Danielle on Pubs, Pints, and Shopping

Now that I have been here for almost a week I am starting to set into a more "normal" routine. I usually wake up at 8am, attend class from 9-11, go for a run along the river then eat lunch and do homework from 1-3. After all that the fun begins. Most of my afternoons have been filled with the title above. Shopping on Shop Street is such a fun and different experience from shopping in the States. The streets are cobblestone and very narrow. Everything from tiny cars to gigantic buses speed along at shocking rates of speed-how more people are not hit by cars here I do not know. Many of the streets are pedestrian only, especially in the city center, and are filled with colourful boutiques, delicious smelling cafes, street vendors, and performers. Today I saw a band of accordian players jamming away outside a local pub while couples danced in the street around them. There are also solo guitar and fiddle players aplenty, as well as mimes and performers who will act as a robot for a few coins. You rarely go more than half a block before running into another musician. Their music mingles together with hustle bustle of the crowd that makes the city centre very charming.

Each night my friend Amanda and I search out a new place for dinner. Often our friend Matthew joins us and the three of us try out the menus at area restaurants and pubs. Today I ate a place called the Spud House. As you can probably deduct from the name, their menu consisted entirely of potatos....pizza potatos, garlic chicken potato, or if you're boring like me the classic broccoli and cheese potato, lol. It has been my favorite dinner so far. Seriously. (The Irish aren't exactly known for their cuisine...)

Almost every night ends at one of the many pubs around town. The pubs are everywhere here and all have the dark wooden character one would expect from such a venue. Some we have frequented include The King's Head, Taaffes, The Quays, Scheffs, and Monroe's. We have many, many, many more to explore. My new favorite beer is Smithwick's (pronounced Smiticks by the Irish). Each night ends with at least one pint of this robust darker brew. Every night tradiitonal Irish music is played in several pubs in town. Galway is known for its art and music and this is being celebrated even more now as the Galway Arts Festival approaches. The current performances are known as the "Galway Sessions" and include several artists every night of the week. I love the Irish music with its fiddles and bodrans. I have listened to so much Irish music this past week that I even have a few favorite songs! I just can't get enough!

Tomorrow I am taking a ferry to the Aran Islands where I will purchase my woolen sweater (you are supposed to buy it on the island). I intend to explore the island by bike so I am hoping for pleasant and dry weather (of which we have seen very little!). I will be sure to post again soon!