At first this whole thing felt like a vacation. I had so much time on my hands to do whatever around town, but things are picking up. This whole trip is going so fast I feel like I'm going to blink and I will be home for summer.
I had my first midterm essay due this week (that I posted on Monday) and I have another essay due early next week. I have been working on it all weekend because my friend Emily comes a week from today, and I want to be done with my midterm by then! This one is easier because it's for my Rise of Modern America class, so I am much more familiar with the topics.
I had class all week as usual, and started a new job at Kelly's Bar. It's nothing to glamorous- I stand outside and promote the bar. It's been ridiculously cold out though, so it's not making work too fun at all.
Yesterday I went down to the Saturday market. I absolutely love going every week and getting my produce from there. There are so many different stands.... crepes, fallafel's, sushi, produce, bagels, jewelry, chess stands, olive stands, bakeries, artists, jams, fish, flowers, home made gadgets and much more. It's so fun to walk downtown on Saturday mornings and see all of this. I would post pictures.... but my camera is still dead. Emily is bringing my charger so I will definitely have pictures soon :)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
19 Century Ireland Midterm Paper
So I finished my first midterm paper so I thought I would let you all read what I have learned about the Irish famine so far. Sorry if it's boring!
The prompt was: Evaluate the role and policies of the British government during the Great Famine of 1845-1850
Here is my proof that I actually do school work here :)
As the eve of the 1845 famine descended on the Irish people, no one could predict the severity. The Irish had suffered through a previous famine in 1821, but the length of the impending famine was unforeseen. With 45% of its population dependent on the potato, it would be easy to predict what might occur when the potato crop was lost. Throughout the Great Irish Famine of 1845-1850 the British government failed to make great strides in the improvement of the Irish economy and food aid, but they were not completely to blame. Extreme weather, environmental factors, and disease also contributed to the severity of the devastating famine.
Throughout the 1830s, the British government had control over the land of Ireland. In the early 1840s, the poverty levels began to rise throughout the Irish countryside, and a problematic trend in Irish society was noted: The Irish were subdividing their land, which decreased the rate at which one could provide food to their family and make a living. The increased the demands on the land, led to problems before the start of the famine. Other issues of the time included the fact that the landlords were living beyond their means, agrarian violence was on the rise, and the rate at which tenants were being evicting was increasing. The British believed that the Irish landlords were hard to manage, but when the famine occurred, they began to look towards the landlords for assistance. With a poor communication system between the British government and the Irish landlords, this set the foundation for many problems that arose between the two countries during the famine.
The famine emerged in 1845 when Blight, a disease that caused the death of a third of the potato crop that year, began to appear. With 45% of the Irish citizens dependent on this nutrient crop, it provided the foundation for a drastic downturn in the Irish population. As the British government began to learn of the Irish Famine, they believed that it was exaggerated and would be short-lived. With the lack of photography during the era, all they had were sketches to help them understand the extent of the famine. Although they carried a laissez-faire attitude, this was seen as an “aspiration rather than a reality”. However, Sir Robert Peel, the British Prime Minister in 1845, did not adopt this same idea. He secretly purchased Indian meal from the United States to attempt to feed the suffering Irish people. He also attempted to create a scientific commission to try to dry out the potatoes or use diseased potatoes to create a starch. Although no solution was discovered, these efforts revealed Peel’s concern for Ireland during the famine.
During Sir Robert Peel’s administration, Charles Trevelyan also played a prominent role in the British political influence on Ireland. Trevelyan promoted the Laissez-Faire attitude, and was adamant about the British government not intervening in Ireland’s marketplace. He believed that people should work for aid, and that it should not be given to the people in the form of food. He also felt that all efforts must benefit the society rather than the individuals. He attempted to collect funds from Irish citizens, but poorer communities were unable to produce sufficient funds, which meant that those who needed the most aid were not able to receive it. To continue with his economic ideas, he oversaw all relief efforts and controlled the Board of Works. Over 5,800 people were employed to build roads around Ireland. Although this idea implemented Trevelyan’s notion that people must work for their food, it became contradictory because he attempted to lower the wages to keep people out of work and also implemented “task work”. Task work meant that people were paid in an amount proportional to the amount of work they did. People were paid much less than they expected to be paid because they did not have the energy to produce sufficient work because they were not able to feed themselves before long laboring days. Although Sir Robert Peel and Trevelyan made strides attempting to correct the famine, they were not enough to provide sufficient relief to Ireland. By then end of 1846 the Conservative Party began to split, and Peel’s administration failed.
In addition to the help coming from Britain, Daniel O’Connell, an Irish politician, also attempted to correct the famine because he was living through it. From 1845 through June of 1846, O’Connell focused on political issues rather than directly on the potato famine. He began to form a strong relationship with the Whigs and began to reunite the followers within the Repeal movement. He believed that if he waited for the Whigs to return to power, they may provide more relief, which caused a split in the Repeal Movement. However, support for O’Connell began to dissipate because he was not providing any immediate relief to the Irish people. As the Young Irelanders emerged they became very critical about O’Connell, which forced O’Connell to denounce them, which lead to a greater split in the Repeal Movement.
In June of 1846, O’Connell succeeded. The Whigs came into power, and replaced Sir Robert Peel’s administration with the administration of Sir John Russell. Russell’s administration was interested in continuing relief efforts and felt as though the famine would begin to improve. However, environmental factors out of their control led to the worsening of the famine. During the summer of 1846 Ireland received 11 inches of rain, which caused the complete loss of the potato crop. Four million people now relied on relief, and with no immediate change to government policy, it seemed that the people of Ireland were doomed. Russell’s administration also failed to make advances with the Board of Works, which led to internal power struggles and a hollow government.
Although there were failures in both the Peel and Russell administrations, this does not mean that these parties did not attempt to correct the famine. With potato crisis also occurring in Scotland at the same time as the famine in Ireland, it seemed as though Scotland was receiving more aid and attention because they had been integrated for a longer period of time. The British lacked aid to Ireland, but in retrospect, there were many coalitions formed to fight the famine. The problem was that they did not exist at the strength Ireland needed to rise from the famine. Although relief organizations such as the Board of Works paid their employees in cash, there was no available food to purchase, and they were paid irregularly.. Many landlords had mortgaged their estates before the famine, which caused up to a quarter to become bankrupt during the famine. Other organizations such as the Society of Friends were established to help feed masses of people. These helped reduce diarrhea and dysentery, but the working class was not entitled to them even though their wages were not sufficient enough to feed them. Following the Society of Friends, the Soup Kitchen Act emerged in 1847. Soup Kitchens were established in all Poor Law Unions, and were a major factor in combating the crisis. Another relief effort was the British Relief Association, which was a small private organization that attempted to provide food and aid, but it ultimately failed because it was unable to provide for large groups. Finally, the Poor Law attempted to provide work for those in the worst conditions. They provided work houses and rations, but as the famine worsened the rations in the work houses were eventually cut in half, creating poor working conditions.
In retrospect, the British politicians during the famine did attempt to create relief for the people of Ireland, but they were not able to do so in numbers large enough to benefit an entire country. The fact that the famine was seen as exaggerated and the fact that the era lacked photographical evidence may provide reasoning for the smaller attempts to relieve the starving Irish. Scotland was also experiencing a similar crisis due to the same potato-killing disease, which also contributed to the lack of support from the British government. The lack of communication between the British politicians and the Irish people was a major factor in the increasing poverty levels that led to the severity of the famine by the late 1840s. Other contributing factors included the significant drought that led to the destruction of the entire crop in 1846, and the spread of Blight. Overall, the lack of support from the British government and the unforeseen environmental factors led to the devastation caused by the Great Irish Famine. Although it was a decade of devastation, the Irish did not have time to point fingers, they had to focus on what to do next. Whether this caused the Irish people to emigrate or to rebuild their lives, they carried on with pride of their Irish roots, but the famine was never to be forgotten.
The prompt was: Evaluate the role and policies of the British government during the Great Famine of 1845-1850
Here is my proof that I actually do school work here :)
As the eve of the 1845 famine descended on the Irish people, no one could predict the severity. The Irish had suffered through a previous famine in 1821, but the length of the impending famine was unforeseen. With 45% of its population dependent on the potato, it would be easy to predict what might occur when the potato crop was lost. Throughout the Great Irish Famine of 1845-1850 the British government failed to make great strides in the improvement of the Irish economy and food aid, but they were not completely to blame. Extreme weather, environmental factors, and disease also contributed to the severity of the devastating famine.
Throughout the 1830s, the British government had control over the land of Ireland. In the early 1840s, the poverty levels began to rise throughout the Irish countryside, and a problematic trend in Irish society was noted: The Irish were subdividing their land, which decreased the rate at which one could provide food to their family and make a living. The increased the demands on the land, led to problems before the start of the famine. Other issues of the time included the fact that the landlords were living beyond their means, agrarian violence was on the rise, and the rate at which tenants were being evicting was increasing. The British believed that the Irish landlords were hard to manage, but when the famine occurred, they began to look towards the landlords for assistance. With a poor communication system between the British government and the Irish landlords, this set the foundation for many problems that arose between the two countries during the famine.
The famine emerged in 1845 when Blight, a disease that caused the death of a third of the potato crop that year, began to appear. With 45% of the Irish citizens dependent on this nutrient crop, it provided the foundation for a drastic downturn in the Irish population. As the British government began to learn of the Irish Famine, they believed that it was exaggerated and would be short-lived. With the lack of photography during the era, all they had were sketches to help them understand the extent of the famine. Although they carried a laissez-faire attitude, this was seen as an “aspiration rather than a reality”. However, Sir Robert Peel, the British Prime Minister in 1845, did not adopt this same idea. He secretly purchased Indian meal from the United States to attempt to feed the suffering Irish people. He also attempted to create a scientific commission to try to dry out the potatoes or use diseased potatoes to create a starch. Although no solution was discovered, these efforts revealed Peel’s concern for Ireland during the famine.
During Sir Robert Peel’s administration, Charles Trevelyan also played a prominent role in the British political influence on Ireland. Trevelyan promoted the Laissez-Faire attitude, and was adamant about the British government not intervening in Ireland’s marketplace. He believed that people should work for aid, and that it should not be given to the people in the form of food. He also felt that all efforts must benefit the society rather than the individuals. He attempted to collect funds from Irish citizens, but poorer communities were unable to produce sufficient funds, which meant that those who needed the most aid were not able to receive it. To continue with his economic ideas, he oversaw all relief efforts and controlled the Board of Works. Over 5,800 people were employed to build roads around Ireland. Although this idea implemented Trevelyan’s notion that people must work for their food, it became contradictory because he attempted to lower the wages to keep people out of work and also implemented “task work”. Task work meant that people were paid in an amount proportional to the amount of work they did. People were paid much less than they expected to be paid because they did not have the energy to produce sufficient work because they were not able to feed themselves before long laboring days. Although Sir Robert Peel and Trevelyan made strides attempting to correct the famine, they were not enough to provide sufficient relief to Ireland. By then end of 1846 the Conservative Party began to split, and Peel’s administration failed.
In addition to the help coming from Britain, Daniel O’Connell, an Irish politician, also attempted to correct the famine because he was living through it. From 1845 through June of 1846, O’Connell focused on political issues rather than directly on the potato famine. He began to form a strong relationship with the Whigs and began to reunite the followers within the Repeal movement. He believed that if he waited for the Whigs to return to power, they may provide more relief, which caused a split in the Repeal Movement. However, support for O’Connell began to dissipate because he was not providing any immediate relief to the Irish people. As the Young Irelanders emerged they became very critical about O’Connell, which forced O’Connell to denounce them, which lead to a greater split in the Repeal Movement.
In June of 1846, O’Connell succeeded. The Whigs came into power, and replaced Sir Robert Peel’s administration with the administration of Sir John Russell. Russell’s administration was interested in continuing relief efforts and felt as though the famine would begin to improve. However, environmental factors out of their control led to the worsening of the famine. During the summer of 1846 Ireland received 11 inches of rain, which caused the complete loss of the potato crop. Four million people now relied on relief, and with no immediate change to government policy, it seemed that the people of Ireland were doomed. Russell’s administration also failed to make advances with the Board of Works, which led to internal power struggles and a hollow government.
Although there were failures in both the Peel and Russell administrations, this does not mean that these parties did not attempt to correct the famine. With potato crisis also occurring in Scotland at the same time as the famine in Ireland, it seemed as though Scotland was receiving more aid and attention because they had been integrated for a longer period of time. The British lacked aid to Ireland, but in retrospect, there were many coalitions formed to fight the famine. The problem was that they did not exist at the strength Ireland needed to rise from the famine. Although relief organizations such as the Board of Works paid their employees in cash, there was no available food to purchase, and they were paid irregularly.. Many landlords had mortgaged their estates before the famine, which caused up to a quarter to become bankrupt during the famine. Other organizations such as the Society of Friends were established to help feed masses of people. These helped reduce diarrhea and dysentery, but the working class was not entitled to them even though their wages were not sufficient enough to feed them. Following the Society of Friends, the Soup Kitchen Act emerged in 1847. Soup Kitchens were established in all Poor Law Unions, and were a major factor in combating the crisis. Another relief effort was the British Relief Association, which was a small private organization that attempted to provide food and aid, but it ultimately failed because it was unable to provide for large groups. Finally, the Poor Law attempted to provide work for those in the worst conditions. They provided work houses and rations, but as the famine worsened the rations in the work houses were eventually cut in half, creating poor working conditions.
In retrospect, the British politicians during the famine did attempt to create relief for the people of Ireland, but they were not able to do so in numbers large enough to benefit an entire country. The fact that the famine was seen as exaggerated and the fact that the era lacked photographical evidence may provide reasoning for the smaller attempts to relieve the starving Irish. Scotland was also experiencing a similar crisis due to the same potato-killing disease, which also contributed to the lack of support from the British government. The lack of communication between the British politicians and the Irish people was a major factor in the increasing poverty levels that led to the severity of the famine by the late 1840s. Other contributing factors included the significant drought that led to the destruction of the entire crop in 1846, and the spread of Blight. Overall, the lack of support from the British government and the unforeseen environmental factors led to the devastation caused by the Great Irish Famine. Although it was a decade of devastation, the Irish did not have time to point fingers, they had to focus on what to do next. Whether this caused the Irish people to emigrate or to rebuild their lives, they carried on with pride of their Irish roots, but the famine was never to be forgotten.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Sorry it's taken me so long to post everything from Paris. It's been a busy week.
Anyway, I landed in Paris early Saturday morning and met up with Chris. It was pretty cold, and it was actually snowing, but Paris was so beautiful it was hard not to go out and explore the first day. We walked through the Pantheon, a series of churches, and a few colleges in the Latin Quarter. I had noticed on my flight from Ireland that everyone was wearing Ireland rugby jerseys, and then I realized that the Ireland vs. France rugby match was on. We got some food that afternoon, and then went to a pub to watch the game. Unforunately Ireland lost.... badly....
The next day we did a lot of exploring along the river. We took the subway out to the Eiffel Tower. We were going to go to the top but it was Valentines day and it was a 4 HOUR WAIT. So we decided against that, and to come back later that night. We started walking alone the Siene River, and I felt as though every quarter mile there was some large landmark. I have never seen a more beautiful city. It was clean, and the architecture on every building was so incredibly intricate.
As we walked along the river we ventured off to a little cafe' along the river and got some lunch. The staple foods for the trip were banana nutella crepe's and mozzarella/ tomato and basil panini's. Not a bad life I must say! Later in the afternoon we walked through the Louvre, the national museum, Notre Dame, and the military museum. Later that night we had a great dinner at this little french restaurant. I had braised pork shoulder, and Chris had a really cool dish. It was lamb inside a roasted baby pumpkin with potatoes. Sounds kind of weird but I had a bite and it was delicious! After dinner we went back to the Eiffel Tower, and unfortunately the 3rd level (the one we wanted to view the city from) was closed. But we did get to see the tower sparkle at night!
The next day we went up to the northern part of Paris and saw Sacre Coeur and Monmarte. The church was beautiful, and it was meaningful to see since I went to one of the schools of the Sacred Heart (Forest Ridge) for middle school. It was built on top of this massive hill and is quite a site in the city. We then went over to where all of the artists paint and went through an art gallery with paintings from all of the famous French artists such as Picaso. We had tea at a little cafe and sat on the porch and watched the artists paint scenery and portraits.
The final day in Paris we went and saw the Arc de Triomphe and the tomb of the unknown soldiers. We didn't have much time this day because of our flight being in the afternoon. Overall, I would love to go back to Paris- especially if it gets a little bit warmer! I have never seen such beautiful architecture, and such a clean major city. The details within every building were absolutely outstanding.
This week I've been back into my normal grind at school. I decided to get a job here, and so I dropped off my resume at a few places this week, and got a job at a local pub called Kelly's doing promotional work. I started today, and although it was a little cold out it wasn't too bad! Everyone who works there is Irish and I'm excited to get to know them better.
I have posted pictures below of Paris. Unfortunately, my camera battery died on the second day. Chris took pictures the other half of the trip but I haven't been able to upload those off his camera yet. I will put his up as soon as I can but here are a few :)
Anyway, I landed in Paris early Saturday morning and met up with Chris. It was pretty cold, and it was actually snowing, but Paris was so beautiful it was hard not to go out and explore the first day. We walked through the Pantheon, a series of churches, and a few colleges in the Latin Quarter. I had noticed on my flight from Ireland that everyone was wearing Ireland rugby jerseys, and then I realized that the Ireland vs. France rugby match was on. We got some food that afternoon, and then went to a pub to watch the game. Unforunately Ireland lost.... badly....
The next day we did a lot of exploring along the river. We took the subway out to the Eiffel Tower. We were going to go to the top but it was Valentines day and it was a 4 HOUR WAIT. So we decided against that, and to come back later that night. We started walking alone the Siene River, and I felt as though every quarter mile there was some large landmark. I have never seen a more beautiful city. It was clean, and the architecture on every building was so incredibly intricate.
As we walked along the river we ventured off to a little cafe' along the river and got some lunch. The staple foods for the trip were banana nutella crepe's and mozzarella/ tomato and basil panini's. Not a bad life I must say! Later in the afternoon we walked through the Louvre, the national museum, Notre Dame, and the military museum. Later that night we had a great dinner at this little french restaurant. I had braised pork shoulder, and Chris had a really cool dish. It was lamb inside a roasted baby pumpkin with potatoes. Sounds kind of weird but I had a bite and it was delicious! After dinner we went back to the Eiffel Tower, and unfortunately the 3rd level (the one we wanted to view the city from) was closed. But we did get to see the tower sparkle at night!
The next day we went up to the northern part of Paris and saw Sacre Coeur and Monmarte. The church was beautiful, and it was meaningful to see since I went to one of the schools of the Sacred Heart (Forest Ridge) for middle school. It was built on top of this massive hill and is quite a site in the city. We then went over to where all of the artists paint and went through an art gallery with paintings from all of the famous French artists such as Picaso. We had tea at a little cafe and sat on the porch and watched the artists paint scenery and portraits.
The final day in Paris we went and saw the Arc de Triomphe and the tomb of the unknown soldiers. We didn't have much time this day because of our flight being in the afternoon. Overall, I would love to go back to Paris- especially if it gets a little bit warmer! I have never seen such beautiful architecture, and such a clean major city. The details within every building were absolutely outstanding.
This week I've been back into my normal grind at school. I decided to get a job here, and so I dropped off my resume at a few places this week, and got a job at a local pub called Kelly's doing promotional work. I started today, and although it was a little cold out it wasn't too bad! Everyone who works there is Irish and I'm excited to get to know them better.
I have posted pictures below of Paris. Unfortunately, my camera battery died on the second day. Chris took pictures the other half of the trip but I haven't been able to upload those off his camera yet. I will put his up as soon as I can but here are a few :)
Friday, February 12, 2010
I just got home from class and have a busy afternoon ahead of me. I need to print out all my confirmations and finish packing for Paris! I leave a little after midnight tonight, so I am hoping to nap from about 6:00 to midnight. I get into Paris tomorrow a little after 9:00 am. Chris arrives from Abu Dhabi about 7:00am, so it works out perfectly!
I have had a busy week with classes. I have been really trying to work on my midterm and final papers. They are not due for over a month, but I feel like I have so much coming up that I should get a start on them now. I'm actually really enjoying writing them. One is on the Resconstruction Era after the American Civil War, and the other is on British Politics during the Famine in Ireland in the 19th Cenutry. The one on Ireland is a lot harder to write since I'm as familiar with the history, but I'm slowly making progress.
Yesterday, I went to kayaking club. It was barely above freezing outside so it was pretty cold, but like always, I really enjoyed it. I learned how to go off a short waterfall (only about 5 feet), and then got launched off another bridge that was a bit higher than last weeks 15 foot bridge, but not by much. I definitely was not fearful this time, and am kind of addicted to this adrenaline stuff! I'm starting to meet a lot more people through the club- but like always I wish there were more girls in the club!
I get back on Tuesday and will be sure to give you a full update on Paris and post more pictures. Enjoy your valentines day weekend!
I have had a busy week with classes. I have been really trying to work on my midterm and final papers. They are not due for over a month, but I feel like I have so much coming up that I should get a start on them now. I'm actually really enjoying writing them. One is on the Resconstruction Era after the American Civil War, and the other is on British Politics during the Famine in Ireland in the 19th Cenutry. The one on Ireland is a lot harder to write since I'm as familiar with the history, but I'm slowly making progress.
Yesterday, I went to kayaking club. It was barely above freezing outside so it was pretty cold, but like always, I really enjoyed it. I learned how to go off a short waterfall (only about 5 feet), and then got launched off another bridge that was a bit higher than last weeks 15 foot bridge, but not by much. I definitely was not fearful this time, and am kind of addicted to this adrenaline stuff! I'm starting to meet a lot more people through the club- but like always I wish there were more girls in the club!
I get back on Tuesday and will be sure to give you a full update on Paris and post more pictures. Enjoy your valentines day weekend!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Community Service
So with the ridiculously easy school system here I have a lot of extra time on my hands. I decided that since I'm in a foreign country I probably shouldn't spend my semester on Facebook! (my dad would be so proud :)) So yesterday I put in an application to become a scout leader for 6-8 year old kids in the Galway community. I really hope I get it because I absolutely LOVE working with kids, and I think it would be a great way to get more involved in the culture here. I heard back from them today and filled out a more complete application, so hopefully I will hear back soon! If I get the position, I will work with them once a week for two hours and plan a fun and educational meeting.
I have had my normal classes this week. The weather has been really good as well. I've been going on runs up through the hilltops that have been really scenic! This weekend I am going to Paris to meet up with Chris (my boyfriend) for Valentines day weekend. He is actually currently on a trip around the world. A few weeks ago he started in Seattle, flew to South Korea for a few days, then on to Bangkok, then to Australia, and he leaves for Abu Dahbi today, and then on to Paris to meet me this weekend. We are quite the traveling couple at the moment. I am really excited to see Paris, and it's supposed to be sunny for the entire time we are there, although it will only be in the 30's and low 40's. I hear that Paris is absolutely beautiful, and contains a lot of amazing architecture and historical buildings. I will try to take lots of pictures to post on my blog.
I have had my normal classes this week. The weather has been really good as well. I've been going on runs up through the hilltops that have been really scenic! This weekend I am going to Paris to meet up with Chris (my boyfriend) for Valentines day weekend. He is actually currently on a trip around the world. A few weeks ago he started in Seattle, flew to South Korea for a few days, then on to Bangkok, then to Australia, and he leaves for Abu Dahbi today, and then on to Paris to meet me this weekend. We are quite the traveling couple at the moment. I am really excited to see Paris, and it's supposed to be sunny for the entire time we are there, although it will only be in the 30's and low 40's. I hear that Paris is absolutely beautiful, and contains a lot of amazing architecture and historical buildings. I will try to take lots of pictures to post on my blog.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Want to jump off a bridge?! (the kyak edition)
After my morning classes today I went to kyak club. It started out with our normal stroke practices... ect. ect....
Then we get to this bridge, paddle under it, and our guide stops up. He tells us to get out of our boats, and climb up onto the wall. Before I know it- I'm scaling a wall in my booties, wetsuit, and kyaking gear. Let me tell you- it was quite the experience. We then reach this grass area where we cross the street back over to the other side of the bridge. Even seen 10 people carrying kyaks and paddles in wet suits cross the street? Yep- we definitely stopped traffic. As I'm looking at this bridge we are informed that we are going to be launched off of it. It looked like it was atleast 15 ft above the river. Here's what runs through my mind:
Lauren:
"Are you kidding me??!?!"
"Okay how do I plot to get out of this, it's not like I can hide under my kyak and become invisibile"
"Maybe I will just walk with my kyak back to the shed" (which is about a mile- i'm sure that doesn't look weird of anything)
Being the typical American.... "Did I sign a waiver for this?!"
"What are our guides on?!"
(side note: Thank goodness Linfield got us international health insurance!)
Before I could blink our instructor, Jordan, of course grabs my kyak, and goes "whose kyak I this?!" I raise my hand with a few choice words going through my mind. He then holds it off the edge of the bridge and says "climb in!" Well Lauren, I guess you were out of options here. I scale the side of the bridge, climb in, and before I know it I get launched in to river. IT WAS AWESOME!!! Little shocking at first, but like the coolest thing ever. I want to do it again and again and again,so I might go back tomorrow just so I can do it again. Afterward we paddles back up stream and played water polo, kyak style, in the canal of the river- super fun! Minus the fact that my competitive spirit kicked in a little and I almost capsized- but thank goodness for the "slap stroke"- I survived!
I posted a picture of us below, suiting up. The only reason I look huge is because the boys didn't have the rest of their gear on yet- so don't judge me :) I have also created a diagram so that you may envision what I looked like going off this bridge.
Scoreboard:
Lauren 10
Bridge 0
Then we get to this bridge, paddle under it, and our guide stops up. He tells us to get out of our boats, and climb up onto the wall. Before I know it- I'm scaling a wall in my booties, wetsuit, and kyaking gear. Let me tell you- it was quite the experience. We then reach this grass area where we cross the street back over to the other side of the bridge. Even seen 10 people carrying kyaks and paddles in wet suits cross the street? Yep- we definitely stopped traffic. As I'm looking at this bridge we are informed that we are going to be launched off of it. It looked like it was atleast 15 ft above the river. Here's what runs through my mind:
Lauren:
"Are you kidding me??!?!"
"Okay how do I plot to get out of this, it's not like I can hide under my kyak and become invisibile"
"Maybe I will just walk with my kyak back to the shed" (which is about a mile- i'm sure that doesn't look weird of anything)
Being the typical American.... "Did I sign a waiver for this?!"
"What are our guides on?!"
(side note: Thank goodness Linfield got us international health insurance!)
Before I could blink our instructor, Jordan, of course grabs my kyak, and goes "whose kyak I this?!" I raise my hand with a few choice words going through my mind. He then holds it off the edge of the bridge and says "climb in!" Well Lauren, I guess you were out of options here. I scale the side of the bridge, climb in, and before I know it I get launched in to river. IT WAS AWESOME!!! Little shocking at first, but like the coolest thing ever. I want to do it again and again and again,so I might go back tomorrow just so I can do it again. Afterward we paddles back up stream and played water polo, kyak style, in the canal of the river- super fun! Minus the fact that my competitive spirit kicked in a little and I almost capsized- but thank goodness for the "slap stroke"- I survived!
I posted a picture of us below, suiting up. The only reason I look huge is because the boys didn't have the rest of their gear on yet- so don't judge me :) I have also created a diagram so that you may envision what I looked like going off this bridge.
Scoreboard:
Lauren 10
Bridge 0
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Unfortunately I can't claim that I hung out with any celeberities in my last couple of days, but hopefully by the next blog I will be able to! This week has been a typical so week so far. I've gone to all my classes, crossed the streets without being hit by a car, and done my reading. It was my first week I actually had a little bit of homework... I had to read a whole 20 pages.... sounds tough right!?
I have been running a lot, and exploring Galway that way. Not your typical running path- especially when there are castle remains and old stone buildings every mile or so- no complaints!
I have my first tutorial for my Rise of Modern America class tomorrow- I'm actually really excited for it. Since our lectures are held for well over 200 people, we are divided into tutorials that meet once a week for an hour that only have 20 students in them, and it's a discussion type class.
Tomorrow night, a bunch of bands are playing a free show at the Roisin Dubh Pub in downtown Galway, so Brooke and I are going to go watch the show for a bit. On the topics of pubs, I must say my favorite part is that all of them have REAL FIRE PLACES!! It's so nice. Granted, the buildings are also much older here. I have kyaking on Saturday this weekend as well, lets hope I don't get to flip into the river this time :)
I got the good news yesterday that my best friend from 5th grade, Emily, is going to come visit in March for her spring break! It should be really fun!
Sorry this wasn't as entertaining as my last blog- I will try and do something crazy cool between now and the end of the week so I can write a cool story about it :) haha
I have been running a lot, and exploring Galway that way. Not your typical running path- especially when there are castle remains and old stone buildings every mile or so- no complaints!
I have my first tutorial for my Rise of Modern America class tomorrow- I'm actually really excited for it. Since our lectures are held for well over 200 people, we are divided into tutorials that meet once a week for an hour that only have 20 students in them, and it's a discussion type class.
Tomorrow night, a bunch of bands are playing a free show at the Roisin Dubh Pub in downtown Galway, so Brooke and I are going to go watch the show for a bit. On the topics of pubs, I must say my favorite part is that all of them have REAL FIRE PLACES!! It's so nice. Granted, the buildings are also much older here. I have kyaking on Saturday this weekend as well, lets hope I don't get to flip into the river this time :)
I got the good news yesterday that my best friend from 5th grade, Emily, is going to come visit in March for her spring break! It should be really fun!
Sorry this wasn't as entertaining as my last blog- I will try and do something crazy cool between now and the end of the week so I can write a cool story about it :) haha
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