Exploring Galway

Today, Lori (with whom I'm staying here in Ireland) and I went into Galway for a bit of shopping and some exploring. We wandered downtown, browsed some of the big sales and walked down by the water. As we were walking along the narrow, cobbled(?) streets, it finally started to sink in that I am finally back in Europe and not visiting a new state in the USA. I LOVE that feeling, though it's difficult to describe - the people, the sights, sounds and smells, even the air, all have a different texture to them, with a deep awe woven in that I am walking on the same streets so many have walked before. Galway started as a fort in the 12th Century and grew to be a major trading port. Christopher Columbus visited Galway in 1477, on his way to Iceland. Anyhoo - Galway has a great Wikipedia page for more history & stuff for any other info-geeks (like me ;)

Not much else to report, so I'll just share some pictures from the day, which is why y'all are here, right?

...okay! Just spent the last hour+ fighting with my photo editor, trying to make a fun collage of related photos for you. Well, it's just not happening tonight! So here are a few, I will continue the battle tomorrow and see what I can come up with :)

Funny story - we were playing 'tourist', taking pictures, etc and two (I'm assuming) local gentleman came up and offered to take our picture under the arch. While doing so the one went into this schpeil (sp?) about how Christopher Columbus walked under these very arches shortly before he discovered our land. Hmm...but check out the date built on the sign 1584 - almost a century after old Chris 'discovered' the New World. So I did a quick fact check. CC did in fact visit Galway (1477) as it was a major port for France & Spain. Likely he walked that pathway (by the docks along the river, just before Galway Bay)  - just not under those arches ;) Well, they were lovely gentleman, anyway, and 

we got our pictures - together - under one of the famed Spanish Arches :)

Randomly, off one of the main foot-streets, we came across this cute bike and turned into the alley to see what was what.

There wasn't much to speak of, but it was a fun little blvd with a few surprises that I enjoyed...




 These old wooden signs were all along a seafood place on Kirwan's Lane...I'm wondering if maybe they are old boat name-plates? Either way, I thought they were pretty cool!

 Along the River Corrib ...

A forgotten vessel, waiting for the tide to come in.

 All along the river, there were boats tied up that were sitting on dry land (low tide?). They were all in pretty rough shape but made for some great pictures! And yes, that is real sun, I didn't even have to photoshop it in!! We've had some really beautiful days this last week :)

 Lori and I both noticed (and photographed) this boat with the Claddagh on it. I told here that this boat could be a metaphor for my love life - in rough shape and shipwrecked... OR maybe I'm just waiting for the tide to come in (I like that one better! ;)



ANYWAY...the last thing I wanted to comment on is the (usually) seamless fusion between the old (even ancient) and the new that I've seen in Ireland (and around Europe). It's not always easy (like buses on narrow, cobblestone streets that were made for horses) but it's interesting to observe.

For example, Lori & I were eating lunch in the lower level of a small mall and I walked out a doorway into this!

The wooden tables you see are just outside the cafe - excuse me, Croissanterie, where we ate lunch :)

I didn't see any indicators of how old the wall was, or what was on the other side, but it was just so random and intriguing - to me - how they'd built right up to this wall, tiled the steps and threw a roof over it.

Also - I found these two restaurants humorously paradoxical - residing withing a block or two of each other. The very traditional Irish Tea Shop and then a bizarre mesh of foods that reflects the area's multi-cultural population.

Anything they don't serve?

We took a peek into the tea shop. Such a beautiful little place, but a bit frilly for my taste. They were set up for lunch, but it looked like they were expecting the queen to stop by for tea. The little cakes looked divine, of course!

Well, I guess I had more to say than I thought. Once I get going, it all just kinda spills out! :)  I'll work on getting some pictures of where I'm staying and the family I'm staying with (3 adorable kids!) for my upcoming blogs.

Hope you've enjoyed this little trip to Galway - come back and join me again soon on my travels!