Words are worth a thousand pictures: Part I
My friend, Pat, brought to my attention that I haven’t written in a while. Mea Culpa, Pat.
Truthfully, I have much to write about but haven’t had the time to write. But, today I will dispense with the pictures for a bit and describe to you all that has happened in the last few days. So, get yourself a nice cup of tea, sit back comfortably and on with the blog…
After 3 weeks here I’ve come to find myself going native, so to speak. I’m learning the proper pronunciation of some of the Gaelic, ordering chicken on brown bread (wheat bread) with salad (coleslaw) and I even eat my fried egg sandwiches with brown sauce (like a mild steak sauce). In fact, I’ve found my whole experience to be enhanced simply for the everyday living. Working on the farm has given me an almost parental feeling of responsibility to my plants, the locals have come to expect a song from me whenever I’m at the pub and I don’t feel my day has started properly until I’ve got my “latte to take away” from the local bistro. Its one thing to be here to experience the life and its another thing altogether to feel like you belong.
The people of Ireland are friendly as they come. While asking directions to a hostel I was offered a cup of tea before going on my way. When I needed help to change a flat the rental company advised, “just wait awhile, someone will stop and help” and someone did. There’s always a finger wave as you pass each other on the road and there’s always a song being sung in the pubs. Reno may be the worlds biggest little city but I think Ireland is probably the world’s biggest little country.
Now, one can choose to do the touristy things or one can find their own touristy things to do. Going off the beaten path has been quite exciting since there tends to be less crowds, no entrance fees (save for a box nailed to a post asking for a donation), and you’ll see things that many people won’t.
That being said, if you’re in Limerick there’s plenty of Histouristry to be had and places like St. Mary’s can be more interesting for poking in the corners and finding something like the “Lepers Squint” –where the lepers of the community watched the proceedings, by squinting thru a small slit in the wall of the church. From this squint they would also receive alms and communion. Or talking to the ‘living history’ players at King John’s Castle to ask them about the profession they’re representing (coiner, smithy, etc) will get you surprisingly knowledgeable answers. Even the Hunt Museum turned out to be even more interesting then at first appeared because of the manuscripts, natural history and other objets’ d’ arts that can be found if one just opens a drawer or two…
Knowing a local will definitely enhance any experience. Besides my hosts I’ve made a new friend, Cian. Cian, suggested places to visit (worth while touristy and non-touristy) as well as taking me to some of his favorite pubs and introducing me to some of the colourful local folk. I spent a fine evening swapping tunes and stories with Noel and Kate and another evening being introduced to Bacon Fry crisps at Charlie Malone’s (Hi Paddy!).
Saturday morning we went to the Limerick Market, a combination of farmer’s market and ‘car boot’ (flea) market. Tomato plants side-by-side with power tools. A lovely little coffee shop that served up a baguette topped with gruyere cheese and sun-dried tomatoes was just the thing for breakfast and to send me on my way to my next adventure!..
Truthfully, I have much to write about but haven’t had the time to write. But, today I will dispense with the pictures for a bit and describe to you all that has happened in the last few days. So, get yourself a nice cup of tea, sit back comfortably and on with the blog…
After 3 weeks here I’ve come to find myself going native, so to speak. I’m learning the proper pronunciation of some of the Gaelic, ordering chicken on brown bread (wheat bread) with salad (coleslaw) and I even eat my fried egg sandwiches with brown sauce (like a mild steak sauce). In fact, I’ve found my whole experience to be enhanced simply for the everyday living. Working on the farm has given me an almost parental feeling of responsibility to my plants, the locals have come to expect a song from me whenever I’m at the pub and I don’t feel my day has started properly until I’ve got my “latte to take away” from the local bistro. Its one thing to be here to experience the life and its another thing altogether to feel like you belong.
The people of Ireland are friendly as they come. While asking directions to a hostel I was offered a cup of tea before going on my way. When I needed help to change a flat the rental company advised, “just wait awhile, someone will stop and help” and someone did. There’s always a finger wave as you pass each other on the road and there’s always a song being sung in the pubs. Reno may be the worlds biggest little city but I think Ireland is probably the world’s biggest little country.
Now, one can choose to do the touristy things or one can find their own touristy things to do. Going off the beaten path has been quite exciting since there tends to be less crowds, no entrance fees (save for a box nailed to a post asking for a donation), and you’ll see things that many people won’t.
That being said, if you’re in Limerick there’s plenty of Histouristry to be had and places like St. Mary’s can be more interesting for poking in the corners and finding something like the “Lepers Squint” –where the lepers of the community watched the proceedings, by squinting thru a small slit in the wall of the church. From this squint they would also receive alms and communion. Or talking to the ‘living history’ players at King John’s Castle to ask them about the profession they’re representing (coiner, smithy, etc) will get you surprisingly knowledgeable answers. Even the Hunt Museum turned out to be even more interesting then at first appeared because of the manuscripts, natural history and other objets’ d’ arts that can be found if one just opens a drawer or two…
Knowing a local will definitely enhance any experience. Besides my hosts I’ve made a new friend, Cian. Cian, suggested places to visit (worth while touristy and non-touristy) as well as taking me to some of his favorite pubs and introducing me to some of the colourful local folk. I spent a fine evening swapping tunes and stories with Noel and Kate and another evening being introduced to Bacon Fry crisps at Charlie Malone’s (Hi Paddy!).
Saturday morning we went to the Limerick Market, a combination of farmer’s market and ‘car boot’ (flea) market. Tomato plants side-by-side with power tools. A lovely little coffee shop that served up a baguette topped with gruyere cheese and sun-dried tomatoes was just the thing for breakfast and to send me on my way to my next adventure!..
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