Sunburns are masochism at it's finest.

I don't think anyone can deny that. How can a human love doing something they know will cause them pain? Like hula hooping on the black tar roof of their building during peak sun hours for an entire afternoon. Needless to say, the hours I then continued to spend out on the Hudson did not help the situation. On the plus side: I am somewhat close to my natural, olive based complexion, something I've missed since my little trip to the dreary Eire.

On another fun note, I got called a Rua by some random guy on the street. Weird part: I had never heard that until I was in Galway. After Maire Rua. An Irish woman. From the west coast, not the west side. It was strange. I like it, but it felt weird.

-E

Galway / Inis Oírr, Ireland

All I’ll say, is that if I ever decide to move to Ireland permanently, the West Coast is where you’ll find me.

We spent all of Saturday walking around the town of Galway, where we basically took a nap on the river, had a few pints, and watched a rugby match. It was basically the start to one of the most relaxing weekends of my life.

We spent the night and all of today on Inis Oírr -- the smallest of the Aran Islands, population 250. That’s right -- 250. The 12 of us gave the town a 5% population increase. There is one restaurant (Tigh Ruairí), two pubs, one hostel, one hotel, one ferry, and one plane. And cows. And a beach. And sheep. And castles. And horse rides.

Apparently we had the best weather that the island has seen all year. I have a tan and I love it. Best part? I was leaving the pub last night and as I said good-night, the bartender said: “Beware the bean saoi.” Best Part? He was being serious. 

OH. And when we were labeling everyone’s spirit animals, I was lovingly dubbed (by Patrick) as ... Mother Duck


Classic Quotes: "No, I don't believe in ghosts, but I know they're there." - Kathleen, a resident, upon being asked if she believed in the island's mystical horse lore and the existence of banshees. 

-E