Coastal Tales: May 2012

Sunday, May 20, 2012

For the Last Time

As my time in Derry, and in Ireland, rapidly diminishes, I find myself often saying: "For the last time." I am walking along the River Foyle for the last time. Or I am eating a scone in this coffee shop for the last time. Needless to say, I'm experiencing mixed feelings over my impending return to the states. I am excited to go home, I really am. My mom will tell you of the endless list of foods I want to eat. And I will be thrilled to jump in my car and just drive...anywhere, really. Not to mention that I hear the people back home are pretty great too. You know...friends, family. That sort of stuff.

But who wouldn't be sad to leave their study abroad in Ireland?

So in the spirit of saying goodbye, I am posting the final pictures of just me and the city with a list of the things I will miss most about living in Derry.

1. The awesome friends I have met here

2. Walking along the river

3. Scones (I'm on the hunt for a good recipe)

4. Lots and lots of free time

5. The care-not, slow-as-a-sloth, just-chill-forever pace

6. The scenery

7. Interesting (and easy!) classes

8. Live Trad

9. Great parks and playgrounds (who says they're just for kids?)

10-20. Traveling

In the spirit of preparing myself for the adjustment back to home, I've also compiled a list of things

I will not miss.

1. The food (with the exception of chocolate and scones)

2. The smell of Derry (moss, smoke, and mold?)

4. Living in dorms

5. The care-not, slow-as-a-sloth, just-chill-forever pace

6. The large number of smokers (and drinkers)

7. Gum-spattered sidewalks

8. Lack of enunciation

9. The Derry/Londonderry Dilemma

10. My bed. I mean! my brick.

But soon I will be on to the next great adventure. I never would have guessed that I'd spend four months living in Ireland,so I'm not even going to predict what's next. But whatever it is, I'm excited! (I think).

Friday, May 18, 2012

Seisiun Ceoil

One of my favorite things about Ireland, and one of the things I will miss most, is the traditional music session. Although apparently a trad session as a public performance is relatively new, the tradition of getting together in someone's home and just enjoying the music is an old one. Our night at the bar in Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair) remains one of my favorite nights in Ireland. Essentially it was just us in the bar (and by us, I mean the group of fifteen or so American students and the lecturers who kindly agreed to take us around), and the musicians just played for fun. No mics involved. No soundboard. Just a couple of guys with some acoustic instruments. For once, I could just enjoy the music and the atmosphere. To say the least, it was great! So, thanks to Lauren's recording skills, I've tried to give you a little bit of the trad session experience. Unfortunately, the camera is less good at ignoring surrounding noise, but hopefully I can get my hands on some sound editing software and clean up the sound, eventually.(Anyone feel like donating some software? Anyone?)