Friday, February 22, 2008

Lots to report...

If you're wondering about the cryptic/weird nature of my last post, I only made it because I felt bad for not having made any in a while and I had just seen that and thought it kind of funny. Nothing more or less.

Anyway, have had some adventures in the past twoish weeks. First weekend in February had me trucking off to Galway, Ireland to visit Braelyn (The Girlfriend, for those unfamiliar with the cast of my life). She's studying at the National University of Ireland at Galway, playing Rugby and drinking lots of Guinness, and as she had seen my home away from home, it was only fair that I visited hers.

The first thing I noticed about Ireland after coming through the clouds was how GREEN the place was - everything just looked incredibly lushed and like it was striving its hardest to live up to the country's "official" color.

So I arrived and we spent some time walking around the city. This picture off to the right is the tremendously old Presbyterian cathedral (an interesting sight in Ireland) right in downtown, about 5 minutes from the harbor/Galway Bay. It was lowtide and we walked out into the bay a bit and took a series of unflattering shots of us looking cutesy.

I've become something of a pub fiend over here in the British Isles, and I just had to see some of Galway's (apparently) famous nightlife. First pub had a decent, straightforward rock band, second traditional Irish music and, finally, Brae and her friends somehow talked me into going to a dance club (note: dancing ain't quite my specialty).Note the look she is giving my dancing attempt.

Anyway, the night out was fun and we spent the next one laying low and watching Rugby. Then, suddenly, it was time to say tearful goodbyes and for me to head back to MY island until our two year anniversary in April, where we're trying to figure out an Eastern European city to visit (ideas welcome).

Following weekend I had signed up with a few friends for a day trip to Oxford, hoping to pick up some smarts via osmosis.

While that didn't quite work, we did wander around the university for a while and drink at a pub formerly patronized by JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis, which was kind of a trip. Oh, and saw some Harry Potter-related sites, which is always a goal in the back of my head over here in his neck of the woods.

Also wandered up to London once again two days ago. My old football buddy RJ is studying up there for the semester and a my friend Kate - a fellow history lover - hadn't visited the British Museum yet, so we simply had to take her.
The place is still awe inspiring.

So we met up with RJ, had some pints, checked out other museums (National Portrait Gallery is way cool) and wrapped up another fantastic day in London with a meal in China town. I will truly miss that city when I head back home.

So that's the update for now. Keep checking www.vermontcynic.com for my bi-weekly column (I think there's one up there now - B-Side, Life and Style section, you'll recognize the title).

Keep readin'!