So You All Thought I Was...

Greetings from Ireland. Have been here now for almost a week and have been so busy with friends and new ones I haven't been to the internet. When I landed in Dublin went to the bus stop immediately to grab a bus to Galway. As usual it was the slow one and if it not for a quick witted fun Irish lady sitting next to me I would of gone crazy. I had booked into a hostel there for the night as I had made arrangements for Doolin my favourite place because of the music and dancing, singing, drinking ectfor the next week. Just the wayside is unbelievable. Each little town you go through has it's own flavour and you would like to just stop at them all. I've had room mates however but never in the dorm that much to decide whether I liked them all that well or not. I had met some German boys at the hostel who liked to hike and was willing for a long walk along the Burren actually 15 miles. They had a car (all my new best friends have cars) so could get to the beginning of the green road from Fanore about 12 miles from Doolin. The walk up the hill was roadside where we picked up a fantastic 65 year old Irish guy from Cork also on the same track. The German boys had made sandwiches I had boiled eggs not much for the offering and John the Irish guy had fruit. This is a famous walk as it was used during the famine to Ballyvaughn & hasen't been used since than What a feeling to walk this I tell you. The burren which means barren in Irish has been the most focal point and walk I have done here so far. I really got a feel for Ireland as we went over the tops of the burren on a roadway with fences to climb to get across to the next paddock. Yes paddock as there are cows and bulls. One bull in particular decided he was going on the run towards us fortunately the stone walls are not too high to get over quickly. The walls by the way are built so air can blow through. The stones are not stacked tightly as without this these hundred of years old walls certainly would of fallen as the wind becomes quite strong. The sea is off in the distance so views of green fields, wild flowers and of course the roadway which is really green with the original tracks the Irish walked on over 100 years ago Now and than is gets the rocks which are flat are there as well but not too often. We walked for hours over the tops of the burren with beauty more beautiful than before. We ate our lunch sitting on lush green grass with grazing animals nearby. I took many a photo as well as I did bring my video camera with me this time. Every now and than we would pass an old village with only the walls of either end standing where people from that time actually lived. An old church and remains of an old castle. As we neared the end of the top we went down a small narrow and steep pathway which seemed to take forever. If we had contined on the green road it would of been another 12 miles or so ending in ballyvaughn. At bottom the usual narrow Irish road with farms went on and on for another few miles. We came upon a beautiful beach upon the ocean where believe it or not dophins were around some of the rocks. All in all it took about 6 hours for us to do this walk. We got back to the car the Irish guy had his car parked in the same car park went down to the local pub for a pint actually two. There is also a matchmaking festival going on in the next village to Doolin where there is dancing from 10 am on till when I don't know. It is for the month of September. As long as you are straight up that you do not want to match than it is alright. Two girls I met from Austria had a car was going to Lisdoonvarna and dropped me off for the festivities. I just though it would be a dance or two ended up for the entire afternoon and a ride back to Fanore to a pub for more. Of course it is all Irish dancing which I can do (now very well) met some more incrediable people who wanted to take me to Cork where they all lived for a few days of seeing the West of Cork which is also beautiful. I had made commitments however to meet up with some Irish people I already knew at O'Connors pub in Doolin. I have been invited to a big party in Dublin (where I just arrived to thanks to my Irish friend Colm who lives in Wicklow and drives the backpacker bus. This will take place on Sun day, just heard on my Uk mobile my friends from Australia who are now in England are coming over tomorrow and some UK friends we had met in Thailand will be here as well. All sound impossible? Well you have to live on the edge to get all this in as life is too short to worry about things that can't be changed. The expression goes with the backpacker is why go back home and work? Get a job here than move on a get a job there. I'm almost sure now I'm looking into a backpack trip through Africa leaving in November. There are a many overland routes for people like me that are quite affordable and take about three months to complete. If you are looking for comfort you can spend hundreds of dollars more for only a few weeks. I choose the first one.
Nonething ever ends just new beginnings signing off for now unfortunately I do have to leave to go back on the big bird. Irish blessings to you all.

B. Gallagher

Mitch when are you coming across the pond
Helen are you still working and living in Linclon.
Mark have you left for Thailand
To Bob and Marguriete please let me know how you are getting on and when I can come to bother you again.
Jude you missed this trip guess I'll have to show up save up some more money and I'll be on.
Fr. Marc prayers for a safe trip back and will have a few more pints for you
Wally save the couch I'm coming down tell Damien I'll be at the wreck and of course all our favourite other places
David Murphy... I just talked to Darby she told me about aunt Mary doesn't look like I'll be back in time will call you when I get back
Any takers for Africa???????