Premier Suites Galway

... and "consume" in the western world ... but it perhaps more importantly it left me with a sense of hope that humanity can find a way for itself that will work ... the people I met last time seemed so much happier without all the trappings of consumer societies in the West ... but at the same time they deserve better than we give them ... my big fear is we turn them into more of us consumers, parasitic creatures with no respect ...

... Guinness, the transportation of Guinness, Guinness advertising, the history of the company, the tasting lab (where you sampled the flavor after watching all the ingredients mixed), an "Alcohol IQ test" section, a pour-your-own-pint area...and finally at the top, a "gravity bar", which was essentially a big circular glass room that gave you a view of the whole city. That is where you were able to get your free pint. I've got to say ...

Today started out with a lecture regarding James Joyce. I learned a great deal about this writer. I was even inspired to read Ulysses some day. Then again, who am I fooling? Have you ever seen how thick that book is? I studied J. Joyce's, The Dead in high school AP English. I wish that I had this experience prior to that time. It would have meant so much more to me.

We had part of the ...

... miles and miles of hand-built stone fences.
Our first stop was a ring fort on the top of a cliff that we had to hike up a gradual slope to get to. We first stopped in the visitor's center, where I bought a nice Celtic ring. The path to the top was gravel and enclosed by a stone fence on each side. There was farmland surrounding the entire area. Along the path, there was a man weaving homemade baskets ...

... Stone Forts in all of Ireland. We stated off by watching the movie on the creation of Stone Forts and their history in Ireland. We discovered that wealthier land owners were actually the owners of the Stone Forts. The Fort could also have multiple rings, which the main family living in the innermost ring. There were also separate compartments inside the ring consisting of the kitchen and bedrooms. The clans that lived in these rings could get ...

... a long way down, but only a couple of people could be held there. It was just a small room. The whole castle has a medieval feel. The castle had 4 towers, which I dragged mom up. The stairs were extremely narrow and winding. Literally only one person could fit up the stairs at a time. At one point, there was a serious traffic jam in the stairwell because it was just not made to hold a lot of tourists. We had to climb over people just to ...

... It has been a really long day of traveling to get here so we really haven't seen much today. Tomorrow we are going to the Aran Islands which should be cool and tonight we are going to be heading out to a pub. Supposedly they have some really good live Irish music scene so were are looking foward to having a few drinks and listening to some good music.

Only 15 days left and counting.
Talk to you guys later.

Maura and Michelle

... Connem*r* then we will go over to the Ar*n Isl*nds so they c*n see the Irel*nd I LOVE! Then b*ck to Dublin! Mom will fly out *nd d*d *nd I will fly somewhere else! I *m not sure et where we should go! There *re so m*ny cool countries p*rt of me thinks we should just w*it *nd go to the *irport *nd see wh*ts the che*pest *nd just jump on th*t pl*ne! D*ve w*s s*ying we should go to Sc*ndin*vi* he s*id we would h*ve gre*t cr*ic there but I like ...

... old man! ANYWAYS! I didn't want to get my head wet because I was nowhere near my house to have a shower again so I slowly/fast swam in AGHHHH it was so fun! I tried to stay in longer but all of a sudden in was pins and needles through my whole body and I was like GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!! Haha after that Almudara wanted to go in because we looked like we were having so much fun so she ran in and then we got back into Tara's car and ...

... was a coffin. Whose, I don't know. Maybe one of the fishermen lost off the Connemara coast last week. The other passengers waited as the coffin was loaded onto a wagon pulled by a tractor. Wreaths were placed. The priest spoke for a while, and the circle of people gathered on the dock crossed themselves once and again before we came ashore. It is night now, an early night in a small dark town. The dampness of the sea is thick in the air as it was not ...