July 2, 2016

It has been a busy few days adjusting to the big city, especially after Doolin’s
countryside. Saturday was our travel day. We left Doolin at 9:30 am and stopped a few times along the way. The first time we pulled over was on the side of the road so we could look out over the Burren Way. We jumped back on the bus for our next stop in Poulnabrone Dolmen, or Portal Tomb. It dates back to around 4200 BC and 2900 BC, so you could say it’s a little old. Our final stop and always one of the favorites was lunch. This time we stopped at a small town called Ballyvaughan to eat. We all separated to find our own places, but the majority of us ended up in the same café, which had a delicious breakfast. We walked around briefly before finishing the last hour and a half bus ride. Once we got into Galway, we dropped our things in our apartments (which are very nice and we have much better wifi) then went on a group tour of the city. Tom let us loose in the middle of the city and we had to find our way back. 6 of us stopped to get fish and chips and ate it at the harbor before walking around a bit more then headed home. I spent the rest of the night unpacking, settling in, and going to bed early after the long day of traveling. 

 

July 3, 2016

Today was another free day. A group of 6 was able to wake up fairly early (10 am) and decided to go to brunch. We went to a restaurant that has been standing since 1651 AD, but don’t worry it was redone in 2001. The Irish breakfasts are always so filling and so delicious so we sat there and enjoyed the meal. It’s also nicer eating here than it is back in the States because the servers kind of leave you alone and don’t try to rush you like some places, which is great unless you really need something you can’t get yourself. We tried to go to the Town Theatre to buy our tickets for the Galway Film Fleadh (Festival), but like half the things here, it’s closed on Sundays. We wanted to kill some time so we walked all over the city, making a couple stops of our own: one in the park for ice cream and the other at a playground. We started making our way back to the city center to make it back early for the Galway vs Kilkenny hurling match. On our way back we stumbled upon the Seafest on the harbor. It was really cool to walk through and they were trying to raise money for their rowing team, who are going to compete in Rio. The entrance we walked in at was filled with the Irish military showing kids tanks, different guns and equipment, and had their own orchestra to entertain the guests. The next section we walked through was all the food vendors. Everything smelled delicious and it was impossible to choose between them all. Stuart and Ryan got donuts, which we shared. You could tell they were freshly made. They were slightly different with this lemony-citrus jam on top of the center. We walked around the harbor to check out what else they had. There were tons of military ships, sailboats, and a pirate ship that filled the water. Some even gave tours to the guests. The next thing was a mobile museum (much bigger than it sounds). It was very impressive. I don’t think any of us were expecting it. The museum was filled with all the facts, displays, and games about oceanography that you could imagine. I think the group favorite was the sandbox that had a projector over it to show what it would look like on a topographic map.

We went to a nearby pub to watch the match just a little after it started. Unfortunately Kilkenny came back and won, but it was so much fun learning about the game and all the rules of hurling. To sum it up, it’s basically every sport mixed together and you can do pretty much anything you want, “as long as you don’t do it in front of the official” as one announcer pointed out. After the pub we stopped at the grocery store on our way home to pick up only a few groceries and some readymade dinner. We finished our night by watching some movies, then going in early to finish some homework and get to bed.

 

July 4, 2016

Frankly, I can’t believe it is the Fourth of July already! I don’t even feel like we’re halfway through June, especially with this Ireland weather, but somehow it’s here! Our entire group had a full day planned to celebrate, however, the weather foiled those plans. We wanted to have an American day of an amusement park and putt-putt, but those things will have to be postponed. Instead, we had a late start and met up for a late lunch. We then strategized our movies and bought tickets to the festival. Next, we walked around and scoped out all the shops, but I didn’t want to buy anything yet, not until I see it all. We went from shop to shop until we had to meet in front of Rocking Joe’s Diner for a group meal. We all had an American classic of burgers and shakes. We went back to our apartments afterwards to rest a little bit and are trying to go to an American themed bar tonight to finish off our Fourth of July festivities. What’s an American themed bar look like you ask? We have no idea, but we’re told there’s a mechanical bull, which is basically all you need right?

I missed the Fourth party at Piney soo much, but I enjoyed all the fireworks and snapchats I received from everyone. Fourth of July in another country is obviously not the same and doesn’t feel like it at all, but it’s ok it was still a good day. We even had a guy come up to us to wish us a Happy Independence Day, which was a nice surprise. So far really enjoying Galway and I can’t wait till I know my way around the city even more!