Day Four: Horses and Rugby.

Posted on March 4, 2012 by LaLa

So today was another day of phenomenal firsts.  It all started with a jaunt through the Horse Fair in Smithfield‘s Haymarket.  It was very interesting to see ‘Travellers’ (aka Gypsies or Nomads in other parts of the world) in town selling their cherished animals.  Travellers is, apparently, the politically correct term given to these second-class citizens, who are really perceived as parasites within Ireland’s economy.  Or so I’ve heard.

  

I meandered my way through the city on this gorgeously sunny, if not frigid, day, past the swans, down to the cute, hip urban area known as Ranelagh, where I met up with some friends for a lovely brunch at Cinnamon.  One of them was about to start an insanely strict detox and fitness program the following day for two months, so it only seemed appropriate to tox her up first with a cocktail at Russells.  I mean, two mojitos for a tenner – when you find that kind of value, it just makes sense!

From there, I made my way to my new thing of the day, which was watching an entire rugby match from start to finish, surrounded by rugby fans while drinking Guinness on the patio at The Bath Pub.  What made it extra special was the weather, which alternated between sun, rain and hail in approximately 5 minute intervals.  Be warned, Dubliners – that counts as one full day of summer.  But I digress.  Apparently, Ireland is the team that was wearing green, and they were lucky to draw against ‘les bleus’, the home team in France.  As far as I can tell, rugby seems like an excuse for men to huddle together and shove their heads up each other’s arses, followed by trying to score what looks like a touchdown while only being allowed to throw the ball backwards…  Um, what?  The guys were fit, so, ya, I guess I’m a fan now.

  

Next, it was time to put some pizza in our pie-holes, so we went to Paulie’s Pizza, stopping at Slattery’s on the way, because it was all of around the corner and across the street, and that’s just too far to go without a drink in Ireland, not that I’m stereotyping, but sometimes the shoe just fits so you need to wear it.  It was delicious!  Can you believe we missed the best chipper in Dublin on the way out when we fell into a taxi?  Ah well… Next time.

Posted in Fun and Crazy | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Day Three: Cliff House Lunch and Dublin Free Beer!

Posted on March 3, 2012 by LaLa

So today, the plan was to try and go fishing for sprat or catch crabs in Youghal (as loosely advertised on the town’s website). Apparently, these are both “summer only” activities.  Anyone who has ever lived in Ireland gets that that’s a joke.  An Irish summer can consist of a matter of hours or days, depending on the year, and your patience.  In any event, there was none of either to be had today in Youghal or Ardmore.  So, we improvised.

My new thing today, then, consisted of eating lunch in the bar of the Michelin-starred restaurant at the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore (ya, I know, life is rough).  In the words of any solid twelve step program, the first step is admitting you have a problem, and I am the first to admit that I LOVE FOOD. There, I’ve said it.  So, bring on the cheese platter!  Is this a problem??

  

 

From Ardmore, I continued north to the only proper city in Ireland, namely Dublin (it’s time, Corkonians, to get over yourselves and face the ugly truth).  A good friend gave me a tour of the northern Dublin neighbourhood of Smithfield, which included a lot of ‘local colour’.  The first stop was the Dice Bar for an aperitif.  Canadians are kinda popular in Ireland these days, what with all the job opportunities, and apparently baseball caps, as sported here by our friendly bartender, who comped our drinks as a result (although maybe it was just our sparking personalities?).  Three cheers for the Jays!

Then, we had a lovely meal at another local Smithfield neighbourhood haunt called Seven Social.  I’m thinking this is more West Queen West than Leslieville – very hip and urban, not to mention tasty and delicious.  What’s not to like?!!  That would also be new, technically speaking.  But I personally think the free beer at Dice takes the cake.  This is Guinness we’re talking about, people!  They may as well be giving away keys to the city.

We followed up the meal with a stop at Ryan’s Bar to complete the evening.  Ah, the sweet taste of Bulmer’s Cider.  I silently toasted Jon Bon Jovi’s Birthday week, as an homage to the Rock and Roll spirit within us all.  Bless.

Am excited for tomorrow, though, as there is supposedly a Travellers’ horse fair.  Should be interesting, on multiple levels!

Posted in Food and Drink | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Day Two: Pack Up Irish Condo.

Posted on March 2, 2012 by LaLa

Right.  So.  Blogging lesson learned already – an oldie but a goodie, and really, Consulting 101:  under-promise, and over-deliver.  There will be no visit to the Gap of Dunloe today… what was I thinking?!!?  Oh right, that I could easily pack up two years’ worth of stuff in an hour, meet with the landlord, have a cuppa tea with some friends to say farewell, and be back in time for my final night out in Cork with the latest roomie.  Whatever!  Plus, I need to save something to do for next time… There’s a little LaLa Logic in there… somewhere.

So, I had a lovely evening last night with some friends, Mr. Champers included (that’s the bubbly stuff, in case you’re new to LaLa lingo), who helped me immensely by liberating many much loved but no longer needed objects from the condo.  You would think, then, that what remained would be diddly squat and easily able to fit into two checkable pieces of luggage for the plane.  And you’d be wrong.

First of all, I got a UPI – unexplained packing injury – owie!

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Secondly, I foolishly tried to finish drying the clothes that were still damp that I had washed yesterday morning and which had been hanging up to dry overnight (typical in Ireland) in the crappiest dryer ever on the planet.  I mean really.  What dryer requires you to remove a tray full of water after every single load?  That is something I will definitely not miss.  I mean, I’m just trying to pack away clothes for 10 days without growing mould.  Is that too much to ask?!??  The silver lining in there is that it counts as a first – trying to use the insufferable dryer for drying anything other than sheets and towels.  But I digress.

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Thirdly, here’s the ‘before’ shot of everything that needs to go into said two suitcases.  Houston, I think we have a problem…

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But lo and behold, I managed a wee miracle and got it all into two suitcases… plus three carry-ons.  I’m sure that won’t be a problem with BMI, will it?  Ah, details…

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As for the meeting with the landlord, that went swimmingly well.  I must recommend this place (Park Avenue apartments on the South Douglas Road) for anyone looking to rent in Cork, as it was near perfect, and the rental management company top notch.  The tea and Penguins (chocolaty biscuits, often used as straws for port – well, in my circle, at least) were also delightful with good friends that were like family, whom I am missing already.

So, for today’s new thing, I think I’m going to count packing up the Irish condo, as that is definitely something I have not done before, and am in no hurry to do so again any time soon.

…And since I rarely learn a lesson the first (or second or third) time, I will allude to the new thing that I am dreading quite possibly the most on the entire list – changing a diaper (aka nappie).  I have managed to quite successfully avoid this activity my entire life, but I suspect that a good friend whom I am going to visit up in Dublin in the next few days is starting to feed her son smelly things already to give me an extra special treat…  I’m gagging already.

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Day One: Create The Blog. Check.

Posted on March 1, 2012 by LaLa

Welcome to day one of my very first blog It’s All New to Me.com, where you will be able to join me on a year of firsts.  Each day, I will attempt to do something new for an entire year.  Some things will require quite a bit of preparation and forethought; others will be downright crazy!  Every now and then, I may even let my readers vote on the following day’s big adventure.  Today, I’ve already managed to create this blog.  For someone who has spent most of her career on the other side of IT, who knew it could be this easy?  Three cheers for LaLa (that’s me), who is now feeling much more exhilarated than overwhelmed!  Oh, and kudos to WordPress.  Freaking fabulous!

This blog also marks the end of a two-year sojourn in Cork, Ireland, where I am now on day one of a 6 month employment-free plan.  I will be making my way home to Canukistan (term coined by a fellow ex-pat) over the next week or so.

Here’s a sneak preview of tomorrow’s exploits:  they involve getting my deposit back from my Irish landlord, and a potential day trip to the Gap of Dunloe, which may involve a horse, of course…  But more on that later.  It’s all good!

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