Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[catviking75]

Hey all,

Soooooo randomly stumbled across this site and really liked it so decided to join!

Anyways...I'm Kirsty, i'm 20 years old and live in Bonny Scotland (Edinburgh.) I can't wait to meet everyone and make a few new friends!

Hopefully i'll see you all later!

[wakingdream]

Hey Kirsty!! This IS a great site! I just joined up myself a little while ago and have had loads of fun and good advice! Will be in N. Ireland this December, and planning on getting over to Edinburgh as well. I am really excited as I have never been to your neck of the woods! Cheers and welcome girl!

[siscri]

Hey Kirsty. Welcome to the cult that is Travelpod.

Wakingdream, no plans to head to the real Ireland?

[wakingdream]

Siscri, I would LOVE to head to the "real" Ireland! We are jumping around a bit, and decided to get up there to see some family of a friend that's going to be with me, see Belfast and tour the surroundings. I think I would like longer then a week to tour around Ireland! The 'real" Ireland that is! I have a funny feeling that once I've been there, I will have a really hard time not going back! Are you there? So if you are, you are definitely not from the fake part then, right? Is this like how I think Quebec is the fake in Canada?

[ScottWoz]

Hey Kirsty,

Good to have you around. There are plenty of topics and friendly folk around here to keep you amused. Enjoy..

[siscri]

Are you there? So if you are, you are definitely not from the fake part then, right? Is this like how I think Quebec is the fake in Canada?

I'm afraid I'm not there at the moment, but I hope to be back before the end of the year.

I'm from Dublin in the Republic of Ireland...the real Ireland. Northen Ireland is a great place, but when a country has the word 'Northern' in it it's safe to say that somewhere along the line somebody has been up to no good. It's still Ireland, but you'll find it masquerading as part of Britain.

Is Quebec the fake part of Canada? How so? Some people might say Canada is the fake part of the U.S.
Not me, of course.

[mizliz]

I think wakingdream likely means "different", not fake.

Quebec is certainly different than the rest of Canada. They hang onto their French culture and many people there don't recognize the rest of Canada, and certainly not English speaking Canada.

They also have language laws that very strictly enforce only French street signs, etc. Nevertheless, it is an extremely interesting place to visit, but as they say, I wouldn't want to live there!

My roots are in Northern Ireland and I must say I'm proud of that, mainly because I don't want to be part of the herd.

[kris]

Anyways....I'm Kirsty, i'm 20 years old and live in Bonny Scotland (Edinburgh). I can't wait to meet everyone and make a few new friends!

Hey Kirsty!!

Hey Kirsty.

Hey Kirsty,

everyone.. kirsty is just SPAM for xanax drugs..

I'm from Dublin in the Republic of Ireland...the real Ireland. Northen Ireland is a great place, but when a country has the word 'Northern' in it it's safe to say that somewhere along the line somebody has been up to no good.

siscri, are you talking about southern ireland?

[siscri]

Oh yeh. I don't get why spammers hide their links like that. Doesn't it defeat the purpose?

Yeh, I was referring to Southern Ireland. But take it with a pinch of salt.

[wakingdream]

No mizliz, I did mean fake, not different, and I meant it as a joke. Being a that I have lived in Canada for a few decades, I have good idea about Quebec, and I'd have to say that the french who don't want to be a part of Canada are the fakes, but if you prefer "different" then so be it. This is just my opinion, and as siscri says; "take it with a grain of salt".
Siscri, I just say that about Quebec b/c they just can't be happy to be a part of Canada, they MUST distinguish themselves, but as I see it, we should all be proud to be part of such a great country and not try to show how we are different, but maybe unite for a change. It's nice to realize our similarities as humans, and not always be pointing out our differences. And yes, I'm sure there are tons of people who might see Canada as the "fake" US. I find that kind of funny! But, Canada is Canada, and the US is the US, and at no time have we ever been the same country, and we NEVER will be either! Did, you know that the US is trying to erect a fence between us and them? Haha! It makes it sound like we are all just aching to climb our Canadian butts over there! Now there is a joke!!

[ScottWoz]

everyone.. kirsty is just SPAM for xanax drugs..

Nice one Kris, the crap has since disappeared. At least we got a reasonable thread out of it..

[wakingdream]

Can you clarify where you got the info that the U.S. is "trying" to erect a fence along the longest unprotected border in the world? All I have read about is cameras and possible use of drones and sensors. And by the way, border control would be to keep out those that wanted to harm the U.S. not ordinary Canadien citizens "trying" to get in. I think the joke is in in your analyisis. Funny huh?

Well Allen, you're right, it will not necessarily be a physical fence, but it could be, no one knows yet. The US is studying the efficacy of this proposition now, which can be read about in just about any major Canadian news publication. It is pretty much a split decision last I read. And yes, I do realize that the barrier , if voted to pass, is not to keep ordinary citizens out!! It's just that the imagery of that is quite amusing to me, considering the well known animosity towards the US since the war began. Some might even go as far as to say that the real threat is from the US and that in fact, they are the ones that are doing the terrorizing. But, I digress, b/c political arguments are just not my style.

[siscri]

Had a quick look around and the US/Canada border thing seems to be a 'virtual fence' - so yes, just cameras and sensors and watchtowers and everyday border protection stuff. It's aimed mainly at drug smugglers and terrorists who envy America's freedom, etc.

Interesting. I'd never heard of it.

Waking, I see what you mean now about Quebec trying to distinguish itself, but I guess that's true of most people. I mean, I distinguish myself as a Northsider, then a Dubliner, then from Ireland, then I'm pro-European, but then it'd all boil down to being just like everyone else on this planet. So I guess as long as you don't lose sight of what you have in common, it makes things interesting to distinguish yourself, especially when it comes to mocking people, and sport (Cyprus 5 - Ireland 2 - ridiculous).

How come every topic in these forums always ends up about Canada? I know it's a Canadian site, but come on.

[wakingdream]

Siscri, yeah, you're right, people do like to distinguigh themselves from each other. Especially with sports , but I like to think if it as more of a poking fun thing, not really having true hostility towards each other. I guess I am just bothered by this french/english Canadian thing, but you what, I'll make you a promise and I'll shut the heck up about it, b/c in the end, it's really a useles debate! I have heard so many arguments over the french canada thing that I myself am getting sick of it. Soooo, I think that b/c Canada is so huge, and I haven't travelled much of Europe, I keep forgetting that driving across many European countries does not really take that long! Since you mentioned Dublin, I've now got this hankering to check it out. So, in staying about an hour south of Belfast, the drive to Dublin would only be a few hours or so? I think I need to check it out!

[siscri]

Yeh, it's all poking fun. I wouldn't have any hostility. I'm a pacifist who dabbles in nihilism.

Sure you could drive to Dublin in a couple of hours. When did you say youre hitting Ireland? Do you know whereabouts you're staying south of Belfast?

[wakingdream]

Yeh, it's all poking fun. I wouldn't have any hostility. I'm a pacifist who dabbles in nihilism.

Sure you could drive to Dublin in a couple of hours. When did you say youre hitting Ireland? Do you know whereabouts you're staying south of Belfast?

Okay, cool! Happy to hear that. Landing in Belfast on the 26th and staying 2 nights. We have a birthday to celebrate while we're there! Then heading down around Ballygally and we'll have a car so no definite plans, just touring around. We are planning on getting to Dublin. Any suggestions?

[siscri]

I am so out of touch with Dublin it's not funny.

Tourists always go to see the Book of Kells. The bar at the top of Guinness Storehouse is pretty good, but the museum is average. The Spire is awesome. The centre of town is getting quite generic-European but there are still some nice spots to wander around - I like walking Dublin so I'd recommend getting a walking tour map from the tourist office. And then I guess just hit the pubs and maybe try and catch some live music.

I'll have a think what else there is to do.

[wakingdream]

I heard this rumour tonight. It had to do with a dead body in the vat and how Guinness recieved it's wonderful flavour initially, way back when! Is this an old wives tale? It seems pretty silly!! Please dispell the argument for me, as the argument was quite convincing! Maybe I am just way too naive!!

[siscri]

I've never heard that before. I don't believe it. Guinness would be in alot more than one vat, so you'd need to have a dead body in each one. It would explain the taste though.

I'd be more worried about the country pubs where they never clean the taps. And the 'slops'...ask for a pint of the slops.

[wakingdream]

The "slops" Ewwwww! I worked in a pub for years called the Albion Hotel. It was initially a hotel/pub, and now just a pub. Cool history actually. It's just over a hundred years and old, the building has it's issues. Anyway, the taps are pretty old, and the guy who used to own the pub was a major cheapskate and NEVER did anything the right way, only the cheap way. You know; do it right the first time..... so, the taps were SO disgusting and this slime used to come out, and just hang there. I'd be pouring a pint for someone, and a huge slimer would start inching out, and ,oh, I'm getting grossed just thinking of it! Ah, sorry pal, don't think you want this! Well, I know it's a bit evil, but, if it was a real prick ordering, I'd give it to him anyway if he didn't notice! I know, evil eh? Yuck!
Jeez, I'll believe almost anything if you give me enough pints! Dead bodies! Ha!
Hey siscri, where might be a good place in Dublin to catch some of that live music you mentioned?