I have been very badly not holding up to my end of the bargain, you all read ‘em but I haven’t been writin’ ‘em. So with out further adieu… Galway.
As it was described to me Galway should be known as “The Great Galway,” no one hated Galway, and I heard nothing but good things about it. I can see why they would say that; it felt like an idyllic Irish city from the 1800’s except for all the tourists. I heard very few Irish accents during my 4 days there, aside from store clerks and bar workers. It is a great jumping off point for the ring of Kerry and most of the little towns to the north. There is a standing energy around Galway that you can’t help but notice. Everyone is happy and chip and generally in good moods. But it wasn’t what I had expected or wanted to see.
I had met up with a kiwi girl named Julie who was looking for work when I was down in Cork, and it just so happened that she was going to be in my hostel in Galway. So I didn’t have to worry about not knowing anyone. The only problem was that it didn’t force me to go out and meet people. It is very easy to slip into a comfortable situation and not put yourself out there, which can be cancer for a lone traveler. I found myself only doing things with her and another American girl who was also there to find work. They had no money to do fun things so we only did the free stuff. Though it was, fun it required being in the 32 degree temperature for entirely too long. So after about two days of this I decided I was going to venture out on my own. This is when I picked up my sweater from Omilee’s. Quick little bit of history for you all, in 1952 John Ford and Hollywood descended on a small village outside of Galway to film a movie staring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. It is about an American boxer who quits the ring to find his childhood village and settle down for a more subdued way of life. Omilee’s was the store that outfitted the entire cast. This is one of my favorite movies by the way. So when I saw the store I had to go in. The nice, patiant lady that ran the place helped me pick out a very warm and soft sweater, after realising that I had a knack for picking out women’s attire. It went something like this,
“Oooh I like this one.”
“Now that, my boy, is made for ladies.”
“Oh, OK… WOW this one is nice!”
“Now that one is for ladies also, why don’t you try this one on it is a very nice one and popular with the men in the town.”
“oh, OK… Ill take it!”
It is a very nice manly sweater. I didn’t know this but the patterns in the wool tell your fortune or bring you good tidings.
The next day I rallied the hostel troupes for a night of fun and revelry. Again it seemed we had a meeting of the Jr. UN ambassadors, French, American, New Zealand, Australian, Italian, Spanish, and i think one Germain were all represented. We found a very large pub that was playing some “trad” music (don’t worry dad i got video), where we stayed for the rest of the night. I met a very sweet, pretty, american girl who was teaching English in France and living with ’sigh’ her boyfriend. But we watched the music, and drank, and laughed, and tried to understand the Spaniard who had been speaking English for about 4 days. Then went back to the hostel for what was going to be for some, a very short nights sleep.
Then I headed to Kilkenny (you bastards!), which will be the next entry.
Till then, remember, Heart is where the home is.
November 4, 2008 at 6:41, am
And now you know why none of the women in our acquaintance will let us shop for clothing unsupervised.
I gather you’re in or approaching Glasgow, weather permitting. I hope Scotland is kind to you. Remember what Bilbo said: “I know I’m on an adventure when I wish I was home.”
Love you, Kiddo!