Erin Go Bragh
4 April 2008 21:33![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
darnaguenGreetings from the Emerald Isle (and it's not a myth, everything really is a lot more green over here) and the City of the Hurdled Ford.
I have a couple of moments to give you an update, so here it comes.
Flights went pretty well. The night we flew from Tampere to London was clear and bright, so we could see the stars and all the lights below us. Seeing the coast of England appear as a sea of tiny little yellow lights from the darkness was an awesome sight.
Didn't get much sleep at the Stansted airport, as I was stupid enough to not remeber to pack a blanket and an extra pillow. Next time I'll be wiser. But hey, I've been to England now.
The morning flight to Dublin started gorgeously. We took to the clouds just as the sun was rising. It was like flying in golden cotton candy. But as we arrived to Ireland, it became so cloudy and foggy that we only saw the airport like a minute before we landed. A pity, but I guess it's also somehow characteristic. The foggy dew and all, you know.
Our first observations about how things are over here were pretty much:
-everything is so green. Like, REALLY green. And people have palm trees on their courtyards. Palm trees. Seriously.
-the traffic is insane. And I don't mean just the fact it's left-sided. It could be described with words "comfortable chaos".
-the general atmosphere is somehow really laid-back and easygoing, which is lovely.
-it's so warm here.
Also, the random encounter thing is not a myth either. Like this guard/guide at the Trinity College Long Room (one of the most awesome libraries ever, it's gorgeous) who started chatting with us about the order of the books of the library and the local ghosts and how he used to play in a band when he was young. He even showed us pictures of himself from the '70s, and he looked just like Mr. Holopainen, hair and hat and all. :D
We saw him again today when we went souvenir shopping to the Trinity, and he came to say hi and gave some advise about museums and told me I should really watch Michael Collins. I'll have to see if I can find it, I already bought The Wind that Shakes the Barley from HMV.
Oh, and the gig. It rocked. I mean, had it been in Finland, it would have felt like routine to me in a way. But here in Dublin, the band playing with Troy Donockley and there being like seven of us Finns in the front row rocking out it was pretty magical. Tuomas was clearly quite amused and kept grinning at us (Sari said he clearly recognized me. Argh. *hides under the table*) and even jumped down from the stage at the end of the show to thank us all, for being crazy and Finnish I suppose. :p
After the gig we went to the Brazen Head, where we had already hanged out on the previous night. It was so much fun. Note: if you ever go to Dublin and want a good traditional pub, Brazen Head is the place for you. It's not in a very central location, but worth the walk.
But Guinness.. It tastes exactly what it looks like: swamp water. *makes a face*
Tomorrow we have to wake up early to go and see Tara. We would have gone to Newgrange too, but the tours were all booked full. *pouts* And on Sunday we'll hopefully have some time to visit the Kilmainham Gaol. I've already seen all the other essential places concerning the Easter Rising (adnd even one of the original copies of the Proclamation of Independence).
But I think I got to go now, see ye when I get back. Sláinte!
I have a couple of moments to give you an update, so here it comes.
Flights went pretty well. The night we flew from Tampere to London was clear and bright, so we could see the stars and all the lights below us. Seeing the coast of England appear as a sea of tiny little yellow lights from the darkness was an awesome sight.
Didn't get much sleep at the Stansted airport, as I was stupid enough to not remeber to pack a blanket and an extra pillow. Next time I'll be wiser. But hey, I've been to England now.
The morning flight to Dublin started gorgeously. We took to the clouds just as the sun was rising. It was like flying in golden cotton candy. But as we arrived to Ireland, it became so cloudy and foggy that we only saw the airport like a minute before we landed. A pity, but I guess it's also somehow characteristic. The foggy dew and all, you know.
Our first observations about how things are over here were pretty much:
-everything is so green. Like, REALLY green. And people have palm trees on their courtyards. Palm trees. Seriously.
-the traffic is insane. And I don't mean just the fact it's left-sided. It could be described with words "comfortable chaos".
-the general atmosphere is somehow really laid-back and easygoing, which is lovely.
-it's so warm here.
Also, the random encounter thing is not a myth either. Like this guard/guide at the Trinity College Long Room (one of the most awesome libraries ever, it's gorgeous) who started chatting with us about the order of the books of the library and the local ghosts and how he used to play in a band when he was young. He even showed us pictures of himself from the '70s, and he looked just like Mr. Holopainen, hair and hat and all. :D
We saw him again today when we went souvenir shopping to the Trinity, and he came to say hi and gave some advise about museums and told me I should really watch Michael Collins. I'll have to see if I can find it, I already bought The Wind that Shakes the Barley from HMV.
Oh, and the gig. It rocked. I mean, had it been in Finland, it would have felt like routine to me in a way. But here in Dublin, the band playing with Troy Donockley and there being like seven of us Finns in the front row rocking out it was pretty magical. Tuomas was clearly quite amused and kept grinning at us (Sari said he clearly recognized me. Argh. *hides under the table*) and even jumped down from the stage at the end of the show to thank us all, for being crazy and Finnish I suppose. :p
After the gig we went to the Brazen Head, where we had already hanged out on the previous night. It was so much fun. Note: if you ever go to Dublin and want a good traditional pub, Brazen Head is the place for you. It's not in a very central location, but worth the walk.
But Guinness.. It tastes exactly what it looks like: swamp water. *makes a face*
Tomorrow we have to wake up early to go and see Tara. We would have gone to Newgrange too, but the tours were all booked full. *pouts* And on Sunday we'll hopefully have some time to visit the Kilmainham Gaol. I've already seen all the other essential places concerning the Easter Rising (adnd even one of the original copies of the Proclamation of Independence).
But I think I got to go now, see ye when I get back. Sláinte!
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no subject
Date: 4 Apr 2008 21:47 (UTC)Ah the Trinity College Long Room *___*
Boooooooooks. I envy you for having been there!
Guinness is no good. Killkenny is much better.
Okay it's for to late for me to make a coherent comment. I just want to wish you a great last few days. Enjoy them! Make memories!
ps I put my money on that Mr. Holopainen recognised you too.
no subject
Date: 5 Apr 2008 12:38 (UTC)no subject
Date: 8 Apr 2008 22:53 (UTC)Ja Irlannissa tottavie kannattaa käydä, ja jos haluat lähialueiden historiallisia nähtävyyksiä katsomaan, kannattaa varata Celtic Experiencen kiertoajelu. Kuski/opas Paul (Pól) on ihan loistotyyppi, ja hintaakin reissulla vain 25 euroa. :)
no subject
Date: 6 Apr 2008 17:46 (UTC)no subject
Date: 8 Apr 2008 22:46 (UTC)Moi!
Date: 8 Apr 2008 01:02 (UTC)On se hyvä että joku on jo jaksanut runoilla jotain kertomusta reissusta. :)
Ja uskos kuule nyt vaan että sut todellakin huomattiin siitä meidän rivistön keskeltä. Vaistomaisesti välttelit juuri sillä hetkellä niitä "susi-silmiä" ja katselit jonnekin alaspäin.
-Sari-
Re: Moi!
Date: 8 Apr 2008 22:45 (UTC)Ja ei niin, etten uskoisi että Tuomas minua huomasi, varmasti huomasi. Enkä epäile sitäkään, etteikö hän olisi tunnistanut minua, sillä pojalla on kuulemma hyvä kasvomuisti. Toivon vain, että hän muistaa minut Turusta eikä Tavastialta. :s
En tiedä enää oikein miten suhtautua häneen, monestakin syystä, siksi luonteva "flirttailu" ei oikein luonnistunut. Sääli sinänsä, sillä "susituijotuskilpailut" hänen kanssaan ovat yleensä hauskoja. Mutta noh, elämä on. :p
Toinen Irlanti-raportti luvassa toivon mukaan huomenna.
Re: Moi!
Date: 8 Apr 2008 22:58 (UTC)Re: Moi!
Date: 9 Apr 2008 21:15 (UTC)Mä yritän kirjotella jonkun sortin raporttia kunhan saan tämän pahimman angst-olon ensin katoamaan. Niin paljon vaan kaipaa takaisin, että kiukuttaa liikaa.
Ja töitä pitäisi tehdä, ei oikein onnistu.
Juu, en mäkään osaa susiherraan "luontevasti" suhtautua... en ainakaan ton reissun jälkeen.