There is nothing exotic about being American

Hello all,
 Well after a very disappointing start to our trip- a cancelled Philly flight, a lost bag and Jill missing her farmers markets, we are finally beginning to enjoy ourselves. Like Jill said in her blog, our Philly flight got cancelled due to weather and we were stuck in NYC. Kudos to Bryan and Obie (our cousins) for taking us in out of the rain and showing us a pretty awesome day despite the circumstances. After a good nights sleep, an awesome breakfast (if you ever go to Pastis try the chocolate bread- Im not kidding), we walked the Highline. Ive read about it and thought it was very interesting. It has become my new favorite thing to do in NYC. If I lived in NYC, id be there all the time, esp if the weather was as nice as it was. We even got to see the Statue of Liberty (in the distance) the Empire State building, the Chrysler Building, Jersey, and Chelsea Market. Chelsea Market was a pretty neat place and my sister the chef truly found her heaven. Although i have to admit the peach balsamic vinegar is pretty scrumptious. On to DC, then finally Philly and then taking the same flight we were supposed to take Friday...DUBLIN. Neither Jillian nor I got much sleep (any one who has flown a red-eye should know). Its not easy to find a comfortable position in an airplane. So we were both groggy and tired and really couldnt enjoy the nostalgia of being in Ireland. Of course there is the lost bag issue. Jillian finally broke down today and wore a shirt of mine.
   After a very long drive and a short cat-nap on my part, we finally arrived in Schull in County Cork. We arrived at Grove House and met our Hostess Katarina, who along with her staff , is very nice and very helpful. Our room is very spacious and cozy (and honestly its kinda nice not having to share a bed with Jill- shes a heat mooche! ) We did not do much due to exhaustion and ...well thats it. We had fish and chips (or as we called it in Crescent City, CA) yummy fried goodness and boy it ever was! Very tasty and delicious. Then we stopped in the chocolate shop and tried some pieces of their homemade chocolate. Including dark with chilly powder, mint, elderflower, plain and (we have yet to taste it ) Irish whiskey truffle. We went into Hackets and both of us (yes me too) tried Guiness and Murphy's. I personally wont try either again. Although Guiness is easier to drink and doesnt taste like (as jill puts it) burnt coffee. We returned to Grove House and sat in the dinning room, playing double solitaire (I won) , drinking tea and writing postcards. A perfect end to a very long day.
   Today, after almost oversleeping, we got some breakfast (yum) and went into town to find Jillian some clothes. We at least got good news on that front, keep your fingers crossed that the bag will be in Kerry.Then we headed to Mizen Head Light. Jillian is doing a marvelous job of driving on the left side of the road and has not managed to kill or maim us- Good job sis! She also humored me and stopped once or twice at picturesque spots. The first was right outside of Schull, where there was a path down to the rocks on the water. Jillian got a little excited and went off exploring. We both are practically fearless to climbing down on rocks to the water due to all the times we spent in Maine. The whole area made my little Marine Scientist heart just ...melt. The ocean was sooo blue, the water was so clear, the air cool and the crashing waves let out that smell that to me just says "the sea". (What can I say- Im a nerd.) Ive missed all those things since Ive been back in the Midwest! The rock formations (my geology professors would have LOVED) are something ive never seen before. I honestly cannot describe it and you will just have to wait for the pictures. Mizen Head was just as undescribeable and Jillian has posted a few of the millions of pics I took from our 2 hr walk. We returned to Schull after a few more stops for pictures and had some dinner. The Gubbeen cheese was very tasty and Im sorry that Jill missed her markets. We returned to Grove House to sit outside and enjoy the sunset. Jill looked at all my pics I took today  and she realized that i took one or two of her when she wasnt paying attention...hehehe. I did NOT fall asleep no matter what she says. Anyways, we are writing postcards and drinking tea, winding down after our day. Cannot wait to see what the Irish seal center is all about! Next stop: Tralee, County Kerry.
  Slainte Kaitie                         Picture count : 340

Put it in the wash, it'll be grand.

We are finally here/there. County Cork in the town called Schull. I am exhausted and without clean clothes. That's right folks not only were we delayed for a day in NYC which caused me to miss two, count them, two Farmer's markets, but the airline and its oh so awesomeness lost my luggage and they have no idea where it is. I'm without clean everything. We had to buy body wash and tomorrow clothes shopping. I wonder how much I can spend and bill us airways. They told me to keep all receipts. And to contact them when we move B&Bs if I don't get it by the time we leave Schull. Seriously, I am trying not to let the fact that I have no clothes bring me down. But its tough.


To catch you up, Friday night we ended up stranded in NYC. Luckily, our cousin and his wife were awesome enough to take us in. On Saturday morning, we enjoyed fabulous breakfast at Pastsi's then took a walk on the Highline. The highline is old rail way that they turned into a park. Great views of NYC from the third level point of view. We also walked through Chelsea Market which was awesome and I wish I had more time there. They had a place with all kinds of flavored vinegars, oils, and salts. The bacon salt and peach vinegar were my favs! Our flight out of NYC was at 4:00 to DC then 6:00 to Philly then 9:00 to Dublin.

Our first day seemed so long. We arrived in Dublin right at 9am. We had no idea what to do about the missing bag until about 10am and by the time we got our car, it was 11am. SO …(Kaitie was just now sleeping with her mouth open..lol). Anyways… We hired a Nissan Micra. Its tiny but not tiny enough I would find out. Driving on the left in the left side of the car is semi difficult. I forgot sometimes if there wasn’t someone in front of me. And I forgot on the highway when I was in the far right lane and everyone and their mother were passing me looking at me like go faster or move over. Kait got a catnap in and let me tell you before we hit Cork I was having issues staying awake. After Cork it was roundabout after roundabout then small village with even smaller roads. Small roads with cars parked on each side and having two cars try to pass eachother sometimes results in to mirrors meeting and the driver cursing. Not me mind you. : ) Anyways, then another roundabout. Sometimes I missed the correct exit and just drove around in the circle until I got it right. Don’t judge. Bandon, Skibbereen and finally Schull at about 430pm (Irish time five hours ahead).

Grove House is super cute but not overly so. Just the right amount of quaint. We have the room called Yeats. It has two twin beds and a very nice bathroom. The beds both have down comforters which help at night because it gets chilly. Our hostess, Katarina is absolutely the best. She is very helpful with our questions and makes us hot tea whenever and wherever we want it. We had tea as soon as we got to the house. Then we headed into the village to find me some clothes. Everything was very overwhelming and I was so tired I couldn’t even decide. (the owner told me I looked shell-shocked. ) onward, to the best fish and chip place in town according to Fingal, which by the way is called Fish Shop, right on the harbor. Fish & Chips that don’t taste fishy, yes please. We finished our night in the local Pub called Hacketts. Most everyone was outside because it was gorgeous and sunny which is rare. We stayed inside or rather got stuck insides by two gents who told us everything and anything we wanted and didn’t want to know. They also had us try both a Guiness and Murphy’s to decide which we preferred. Neither but if I had to choose Guiness is lighter and tastes less like burnt coffee. Later, while tucked in our B&B we had hot tea which I am started to love and played double solitaire. Kaitie won. And fell into bed.

Monday: Almost over slept today but made it downstairs just in time for freshly prepared breakfast. Eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, fresh bread, oj and hot tea. Tomorrow I think I am going to enquire what an irish breakfast contains. Maybe some blood pudding? Airport dude called and they found my luggage but don’t know when they can get it to me. : ( at least it is in the same country as me. We finished breakfast and took a much needed shower then I put on dirty clothes…shower seems pointless. : ). I went back to the shop in town and found a hoodie and a long sleeve shirt. And I’m billing USair. And they will pay. Or else.. dun dun dun… The people in the shop were very sweet and gave us directions to the mizen head signal house. It was about 30 mins he said. I think it took me a hour. I’m telling you driving up the hill was no fun. And the little towns turn my knuckles white. A few gray hairs, a stop off to an old tomb, and 6 euros each later, Kaitie and I spent the next two hours with are cameras attached to our eyes, our mouths open, and our heads shaking marveling at how beautiful the Mizen Head Signal house is. My thighs are going to hurt from all the 20degree ramps and the steep steps but I won’t ever forget this place. The weather was absolutely perfect according to the very cute Irishman manning the signal house. And he was right. Blue Skies as far as the eye could see. And we can see pretty far. The drive back wasn’t as terrible.

  I beginning to think it would be real easy to drive on the left all the time. Maybe I’ll stay.  Dinner, we ate at the Bunratty Inn. We had the most amazing cheese, Gubbeen cheese, locally made, that was fried and served over a salad with a port wine sauce. Overall, best day, tho it is only our second day and it will only get better. Big smiles…

Cheers- Jillian

7 days

So, I finally get to say something! yes it is 7 days away. I am some what packed- there are things in my suitcase, but not very neat.Its not so I wont wear the clothes, cause most of these clothes i wear during the spring and  fall or when I lived out in Crescent City,CA. Its mostly so I wont trip over something in my room and do a face plant at 3am.
  I am along for the ride. I personally dont care what we do cause Ill be in Ireland! IRELAND! I mean ...wow. I have never traveled off of North America. So my only request is an Irish seal center..but hey thats what I do. Im seriously curious at how they do the same thing... both medically and physically. Not to mention who with the Irish government handles that. So many questions so little time. Ask Jillian about all the farmers markets we have to hit or why she wants to try blood pudding- why, cause thats what she does. And she says shes not counting...but she is. She has been since like May. Im surprised she hasnt packed yet. And no, no heels in my suitcase either...not that there has ever been. Shocking. I know.
 But the days are winding down and as the 19th gets closer we both get more and more excited. We will definitely take the Irish countryside by storm. I will be taking tons of pictures so stay tuned for those! I took over 300 during a week in Maine...imagine what I can do for a 10 day trip in Ireland. Itll be alot.


Slainte   Kaitie

A week away

SO we leave on the 19th. Its right around the corner and I still don't feel like we are actually going. Will it feel real when I close my suitcase? when I explain to my friend on how to feed my cat? when Amanda takes us to the airport? or will it finally sink in when we land in Dublin?

I am still iffy on what to pack. Sweaters, jeans, and scarves are a definite, but the girls at work think I should have some night outfits. Of course then I'll really stick out like a soar thumb. People in the local pubs don't get all fancy. Heels would definitely be stupid. It will be the first trip I take and I don't pack a pair of heels.

Our itinerary is pretty set now. 3 days Cork, 1 day Kerry, 4 days Clare, and 2 days Dublin. We are going to the Seal Sanctuary in Lispole and are horse back riding in Clare. Both places will be amazing. Kaitie was along for the ride until the Seal Sanctuary thing... now shes going crazy planning everything...just kidding. I guess I will allow one thing for her. lol.

Slainte. Jillian

3 weeks and a few days

I'm not counting, I promise.

Ireland is our first out of the country take over. We've already experienced the Boston area, Lincoln City, Oregon, and the Florida Keys together. We leave on August 19th and arrive in Dublin on the 20th. It seems so far away yet I know it will be here before I'm ready for it. We will be staying in Ireland for 10 days and hopefully be able to update this blog often throughout our trip. It will save us on phone calls and postage.

Not much is planned definitely, yet. We have an idea of everything we want to do. The first few days are booked but from there, we are winging it. Schull, Ireland is our first stop. Three nights here to get to know some locals and explore the Mizen Head peninsula. Saturday night will be spent in a local pub of course. Then Sunday a farmer's market. I'm so excited and Kaitie, well she informs me she is just along for the ride.

I think packing might be an issue. Ten days in weather that changes quicker than a hormonal woman's moods. But it won't be crazy hot. I've told layers is the best way to prepare. I'll probably start packing sooner than later.

Can't wait.- Jillian