WOW! What a fantastic way to experience my first hurling match. . . . but let's start from the beginning of today, because it is noteworthy too. =)
First of all, since getting here on Monday, September 3rd, I have had NO RAIN!! Instead, we've had glorious blue skies and sun! Ridiculously unexpected and equally welcome. This spectacular weather allowed me to do a little TRX workout outside this morning, in the light of a brilliantly glowing orange ball of rising sun. Magical.
It was wonderful to be outside this morning, and to be able to do some (very low key) TRX again. My back is feeling better, but I'm a bit wary as I felt almost back to 100% before my trip, then after two days of carrying my bags, it was feeling off again. Boooooooooooo. I held off on running (originally planned to start up again my first day in Ireland . . . what better way to celebrate?) but since it still wasn't feeling good, I held off until yesterday. Saturday, September 8th was my first day 'running' since August 19th (10 x 1 minute - eeeeesh, frustratingly limited, but gloriously pain free!!) Oh, so sad! I have missed running so much, and every time I see people running, it gives me this acute and powerful desire to be running also. I am excited about the 10 x 1 minute bouts of pain free running, but simultaneously aggravated by not being able to run more. I know it will come with time, but I want to go on long, exploratory runs now!!! I am learning patience.
But I digress! On to the exploratory (non-running) parts of the day. Explored the area north of the Liffey, and actually ran into the tour bus driver from my Thursday tour! Small world! (Dublin is quite small actually, and the locals consider it impossible to go someplace without running into someone you know).
Took a guided tour of Trinity College and learned fascinating details about the school history (founded in 1592!! And used to be an old monastic site, from which 3 components remain, including a bell they use to this day to toll lunchtimes, etc . . . )
After the tour, we got to see the Book of Kells and learn in depth details of how it and other books were made (these books dated from the 6th to 9th century. It is amazing!) AND I got to see the long library. It is phenomenal and I wish I could show you pictures, but I could not take any as pictures were strictly forbidden. It is enormous (almost 65 meters long with 2 stories for bookshelves where books are organized by - are you ready for this?? - the size of the book. Yep, if you want to find a book, you have to know its dimensions. Interesting, and really cool looking! True that it helps to be most efficient with vertical space, but definitely a pain in the butt!).
Next stop = a Fusion Festival Market. Held every second Sunday of the month, it is a blend of various cultures with a mix of all sorts of items for sale, from food to art to massage. Azu and Frank sell their produce and some food they cook at the market, so I stopped by to check it out and even met a French lady selling her art work.
It was hilarious actually, when I walked by her table, she said "Bonjour" and I was surprised because I don't think I look all THAT French. But it turns out she was joking because she had been hearing a lot of other people speak French and was equally surprised when she learned that I actually was French. We bonded over this and chatted for a while.
It's funny how long it's taking my brain to get out of French mode here; I didn't think my brain was that immersed in it, but I keep saying "pardon" automatically instead of "excuse me." I'm sure it will wear off soon. I'm actually starting to get in the habit of looking right before I cross streets here. I'm becoming more and more intrigued by the idea of attempting to drive here (especially shifting on the other side) and am considering renting a car during my 9 days off between farms. We shall see!
And now the big moment! The National Hurling Championship Game! I went to Ireland's oldest pub (established in 1198) called the Brazen Head to watch the match and it was incredible! Drank some Bulmer's pear cider, met a very nice couple from Galway (match was Kilkenny vs Galway) and a very helpful gentleman from London. They were all really patient in explaining lots of various details to me, and we all cheered together as I witnessed my first hurling match AND one of the closest games I've ever seen. With about 40 seconds to go, Galway scored one final point to bring the match to a tie (called a draw here, apparently) so they have to play another match on September 30th. So exciting! The whole game was really close, and I now understand the basics of hurling! Priceless Irish experience: Watching a draw match for a National Championship of Hurling at Ireland's oldest pub. I left feeling very content.
The next few hours I just strolled along the Liffey, heading west to Phoenix Park, and explored the park. Coming back I crossed the Millenium Bridge and the Ha' Penny Bridge (so named because people used to have to pay half a penny to cross the bridge). At this point on my wanderings, I heard live music coming out of a restaurant, but wasn't hungry, so I just listened outside, standing by the river, looking at the sparkling night lights reflected in the water. It was wonderful.
Caught a bus back to the farm (only a 20 minutes bus ride from city center, so convenient!) and had dinner with the family. It was awesome - they had brought back a bunch of ethnic food from the market, as all the merchants traded their goods at the end of the day. How cool is that?! I love trade systems!!
Tomorrow I will attempt to do a nutshell update on the other days I've spent in Ireland so far, and get some pictures up!
No comments:
Post a Comment