So I've heard from all these Americans since I moved over and settled here in Dublin and yesterday morning I went to the airport to meet two guys from Charlotte who contacted me through a friend back home. We had an interesting trip in circles around the airport then were able to get our bus and finally train to Cork.
We had a really good time (I guess I can speak for us all) arriving and checking into our hostel (my first experience staying in one) and then taking another bus out to Blarney Castle. We arrived at the most perfect time at the castle (one hour prior to closing) and were able to be on premises with very few other visitors. I've done Blarney 4 times before but I saw so much more yesterday. I had no idea about the manor house or the Druid ruins, not to mention the wishing steps and witch's cave. We ate dinner at a little pub in Blarney then took the bus back to Cork. We contemplated going out for a pint, but the guys were exhausted (and I don't blame them after their traveling from the US that morning) so we played cards with our French roomie (also a guy) and then went to bed in our little four bunk room. I wouldn't claim to be the prissy kind (not that bad anyway), but that room reeked of boy and it was all I could do to fall asleep on the 1/2 inch thick pillow. I survived the hostel, but I wouldn't necessarily want to do that again. All in all though, the guys I was with were so unbelievably nice and funny (and good looking :) ) so I had a good evening.
This morning we got up, the boys got on a bus to do the Ring of Kerry and I said goodbye (begrudgingly) and went off on my own. I toured the famous English Market and had breakfast upstairs at the Farmgate Restaurant (apparently run by Ballymaloe which I want to see next time). I ate an amazing toasted mushroom sandwich with fresh squeezed orange juice. I left the market and walked to the Cork Museum, but sat in Fitzgerald's Park for a while waiting on them to open, then went to the museum cafe and had a cup of tea and read the paper. The museum is extremely small but I enjoyed it. The last exhibit I saw was a photographer's work depicting slavery. He had traveled to several US states to take pictures of the plantations and in some cases, reenact slave times. He had several photos of Mansfield Plantation and then a few of Edisto Island. After the museum I walked around Cork, stopping in some thrift stores and then finally made my way back to the train station. I was just on time as the train quickly boarded and left for Dublin.
I got back to Dublin around 4:20 and grabbed my two buses to the apartment and here I am. I am waiting on my iPod to charge so I can go for a run. It's really pretty outside and I feel like I've been sitting still, despite my little walk around Cork today and the 7 miles my new buddy Jonathan said we walked yesterday. Jonathan and Ryan are in Europe for 30 whirlwind days doing something like 14 countries. Perhaps I can meet them again for a quick tour of a nearby city?!
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