First snow in Kinsale - 10cm.
Who ever thought that 10cm are reason enough to close schools and make people get stuck in a town.
I certainly never did.
My first snow free day from school. It was so lovely.
When I went to school this morning cars couldn´t get up the hill. Only three other teachers made it to school and about 10 students.
Irish people definitely can´t cope with snow at all. Shane, my flat mate, couldn´t make it out of Kinsale as he couldn´t get up the hill, so couldn´t other people. A lorry crashed in a house and in the afternoon the supermarket was flooded by people buying tons of food.
I would love a white christmas, but if it means this chaos, cold christmas are good enough.
Montag, 29. November 2010
Dienstag, 2. November 2010
Alarm clock going nuts
I think my alarm clock wants to annoy me or is still on vacation or it didn´t quite understand the nature of timechange. As for the last two days I have been waking up on my own everytime in shock as I didn´t hear the alarm go off.
Waking up in shock and rushing to school is no fun at all. I really have to solve the mystery, it´s driving me nuts.
Somehow I get the feeling that Irish teachers don´t really care about being on time as much as German teachers do.
Waking up in shock and rushing to school is no fun at all. I really have to solve the mystery, it´s driving me nuts.
Somehow I get the feeling that Irish teachers don´t really care about being on time as much as German teachers do.
Sonntag, 31. Oktober 2010
The Nightmare before Christmas
The Irish might have invented Halloween, but the Americans perfected it. ;)
Halloween in Ireland isn´t quite what I expected it to be. Knowing how the Americans celebrate it I am actually a little disappointed. No Haunted Houses or other major Halloween decoratives throughout my neighbourhood.
Here and there are some pumpkins or Jack-o-lanterns, but that´s it.
Nevertheless, today, after sunday all the little ghost, skelettons, monsters, princesses, monkeys and so on came knocking on my door threatening me with tricks if I wouldn´t hand over some treats.
It was actually fun handing out candy and some of the kids where really sweet. The only thing missing was a poem or song to earn the candy.
As of today, I have seen both sides of the tradition and I have to say it is much more fun to dress up and go trick or treating than giving out candy to a million of kids. To bad I am to old for trick or treating.
Guess I am stuck with giving away candy! Well, next time the little ghosts and gobblins have to prepare a little poem or song!!
I hope you all lit a candle for the good spirits of your ancestors to find their way home
Happy Halloween
Halloween in Ireland isn´t quite what I expected it to be. Knowing how the Americans celebrate it I am actually a little disappointed. No Haunted Houses or other major Halloween decoratives throughout my neighbourhood.
Here and there are some pumpkins or Jack-o-lanterns, but that´s it.
Nevertheless, today, after sunday all the little ghost, skelettons, monsters, princesses, monkeys and so on came knocking on my door threatening me with tricks if I wouldn´t hand over some treats.
It was actually fun handing out candy and some of the kids where really sweet. The only thing missing was a poem or song to earn the candy.
As of today, I have seen both sides of the tradition and I have to say it is much more fun to dress up and go trick or treating than giving out candy to a million of kids. To bad I am to old for trick or treating.
Guess I am stuck with giving away candy! Well, next time the little ghosts and gobblins have to prepare a little poem or song!!
I hope you all lit a candle for the good spirits of your ancestors to find their way home
Happy Halloween
Mittwoch, 27. Oktober 2010
Back from Dublin
I m sick and tired of travelling by bus and I will never again drive 4 and a half hours in a coach from Cork to Dublin. I am glad to be back in Kinsale, but also sad that Luisa left.
I really enjoyed the time with her and it was nice to have a friend visiting.
No let me tell you about our trip to Dublin and the Wicklow Mountains.
Visiting Dubling a second time, I can´t still find anything charming about it. It´s just another big city with a lot of tourists.
We arrived at around 17 o´clock in Dublin and it took us about an hour to find the youth hostel. The map we had didn´t show anything outside the inner city. So we actually walked in a circle to find the hostel. One good thing was that we found a Starbucks on the way. It was the best to go double tall vanilla latte I had in a long time. The Irish might be good in brewing beer or making whiskey, but they still have to learn a lot about making good coffee.
The barista at Sbux wasn´t really helpful in giving directions, so we just called the hostel to guide as and siehe da we were just around the corner.
We stayed at the Times Hostel on Camden Place. If you ever need a hostel in Dublin this is the place to go. It´s close to St. Stephen´s Green, nice stuff and clean. We even had an ensuite bathroom.
A little tired from the travel, we refreshed and went to explore Dublin. We´ve already seen Grafton Street, the expensive shopping area, and decided to visit Dublin Castle, City Hall, H´Penny Bridge, Temple Bar and O´Connel Street. We endet our tour at the Temple Bar and had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. You probably think that we should have gone into a tradtional Irish pub for dinner, but we planned on doing it the next night. Besides, we already had a traditional Irish breakfast with black and white pudding, sausage, bacon and egg.
And just so you know, the burger at the Hard Rock Cafe was delicious!!
The next morning, Luisa and I went on a WildWicklowTour into the Wicklow Mountains.
The Wicklow Mountains are southeast of Dublin and is the location of several major sights such as the monastic complex of Glendalough. Movies like Brave Heart, P.S. I love you or Leap year have been filmed in this region. The Wicklow Mountains are also called the "Garden of Ireland" and having been there I can understand why. The landscape is amazing, the variety of colours in particular.
It was foggy and windy in the morning, so we couldn´t enjoy the full view of the mountains.
Our first stop was the major ferry habour Dun Laoghaire where we picked up the last passengers, ayoung couple from Germany. From there we left the coast and drove land inwards towards the Mountains. Our next stop was hamlet of Avoca, where the Avoca Handweavers produce colourful tweeds in the oldest handweaving mill in Ireland, operating since 1723.
Leaving Avoca behind our tour went on on the Military Road through the mountains. The military road was built by British soldiers in the 18th century. Following the road we past a little piece of Germany - a grave yard with 138 German soldiers. The Irish government gave the piece of land to the German government so the bodies could rest in piece on German territory. We also passed the highest city in Ireland - Roundwood at 238m above sea level. Even Stühlingen beats that ;)
We stopped on a high point, looking down to the Guiness Estate. It was so windy you could ly in the wind. It felt like flying.
Before we arrived at our final destination - Glendaloug - we had lunch at an Irish pub. There was only one Asian person on our tour bus and I was almost missing them. Arriving at the pub for lunch a whole group of Japanese was already there eating all the Fish and Chips and taking pictures of everything.
Glendalough - the valley of the two lakes, harbours one of Ireland´s most atmopsheric monastic sites. The Monastery was established in the 6th century by St. Kevin. The settlement was sacked time and times again (28 times) by the Vikings, but nevertheless flourished for over 600 years. The monastery was built to educate the pagan.
Our driver and tour guide told us a little bit about the monastery and graveyard and than we had time to walk around the two lakes and enjoy the landscape. Coming back from the walk around the lake, everybody got a glass of Jameson Whiskey. The whiskey wasn´t the best one, probably a cheap sample.
From Glendalough we drove back to Dublin where we arrived around 4pm.
As we hadn´t seen Trinity College yesterday we went to see it today. After that we went for a little shopping spree and than went back to the hostel, where we enjoyed some crepes and ice cream.
The next morning, we got up around 8am as Luisa had to be at the airport by 10am and I had to be at the Heuston Station by 9.40am.
After a very short goodbye, the bus came earlier as expected, we both left Dublin.
I really enjoyed the time with her and it was nice to have a friend visiting.
No let me tell you about our trip to Dublin and the Wicklow Mountains.
Visiting Dubling a second time, I can´t still find anything charming about it. It´s just another big city with a lot of tourists.
We arrived at around 17 o´clock in Dublin and it took us about an hour to find the youth hostel. The map we had didn´t show anything outside the inner city. So we actually walked in a circle to find the hostel. One good thing was that we found a Starbucks on the way. It was the best to go double tall vanilla latte I had in a long time. The Irish might be good in brewing beer or making whiskey, but they still have to learn a lot about making good coffee.
The barista at Sbux wasn´t really helpful in giving directions, so we just called the hostel to guide as and siehe da we were just around the corner.
We stayed at the Times Hostel on Camden Place. If you ever need a hostel in Dublin this is the place to go. It´s close to St. Stephen´s Green, nice stuff and clean. We even had an ensuite bathroom.
A little tired from the travel, we refreshed and went to explore Dublin. We´ve already seen Grafton Street, the expensive shopping area, and decided to visit Dublin Castle, City Hall, H´Penny Bridge, Temple Bar and O´Connel Street. We endet our tour at the Temple Bar and had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. You probably think that we should have gone into a tradtional Irish pub for dinner, but we planned on doing it the next night. Besides, we already had a traditional Irish breakfast with black and white pudding, sausage, bacon and egg.
And just so you know, the burger at the Hard Rock Cafe was delicious!!
The next morning, Luisa and I went on a WildWicklowTour into the Wicklow Mountains.
The Wicklow Mountains are southeast of Dublin and is the location of several major sights such as the monastic complex of Glendalough. Movies like Brave Heart, P.S. I love you or Leap year have been filmed in this region. The Wicklow Mountains are also called the "Garden of Ireland" and having been there I can understand why. The landscape is amazing, the variety of colours in particular.
It was foggy and windy in the morning, so we couldn´t enjoy the full view of the mountains.
Our first stop was the major ferry habour Dun Laoghaire where we picked up the last passengers, ayoung couple from Germany. From there we left the coast and drove land inwards towards the Mountains. Our next stop was hamlet of Avoca, where the Avoca Handweavers produce colourful tweeds in the oldest handweaving mill in Ireland, operating since 1723.
Leaving Avoca behind our tour went on on the Military Road through the mountains. The military road was built by British soldiers in the 18th century. Following the road we past a little piece of Germany - a grave yard with 138 German soldiers. The Irish government gave the piece of land to the German government so the bodies could rest in piece on German territory. We also passed the highest city in Ireland - Roundwood at 238m above sea level. Even Stühlingen beats that ;)
We stopped on a high point, looking down to the Guiness Estate. It was so windy you could ly in the wind. It felt like flying.
Before we arrived at our final destination - Glendaloug - we had lunch at an Irish pub. There was only one Asian person on our tour bus and I was almost missing them. Arriving at the pub for lunch a whole group of Japanese was already there eating all the Fish and Chips and taking pictures of everything.
Glendalough - the valley of the two lakes, harbours one of Ireland´s most atmopsheric monastic sites. The Monastery was established in the 6th century by St. Kevin. The settlement was sacked time and times again (28 times) by the Vikings, but nevertheless flourished for over 600 years. The monastery was built to educate the pagan.
Our driver and tour guide told us a little bit about the monastery and graveyard and than we had time to walk around the two lakes and enjoy the landscape. Coming back from the walk around the lake, everybody got a glass of Jameson Whiskey. The whiskey wasn´t the best one, probably a cheap sample.
From Glendalough we drove back to Dublin where we arrived around 4pm.
As we hadn´t seen Trinity College yesterday we went to see it today. After that we went for a little shopping spree and than went back to the hostel, where we enjoyed some crepes and ice cream.
The next morning, we got up around 8am as Luisa had to be at the airport by 10am and I had to be at the Heuston Station by 9.40am.
After a very short goodbye, the bus came earlier as expected, we both left Dublin.
Sonntag, 24. Oktober 2010
Walking around Kinsale and Sandy Cove
Today, I showed Luisa the beautiful town of Kinsale. The weather was great. It was really warm (22°C) in the sun, the perfect weather for a hike.
After Dublin and Cork, it was time for Luisa to see the real beauty of Ireland, so we went for a walk to Sandy Cove, a little assembly of houses at the coast 10km northwest of Kinsale.
Zsusanna, a friend I met through couchsurfing.com, joined us for the walk.
The walk itself wasn´t very interesting to write about it, the landscape was breath taking and if you ever wondered where the colours of the Irish flag came from look at the pictures.
In Sandy Cove we had lunch and watched crazy Irish swimming in the cold sea.
On the way back, it got quite cold and I am so glad I brought my cap.
Right now, Luisa and I enjoy a nice pre-cooked quiche and of course a Guiness. Luisa wants to take a picture of us drinking Guiness, but I don´t want to and now I spilt the Guiness instead. Bummer!!! ;)
Tomorrow, we are leaving for Dublin.
After Dublin and Cork, it was time for Luisa to see the real beauty of Ireland, so we went for a walk to Sandy Cove, a little assembly of houses at the coast 10km northwest of Kinsale.
Zsusanna, a friend I met through couchsurfing.com, joined us for the walk.
The walk itself wasn´t very interesting to write about it, the landscape was breath taking and if you ever wondered where the colours of the Irish flag came from look at the pictures.
In Sandy Cove we had lunch and watched crazy Irish swimming in the cold sea.
On the way back, it got quite cold and I am so glad I brought my cap.
Right now, Luisa and I enjoy a nice pre-cooked quiche and of course a Guiness. Luisa wants to take a picture of us drinking Guiness, but I don´t want to and now I spilt the Guiness instead. Bummer!!! ;)
Tomorrow, we are leaving for Dublin.
Samstag, 23. Oktober 2010
My first visitor in Kinsale - Midterm Break
Just in time for midterm break my first visitor - Luisa - arrived in Kinsale.
Luisa arrived on Friday evening. We cooked a delicious meal, enjoyed a pint of Guiness and talked about our plans for the week.
Today, Luisa and I went to Cork. We went on a walking tour of Cork as our guide recommended. We started from the Tourist office on Grand Parade where we got some useful info about Cork and a couple of brochures. Totally in Touri behaviour we made a lot of pictures of everything we saw and mentioned in the guide. This is why the first pictures you can see are from the National Monument, St. Finn Barre´s Cathedral, Holy Trinity Monastery and the South Channel of the River Lee.
The old part of Cork is build on a kind of island, surrounded by the North and South Channel of the River Lee.
Across the river we saw the spires of St. Finn Barre´s Cathedral, where the city began as a monastic school in about 650AD.
From the National Monument we headed up the Grand Parade towards St. Patrick´s Street passing Bishop Lucey Park and the Princess Street Market (English Market). Inside the park, which is the only one in Cork, we saw a fragement of the medieval city wall. After the park we walked through the English or Princess Street Market, an indoor food market where you can buy local specialities like pig heads and drisheen (blood sausage), but also yummi looking cup cakes. Which we didn´t buy, but I always love looking at it. Leaving the market we walked past a couple of stores who sell lovely hodgepodge. Luisa and I got a lot of crafting ideas from there.
After the market we walked along St. Patrick´s Street, the main shopping area of Cork. We didn´t go shopping yet, but enjoyed the Jazz music on the street for a while. As it was the October Bank Holiday weekend the Guiness Cork Jazz Festival took place and there were street performers all over.
From St. Patrick´s Street we walked past the Opera House, crossing the North Channel to head up to the Shandon Steeple. On our way to the steeple, we past the Firkin Crane Center and the Butter Museum. In the 18th century most of Cork´s wealth came from the export of butter. Due to the limited time we didn´t visit the museum. Instead we went on to St. Anne´s Church, whose steeple is known as the Shandon Steeple and well seen throughout most of the inner city.
We looked inside and despite that it wasn´t allowed to take photos Luisa did it anyway ;).
After St. Anne´s, we got a little confused with all those alley´s finding a way out to the next church. I have to say I reached my limit of churches for this months.
Luisa and walked around the Shandon quarter a little longer before heading back down the hill. It was nice and warm in the sun, but as soon as we came in the shadow temperature dropped by 5°C.
We walked back via the North Mall/ North Main Street and that´s were our sightseeing tour ended and the shopping started. Unlike in Germany stores close quite early at 6 or 6.30pm so we didn´t have a lot of time for shopping.
We had to go back to Kinsale anyway, as we were invited to a potluck dinner this evening.
The potluck dinner was fun. We made pizza from a stone oven and met some interesting people from all over the world (Spain, Columbia, the Netherlands, Hungary, Ireland and Bavaria). The Columbian girl Carolina made a delicious Guacamole and Chili con Carne.
After the dinner we planned to enjoy some more Jazz music in Kinsale, but Luisa and are so tired from all the walking that we went home to sleep.
Luisa arrived on Friday evening. We cooked a delicious meal, enjoyed a pint of Guiness and talked about our plans for the week.
Today, Luisa and I went to Cork. We went on a walking tour of Cork as our guide recommended. We started from the Tourist office on Grand Parade where we got some useful info about Cork and a couple of brochures. Totally in Touri behaviour we made a lot of pictures of everything we saw and mentioned in the guide. This is why the first pictures you can see are from the National Monument, St. Finn Barre´s Cathedral, Holy Trinity Monastery and the South Channel of the River Lee.
The old part of Cork is build on a kind of island, surrounded by the North and South Channel of the River Lee.
Across the river we saw the spires of St. Finn Barre´s Cathedral, where the city began as a monastic school in about 650AD.
From the National Monument we headed up the Grand Parade towards St. Patrick´s Street passing Bishop Lucey Park and the Princess Street Market (English Market). Inside the park, which is the only one in Cork, we saw a fragement of the medieval city wall. After the park we walked through the English or Princess Street Market, an indoor food market where you can buy local specialities like pig heads and drisheen (blood sausage), but also yummi looking cup cakes. Which we didn´t buy, but I always love looking at it. Leaving the market we walked past a couple of stores who sell lovely hodgepodge. Luisa and I got a lot of crafting ideas from there.
After the market we walked along St. Patrick´s Street, the main shopping area of Cork. We didn´t go shopping yet, but enjoyed the Jazz music on the street for a while. As it was the October Bank Holiday weekend the Guiness Cork Jazz Festival took place and there were street performers all over.
From St. Patrick´s Street we walked past the Opera House, crossing the North Channel to head up to the Shandon Steeple. On our way to the steeple, we past the Firkin Crane Center and the Butter Museum. In the 18th century most of Cork´s wealth came from the export of butter. Due to the limited time we didn´t visit the museum. Instead we went on to St. Anne´s Church, whose steeple is known as the Shandon Steeple and well seen throughout most of the inner city.
We looked inside and despite that it wasn´t allowed to take photos Luisa did it anyway ;).
After St. Anne´s, we got a little confused with all those alley´s finding a way out to the next church. I have to say I reached my limit of churches for this months.
Luisa and walked around the Shandon quarter a little longer before heading back down the hill. It was nice and warm in the sun, but as soon as we came in the shadow temperature dropped by 5°C.
We walked back via the North Mall/ North Main Street and that´s were our sightseeing tour ended and the shopping started. Unlike in Germany stores close quite early at 6 or 6.30pm so we didn´t have a lot of time for shopping.
We had to go back to Kinsale anyway, as we were invited to a potluck dinner this evening.
The potluck dinner was fun. We made pizza from a stone oven and met some interesting people from all over the world (Spain, Columbia, the Netherlands, Hungary, Ireland and Bavaria). The Columbian girl Carolina made a delicious Guacamole and Chili con Carne.
After the dinner we planned to enjoy some more Jazz music in Kinsale, but Luisa and are so tired from all the walking that we went home to sleep.
Abonnieren
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