Cork

Reality exceeded my expectations, Cork was wonderful!

In short, it was a weekend full of great conversations; tasty Irish food and home baked bread and scones; music, song and guitar; something as random as a caravan-get-together(!!!!); wine and more good food; Lovely Irish people with a genuine interest of getting to know the Swedish girl; sleeping till late; lots and lots of rain; waterbottles and fires to warm cold feet; laughter; and a lot of motherly care from Mrs O’Donovan (she sent with homemade jam and coleslaw!) and she always said  “Love” or “Darling” with here warm and cheerful Irish accent, which melted my heart!

A great weekend! Thank you O’Donovan’s!

Outside the roads were floded, but inside a fire and an Irish meal made of smoked Bacon, cabbage and praties (potatoes) was waiting for us. It was delicious!
We sat down by the fire with a bottle of red wine, and got to know each other. After a while Tony, Mr O’Donovan, picked up the guitarr and entertained us with his music. Short after Fiona joined in by playing the fluit and sang. Oh Lord, she has a beautiful voice. Listening to the two of them singing and playing old Irish songs, was magical. Get goosebumps just thinking about it.

Tony let us wish songs. I wished for Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan I got.

We talked for hours, about life here in Dublin, in Sweden. About school, politics, music. And about Irish history in particular.
The strategic geographical location of Ireland has made the country an important pawn of the great powers. During centuries, the Irish people have have been so miss-treated, but have been fighting for their right to live.
Tony and Fiona sang many old Irish songs from The Famine, while Margret told me about the dark ages when the British Empire was starving the people to death. Only 170 years ago, in the 1840’s, the Famine took 6 million people. Actually more people than there is in Ireland today.

They sang “The Praties they grow small”, a song from that time.

They insisted on me playing something swedish. Played a short tune by Kent.

At 3,30 am, I was tucked in with 6 blankets and two water bottles.On Saturday we went out to Kinsale, and had a great walk to an old fort. Yet again they could tell about ages when the English, Spanish and Americans fought for Ireland. Unfortunately, it was raining cats and dogs, so I don’t have any photos from that.

Lovely Tony, Margret and Fiona

Auuum…

I’m starting to realize what my greatest challenge and learning outcome of this Master will be: Prioritizing.

I will have to learn how to balance and prioritize my time, effort, school and life. Till I figure it out, I’ll use the Tibetan Singing Bowl (?) to unwind me! Auuum…

Weekend #4

For every minute, of every day I fall more and more in love with this country, this city and its people. This weekend, my fourth in Dublin, made it a whole lot better as well!

Firstly, the sun has been shining almost all the time, yeay! Started the weekend with a three hour walk on Friday afternoon after school. Went down south of city centre; along the canal and further down to Rahtmines (it’s impossible to not love the names here).

View from DBS at George Street

This is how my street look like further down the road.
Aungier/Camden Street

Very important!

The canal

 

 

Treated myself with a cappucino in the sun!

Later in the evening I was invited to a release party in Christchurch with my new friend Rosa. Rosa lived in my flat before me, that’s how we met.
The venue was pretty cool, and I must say the place was crammed with gorgeous people – a real Hipsters Paradise!

The location was called South Studios which apparently is a like a hub for artsy people. The party was for a fashion magazine, which Rosa’s written for (she’s a freelancing journalist). They projected the coming issue on the wall, it looked nice.

Later, we ended up at a birthday party in Rathmines. The hostess was an artist; i.e. there was a lot of artsy people there as well! The place was nice, however I do question some of the installations there. But it is as they say; It’s in the eyes of the beholder.

Art?

 
   

Met a new friend at the party, Javier Saez. A wonderful, warm hearted person!

On Saturday I took the train to Killester. Wanted to visit S:t Anne’s Park so I draged along Pedro from my class.

Gaelic Football at S:t Anne’s Park

 
There was an impressive rose garden which I really hope to see in blom next year!

   

Had a pre party with Pri before meeting up with Fiona and her friends from collage. Love Skype! Love Pri!

Today I treated myself by sleeping till late and then went to the National Museum of Ireland! Saw an exhibition about when the Vikings entering Ireland. I went by myself, and I must say  I really enjoyed that. To just walk alone with my own thoughts. A great Sunday contemplating time! ALso, it’s actually for free, and they have a lot of different exhibitions in the city so this might be a permanent Sunday activity for me!