"Whisky in a Jar" with Micky Mac...

Well the best laid plans of mice and men... I had intended to stay in Galway, Ireland but there weren't any hostel rooms available so I took a bus to Clifden (on the west coast in the Connemara region). I hadn't planned on visiting there but I am glad I did. It is funny how things work out when you don't have a real "plan"... Clifden was gorgeous and right on the Atlantic. I spent one entire morning walking Sky Rd. which was a 20km or close to 13 mile loop along the coast. The scenery was amazing and there were ripe blackberries along the road. I hiked it with an Italian so I got to practice my language skills. Micky Mack was a traditional Irish singer/musician who played in the pub across the street from the hostel one night; i really enjoyed the music and the atmosphere of the pub!

I've gotten used to the hostel thing and have been meeting some really great people. It's incredible what eye contact, a smile, and a simple "hello" can do, it literally opens doors for you. While in Clifden I met some great people from all over, and you know how they say everything happens for a reason...? Well because of my unplanned two day visit to Clifden, I have invitations to stay at people's homes in France (Strasbourg and Paris), Germany (Nuremberg), Belgium, and Italy (Perugia) when I get to those areas during my travels.

I then traveled from Clifden to Dublin. Dublin was big and on my arrival i was a bit overwhelmed because at least an additional 60,000 people flooded the city that day to see a soccer match. So with the crowds and the difficult to read street signs, I spent a good deal of time wondering the city. I did see the famous Guinness Brewery but did not take the factory tour. I really enjoyed the National Gallery where i saw works of art by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt and many more... Plus the other sights of Dublin.

I am writing from Belfast, Northern Ireland which is part of the UK and not Ireland. On the bus on the way in to town this morning i saw a sign advertising KOHLER toilets... I am not as far from home as i think! I spent the rest of the day walking the city and getting to know it's layout. Tomorrow I am going to visit the castle and view the Protestant and Catholic murals and book my ferry ticket to Scotland for the following day. For now it's one day at a time, and that's the way I like it...

Cheers!
NPL