The next event was highly confusing and puzzling----Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the band, singing along and the Bulgarian man next to me asked if I was Spanish. The band took a break and then the singer also asked if I was Spanish. I have no idea what is wrong with everyone in this country, but this has been the second occurrence where people have thought I am Spanish. YES-look at my paler than white skin and my hair. Clearly, I am a native Spaniard. I really do not understand, I thought maybe I'd be mistaken for Irish rather than SPANISH! but apparently to these two men, I was Spanish. They were shocked to find that I was American--really? Was this a joke? Anyways, the singer then insisted that they play Spanish Lady for me...oh dear. It just so happened that the people sitting behind us were all from Spain and they agreed with me that I did not look Spanish, they were just as confused--although that might have been due to their broken English. No matter, my new friend in the band gave me one of their free sandwiches for the mix-up and I was not complaining. Soon though we left and headed home.
The next morning I was off to Tipperary to visit my roommate Brid from Maynooth. I barely made the bus and then traveled from Dublin to Cashel. I had been there once before with Saint Mary's to visit the Rock of Cashel, but I had barely seen the town. Luckily, I got off at the right stop and was met by Brid-we walked for a little bit and visited her mom at work in the bank and then headed out to her house. She lives a few minutes outside Cashel in a small village and lives on a farm where they raise cows and cattle. Brid absolutely loves her dogs Spot and Polly so after hearing so much about them all semester, I was excited when I finally got to meet the loves of her life. We walked around her farm a bit and then made some lunch. Her dad came in from working and I met him as well, although his accent was so thick it was difficult to understand most of what he was saying. Her dad then asked if we wanted to head out on his tractor and why not? So the three of us got into the tractor and went around with him doing what he needed to do. The roads were so bumpy and we were so packed into the tractor that it was basically like a roller coaster ride, but still fun. After our ride, we headed over to her sister's house and walked her crazy little dog, Spud. After a few encounters with some different dogs, we ran back to the house and then went to Clonmel quickly to a shop for her sister. As soon as we got back, an amazing dinner of bacon (different from the American kind) was waiting for us and it was all insanely delicious. As soon as we were finished eating, we hurried to get ready and then picked up two of Brid's friends to go to the cinema and see Toy Story 3. I really didn't know what to expect since I hadn't seen the second and it had been years since I saw the original, but overall it actually wasn't bad. We went back to Brid's after the movie and fell straight asleep.
The next morning we had a traditional fry of sausages, rashers, eggs, potatoes, toast, tomatoes--all my absolute favorite. After breakfast we were so stuffed that we took a short nap, then woke up again and took the dogs for a walk around the farm. We passed the calves and went into a field where there's a ring fort on top of the hill. No big deal, just a fort of trees built by the Celts way back when..they really act like having a historical landmark on your property is no big deal here, I was amazed. They can't tear any of the trees down though because there's a legend that if you do illness or death will fall upon you and that happened, coincidentally, to their neighbor. After the walk, Brid's dad offered to take me out on the tractor again and we went to pick up some hay bales in the field. Another bumpy, but exciting ride was in store for me. As soon as we got back a lunch of lamb was waiting for us and Brid's Granny came for it. We all talked for a bit and then after we cleaned up, it was time for me to head back to Dublin. Brid had to work that night and I needed to work on my internship paper, so her parents drove me to the bus stop and then I got on and headed back.
When I got back my roommates who had stayed in Dublin were going to Messr Maguires for a few drinks so I quickly got ready and then we headed to the quays along the Liffey. The place was fairly full when we got there and we found a table and sat down enjoying some of the house brews they make on their own. We talked for a while and then the music began to blare from the DJ and eventually we headed back home. The next day I passed up the World Festival in Dun Laoghaire to work on my paper and the house had plans to go to the Vat House to hear the band we had seen our first Sunday together. We got ready and then headed to see the band, I couldn't believe this was going to be my last time seeing this band who I had gone to see since March..it was all too weird. As soon as we got there, people were already gathered around and they were putting on a show. Phil, the fiddler, usually isn't too talkative and just sits and plays his fiddle, getting up every so often to show off his skills. However, this night he was in rare form and was putting on the best show I have seen and was making jokes all night. It was a great way to go out and the crowd even demanded an encore at the end--it was great. On the way home three of us decided to duck into Flannery's for a pint thinking it wouldn't be too busy since it was a Sunday. However, there were people everywhere since there had been some matches on during the day and everyone was celebrating. We then headed home to Grove Park..
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