OT - Extended absence / travel *complete (updated 9/9/03)

Whistle
1

On Wednesday morning I’m leaving for my first trip to Ireland. :smiley: Following the example set by Chris Laughlin, I’ll post updates about my trip whenever I get a chance. I’ll post in this thread.

Chiffers who receive emails, postcards, etc, feel free to pass on location/activity info.

I’ll be back somewhat regularly starting in September. I expect my post count to be passed by at least a few people by then! :wink:

2

Have an awesome trip!

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Don’t forget: You’re supposed to find a good lookin guy for me who doesn’t drink too much or smoke. I’m countin on ya Beth!!

4

Beth, have a blast!! I look forward to reading about your trip here.

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Will be thinking of you Ava..have a wonderful trip! :slight_smile:

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-Slainte!

-Have a wonderful time and bring back some nice tunes to the Seattle session!
-Best wishes,
Brian Ormond

7

Have fun, Beth! And be careful.

8

Bye, and have a great time.
Your posts will be very welcome reading.
Lolly

9

Hope you have a good time, Beth, and be on the lookout for people winding you up!

Two recommendations for your reading list:
“The truth about the Irish” by Terry Eagleton, and
“McCarthy’s Bar” by Pete Mc Carthy.

Both available in paperback, and both very suitable reading for anyone from the US doing the Ireland thing.

10

Just heard from our dear Beth yesterday. While she was sitting in the airport waiting to catch the flight into Dublin actually. Also received a quick note stating she had arrived safe and sound as of about 3:00 this morning (mountain).

So she’s well on her way to enjoying the next three months of her life. I wonder if Ireland will be able to handle the AVANATOR?! :slight_smile:

B~

11

Hello!

Well, I’ve made it to Ireland. I’m spending the next couple of days at my cousin Carmel’s house and heading up to Donegal on Saturday. I’ve already learned a lot:

  1. don’t drop your camera (ow…crud. still alive though)
  2. when the bus driver tells you to get a rambler pass, that’s way more than you need to pay to get where you are going
  3. change all your money before you come because the change machines at the airport are out of order. But it’s true, there is a machine that will give you one euro for one dollar, flat rate. Shame it’s not working. I have my suspicions about that, considering the current rate of exchange.
    3.5) get some small change too, fractions of euros, if you want to use the pay phones.
  4. Wear your seatbelt and hold on tight in the streets of dublin, especially if your cousin is driving
  5. some accents are harder to understand than others
  6. carbonated apple juice is just plain odd.

First day, and I’ve already been to a pub and going to a session tonight. I figured out how to get my cell phone working, eventually, but it’s very expensive to use, even if I switch to an Irish plan.

I’ve also been asked (twice) about my view on Bush, and (twice) about my religious habits. I think this will be a recurring trend.

Time difference - five hours faster than eastern time.

Gotta go, take care all and I will talk to you later! If I meet any famous musicians I will come name-drop. There’s a rumor that my cousin Liam is friends with one … :astonished:

–Ava

12

Excellent! Enjoy every bit of your time.


All the Best, Tom

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Hi, Beth!

So you’re going to Donegal? Are you going to Oideas Gael while you’re there? If so, you might run into a close online friend of mine, a young red-headed Dutch woman named Andrea, who is also a whistle player, guitarist, Irish dancer, etc. If you see her, tell her I said hello. Also, any plans for the Letterkenny Folk Festival?

You may also want to drop by Leo’s Tavern, which is kind of like the Cavern Club for Clannad fans, as well as owned and operated by the Brennan family patriarch, Leo. I’ve heard that here you have a high probability of running into some of your favorite Irish trad, folk, and rock players/singers.

Anyway, have fun!

Slan,
Jim

14

Very good point, Ava - for those flying into Dublin airport & hiring a car, you’re almost certain to have to go through the tollgate on the ringroad within the next ten minutes driving, so have some change handy. Buy a candy bar of something in the airport. Also of course, make sure you have the right change for the tollbooth again on the way back to the end of your trip.

Sam, did Beth tell you we’re meeting up while she’s over? Oh, but I smoke like a fish & drink like a chimbley :smiley:

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I’ve never been to Ireland, but for most foreign travel now, I find that the ATM at the airport gives just about the exchange rate for cash.

The other point about the small change, is try to use it up before you go home. Once you’re home, it’s worthless. You can exchange paper money back, but not coins.

Enjoy the trip!

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I am actually at oideas gael right now, it’s grand. Learning a lot and it’s only the first week. Met a friend of mine from the UK, and made a new friend from the states - we have another SLC sessioner now, folks! Her name is Kare. Net access is EXTREMELY limited though, so I won’t be updating much.

Take care all!

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Can you have her get in touch with me??? We’ve got a regular weekly session going now…

Bri~

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Well I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself! The chiffy chat seems so empty without you.

sneef


Well, I’ll go back and wait patiently inside my mailbox for my postcard. :smiley:

19

What Mass did you go to last Sunday? :smiley:

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You’re as bad as the folks in the pub. :smiley:

Still alive all, and a summary of the school is en route to Tinker via smail mail. Hopefully he’ll post it here for you next week. I’m heading to Willie Week saturday, see some of you soon!

RMBS folks - I’m working on some of our regular stuff on box, hopefully the GJ fest will show some progress!