Aran Islands

We (David, Elise, Sarah, Nora and I) got up very early this morning and three hours of taxi, bus and ferry rides later we were on Inish Moor Island, the largest of the three Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland.
As soon as we arrived we went straight to the bike renting shop. David and Sarah paid extra for electric bikes which the rest of us were jealous of but we were also happy for the exercise since all we've been doing is sitting a playing music for days. We rode straight (after a couple of stops to fix my bike chain) to just below the fortress which was at one of the highest points of the Island and then walked the rest of the way up a rough stone path. One there, we saw the most beautiful views of the very steep cliffs which are apparently very similar to the cliffs of Moor. We laid down right up close to the ledge to get pictures straight down the drop. It was pretty exciting!
We sat up in the fort on the grass, surrounded by the cobblestone walls, basking in the sun and being blown around a lot while eating our lunches.
When we got back down we met a boy who lived on the island and was taking his dog, Ruben, for a walk up to the fortress. On the way down we also met them at the beach where the sand was incredibly white and fine. It was a beautiful day, though quite windy at times, but there were some women swimming at the beach. We chatted with them for a few minutes and as we walked away they began to strip off their bathing suits right there on the beach and we got a nice view of more then we would have liked!
We stopped at a pub about five minutes away from the pier where we needed to meet the ferry and got some refreshments. I've tried the famous Guinness beer but I can't say that I'm much of a fan. Though I don't like any beer I've ever tasted so that say much of anything about the Guinness.

Sunny Day!

It's actually a beautiful day today. It started off cold but now the clouds have parted and the sun is shining! Better go enjoy it while it lasts.
Plans are to go to the Aran Islands tomorrow, rent bikes while were there and check out the very old fortresses and the crazy steep cliffs.
Had a lesson with David today, he gave me a big so called "kick in the butt" to get back into shape. Shouldn't take long since all the things I need to work on are things we've figured out before.

Rain Rain Go Away...

So we went for a walk to find a grocery store tonight since, for once it wasn't raining, and because for breakfast we only get bread and cereal. We went to one place but it was closed by the time we got there so we ended up walking for about 35 minutes to get to a Centra grocery store where we bought eggs and cheese and juice and a bunch of other stuff.
It was so funny seeing brands that I know but with a different look. (see pic of Rice Krispies)
We missed the bus this morning, I don't ever know the time because my phone is not working and so I'm thinking I'm going to pick up a cheap watch tomorrow.
We have an orchestra concert tomorrow of all Beethoven rep, it should be fun. Rehearsal tomorrow morning at 10:30 am, then lunch, coaching at 1:30, lesson with David at 2:15, then shopping for a watch.
All we've been doing is practicing so I only have pictures of that so far! That and the grocery trip...
I also got attacked by some kind of bug while I was sleeping and woke up with many red bites on my neck! It's not very pretty...I won't post pictures of that.

Getting warmed up


Adam and Nora at rehearsal


Myself and my very professional teacher, David


Funny Rice Krispies

Irish Pubs

After orchestra rehearsal this evening some of us went out to a pub. We saw a few "sessions" which is just like a ceilidh and saw some really great fiddlers, Irish whistlers, mandolin, guitar, drums, and this weird mini bagpipe thing that I'm not sure the name of. Our plan is to go to the Aaron Islands on Sunday for the day. We'll drive to the coast, take the half hour ferry and see the sights.

Finally Here

As soon as I arrived at the Montreal airport the final boarding call was being announced for my flight to London. So I ran down the seemingly endless hallway of terminals starting at 1 and having to get to terminal 56. During my rush I got a nice glance of what looked like seconds after a guy hurled all over himself and the seat and floor around him. When I ran by I got to see the expressions of total disgust on peoples faces yet they did nothing. When I got to the desk they told me I was the last person to board. I was expecting to get much more stink eye then I did but luckily people were still settling in so I didn't look like too much of a dweeb and didn't notice any glares coming my way.

I sat beside a pleasant man, Alan, who I chatted with for a while about many random things. I find music is always an easy topic to build upon and we talked about that for the magority of our conversation. I had a very unpleasant ear ache while descending on all of the flights and I can't say that I looking forward to the flights home in that sense. At the moment my right ear is plugged and I can't hear much. Apparently I just need to wait for it to pop...I've tried plugging my nose and blowing air "out my ears" but it only pops my unplugged ear. I didn't really sleep on the flight because of my ear discomfort but I slept pretty well on the 3 hour bus ride to Galway.

I am now sitting in my little private room. It looks like I will be sharing a 6 bedroom house with a bunch of girls who have not yet arrived other then Sarah and Nora who just walked in the door. I am on the ground floor where there is one other room, bathroom, kitchen and tv room. Mom was right about the plugs, BUT Nora was smart and organized and brought a converter!

My phone doesn't seem to work here so I may not be doing the texting. Stupid Bell. Always a disappointment.

Pictures to come...

Charlottetown Airport

Looks like I'll have no problem getting on the plane with my large carry-on bag and my violin. Thank you AirCanada for being slack in your rules and regulations. :)

Ireland tomorrow!

I'm starting to feel the traveling jitters. I hope I catch all my flights and arrive with all my luggage and not lose anything and be able to find the bus and find a place to exchange my canadian money for Euros and get off at the right stop in Galway and take lots of awesome pictures and make lots of beautiful music and meet awesome people and...too much to ask?

Since I only have about 40 minutes between my arrival into Montreal and my departure to London I'm going to try to get away with taking two large carry on luggage. I don't want to be totally stressed out about waiting on getting my little bag at the baggage claim when I could possibly just zip from one terminal to the next. This seems like a much less stressful plan to me.

Once in London (seven hours of, hopefully, mostly sleeping later) I'll have about three hours to kill before my flight into Dublin.

Sarah Williams, another goer of this trip, is arriving in Dublin about five and a half hours before me so if she decides to hang out in Dublin until I get there then we may take the bus to Galway together to meet Nora Pellerin, who is presently on a plane on her way there.

Havn't heard anything from Adam yet, not sure when he will be arriving but I guess we'll meet up at the residence.

I fear I've practiced more fiddle music then my own classical rep...I'm just too excited about the Irish pub music to be able to practice my Ravel Sonata and Barber Concerto!

Packing time... :)