Like a Rolling Stone...
The computer lab is simply too hot to concentrate, so I’ll write these entries from the cooler confines of my room and visit the computer lab only to post them. That said, allow me to recount this past weekend.
Saturday began with a trip to City Centre with my fellow AU students, Abby and Casey. We took the bus to O’Connell Street and made our way to the Moore Street market, a street lined with produce vendors. My advisor in the Arts department recommended a trip to Moore Street to find fresh fruits and vegetables and to hear “real Dublin cries and accent.” She was right. The market is slightly off the beaten path and seems to have survived the influx of touristy shops and trendy up-scale clothing stores that have become its neighbors. The butchers display their cuts in front windows and shoppers gather around to watch them at work. Another vendor had the most colorful bouquets of flowers I’ve ever seen. They must have been manipulated right? I didn’t buy anything but I plan on it. I’m going to try my hand at cooking some kind of traditional Irish meal next weekend.
Next, we did some shopping at discount stores. I bought two more pillows for my bed and a Brita water filter (if you know me, then you know that I have water with me 24/7). The department stores here are very crowded and messy and it’s fun to watch customers rifle through the merchandise tossing it this way and that looking for a deal.
We made our way back down O’Connell Street towards Grafton Street because we wanted to visit St. Stephen’s Green. On the way, we encountered a Sinn Fein rally in front of the Post Office. Sinn Fein, which means “We Ourselves,” is Ireland’s oldest political party and its chief goal is to rid Ireland of British occupation and influence. It’s easy to forget that the Republic of Ireland is less than 100 years old. Political unrest and turmoil is in the not-so-distant past. There was a main speaker and in front of him were about 10 soldiers, some of whom appeared to be as young as 10, holding flags and wearing sunglasses and black berets. I don’t know any more about the situation than I’ve already said but it was strange to see a militant-looking rally on the street.
We walked along the big iron fence enclosing St. Stephen’s Green past rows of artists who set up shop there on the weekend then took the bus back to school. My advisor gave me a myriad places to visit in and around Dublin, not just in City Centre. Who better for advice on where to go than someone who lives here? I’ll probably wait until Pam’s here to see most of her suggestions. I didn’t take any pictures of this week’s outing but Abby did and hopefully she’ll send them to me soon so I can post them.
Watched the week-old Emmy awards broadcast Saturday night at Abby and Casey’s flat. First TV I’ve watched since I’ve been here. I was unfamiliar with about 90% of the shows up for awards. The Apprentice? The Sopranos? It’s Gaelic to me. However, they did a nice montage of famous series finales, given the ‘Friends’ and ‘Frasier’ finales this year, and included my all-time favorite show The Wonder Years. Also, barely any commercials on Irish television. Cheers.
Went to mass Sunday morning. Priest said the greatest gift you can give someone is to listen to them, or in your case, read their livejournal. So thanks for tuning in.
Something to ponder: so all buildings on the campus are closed on Sundays. The library, the computer lab, you name it. Internet access on a Sunday? Forget it. Wait, the launderette is open and has wireless internet access! Paper due Monday and it’s Sunday and you haven’t started it? Head down to the launderette.
Slan Abhaile,*
Joe
*I think that’s Gaelic for goodbye, it’s written on all the doors. For all I know it could mean ‘push to open’
Saturday began with a trip to City Centre with my fellow AU students, Abby and Casey. We took the bus to O’Connell Street and made our way to the Moore Street market, a street lined with produce vendors. My advisor in the Arts department recommended a trip to Moore Street to find fresh fruits and vegetables and to hear “real Dublin cries and accent.” She was right. The market is slightly off the beaten path and seems to have survived the influx of touristy shops and trendy up-scale clothing stores that have become its neighbors. The butchers display their cuts in front windows and shoppers gather around to watch them at work. Another vendor had the most colorful bouquets of flowers I’ve ever seen. They must have been manipulated right? I didn’t buy anything but I plan on it. I’m going to try my hand at cooking some kind of traditional Irish meal next weekend.
Next, we did some shopping at discount stores. I bought two more pillows for my bed and a Brita water filter (if you know me, then you know that I have water with me 24/7). The department stores here are very crowded and messy and it’s fun to watch customers rifle through the merchandise tossing it this way and that looking for a deal.
We made our way back down O’Connell Street towards Grafton Street because we wanted to visit St. Stephen’s Green. On the way, we encountered a Sinn Fein rally in front of the Post Office. Sinn Fein, which means “We Ourselves,” is Ireland’s oldest political party and its chief goal is to rid Ireland of British occupation and influence. It’s easy to forget that the Republic of Ireland is less than 100 years old. Political unrest and turmoil is in the not-so-distant past. There was a main speaker and in front of him were about 10 soldiers, some of whom appeared to be as young as 10, holding flags and wearing sunglasses and black berets. I don’t know any more about the situation than I’ve already said but it was strange to see a militant-looking rally on the street.
We walked along the big iron fence enclosing St. Stephen’s Green past rows of artists who set up shop there on the weekend then took the bus back to school. My advisor gave me a myriad places to visit in and around Dublin, not just in City Centre. Who better for advice on where to go than someone who lives here? I’ll probably wait until Pam’s here to see most of her suggestions. I didn’t take any pictures of this week’s outing but Abby did and hopefully she’ll send them to me soon so I can post them.
Watched the week-old Emmy awards broadcast Saturday night at Abby and Casey’s flat. First TV I’ve watched since I’ve been here. I was unfamiliar with about 90% of the shows up for awards. The Apprentice? The Sopranos? It’s Gaelic to me. However, they did a nice montage of famous series finales, given the ‘Friends’ and ‘Frasier’ finales this year, and included my all-time favorite show The Wonder Years. Also, barely any commercials on Irish television. Cheers.
Went to mass Sunday morning. Priest said the greatest gift you can give someone is to listen to them, or in your case, read their livejournal. So thanks for tuning in.
Something to ponder: so all buildings on the campus are closed on Sundays. The library, the computer lab, you name it. Internet access on a Sunday? Forget it. Wait, the launderette is open and has wireless internet access! Paper due Monday and it’s Sunday and you haven’t started it? Head down to the launderette.
Slan Abhaile,*
Joe
*I think that’s Gaelic for goodbye, it’s written on all the doors. For all I know it could mean ‘push to open’