesting lectures. With such fascinating titles. Like: State & Economy in Independent Ireland & Europe 1922-2000, which I had today. I nearly fell asleep in my chair. Perhaps I shouldn't sit in the very last row next time.
I hope tomorrow's classes will be better. "Communications, culture & identity in 20th century Ireland" & "Irish Film History" sound more promising, anyhow.
I'm sure you are all extremely jealous of my enthralling classes.

Also, I think it's slightly frightening that, despite all the classes I have to take, I want to take another one. Voluntarily adding another two hours onto an already busy day.
But, the course is Women & Society in Ireland 1750-1937...which does cover part of my thesis topic. So, really, it's justified. And my advisor said that I might be able to get out of the other seminar I have to take. We'll see.

But, really, even with that extra class, I would be sitting in classrooms no more than 15 hrs a week. Which I know I can handle. See -- I did learn something from college. :P

So, as it stands right now, I've 1 hr of class Mon, 6 hrs Tues, 4/5 hrs Wend, 1 hr Thurs & nothing Friday!
I think that's all of it. For now.

I'll be nice & busy this semester. I hope that this is a good thing, but (as the old saw goes,) "the jury's still out."

Also, it's getting rather cold in the evenings. I guess I'll have to dig out my scarf soon! :D
...& yes, I'm ridiculously excited about that.
...& about this too: "Were you just ridiculously dorky about having your electric kettle again?" - Emily
It's the little things in life, after all, that make it all so interesting.