I heart Ireland. I do. I really do.

Hello!

I missed all your comments last time I wrote, folks. Hinty McHintsalot.

Anyway, last week was pretty uneventful so I decided it wasn't worth a blog. Ireland was a blast, as usual, but it was just normal life stuff. This past weekend however, I went to Kilkee, out West about 6 hours from Dublin, to a music/surf festival. I came back sad today because even though I wanted to kill half of the lads by the end of the trip, I am going to miss living here so, so, so much. THIS is the lads eating my famous Chocolate Chip Pancakes, BEFORE I hate them ;)

I feel like nearly three months has been enough time to set up a life here, with regularity. I have my friends, my routines, the places I go, and I'm not ready to leave. With New York, it was time, but I already feel like I'm being stripped away from here, and it makes me really, really sad.

That being said, Cois Fharraige (pronounce Crush Far-gah, Irish for "the by sea") was a great "end of summer" festival. Every SINGLE person that I have met in Ireland, except Mariel, KT, and Eamonn, were there. EVERYONE. It was a blast. There were three houses full of people, plus the Australians (who throw a GREAT party, I might add). It was actually nice to NOT be a huge fan of all the bands that were playing over the three days of music, because it took the pressure off of needing to be somewhere all the time. It was nice to relax and soak in the sun and beauty. (YES, apparently sun DOES exist in Ireland.)
THIS is what the west looks like! Did I MENTION I love the West?
THIS is Joe and I being soaked. Oh Irish weather, how I love to loathe you.

On our first day, we got soaked, of course, but after that it was beautiful. In fact, a bunch of us ACTUALLY went for a swim in the Arctic Irish waters. (We are talking, colder than Maine water, and air temperatures of about 73 degrees.) It was great though, and I think I am developing the weather capabilities of a true Irish person.

Darragh, of South America fame, was there, and I haven't seen him in four years. It was truly amazing to see him. I wasn't sure how we were going to take to each other, but it took about 30 seconds of awkwardness and then we were unstoppable the entire weekend. WHEN I come back to Ireland, he is going to teach me to windsurf. That's his job, and the reason why he lives out West a million miles away from everyone else. He lives in the Gaeltech where everyone speaks Irish (which, by the way, is SO beautiful sounding when spoken properly)!

So, about the concert. Karma thinks I'm a good person because, long story short, I apparently lost my ticket and couldn't get into the concert. I showed the "man in charge" my receipt but he was having none of it. I left the concert and cried in front of the Irish boys for the first time. (They probably had no idea what to do with "sad crying girl" who lost a VERY expensive ticket and is USUALLY sickishly cheerful.) Anyway, they convinced me to go back and try again. In the meantime, someone had GIVEN a guard a ticket, and the guard had gone looking for me to give it to me so that I could go back in. And THIS is because I am a good person, and sometimes good things happen to good people.

There were three highlights that really stand out for me. Saturday night was mental because everyone in all of the houses, by some divine providence, ended up in the same part of the giant Marquee (which holds probably about 8 thousand people) together for Supergrass. I've never seen a more lively, dancing group of crazies. THIS is Travis.

On Sunday night, Travis played. Now, I'm not a fan really, but, they got the crowd going like nothing I've ever seen, and when the lead singer said that "It was the best concert they'd ever played" it was the first time I actually believed a band when they say that. He meant it. However, what stole the show was the rooftop concert we went to on SUNNY Sunday afternoon. There was a concert on the rooftop of an architect in the tiny little town we were all staying in. One of the bands that played on Saturday night, a band called 28 Costumes--check them out!) played on this roof. Ciaran's (also of South America fame) house was next door, so we were "invited" up to the roof for this concert. It was, hands down, the most beautiful venue for a band I have ever seen.
THIS is 28 Costumes on a roof, complete with Pirate flag!

I felt like I was in Empire Records, only instead of city in the background, it was the ocean. All I really have to say is that I hope I am as cool a parent as this guy who owns this house is. I mean, he invited a band from a festival up to his roof to play a concert, and then he invited people back to his roof. And his youngest kid couldn't have been more than five years old.

All in all, the weekend was brilliant. Life is going to keep getting even better (as if that were possible) because I am volunteering in the Spiegeltent at the Dublin Fringe Festival for 6 days, starting on Wednesday. They must have liked me a ton because the Spiegeltent is the best possible place I could have been placed. (Sugar Hill Gang is playing. How cool is that?!!) I'll keep you all posted on that.

Love you,

Sarah