Nothing like a good day of surfing in Ireland. Especially on a day of complete overcast and wind :)! We headed down to the beach of Tramore with all of our new International friends and volunteered to be the photographers for the day as they surfed...why you may ask yourself? BBrrrrr... We used Kelly's cold as an excuse. As they swam in the frigid water we snuck away for a hot latte with our french, Irish, Italian, and Brazilian friend and instead had great conversation. Great toss up!
We spent most of the day in Tramore and met more connections...a Russian from Latvia, an Italian from India, a New Yorker, and a gal from Dublin. All of us headed up the the house for a meal together, 16 of us in all. Just picture it...cross culture conversation...it was beautiful! Couldn't of asked for a better meal.
After lunchish dinner we all got ready and headed to Spraoi Festival in Waterford to watch the fireworks. But first, of course, we headed to a pub. An American Pub, mind you...yes that was the name of the pub and we were surrounded by license plates from the good ole U.S. of A. Nothing like sitting next to an Oregon plate in Ireland! COME ON! We met our friend Karen's daughter and found ourselves playing Go fish, old maid, and Memory over a pint of Guinness. First time for everything! And we need to mention here...we ordered water and our dear friends Robbie and Michael brought us back a pint of Guinness...apparently thats water here. Whatever.
Then we went out and all enjoyed the fireworks together over the waterfront in waterford. Quite an experience...watching fireworks in Ireland with russians and french, etc... We finsihed the night by a fire sipping on hot chocolate and journaling. Life is hard!
We woke up and Karen offered to drive us to Kilkenny and then to Youghal, our next stop and we enjoyed a road trip with Michael the pennsylvanian and maya the brazilian. We travelled by the sounds of Airsupply, Jackson Five, Hanson, and other amazing tunes. The mix was quite enjoyable! We went to the Dunmore Caves (random) and learned about the vikings and irish hiding in the caves from them and saw the largest stalagmite in all of Ireland...oohhh aahhh. We stopped by Jerpoint Abbey and took pictures in the ruins. Then we went into Kilkenny and visited the Kilkenny Castle and it was beautiful. Mind you Amy and I posed as French students the whole day, borrowing Maya's student card from studying in France to get in cheap. Yep...we lied to save money, we felt guilty enough...don't judge us!
Then we headed to Dungarven to meet up with our next connection and found out the two french we had met were staying with us too! So exciting! We are now at our new place in Youghal and are excited to view the beach town, hear some traditional Irish music (finally), head into Cork, and visit the Blarney Castle.
Final Note: Our english and pronunciation as improved as we try to not sound "american" or ignorant. We have noticed we are starting to sound old english over nasty american slang!
This is Amy and Kelly signing off.
p.s. you are not going to be hearing from us everyday so don't get to excited moms...we have just been blessed with free internet lately!
We spent most of the day in Tramore and met more connections...a Russian from Latvia, an Italian from India, a New Yorker, and a gal from Dublin. All of us headed up the the house for a meal together, 16 of us in all. Just picture it...cross culture conversation...it was beautiful! Couldn't of asked for a better meal.
After lunchish dinner we all got ready and headed to Spraoi Festival in Waterford to watch the fireworks. But first, of course, we headed to a pub. An American Pub, mind you...yes that was the name of the pub and we were surrounded by license plates from the good ole U.S. of A. Nothing like sitting next to an Oregon plate in Ireland! COME ON! We met our friend Karen's daughter and found ourselves playing Go fish, old maid, and Memory over a pint of Guinness. First time for everything! And we need to mention here...we ordered water and our dear friends Robbie and Michael brought us back a pint of Guinness...apparently thats water here. Whatever.
Then we went out and all enjoyed the fireworks together over the waterfront in waterford. Quite an experience...watching fireworks in Ireland with russians and french, etc... We finsihed the night by a fire sipping on hot chocolate and journaling. Life is hard!
We woke up and Karen offered to drive us to Kilkenny and then to Youghal, our next stop and we enjoyed a road trip with Michael the pennsylvanian and maya the brazilian. We travelled by the sounds of Airsupply, Jackson Five, Hanson, and other amazing tunes. The mix was quite enjoyable! We went to the Dunmore Caves (random) and learned about the vikings and irish hiding in the caves from them and saw the largest stalagmite in all of Ireland...oohhh aahhh. We stopped by Jerpoint Abbey and took pictures in the ruins. Then we went into Kilkenny and visited the Kilkenny Castle and it was beautiful. Mind you Amy and I posed as French students the whole day, borrowing Maya's student card from studying in France to get in cheap. Yep...we lied to save money, we felt guilty enough...don't judge us!
Then we headed to Dungarven to meet up with our next connection and found out the two french we had met were staying with us too! So exciting! We are now at our new place in Youghal and are excited to view the beach town, hear some traditional Irish music (finally), head into Cork, and visit the Blarney Castle.
Final Note: Our english and pronunciation as improved as we try to not sound "american" or ignorant. We have noticed we are starting to sound old english over nasty american slang!
This is Amy and Kelly signing off.
p.s. you are not going to be hearing from us everyday so don't get to excited moms...we have just been blessed with free internet lately!
Hello girls...I'm enjoying your updates and wishing I was there. Whoever is writing the entries has got a flare towards true entertainment! You've made me smile more than once and the pictures...my, my...I could tell Amy was truly "enjoying" her Guinness. Continue with the fun! :O
ReplyDeleteWhat a great adventure!! Oh my! I am enjoying hearing about all the unique people you are running into and about your new found accents:) Thank you for the great stories:)
ReplyDeleteOh I can't wait to talk to you when you get back!! Wait, you are coming back to Oregon/SW Washington when you get back? Well I hope so!! Miss you tons and incredibly jealous of your fun!
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