On Friday November 7th...
Andrew participated in a morning practice and meditation at the Buddhist Center named Jampa Ling. We had a nice breakfast with the people there (we were the only visitors right now - but there are a group of folks who live there - and a group from the area who come to practice) It was really a peaceful place and a nice rest for us.
Then we started heading south, stopping at a used books store in Carrick-on-Shannon we hit up the internet cafe and just walked around a bit, having lunch at a sandwich stop (very good and packed with the locals) before we drove to Arigna to tour the mine. This was the oldest operating mine in Ireland, closing down in 1990. This was the first time this entitre trip that we really got turned around in circles. Since it was a smaller town it wasn't signposted very well, and we felt like signs for the Mining Experience we always pointing the direction of a circle! We found it though, and it was a great afternoon excursion since it was raining pretty good this afternoon. Once again, we were 2 of 4 on the tour, and it was really a facinating experience.
We then drove about 250 km down to where we will be staying for the next 2 nights - Ennis - where the Trad Festival (traditional Irish music) is being held this weekend. We were able to catch up with a couple we met at the hostel at our first day (Monday) which was really fun! Andrew had a lot of Guiness, I had lots of Bulmers (Irish hard cider) and we had great conversation and listended to good music.
After a late start, (hmmm...I wonder why) we are headed for some sights in the Burren...
The pictures are from the mine tour which shows the originial mine entrance and main shaft.
1 comment:
Congratulations on your exile to Ireland, except that Obama won!!! Now, no reason to exile there--or was that only my dream if Obama lost? Well, I am glad you both made it and are having a great time. Ireland is wonderful, and its great you're taking in the music, which makes everyone want to pick up an instrument and play (in my case, a tin whistle). Best to you both.
PS--the local county Democratic party chair, who worked to staff the ALI call center every night and weekend leading up to Nov 4, is working on an inagural invitation for Ruah and I on Jan 20. Since I didn't make the only other one I was invited to--Jimmy Carter in 1976--I will definitely go if she can wrangle an invitation. It feels really good to have Obama as Presient in these most difficult economic times.
Ruah and I are off to NYC for dinner and Madama Butterfly opera tonight with friends and neighbors.
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