I didn't see any dwarfs during my time in Ireland but they are very big on their fairy and leprechaun culture. Unfortunately I had to stick to actual classes related to my major but my roommates got to take fun ones in Irish folklore. Apparently fairies - not all nice. Although if you think about it Tinkerbell (who is really the only popular culture fairy I can think of at the moment) was a bit mischievous.
Anyway Kathleen Madigan is an American comedian but she does a funny sketch on how she believes the Irish leprechaun legend began.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Belfast
So last weekend my roommate and I went to Belfast. One of the most interesting cities I have ever been in.
We get there by taking a bus to Dublin and then another bus to Belfast. We arrived there sometime around 11:30 PM. Now, I have mapquested our hostel but I have no idea where we are. So we are told by a cab driver that it's just down the road. Comforting at 11:30 PM. We walk down the road a little bit and see this picture.
Toto, I don't think we are in Cork anymore. We find our hostel a little bit down the road from here and pretty much crash. The next morning we are up, bright and early, because it is Giant's Causeway day. We find out that a tour leaves from our hostel. PERFECT. So we get on and find out our first location is the Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge. This rope bridge was constructed 90 feet above the water by fisherman to collect salmon. Now there are no salmon left but the bridge is there. So we decided to cross it and it's a little bit scary. It is a little more bouncy than I would have liked and a bit windy but we crossed the bridge. Here's a picture of what the bridge looks like.
Next stop is Dunlace Castle. In good Irish fashion, the bus driver decides to tell us a story about the castle. Supposedly there was a party going on, but the wind was a whipping, the rain was a slapping and all of a sudden the crowd heard a large bang. They run outside and think it is lightening. But oh no, the kitchen and part of the cliff has fallen into the ocean. (This is the part where I go, "WHAT???") Anyway the wife didn't want this to happen again so she moved the family somewhere else. Good call, that's a very good call.
After Dunlace, we had lunch at the Bushmills Distillery. We didn't actually tour the distillery but I ate a very delicious Guinness and beef pie. Finally after Bushmills, it was time for Giant's Causeway. Now there is the boring story of how the rocks are formed which was volcanic eruption...or the fun Irish one. So back in the day, Finn McCool was a giant who roamed the land. Since the Giant's Causeway is only about 13 miles from Scotland, he could see another giant skulking around in Scotland. Being all height and no brains, he decides to go challenge the Scottish giant. So Finn constructs this bridge made up of rocks (the causeway) and he crosses over to Scotland. Once there, he finds out that the giant (named Bennadonna) is a wee bit bigger than expected and turns right around and runs home to Ireland. Finn goes to his wife and tells her his predicament, ie. that a huge ass giant is coming over to Ireland to give him a beat down. Finn's wife quickly constructs a crib and tells Finn to lay in it. When Bennadonna arrives at the McCool family residence, he says (and this is a direct quote from the bus driver), "Woman, where is your husband?" Mrs. McCool just says, "I don't know. It's just me and the child at home." Bennadonna takes one look at the "sleeping" Finn and thinks that if this the baby, he really didn't want to meet the father so he leaves to go back to Scotland. In the process, he purposely destroys the bridge that Finn built.
Anyway day two of Belfast consisted of the Black Cab Tour. One of the most interesting and thought provoking rides I have ever taken. We started in the Protestant section of town to see the murals. We learned about the history of the "Troubles" and how the two major para-military groups still retain a lot of influence in the area, the Ulster Freedom Fighters for the Protestants and the Irish Republican Army for the Catholics. Belfast is kinda crazy because it is only 20% integrated and most areas still remain 100% Protestant or Catholic. From what I can understand from our cab driver the "troubles" started in the 60's with the Catholics taking cue from the protests going on in the United States and started demanding equal rights even though they were the minority. Anyway Protestants weren't a huge fan of this and riots started and then escalated into an over 30 year conflict. The cab driver emphasized that it has never been about religion, but politics. About 3600 people have died in the "troubles." I think the ceasefire was signed in the mid-90's but it seems like an uneasy peace.
If you go to the Protestant side, you have murals commemorating leaders of the Ulster Freedom Fighters and one particularly creepy one called the "Belfast Mona Lisa" because no matter how you look at it, it appears that there is a gun pointed at you. They also have ones advocating for more community involvement in the government and ones celebrating heroes to their faith, like Oliver Cromwell. We then crossed the "Peace Wall." This was not a "oh lets celebrate peace in our communities" wall, the bridge is 42 feet high and is only open certain times of the day to let people cross. If you are anywhere in the city, you are also videotaped. We got to the Catholic side and saw more murals with IRA heroes like Bobby Sands and the other ten people who died as part of the hunger strike in the attempt to get political prisoner status in prison (which they had until Margaret Thatcher took it away.) There was also a mural commemorating the women and children who, when there was a sweep of the community by the police for weapons and the place was put on lock down so no one in or out, smuggled weapons out by saying they needed to feed people and then hiding weapons under children and bread. It was an interesting tour. Nothing like I had ever experienced before.
We also got to go to the Belfast Christmas market where I had the traditional Irish food of kangaroo. I figured, why not? Bit gamey. Anyway back in Cork but really interesting weekend.
We get there by taking a bus to Dublin and then another bus to Belfast. We arrived there sometime around 11:30 PM. Now, I have mapquested our hostel but I have no idea where we are. So we are told by a cab driver that it's just down the road. Comforting at 11:30 PM. We walk down the road a little bit and see this picture.
Toto, I don't think we are in Cork anymore. We find our hostel a little bit down the road from here and pretty much crash. The next morning we are up, bright and early, because it is Giant's Causeway day. We find out that a tour leaves from our hostel. PERFECT. So we get on and find out our first location is the Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge. This rope bridge was constructed 90 feet above the water by fisherman to collect salmon. Now there are no salmon left but the bridge is there. So we decided to cross it and it's a little bit scary. It is a little more bouncy than I would have liked and a bit windy but we crossed the bridge. Here's a picture of what the bridge looks like.
Next stop is Dunlace Castle. In good Irish fashion, the bus driver decides to tell us a story about the castle. Supposedly there was a party going on, but the wind was a whipping, the rain was a slapping and all of a sudden the crowd heard a large bang. They run outside and think it is lightening. But oh no, the kitchen and part of the cliff has fallen into the ocean. (This is the part where I go, "WHAT???") Anyway the wife didn't want this to happen again so she moved the family somewhere else. Good call, that's a very good call.
After Dunlace, we had lunch at the Bushmills Distillery. We didn't actually tour the distillery but I ate a very delicious Guinness and beef pie. Finally after Bushmills, it was time for Giant's Causeway. Now there is the boring story of how the rocks are formed which was volcanic eruption...or the fun Irish one. So back in the day, Finn McCool was a giant who roamed the land. Since the Giant's Causeway is only about 13 miles from Scotland, he could see another giant skulking around in Scotland. Being all height and no brains, he decides to go challenge the Scottish giant. So Finn constructs this bridge made up of rocks (the causeway) and he crosses over to Scotland. Once there, he finds out that the giant (named Bennadonna) is a wee bit bigger than expected and turns right around and runs home to Ireland. Finn goes to his wife and tells her his predicament, ie. that a huge ass giant is coming over to Ireland to give him a beat down. Finn's wife quickly constructs a crib and tells Finn to lay in it. When Bennadonna arrives at the McCool family residence, he says (and this is a direct quote from the bus driver), "Woman, where is your husband?" Mrs. McCool just says, "I don't know. It's just me and the child at home." Bennadonna takes one look at the "sleeping" Finn and thinks that if this the baby, he really didn't want to meet the father so he leaves to go back to Scotland. In the process, he purposely destroys the bridge that Finn built.
Anyway day two of Belfast consisted of the Black Cab Tour. One of the most interesting and thought provoking rides I have ever taken. We started in the Protestant section of town to see the murals. We learned about the history of the "Troubles" and how the two major para-military groups still retain a lot of influence in the area, the Ulster Freedom Fighters for the Protestants and the Irish Republican Army for the Catholics. Belfast is kinda crazy because it is only 20% integrated and most areas still remain 100% Protestant or Catholic. From what I can understand from our cab driver the "troubles" started in the 60's with the Catholics taking cue from the protests going on in the United States and started demanding equal rights even though they were the minority. Anyway Protestants weren't a huge fan of this and riots started and then escalated into an over 30 year conflict. The cab driver emphasized that it has never been about religion, but politics. About 3600 people have died in the "troubles." I think the ceasefire was signed in the mid-90's but it seems like an uneasy peace.
If you go to the Protestant side, you have murals commemorating leaders of the Ulster Freedom Fighters and one particularly creepy one called the "Belfast Mona Lisa" because no matter how you look at it, it appears that there is a gun pointed at you. They also have ones advocating for more community involvement in the government and ones celebrating heroes to their faith, like Oliver Cromwell. We then crossed the "Peace Wall." This was not a "oh lets celebrate peace in our communities" wall, the bridge is 42 feet high and is only open certain times of the day to let people cross. If you are anywhere in the city, you are also videotaped. We got to the Catholic side and saw more murals with IRA heroes like Bobby Sands and the other ten people who died as part of the hunger strike in the attempt to get political prisoner status in prison (which they had until Margaret Thatcher took it away.) There was also a mural commemorating the women and children who, when there was a sweep of the community by the police for weapons and the place was put on lock down so no one in or out, smuggled weapons out by saying they needed to feed people and then hiding weapons under children and bread. It was an interesting tour. Nothing like I had ever experienced before.
We also got to go to the Belfast Christmas market where I had the traditional Irish food of kangaroo. I figured, why not? Bit gamey. Anyway back in Cork but really interesting weekend.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Update on the Smurf Hand Situation
I went back to the office to turn in another paper today and I cracked some line about "alright so far, so good, no exploding pens." The woman laughed and asked if I had seen the outside of the door.
I opened the door and looked on the other side. Yeahhh there is definitely blue ink on the other side of the door. I hadn't realized that my pen had exploded yet and had put my full hand on the door (not the door handle, but door) to open it yesterday. They have to repaint the door now. They had just had it repainted last week.
I opened the door and looked on the other side. Yeahhh there is definitely blue ink on the other side of the door. I hadn't realized that my pen had exploded yet and had put my full hand on the door (not the door handle, but door) to open it yesterday. They have to repaint the door now. They had just had it repainted last week.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Hodgepodge
Random Things I Learned:
1. People don't clean their sidewalks after snow for fear of getting sued. This is what an Irish person told me today. They worry more about cleaning it and then someone falling on ice that forms when the freezing rain comes down. This is why the sidewalks and street are covered in a sheet of ice at 8:30 this and every other morning this week.
2. While I was at a bar last night, some guy called another girl, "a real scuttlewoman," - apparently this means that the person is up to no good.
3. There is apparently an Irish way of doing things. For instance, a politician got called out for building a fence on his property using public money. Instead of being turned over to the Garda, he had to donate $10,000 to a Lourdes Invalid Fund.
4. There is some debate being the Catholic Church only has to contribute 300 million for clerical abuse victims and then anything above and beyond that is covered by the state.
5. They talk about "freezing fog" coming in. I don't know what that entails but it sounds somewhat like death as an atmospheric condition.
6. When I went to turn in my paper today, as I was filling out the receipt to prove that I turned in the paper, my pen exploded. My hand looked like I put it a stamp pad of blue ink. It was a bit of a mess but I had someone help me get the papers out of my folder. However I really didn't care that much and was joking around with the woman in the office that I had to go de-Smurfify my hands. She said I could have some fun with it and pretend I have frostbite to people on the street. I enjoyed the suggestion.
7. If you have any kind of a warm sandwich here, they call it toastie. I enjoy it.
8. They wish people a "happy Christmas"
1. People don't clean their sidewalks after snow for fear of getting sued. This is what an Irish person told me today. They worry more about cleaning it and then someone falling on ice that forms when the freezing rain comes down. This is why the sidewalks and street are covered in a sheet of ice at 8:30 this and every other morning this week.
2. While I was at a bar last night, some guy called another girl, "a real scuttlewoman," - apparently this means that the person is up to no good.
3. There is apparently an Irish way of doing things. For instance, a politician got called out for building a fence on his property using public money. Instead of being turned over to the Garda, he had to donate $10,000 to a Lourdes Invalid Fund.
4. There is some debate being the Catholic Church only has to contribute 300 million for clerical abuse victims and then anything above and beyond that is covered by the state.
5. They talk about "freezing fog" coming in. I don't know what that entails but it sounds somewhat like death as an atmospheric condition.
6. When I went to turn in my paper today, as I was filling out the receipt to prove that I turned in the paper, my pen exploded. My hand looked like I put it a stamp pad of blue ink. It was a bit of a mess but I had someone help me get the papers out of my folder. However I really didn't care that much and was joking around with the woman in the office that I had to go de-Smurfify my hands. She said I could have some fun with it and pretend I have frostbite to people on the street. I enjoyed the suggestion.
7. If you have any kind of a warm sandwich here, they call it toastie. I enjoy it.
8. They wish people a "happy Christmas"
Monday, December 6, 2010
It's Rugby Time of Year
Quick post:
There are a lot of big rugby games going on right now. I can't actually name any but the commercials are great. There is the national pride Guinness one and then the scrappy bar one from Heineken.
There are a lot of big rugby games going on right now. I can't actually name any but the commercials are great. There is the national pride Guinness one and then the scrappy bar one from Heineken.
Sinterklaas
Last night I got to celebrate Sinterklaas for the first time in my life. Sinterklaas is how the Dutch people celebrate the arrival of good ole Saint Nick. Dutch children receive their presents every December 5th instead of on the 25th.
However there is such a huge backstory so I will try to capture it properly. Sinterklaas lives in Spain. He comes to Holland every year around November 20th. On a boat. It is a HUGE deal. He comes to a new town each year and crowds line the waterways to greet him on his boat. Not only that but there is a newcast that goes on. The anchor broadcasts the arrival of Sinterklaas and the town goes nuts. They sing songs. The mayor comes out. This year the anchor and the mayor were shocked because Sinterklaas came in a different direction than was expected. And Sinterklaas is a tricky fellow. Sometimes he leaves little gingerbread snap things called peppernoten on the ground to make the crowd THINK that he has been there.
So Sinterklaas comes in on his boat. With his black posse. They are called Black Petes, as in short for Peter. And they are basically Santa's little helpers. Dressed up like minstrels that belong in Henry XVIII court. Supposedly they are black due to going down the chimney.
Anyway Sinterklaas comes in and stays in his palace and his job is basically done. However over the next fifteen days or so, his representatives travel to every town in Holland. In addition, there are segments on the news like "oh no, someone stole Sinterklaas' book (ya know the naughty or nice one)" and then they follow it up on the next day with "found the book, all is well." Or there is some debate that Sinterklaas may get stuck and not get under a bridge. In addition, there are little stories that are told each year about Sinterklaas and his black helpers. On the night of December 5th, generally people are eating dinner and they hear a knock on the window (Black Pete) and they rush in and all the presents are there. They exchange gifts then and read poems to each other.
Another tradition of this holiday is to eat chocolate and candy until you feel nauseous. (No problem with this part.) So after a Dutch meal of kale and potatoes and meatballs, we ate lots of chocolate. Like Sinterklaas and Black Petes made up of chocolate. Giant chocolate letters, like a giant M made out of chocolate, and a box of peppernoten (gingerbread snaps kinda shaped like corn pops) with other fun candy interspersed.
All in all a really interesting holiday. I've included a video of the Black Petes. They are singing in Dutch but if you see a fat woman running, she is one of the naughty people. I'm not sure if the video is available in the United States, but hopefully you can watch it.
Black Petes
However there is such a huge backstory so I will try to capture it properly. Sinterklaas lives in Spain. He comes to Holland every year around November 20th. On a boat. It is a HUGE deal. He comes to a new town each year and crowds line the waterways to greet him on his boat. Not only that but there is a newcast that goes on. The anchor broadcasts the arrival of Sinterklaas and the town goes nuts. They sing songs. The mayor comes out. This year the anchor and the mayor were shocked because Sinterklaas came in a different direction than was expected. And Sinterklaas is a tricky fellow. Sometimes he leaves little gingerbread snap things called peppernoten on the ground to make the crowd THINK that he has been there.
So Sinterklaas comes in on his boat. With his black posse. They are called Black Petes, as in short for Peter. And they are basically Santa's little helpers. Dressed up like minstrels that belong in Henry XVIII court. Supposedly they are black due to going down the chimney.
Anyway Sinterklaas comes in and stays in his palace and his job is basically done. However over the next fifteen days or so, his representatives travel to every town in Holland. In addition, there are segments on the news like "oh no, someone stole Sinterklaas' book (ya know the naughty or nice one)" and then they follow it up on the next day with "found the book, all is well." Or there is some debate that Sinterklaas may get stuck and not get under a bridge. In addition, there are little stories that are told each year about Sinterklaas and his black helpers. On the night of December 5th, generally people are eating dinner and they hear a knock on the window (Black Pete) and they rush in and all the presents are there. They exchange gifts then and read poems to each other.
Another tradition of this holiday is to eat chocolate and candy until you feel nauseous. (No problem with this part.) So after a Dutch meal of kale and potatoes and meatballs, we ate lots of chocolate. Like Sinterklaas and Black Petes made up of chocolate. Giant chocolate letters, like a giant M made out of chocolate, and a box of peppernoten (gingerbread snaps kinda shaped like corn pops) with other fun candy interspersed.
All in all a really interesting holiday. I've included a video of the Black Petes. They are singing in Dutch but if you see a fat woman running, she is one of the naughty people. I'm not sure if the video is available in the United States, but hopefully you can watch it.
Black Petes
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Traditional Irish Songs
Before I came over to Ireland, I knew some Irish songs. I have heard some quality songs over the past few months.
The Boys From County Cork
Come out Ye Black and Tans - I am in rebel country
Galway Girl
Seven Drunken Nights
The Boys From County Cork
Come out Ye Black and Tans - I am in rebel country
Galway Girl
Seven Drunken Nights
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)