Stay a while

Take your shoes off.  

We found a little room in an attic that has a veranda at the top of “The Bridge House”  in Temple Bar, Dublin.  It received HORRIBLE reviews on TripAdvisor. com, but the deal was good and we inspected the room before entering.  I think what they lack is “quality control”.  There were sacks and sacks loaded with beer cans cigarette butts lay on the veranda, but I pointed this out to the maid and she became embarrassed.  It’s pretty clean otherwise, and CHEAP which is huge in a town where I just spent $7.50 cents on a brownie for Ryder.  :o)  Lovely.  

So we’re happy.  Ryder is painting and I’m reading heaps.  This is the secret to traveling with kids, I’ve discovered: find a place and stay awhile.  Otherwise, the fits begin.

Feckin A, Dublin!

It’s always fun to walk around and see the differences in culture, coloquialisms, etc.

Take the word “feckin”, for instance. I saw that written in a news article in The Independent the other day.

What else stands out?

“Off License” shops are everywhere – these are what they call liquor stores.

Eggs sit on a shelf next to the ketchup and bread and not in the dairy case. Yummy!

There’s no half-and-half of course. Only milk or cream, but mostly milk.

Ryder has now seen “Dora the Explorer” in German, French and Spanish.

The word “caravan” is used instead of “trailer”. Sounds so civilized and cozy as opposed to a DOUBLE-WIDE TRAYLOR!

No censorship on the “telly”. You get to hear all the feckin words you’d like. Ryder witnessed Tom Hanks feel up Melanie Griffith’s breasts just last night! Whoops.

Video cameras EVERYWHERE in the streets, the restuarants. This whole bloomin’ town is under surveillance.

On a better note, the chocolate is awesome. Even their crappy chocolate is good.

Down and Out in Galway

“Umm yes, ehem…excuse me but is there a recession here?”

” I’m afraid not. Well, actually, he was here about an hour ago, but we’ve already forgotten about him and well, you’ll have to pretend as well.”

Okay so we just paid 80 USDollars to a hostel in a 4 story walkup for a freaking room painted dark blue with no bathroom BUT the bad painting of a canoe hangs over the bed at no extra charge. We’re going back to Dublin tomorrow. Galway isn’t all that, people.

Hello Old Friend

 Flew into Dublin this afternoon and found this little hotel near the bus station.  I love the posed photograph they offer (see left).  Yep, we stood in that very spot the guy is standing in pretending to check in (except we weren’t pretending).   People are so FREAKING friendly here.  I feel so close to Ireland.  Can’t wait to explore Dublin for the next couple of days, and figure out that perfect place we will stay next in south Ireland – the one with the farm house, internet access WITH FIREWIRE and lots of paints Ryder and I can express our incredible experience thus far.

Yes we have no bananas

Walk into your regular supermercado in Barcelona and local produce is not the rage, as is in the US, it´s the norm. Ryder´s been craving bananas, but, guess what: no hay! When produce is available, stores provide it. My observation is that they don´t ship it from thousands of miles away, but from local farmers. Instead of importing everything into our country, we would be wise to eat what´s around.

I LOVE traveling, simply because it sets me up for my trip home. My plans for my life cultivate as I look around at the people, the world. It also makes me realize how much I have yet to explore in my own country, my own town, and even the neighborhood!

So yes, we have no bananas, but I´m sure we´ve got incredible mesas and mountains and I bet there´s a plum tree or a peach  farm that awaits us upon our return.

Going back to Ireland

Bit the bullet and did it. Initially I
thought I heard a voice out of
Holland, but alas, Ireland´s voice
seemed more affordable.

Ryder and I will be hanging here if anyone is wondering.

The Latest

Last night in Barcelona and then ???? Still looking…I like being here but something is calling me to Ireland (meaningful conversation besides ?Donde esta El Bano¿) Plus I loved Ireland and didn´t get to explore it nearly enough last time. We shall see.

Got in a fight with a pickpocket who was trying to take money out of my fanny pack. I hit his hand initially and then yelled at him, told him to come on over here and all that tough guy talk and he ran away. Caught the whole thing on tape! Will post it as soon as I can find an internet cafe that has computadores con firewire. I´m surprised that there are´not more companies from the US no Barnes and Noble, No Old Navy, no Toys R Us…what´s a girl to do?

Ryder just cruises along on his scooterand we get to lots of places quickly. He hops on and off busses and trains like a pro.

I have loads of interesting footage if only I could find some place to unload it! Stay tuned!

…as dictated to my brother Ross, yesterday.