Galway, Eire :)
Trip Start
May 31, 2007
1
8
25
Trip End
Aug 15, 2007
Galway, Ireland
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Even stepping off of the bus proved Galway to quickly become an Irish favorite of mine. Small towns with great parks and nearby water...exactly what I like. I checked into my hostel and caught up on emails and pictures. I met a girl named Hannah from Germany, she was on a short vacation from being a au pair (full-time nanny) in Cork. Once figuring out our common link of being nannies, we planned to bond more over beer that evening. We walked into town and chose to watch live music at King's Head. We met a few guys who were out celebrating who knows what, perhaps life in general. We sang and danced to the band (The Dangennes...I think?) who played covers of American music...I wish it wasn't so prevalent. Once again I outchugged an Irishman...both with beer of my choice, and Jameson and coke..his choice. Due to his lose, the guys asked to take Hannah and I to club 903 which was also a lot of fun.
I had originally planned on seeing the Cliffs of Moher today but fellow travelers warned me of a dissapointing adventure. They had told me that the edge of the cliffs were blocked off so that you weren;t able to look over the edge. I was uninterested in these cliffs without being able to stand on the edge. Instead, I opted for the Aran Islands, just off the western shore. I took a hydrofoil ferry to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. I knew that the islands weren't large at all, perhaps the size of Key West? I chose to rent a bike and enjoy the scenery that was to expected of an Irish island. Although the ride was a bit tough at times with all of the hills, I was more than happy with my decision. I collected some Irish sand at a beach to add to my collection. I went to the complete opposite side of the island to see Dun Aonghasa, a stone fort perched atop the highest point of the island. From here, the cliffs are at their highest point as well, and not blocked off in any way. The entire island is like a limestone field if I recall correctly. Rocks are all over the place, making up walls to divide properties, block off old roads, and randomly stacked up for what reasons I don't know. No trees exist on the Aran Islands (only shrubbery), and cattle animals roam freely (cows, horses, goats, sheep, and chickens). The Celts settled in the Aran Islands over 4,000 years ago and ruins remain from their churches and castles. The Arans (?) seem to really be into their culture and tradition still. Well known handmade Aran sweaters are still done completely on the islands. Sheering the sheep, spinning the wool, knitting the sweaters, and then finally selling the products.
I ended up meeting a very interesting guy while I was eating my lunch. We started good conversation that didn't falter for hours and I ended up getting on his bus back to wherever rather than my own back to Galway. Once at our destination of who knows where, I hitched a ride back to Galway with 2 nice girls.
Galway was simply my favorite place in Ireland, hands down. I'd love to go back and stay or live there for a while. I know I have 1 friend who would come with me with no hesitation, perhaps we'll get there soon enough.
Randoms:
- Sewage leaked into the water refuge in Galway so DON'T DRINK THE WATER! I'm hoping they fixed that all up at this point.
- Certain streets are blocked off that only guardia, postmen, and government cars can get down. Their vehicles are equipped with special chips that intruct the metal posts to retreat into the ground so that they can get by.
- If I ever return I'd like to bike the Connemara Loop, it's supposed to have amazing scenery.
- The sheep outnumber the people in Ireland.
