It used to be that in English class we would have time to free write in journals or some other type of graded medium, and I would load it with mindless page filler and derive the same benefit, none, that most other people of that age would.

Recently I’ve discovered waaaaayy too much free time on my hands in the evenings, and feel that my brain and/or what few writing skills I had are going to waste as I sit on my hands waiting for teaching contracts to go out and determine my fate for the next year. Realizing this, it’s my hope to have a little fun with the blog I made for another bit of self discovery: my European adventure. Further. I’m going to try my hardest to censor the pointless bitching and lamentations that plagued the livejournal I kept in high school. Frequently during my trip I looked forward to being able to write about my experiences and, though I am not seeing nearly the amount of cool new things and people that I once did, perhaps it can help me make a little more something out of nothing.

I doubt this will be interesting or entertaining to anyone other than probably my dad who will stumble across it months later and have a chuckle. All the same feel welcome to what may come.

Craig

Well the time has come to share with you the last photos of my big trip. Its been fun, and I’m glad to have been able to put some thoughts into this journal here. The Ireland photos have some definite beauties in them. There are a lot of random scenery photos that I am not sure what they are but probably just thought they looked cool. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading as much as I have. Who knows, maybe I will even continue writing in this thing.

For now, enjoy!

 All over Ireland

 Craig

Here’s Paris, got some good shots here. Enjoy!

Paris

Craig

Still here in Louisville readjusting to American life, subbing and all that, hoping I can pay down the $2500 of credit card debt that I accrued. It took forever, but I finally got Rome done. I took bunches of pictures of random buildings and ruins and dont know what they all are, but there are quite a few good ones and a number of blurry ones. Paris will come soon. Ciao.

Roma

Craig

The day you’ve all been waiting for has arrived. No, not the day after the Super Bowl, the day of my return and posting of my pictures! So far I’ve done Prague, and the 47 photos should entertain you for a bit. If I saw something cool or random I took a photo of it, so if it isn’t tagged or doesnt have a title, I don’t actually know what it is, or its just another view of something else.

In other news, the flight yesterday was difficult, as the only movies shown were the Jane Austen Book Club and Chicago. Basically I spent a lot of time listening to the ipod, which was fine with me. There was a 2 hour delay in Chicago before I finally made it home, but boy am I glad to be back! And what a Super Bowl; take that cheaters (and that smug Tom Brady)! I woke up with a call for work but expect to be jet lagged for a little bit so hopefully tomorrow. Today, running and reacclimating to the states!

Anyway it takes FOREVER to upload these so it will be just one city at a time for a while, so keep checking back! Enjoy the photos!

Prague

Good evening, travel companions. Today was my last day of the Paddywagon tour and the last full day of European exploration for at least a while for me. Bittersweet, as I am ready to see home after 5 weeks, but have truly had a blast these last 2. Last night’s dinner was nice, together with the whole bus crew, and out to a live band where much dancing and merriment were enjoying. The band begged me not to leave when we went to a different club, I suppose because my enthusiastic gyration was helping their crowd appeal. I do what I can.

Upon waking and enjoying a light breakfast we left the town of Killarney and went to Blarney Castle, home of the famous Blarney stone. Everyone kissed it and we didn’t get in another wreck today, so as long as the whole crew doesn’t break out in cold sores the luck will be for real. And 7 years of eloquence would be a nice way to start my teaching career. It was a cool castle, probably the coolest of the 3 I’ve seen, and had some nice gardens surrounding it.

We left there and stopped in Cashel, home of Phil (the new, very enthusiastic, very gay driver) for lunch. It is a simple monastery town in Tipperary. I can honestly say that I feel like I’ve gotten some truly authentic Irish experiences and have really enjoyed the hospitality of the people and the beauty of the countryside here. If you come to Ireland, Paddywagon tours are definitely worth a look (barring a bus crash).

We got in at 5 and I’ve wandered the city a bit and will hit the sack pretty soon, still being exhausted from last nights dancing and late sleep/early wake. I’m rolling in at 6:10 tomorrow from Chicago after a 3 hour layover at O’Hare.

I hope I can keep up with most of the mates from the bus trip on facebook, probably the best friends I’ve made while I’ve been gone. They are certainly the most fun. I was sad not to see Don, the original driver, but he is still in a bit of shock after being 2 feet from being crushed by the truck the other day. We got him a card and a nice bottle of Irish whiskey as a thank you for driving defensively enough to prevent us all from getting killed.

I will catch part of what appears to be the makings of a disappointing Super Bowl, however mom is making chili and I get to finally get some awesome grub…WHOO HOO!!!! I will try to organize and post the 300+ pictures within the next few days, so keep checking in. Thanks for sharing this much of the journey with me, and I’ll talk to you soon.

Craig

P.S. I didn’t see the particular scene, but am positive that the panoramic picture at the top of this blog is somewhere in Ireland. I picked that back in November when I created the blog. How cool is that?

Yesterday we stayed in the middle of nowhere without phone or internet, which was kinda cool. Wednesday night was a long one, experiencing some tasty Irish stew, cider and live music; I didn’t get in til fairly late but had some good craic. Leaving Galway we took a scenic drive down the west coast of Ireland to the Cliffs of Moher, which are EXTREMELY windy but beautiful to view. Everything we have seen as far as scenery is like somethign out of a movie, very green and pretty.

On the way from Galway we took a ferry across the famous river Shannon and headed down the Dingle Peninsula, another scenic but very rural area. At this point we passed a wreck that was being cleaned up and slowed way down, and were struck head on by a truck who veered into our lane, either out of sheer idiocy or because of the oil spilled from the other crash. I’m not sure because I had been asleep just 5 minutes before and was still groggy but had enough presence of mind to brace myself and walk away uninjured. The bus was totalled and both drivers were lucky to walk away. Fortunately there was a spare bus close by so we didn’t wait too long in the cold and were close to the hostel, where we got a free meal and pint. A few went to bed but I had the spirit to karaoke 7 different songs with gusto.

After a good long sleep we got up this morning with cold showers and a new driver to take us around the peninsula. Phil is a funny guy and we are having a good time with him so far. We afternooned in Dingle after another scenic drive to check out the sleeping giant and hear some local legends. I’m now in Killarney and we are having one last group meal and night out at the bars.  Tomorrow is Blarney Castle, the Blarney Stone and back to Dublin late before I get to head home Sunday morning. I should have at least one more entry, particularly for pictures and all that, so stay tuned.

I remain your seatbelt wearing blogger,

Craig

Last night’s Irish music and pub meet were very fun. It pretty much fit the stereotype of a local Irish pub. I am really enjoying the authentic parts of this tour, as we go to a lot of random local places that you might not have found if you were on your own. We stayed there for a bit before heading home to bed.

Today we spent a good deal of time driving from Derry to Sligo, where we saw the gravesite of William Butler Yeats and quite a bit of the Irish countryside, which continues to impress with its pastoral simplicity and multitude of random ruins. I see some sort of castle or tower every day, and they are rarely mentioned, likely because they are so common. How cool is that?

We arrived here in Galway, a medium sized port town on the West coast, and were given some time to explore. We saw the university and cathedral and saw a few of the shops around. Its not a huge place but enough to have a fun afternoon. The 2 Aussies that I’ve been hanging with gigged me endlessly about all sorts of American things, much like Don the bus driver last night.  I suppose thats what I get for showing some of my American persona.  All in good fun of course.

Tonite we have a group dinner and then Irish music together, and we may stay there or go to a club or something, just depending on how everyone feels. It should be enjoyable. Ireland remains awesome, and my favorite country so far. Rome is my favorite city, but this country is very hospitable and easy to like. I’m continually amazed by the different parts of Irish history of which I was ignorant.

I will say this, that I can’t wait to get my hands on some decent Mexican food. My palate for all things spicy has been deprived for too long, and the food here is actually making me lose weight, I think. In any case, there’s a busy night to be had, and I’ll talk to everyone tomorrow. Let the craic roll!

Craig

I have been learning a lot about the troubled history of Ireland over the last 2 days. Between the cab tour with the crazy guide to today’s walking around this formerly walled city, it really moves me to pity when I hear many of the stories of struggle here. It also makes me a little nervous being here, since many of the feelings are still raw.

Last night was just a little bit of pub hopping, fun but nothing too out of the ordinary. This morning we left Belfast and stopped in a small town for a bakery, did a few photo stops, and hit up the Giant’s Causeway, a natural geological formation that is the source of many local legends. If only I could post pictures.

We’ve been here in Derry for several hours, and so far have gotten lunch and done the walking tour I just told you about. The guide stuck around and talked Irish and Australian politics with the group here. I am the only American among 19 other Australians and Kiwis (New Zealanders).

Ireland is expectedly very lush and green in spite of the low temperatures (high 30s) and winds. It supposedly rains a lot, but the sun has been out for most of my visit. It’s a very cool place. Tonite we are going to go to a pub for some cheap food and listen to traditional Irish music. Tomorrow we head to the west coast and the college town of Galway.

More fun stories to come, I’m sure. Have a good evening.

Craig

Hola amigos. I am in Belfast, enjoying the craic(”good times”, only 1 letter of from craig, which means “from the crag”[thanks mom and dad])

This morning I entered a large green bus driven by a balding Irishman named Don. We hit the Guinness Storehouse which was fun to see as well as the way cool 360 degree view of the city (and free pint of the black stuff) that the tour provided. Beer making is very similar to whiskey making as I enjoyed yesterday; only slightly less involved.

I was today also able to see one of the largest city parks in the world in Dublin as well as a monastery with some of the oldest Celtic crosses in existence, which was cool to see. The Irish countryside is enjoyable to keep an eye on as there are random stone walls and castle towers to be seen as you drive down the highways. We made our way into Belfast in late afternoon after visiting the church containing the long preserved head (from the late 1600s) of Sir Oliver Plunkett, a Catholic martyr for the cause of Irish independence, which didnt come until the 1920s.

I’ve made friends with 2 late 20s Australian fellows, and am enjoying an evening of pubs and good times with them here in Belfast. This afternoon we did a tour in a cab, of all things, telling of the history of the city, the conflicts between the IRA and the protestants, and a number of other city related histories. The cab driver had a strange accent mixing Scottish and Irish, but was jovial and informative all the same. I had dinner at a local pub, talked about running and many other things, and am about to go enjoy some pints with these friendly fellows.

Tomorrow it is off to Derry and the famous Giants Causeway. More description and good times to follow. I hope everyone has a good day and I will talk to you soon. I love Ireland!

Craig (having craic)