All good things in life are free

This past wknd, I finally made my way to Kinsale!! Kinsale is a cute little town, full of character and over priced goods that banks the harbour, on the tip of Ireland! It's about an hours drive for most people...80mins for this kid as I seem to be a pro at getting lost! I arrived on the bank holiday so parking was a little tricky, but hey, it was free!

I began what's called the Sciily walk, which is a wooded footpath along the very edge of the sea! You can look down on the entire town, and out onto the water. Its gorgeous! This lasted for about 30mins before I had to turn back...Irish weather -always unpredictable and when your walking along, umbrella in one hand, expensive camera in the other and trying to take photos while your umbrella is pretending to be a kite...it turns out that its not so easy! Definitely not worth damaging my camera either!

I then walked into town, browsed in the shops that I couldn't afford and sat near the harbour watching some Regatta that was going on!

I made my way to Charles Fort, built in the 17th century, it is a star-shaped fort, and much of the construction that begun in 1678 remains. The fort has two enormous bastions overlooking the estuary, and three facing inland. Within its walls were all the barracks and ancillary facilities to support the fort’s garrison. It was used until 1922!

I then felt like going for a drive and Iexploring. Found a sign for the "Old Head" and felt inspired to see what this was. Thru winding roads, and narrow bends, I finally reached this place...it was UNBELIEVABLE!!! Turns out I was on one of the fingers of Ireland, on the very tip! There were these massive cliffs and rolling green hills..the pictures don't do justice, you really need to see for yourself!!! If you look at the picture of the cliffs to your left, it has been made into a world-renowned golf course..the most expensive course to golf on in all of Ireland...starting at €200 up to €300, not including golf carts or anything....shit son!! The Old Head is also the closest piece of land to where the RMA Luistania sunk in 1915. Just 8 miles off the coast is where the ship was torpedoed by the Germans and sunk within 18mins, killing 1200 people.  I climbed up to the very top, sat down and just took it all in. These moments seem to be what I enjoy most...driving off to gods no where, not a clue where I'm going...-yet in the end this is what I discover...and it's soo much better than paying to get into some museum. Sure the history in them is great but so is the history in how these beautiful landmarks came to be! So there you go...the best things in life really are free! Staring off and seeing how the sea disappears into the sky, it made me realize..."shit...I'm actually sooo far away from home!" I sat there for a good while, just thinking, and reflecting back on the past 2 months and how much has changed. Moving across the world was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make..and definitely the scariest!!! Yes, scarier than jumping out of a plane @ 10,500FT!! But...it's already been over a month..and time has just flown by. When I first arrived, I felt like I was just on holidays "the honeymoon stage", everyone told me I would be super homesick..but I'm not....yet. I'm really happy in my new surroundings. I've settled in nicely, made new friends, spread my wings and am experiencing a whole new life.

On a totally different subject...I also went to see the musical Mamma Mia in Cork city that wknd!! It was AWESOME!! I had bought the cheapest seats available @ €44, was in row W, seat 91! So I could see...but not well. What does one do in this situation?? As soon as the lights go down, help myself to a seat in dead center, row J of course!! That's how I do... hahaha! I loved every minute of the show, and the male actors weren't too bad on the eyes either! Especially the Greek ones! Anyways...I couldn't take pictures of the show, so you'll have to imagine for yourselves! Here's a picture of the 'Marquee' tho! It's like a humongous tent!

I also went and checked out the Midleton street festival with my housedad Eoin! We had a pint and listened to the bands playing. The festival is sorta like the Fringe back home..only not as many artists or street performances, but it had bands, beer (obviously, were in Ireland!) a pig on a spit and male waxing! ...what! For charity, they were pulling guys up from the crowds and waxing everything from legs, backs, armpits, chests etc! It was hilarious to see the guys squirming on stage, tears in their eyes...good stuff! Also, each pub in Midleton had to nominate one of their employees to dress up as a woman, so there were many cross dressers in attendance as well! LOL

That was my wknd...I'm finally caught up! Whew...that's a relief! I will do my best to keep up with this in the future...believe me...I've learned my lesson!!! :)

I love you all...missing you in Ireland

XOXO

K

Dublin: My hunt for a leprechaun

DUBLIN!!! I know, I know this was about 2wks ago now, I am slowly catching up on my updates...I'm going to go ahead and blame some of it on slow Internet connection at times but reality is..I've just been busy exploring the land!

SO, Dublin wknd was June 24-25th. We all got up SUPER early Saturday morning and met up @ Wallis' where we then drove to Cork train station. After minor delays, we were on the train and well on our way!! The ride wasn't overly scenic, much like Saskatchewan so we all napped and were well rested upon arrival in Dublin!!

We arrived in Dublin shortly after 10am, and walked to our Hostel. Our Hostel was right in the Temple Bar district and close to the river which really came in handy! It was in the middle of an alley and directly across from a bar, so it was very noisy...and not very clean either. But it was a bed!

To the right is a picture from inside the Hostel. Displayed are various different currencies from around the world, all from visitors who have stayed in this Hostel! See if you can spot the Canadian $5 bill!!

After dropping off our backpacks, we walked to Trinity College. It was gorgeous, fancy buildings and one of the things I've noticed is that theres really no such thing as concrete sidewalks or pathways. It's all cobble stone or bricks. Some areas just aren't made for walking in heels...lesson learned!! We also did some shopping the in the area and ran into our first leprechaun! SUCCESS!!

We then walked to Saint Stephens Green, which to me looks like the Central Park of Dublin. I realize I've never actually been to Central Park but from what the movies portray it to be...this park was like that only on a much smaller scale! I believe the park was about 9 acres..something like that!

After our walk in the park, we walked to Dublin Castle. Now don't get me wrong...it was beautiful. But it was a bit of a letdown. Dublin Castle is so famous, yet, when you see it...its SO small! I've always dreamt that it would be on a nice green hill, surrounded by a fortress with large towers...nooooope! Its right in the middle of the city, and all of these city buildings have been built up right next to the Castle! Its a shame really, I think it destroys part of its history & beauty. We didn't take a tour, but we found a nice green park nearby to rest our tired feet for awhile!

We then walked to the Temple Bar district, where we had pizza and beer for dinner. We were all dead tired, most unlively group in the restaurant by far...and it was only 6pm! We finished dinner, and the walk back to our Hostel woke us up...sort've! We got freshened up, unloaded our shopping from the day and relaxed until it was time to go out.

That night we 1st went to the bar that was directly across from our Hostel. There was live music, and an all-over good vibe. After a few drinks, we left the bar, headed across the river and went to thee Temple Bar! It was packed!! The one bouncer wouldn't let us in since 2 of the girls from our group were only 20, and you needed to be 21. What does one do in this predicament? Go around the corner, to the next bouncer of course! We got in, listened to some of the music for awhile, and then headed off to the next bar!

After a few more bars, and yes..more shopping! The shops were open late so I got some souvenirs for the brothers back home! After a short walk home, we quietly crept into our room as to not disturb our new roommates and attempted to crash but....with the loud music, hot room and oh so comfortable beds...no one got much sleep!!! lol

Sunday morning we got up early since we couldn't sleep... grabbed a quick breakfast and checked out of our Hostel. We then walked to the bus station, bought our tickets for later and saw the famous Post Office and Custom House along our way! I also found myself another leprechaun friend!

We caught the tram to Kilmainham Gaol to give our feet a rest! ;) We got a guided tour of the former prisoner and I gotta say...I really enjoyed this place! So much history, it was so interesting! It was built in 1796, and is one of the largest unoccupied jails in all of Europe! Many public hangings were done in the front gates of the jail, and the youngest prisoner to ever be convicted was just 7years old for petty theft. The jail was so over crowded that often they would be up to 5-6 prisoners/cell which were small to begin with. Each cell was given a single candle for light and heat which was to last 2 weeks. The living conditions were indescribable...

The newer addition to the Jail, pictured on the left may look familiar!! U2's "A Celebration", among other bands have filmed music videos here (check it out on YouTube for a mini tour of the jail!), as well as over 100 films...such as the Italian job, In the Name of the Father, The Escapist and many more!

Next stop....Guinness Storehouse!! For the record, I like many other highly intelligent people can't stand "The black stuff" but when in Dublin, you must check out the Storehouse!! The factory is designed a giant pint that if filled, would hold 14.3 million Litres of Guinness...now that's a fun night out!! I took the tour of how the 'magic' happens, which was pretty sweet, and then we got to do the taste experience...gotta say, even after knowing how the beer is made...it's still as awful as before! Now, somehow I managed to get myself separated from my group...a typical Kayla thing to do. So, after wondering around the 7 stories looking for everyone, I gave up and went shopping in the gift shop. I still couldn't find anyone even after waiting around watching the Flamingo dancers so I thought maybe, just maybe everyone was waiting outside? I leave the factory, only to discover there's absolutely no one outside, and I can't get back in! I reach for my phone to call one of the girls to come find me...and I have ZERO credit!! FML here I am in Dublin, separated from my friends, without a phone and there isn't a person or payphone in sight. What does one do in such a situation you ask? Sit down on the curb by myself for over an hour, all while thinking..'I can figure out how to get back to the Hostel...right?!' Anyways, eventually my friends found me and let me tell you, I have never been so relieved to see their faces!! Why do I always find myself lost in strange cities all alone??? Why!!! hahaha

We quickly picked up our backpacks from the Hostel, caught the bus back to Cork, and then drove home to Midleton! The drive home was pretty uneventful, asides from the fact that the emergency exit on the bus kept flying home...safety first right guys!? All in all, it was an awesome wknd filled with memories, adventures, sleepless nights and blisters! Gotta love it!

Check back soon for updates on Kinsale...promise I'll try to keep up with this thing...;) I love you all, missing you in Ireland!
XOXO
K

My 1st European Car!

Oii!! Where did the time go?? It appears I am very far behind on my blog...oops! Guess that means I've been busy busy!!! So about 3 weeks ago, I received my very 1st European Car!!!  FREEDOM!!  At first, I was pretty much shitting my pants as the roads here are QUITE narrow, and when oncoming trucks or buses come along the road you literally have no space! Now that I've been driving nearly everyday, Im getting used to driving on the left hand side of the road, and even the narrow streets are becoming easier! Some old habits seem to be hard to break however....I've hopped into the car, put my seatbelt on only to realize...oh right, the wheels on the right! ....embarrassing!! My car is a 98' Opel Corsa, it reminds me of my very first car which was a 87' Nissan Sentra. They both have about the same amt of horsepower...vroom vroom!

On Tuesday I decided to go for a drive, and see where the road takes me. The roads here are stunning!! Lots of bends and hills, and often the trees on either side of the road will form a tunnel above the road, and when the light shines thru..theres nothing else like it! Beautiful! Anyways, I ended up in Ballycotton and took some pictures along the harbour! I didn't go much further as I was low on pertro and hadn't a clue where the nearest station was to fill up! :p

I also drove to Cobh that week (pronouced Cove) Cobh was the last port that the Titanic was ever docked to! In Cobh, there is a Titanic memorial that I checked out, and I also walked along the boardwalk and took some photos.

I also drove to Youghal that week..it was a busy week of exploring the nearby towns!! I didn't do a whole lot in Youhal, but I did walk along the coastline, taking pictures of the lighthouse, and later walked into town. Downtown there is this massive clock tower, built in 1777 it served the town as a gaol (jail) and public gallows until 1837; prisoners were executed by being hanged from the windows. The clock is also only displaced on the one side because it was thought that only one side of the town deserved to know what time it was...

Thats about all I did that week. Every Wednesday evening, all the au pairs in the surrounding area meet up at a pub called Wallis'. Its been a tradition in Midleton for ages. It's a great way to meet people from all over the world, share some laughs and listen to live music!

I'll try and update on a more regular basis...I've learned my lesson! Check back soon for updates from Dublin & Kinsale! 

I love you all, missing you in Ireland!

XOXO

K