Back From Ireland
back from St. Patrick's Day week in Ireland.
Here are some reasons American Airlines sucks:
-out of 8 hours there were 5.5 of turbulence coming over the Atlantic, and the captain didn't even have the decency to apologize
-the lights inside the cabin near my seat were broken on both trips. Trip there they were constantly flickering, on the way back my reading light was broken.
-the two snot-nosed shits behind me were having a seat kicking contest.
-there were no peanuts, and they served cabbage with dinner. airline cabbage?
-there was no trip indicator telling you where you are on the route to where you are going
-they constantly highlight the difference between coach and businuess/first class, as if we aren't flying first class because we didn't know that they get additional dinner supplies, or have their own bathroom.
So, saturday i landed in dublin, noticed that they've changed their passport stamp since last year, went to J's place, slept. Went to dinner at Ouzo, which was way too crowded and some slobbering Scotsman on the way to piss out the beer he had no doubt taken by the gallon knocked J's arm and spilled and broke her wine glass. No apology. Furthermore, because this is Europe, no wait staff noticed until we were ready to leave.
sunday we went to il fornaio for breakfast, then to see Syriana, which is about how the system of oil exportation is in fact predicated on the greed and corruption of all involved. the one problem i had is how they portrayed the suicide bombers as practically illiterate, poor pakistanis who had been fired from their oil rig work. I think, if you look at the 9.11 hijackers, or the london train bombers, that is not the case at all. i know we're supposed to, as good liberals, say it's about poverty and oppression, but sometimes it's about having a stupid violent religious belief. afterwards, the Porterhouse, the best pub in Dublin, for Vienna Lager (in season only!) and various ales and stouts, then to Salamanca for tapas before heading home.
monday J had to work, so I laid around in bed and watched The Purple Rose of Cairo, which I somehow missed. Went to the garda office for some paperwork, them met with Joa at French Paradox for an awesome, awesome night of drinking. The last bottle of champagne, nobody remembered. Also, I had this scrambled egg with black truffle and garlic thing that kicked 7 kinds of ass. J. had some foie gras, but whatever vinegar shit they put on there made it taste bad to me. Perfect little place. Snooty French waiter included.
tuesday J worked a half day, then we went to see Muckross, the school she designed that was recently finished building. Unfortunately it was already in use, and there were 14 year olds running around everywhere. Tried to gift shop and mostly failed. FINALLY got to see the Oval Office under Shanahans, which has JFK's fucking rocking chair in it behind the car. Totally sweet. Then we went home and I made a fritatta.
Wednesday we got an early bus to Cork. The Gresham Metropole is a decent hotel. Wandered around, went to a few local museums. Marvelled at how shockingly provincial the second largest city in Ireland is, and how every fucking kid there dressed like a knacker/chav/wigger and how there should be a new language, Corkish, because the shit they talk doesn't sound like any English known to man. I feel sorry for other EU people who go to Ireland thinking they can learn English there and end up talking to people from Cork.
thursday we went to a museum showcasing the history of butter in Ireland. That was totally sweet. Mmmm...butter. Then a long ass walk to the city gaol. the bus ride back to ireland was a model of irish efficiency, which is to say two hours late, and with a pointless stop to consolidate passengers in the middle. if we're late, at least we can be uncomfortable and cramped, right?
friday was st. paddy's day proper. we saw a cool outdoor art exhibit of donkey pictures at Custom House Quay, then wandered over to the parade. because ireland hates me as much as god hates it, it of course hailed, almost causing a panic for about 2 minutes. then we went to Ba Mitsu for Czech Budavar, and Yamamori for dinner. Very good. Watched Once Upon a Time In the West, which is supposed to be this Leone classic western. It was ponderous. Give me Eastwood anyday. Packed a shitload of shit for me to bring back to AZ.
sat we got up early and met the J's cousin and her fiance, and some scottish friends of J visiting at a pub, with a quick stop for some south african's birthday. after the requisite amount of pints, went out to balbriggan for south african barbeque and more pints. marinated steak, chicken, south african sausage, and some kind of tomato, cheese and chutney sandwich were all cooked over open flame. it was everything i expected. south africans really do use pork for vegetables.
sun drove around a bit, went to a little rustic cottage looking place called man o' war for lunch. got the train back. next morning left for the airport, picked up duty free extra majors and whiskey, and flew back to this stinking hole.
i've calculated, and it's about 110 days until my next vacation (back to Russia). I need to forego my next raise to get up to 20 days of vacation. I have 18 now, and I think the extra 2 would be better than more money.
Here are some reasons American Airlines sucks:
-out of 8 hours there were 5.5 of turbulence coming over the Atlantic, and the captain didn't even have the decency to apologize
-the lights inside the cabin near my seat were broken on both trips. Trip there they were constantly flickering, on the way back my reading light was broken.
-the two snot-nosed shits behind me were having a seat kicking contest.
-there were no peanuts, and they served cabbage with dinner. airline cabbage?
-there was no trip indicator telling you where you are on the route to where you are going
-they constantly highlight the difference between coach and businuess/first class, as if we aren't flying first class because we didn't know that they get additional dinner supplies, or have their own bathroom.
So, saturday i landed in dublin, noticed that they've changed their passport stamp since last year, went to J's place, slept. Went to dinner at Ouzo, which was way too crowded and some slobbering Scotsman on the way to piss out the beer he had no doubt taken by the gallon knocked J's arm and spilled and broke her wine glass. No apology. Furthermore, because this is Europe, no wait staff noticed until we were ready to leave.
sunday we went to il fornaio for breakfast, then to see Syriana, which is about how the system of oil exportation is in fact predicated on the greed and corruption of all involved. the one problem i had is how they portrayed the suicide bombers as practically illiterate, poor pakistanis who had been fired from their oil rig work. I think, if you look at the 9.11 hijackers, or the london train bombers, that is not the case at all. i know we're supposed to, as good liberals, say it's about poverty and oppression, but sometimes it's about having a stupid violent religious belief. afterwards, the Porterhouse, the best pub in Dublin, for Vienna Lager (in season only!) and various ales and stouts, then to Salamanca for tapas before heading home.
monday J had to work, so I laid around in bed and watched The Purple Rose of Cairo, which I somehow missed. Went to the garda office for some paperwork, them met with Joa at French Paradox for an awesome, awesome night of drinking. The last bottle of champagne, nobody remembered. Also, I had this scrambled egg with black truffle and garlic thing that kicked 7 kinds of ass. J. had some foie gras, but whatever vinegar shit they put on there made it taste bad to me. Perfect little place. Snooty French waiter included.
tuesday J worked a half day, then we went to see Muckross, the school she designed that was recently finished building. Unfortunately it was already in use, and there were 14 year olds running around everywhere. Tried to gift shop and mostly failed. FINALLY got to see the Oval Office under Shanahans, which has JFK's fucking rocking chair in it behind the car. Totally sweet. Then we went home and I made a fritatta.
Wednesday we got an early bus to Cork. The Gresham Metropole is a decent hotel. Wandered around, went to a few local museums. Marvelled at how shockingly provincial the second largest city in Ireland is, and how every fucking kid there dressed like a knacker/chav/wigger and how there should be a new language, Corkish, because the shit they talk doesn't sound like any English known to man. I feel sorry for other EU people who go to Ireland thinking they can learn English there and end up talking to people from Cork.
thursday we went to a museum showcasing the history of butter in Ireland. That was totally sweet. Mmmm...butter. Then a long ass walk to the city gaol. the bus ride back to ireland was a model of irish efficiency, which is to say two hours late, and with a pointless stop to consolidate passengers in the middle. if we're late, at least we can be uncomfortable and cramped, right?
friday was st. paddy's day proper. we saw a cool outdoor art exhibit of donkey pictures at Custom House Quay, then wandered over to the parade. because ireland hates me as much as god hates it, it of course hailed, almost causing a panic for about 2 minutes. then we went to Ba Mitsu for Czech Budavar, and Yamamori for dinner. Very good. Watched Once Upon a Time In the West, which is supposed to be this Leone classic western. It was ponderous. Give me Eastwood anyday. Packed a shitload of shit for me to bring back to AZ.
sat we got up early and met the J's cousin and her fiance, and some scottish friends of J visiting at a pub, with a quick stop for some south african's birthday. after the requisite amount of pints, went out to balbriggan for south african barbeque and more pints. marinated steak, chicken, south african sausage, and some kind of tomato, cheese and chutney sandwich were all cooked over open flame. it was everything i expected. south africans really do use pork for vegetables.
sun drove around a bit, went to a little rustic cottage looking place called man o' war for lunch. got the train back. next morning left for the airport, picked up duty free extra majors and whiskey, and flew back to this stinking hole.
i've calculated, and it's about 110 days until my next vacation (back to Russia). I need to forego my next raise to get up to 20 days of vacation. I have 18 now, and I think the extra 2 would be better than more money.