Ireland

The Irish people have to be - hands down - the friendliest, rowdiest bunch of folks I've ever met. I LOVE how if you're sitting alone at a pub, it is likely you will be pulled into a group and invited to participate in whatever is going on. It is also true that, as was said to me by a local at a pub, the Irish do indeed, "like a drink." They love having a good time playing music, singing, laughing, joking, and telling stories. If you ever get the chance to go to Ireland, GO. If I had the opportunity to go anywhere in the world right this very second, I'd say "send me to Ireland."

Music Shop Dublin.AVI

The Music Shop Pub, Dublin

As described in the journal entry titled
"The Wax Irish and The Real Irish"

I found a chair at a table to sit at facing the musicians. They had just finished a song when I had entered so I sat with great anticipation for the next one. Their accents were also thick, but understandable. They seemed to discuss what they ought to play next. Then, the guitar player began to play a chord progression. A violinist joined in followed by a flute, then a guy with a hand-drum, then another flute player, and finally a banjo. 7 instruments by the time it was done, plus a guy playing an egg-shaker if you count that. It was absolutely incredible! I really felt like I was in Ireland, experiencing life as a local, listening to traditional music — a style played for centuries. It was at that moment I knew I had fallen in love with Ireland.

King John's Castle.AVI

King John's Castle, Limerick

As described in the journal entry titled
"King John's Castle"

When I finally made it onto the castle grounds, I was in awe. I essentially fell in love with the place. It was all too surreal, I couldn’t believe it. I felt the walls with my hands and looked down from the towers, attempting to imagine what it must have looked like in its time. It was so incredible that attempting to explain it seems impossible.