Holds in the whine...

UCC (the college where the Ogham stones are located)

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Cork is beautiful. Dublin was exciting but very loud and some what commercialized.

We are staying at a pretty classy hotel which i have deemed the "dont' do anything for yourself" hotel. I am not that classy and was disturbed when the waiter put my napkin in my lap for me. The breakfasts and dinners are very good here and the spa is also a plus.

For lunch we have taken to buying bread and cheese at a local competing market (seriously, how many places have an open market?) which is alot cheaper than buying chicken salad gourmet sandwiches at the grocery store. It feels rustic and simple and i like it.

I'm also pretty sure that this is how everyone should be living life: eating well and healthy, walking outside a lot, noticing the small details in life, and also enjoying a big pint of good beer with friends.

Blarney Castle

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We went yesterday to see the Ogham stones, which are stones that have a bit of te Celtic language on it which is a series of different angled lines on the side of the stones. They actually hire people whose only job is to look after the stones (it's like having a pet rock but less kitchy!!).

Today we went to Blarney Castle because we felt it was a must see place. Of course it was very touristy (even the castle itself has a gift shop built in) but it was cool to walk up and down the ancient stone stairs and, yes, kiss the blarney stone. I did it because i thought, hey i'm here, why not. You get on your back, reach back to grab the hand rails, and a quaint Irishman lowers you down so you can kiss the stone. I was really quick and the man said that's how the girls should be. Hmmmm. Then we walked the grounds for over an hour, climbing rocks, hiking, laying down in flowers, and generally being silly and have tons of naturey type fun. It was great and it made me realize that fresh air is some good stuff; we need more of it in our lives.

Kissing the Blarney Stone

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Also, some special quirks about Ireland that i love:

-they have salt and vinegar potato chips everywhere!!! these are my favorite and it makes me so happy (and fat) to enjoy them.

-the feel of the bars and pubs here are more like american coffee shops. Sure i like to dance, but my ideal evening is sharing a pint an some words with friends. It's great!

-older irish gentleman who talk to you aren't being creepy...just nice.

-they don't really do drip coffee here...it's all expresso.

-the kids shows are really cute because the kids have accents!

-the country side is so green i'm pretty sure it's what God had in mind when he created the color green.

-bookmakers are gambling shops, um not books stores.

-fries, of course, are chips and cookies are called biscuits

That's it for now! I'll be sure to write about the St. Patrick's day celebration and festivities after i experience it!