Our Irish Home Away From Home
In many ways, coming to Ireland was like going home. Certain aspects of Ireland were, to me, more akin to the United States rather than the rest of Europe. There’s big things, like the fact that we understood everybody and everything for the first time in months. Well, if you don’t count the accents, that is. Newspapers, television, signs, packages – all in English. We could have real conversations with people, instead of just trading limited words. Then there’s the little things. Instead of just stone, brick buildings lined the streets. Waiters will actually bring you tap water to the table without being asked. The food was more familiar, too. We ordered things like chicken salads and turkey sandwiches.
The best part about Ireland, and the thing that made it so familiar, was the steady stream of friends that came to visit us. First McIntyre, then Matt, Danielle, and Jason, and then Tony. It was fantastic to get to visit with everyone, even if everyone’s comings and goings meant that we all ended up traversing Ireland in a less than ideal fashion. Everyone came and went as they could in order to fit their vacation to Ireland into their schedules. We already had forgotten how short a one week vacation is. We were appreciative that everyone chose to spend their vacation with us.
First, Mac met us in Dublin, and Mac, Sean and I headed to Donegal to visit places significant to Mac’s family roots. Next, we headed to Galway to see Josh Ritter at the Galway Arts Festival. Then, it was back to Dublin to meet Matt, Danielle, and Jason on Sunday, and Tony on Monday. The seven of us got to spend two days together in Dublin, before Mac flew home for a family reunion and the rest of us drove to Doolin. The next day, it was off to Dingle, and then to Kilkenny, before everyone had to fly home. When Sean and I woke up on Saturday, realization set in. This is our life now. It was just the two of us. We had no plans, just the rental car for another 10 days. Well, Sean said, want to go visit Kilkenny castle or something?
Sightseeing is fun and all, and this year of travel is an amazing opportunity, but nothing beats drinking in a pub with friends you’ve known for years.
Naturally, I have lots of stories to tell from the time the gang was in Ireland, as well as the time Sean and I spent, mostly in Northern Ireland, after everyone left. Stay tuned…
I know it is so corny, but reading this, I immediately went back to the night in Kilkenny, in my room at 3am saying good bye. I am tearing up thinking of it and all I can see is you, Amy, starting to cry as we said our good-byes. It’s funny because we had SO MANY good times while there but this post made me think of that night.
I looked thru two albums so far of yours (including “for F#ck’s Sake” lady and laughed…. uncontrollably laughed. I also saw Tony’s “beam me up scotty” picture and the countless sheep. The sheep laws are ingrained in my head 🙂 Matt and I were just saying today how distant that trip seems and it was only two weeks ago that we were there.
We miss you two and can’t wait for you to get home so we can have more “pub” experiences….. although, I think Doolin and “FOR F#CK’S SAKE” may take the ultimate cake!!!
Aw, it’s so nice seeing you all together.
Who would have thought in a million years ~ after all the parties you all had over the years, all the Steeler game get-togethers, all the fun times at the E-Town ~ that you would be sitting outside an Irish pub drinking Guinnesses together? Who? Probably nobody.
It brings a tear to my eye, too, Danielle.
As far as food goes there are good things everywhere but it all boils down what one is used to. I am reminded every time somebody from Europe visits Pittsburgh how to occasionally spice the menu with something they are used to. The typical complaints for food in America are from too much ice in the water and beverages to portions being enormous. Traveling gives us this option to experiment and most of the times it is a pleasant experiment.
Anton, Sean’s biggest complaint about Europe is the opposite – he thinks the beverages are served too warm and are too small!
Glad you got to see some friends. How was Josh Ritter? Did he do Hello Starling and all of the usuals?