The first time I visited Ireland, I fell in love. Not only did I fall in love with Ireland, I fell in love with TRAVEL. Traveling Ireland led me on the path to where I am now; living and working in New Zealand. There’s something about exploring the Emerald Isle that epitomises everything that’s awesome about travelling.
Ireland is the kind of place where it’s easy to meet the locals, get around and there’s always a freshly poured Guinness waiting for you at the end of each day.
In my recent trip to Ireland, I was reminded of a couple things about the Emerald Isle. The pubs in Ireland are fantastic, the weather often isn’t and the Irish are some of the kindest people in the world.
I’m not entirely certain how it has already been two weeks since my last post. Where has the month of April gone? Thanks to those of you who keep checking back … my apologies for the lack of reading material lately.
Spring is beginning to take hold here in Edinburgh. There have been more nice days than rainy days in the past week. Something I’m not entirely used to.
So. Whats the latest? Well. You’ll maybe be excited to know that I’ve decided what to do with my life come the end of June. Actually, thats me being sarcastic. I haven’t the faintest idea. What I do know is this. As of Saturday morning, I no longer live in my wee Thistle Street flat. Brian and I moved across town to a flat where we knew some guys who were moving out. Other working holiday lads … two Americans and a Canadian. Still a one bedroom, but significantly bigger than my old flat – plus, we have bunk beds. And a microwave.
Speaking of bunk beds. This is where my parents will be staying when they come to visit. I cannot wait to see them. We don’t really have much for plans, but I’m sure it’ll be a terrific two weeks. I imagine we’ll do some things in and around Edinburgh for the first week or so (this way, I can still work evenings), and then either head to the Highlands of Scotland … or catch a cheap flight to mainland Europe. Who knows.
Also, I have a quick story that again shows how amazingly small this world is. I was working at the pub the other night when this group of Americans came in. Ten or so of them … I think they were in Edinburgh on some sort of business. One of the gents came to the bar and said to me sarcastically, “That’s quite the Scottish accent you have. Where are you from?”
After finding out where I was from, he informed me there was a lady at his table who he believed was from Iowa as well. Indeed she was. She came up to talk with me and I told her I grew up in Southwest Iowa. It ends up she lived in Adair (twenty miles away). “What is your last name,” she inquired.
“Kyhnn,” I told her.
“No kidding. Is your dad by chance Mark Kyhnn? He did my taxes for twenty years.”
What are the chances?!
I have some pictures for you all below.
me, posting to my blog in the Newcastle Airport, drinking a Newcastle Brown Ale
view of the irish countryside as I was arriving to cork … in three months i managed to forget how unbelievably green the irish landscape is
kinsale, ireland
irish pub of the year, 2004
note to self
when I was leaving ireland, i had a 12 hour layover at the dublin airport. i didn’t really want to spend the day in the busy city of dublin, so a caught a bus to this small, seaside, suburb north of the city. terrific place to spend the day.
a rather unimpressive view of the edinburgh castle
view of the city from atop calton hill
arthur’s seat
a loch in the area surrounding arthurs seat
view of the firth of forth from the top of arthurs seat
Thistle Street. You can see the entrance to the pub on the right. I lived about five doors down.
stay well, mk.
After a week long holiday in Ireland, I’m back home in Edinburgh. And, I must say, it was a terrific trip. As I mentioned in my last post, I was quite stressed in the days working up to my departure from the Burgh. I wanted a perfect week for Lauren and myself. Nearly everyone I voiced my concerns to in the days before the trip had the same response, “Matt, you’re going to be in Ireland – it will be great no mater what happens.”
They were probably right – plus, everything went as good as I could have planned. A special week in a special country. Numerous times we’d be driving through a small Irish village, or sitting in a small pub, or taking in the beautiful scenery that Ireland provides and I’d just smile. It was such a terrific feeling to be back in the country and taking it all in with someone who had yet to experience the Irish way – their laid back attitude, the ambiance of their pubs, the spontaneity of traditional Irish music, and of course the many beautiful landscapes on the island the size of Iowa.
Considering the time and money we had at our disposal, we saw a good deal of things in the South and West of Ireland. We kissed the Blarney Stone at the Blarney Castle. We spent two nights in the picturesque seaside village of Kinsale in the posh accommodation of Dempsey’s Hostel (sarcasm). We toured one of the best surviving examples of a 17th century star shaped fort in Summercove. We somehow hired a car (when they gave me the keys I said to Lauren, “Run before they change their minds!”). We made the slow, meandering drive around the picture-perfect Ring of Kerry. We experienced Doolin and impromptu trad sessions in its three lovely pubs. We did the Cliffs of Moher. We made it back to my favorite County Galway town and had the craic with my mates. We drove the Sky Road of the Connemara which brings tears to one old Irish fisherman’s eyes. The craic was mighty.
The week flew by and it was difficult to say goodbye to a face from home – but, goodbyes are never easy. It was indeed an unforgettable week. Thanks Lauren for coming to visit.
Brian and I got off the train in Jessheim (yes heim) yesterday evening around 11 or 12. It immediately felt like we were in Norway – it was cold, clear, and the streets were lined with snow. We were unsure of where we were supposed to go. Our couchsurfing host was at a party and hadn’t yet returned our call. I’m sure we looked of lost travelers as we walked up the main street of Jessheim (a town of 14,000) with our backpacks – surely not an every day site in the middle of a Norwegian winter.
As we walked past a number of small bars, a couple of things became clear to me. Firstly, I was premature in my evaluation of the Norwegian women. They are beautiful. Secondly, it became clear that the people of Norway are wonderful. Three or four guys drinking outside of a pub had flagged us over to them. They wanted to know what in the world we were doing in Jessheim. We explained our stories. As we were getting ready to leave, one of the guys reached into his pocket and tried to give me a 100 Krone note (equivalent to about €15). I told him I couldn’t take his money – he then insisted on going inside and buying us two beers.
We made our way to meet up with our couchsurfing host – Oyvind. We were greeted by Oyvind and his friend Espen and they immediately insisted we take some shots and go to the local bar. We had too many expensive pints, made fools of ourselves on the dance floor, but had a wonderful night out in our first Norwegian town. We spent most of today sleeping – Brian and I are both drained after the Christmas festivities and a day of traveling.
We plan on getting up early tomorrow and heading to Oslo to catch a train towards either Bergen or Voss. Our Lonely Planet Norway book describes the Oslo – Bergen railway as, “one of the most spectacular rail journeys on Earth.” Sounds like a plan?
Below are some of my latest pictures as well as a video of our Christmas day swimming adventure.
Getting dressed for Christmas mass. Brian had forgot how to tie a tie.
Walking to mass with a pint. It only seemed right.
Perfectly prepared Irish coffees for Christmas morning (brown sugar, whiskey, coffee, and a mix of pouring cream and whipped cream). They are supposed to look like pints of Guinness. I’d say they do!
emma.
a christmas afternoon nap
At the Dublin airport. Temporary bar facility? We were walking through the terminal and I wasn’t sure whether the area where we would be would have a pub. I said to a lady how was coming the other way, “Are there pubs and restaurants this way?” She replied with, “You’re in Ireland. There are pubs everywhere.” Perfect response to a silly question.
Our last pints of Guinness with a shot of Paddys whiskey.
Goodbye Ireland.
On the tarmac.
City centre, Oslo.
My notes. “Excuse me, we need to get here.”
Waiting for the train. We missed the first one.
Jessheim’s main street.
Backpacking Matt 
