Gavin & Stacey

Today I didn't walk for miles and miles around the city. It was great. Instead I watched two great programs. Chitty chitty bang bang- never seen it before to Britt's shagrin, and Gavin & Stacey- its a show on teh BBC and its probably the funniest TV show I've seen. I actually bought the first season on dvd already. If you have a chance to watch it for sure do it its hilarious (its on surf the channel).

In other news Britney Spears is in the same country as I am- well England but its technically Great Britain and thats where I am- oh and Mylie Cyrus- their coming over to visit us later becuase we're bff.

Messages to pass on:
*single tear for the fact I'm not sliding around Kelowna streets in the volvo- I miss those days
*haven't tried haggis yet- someday soon maybe (Sandi I think its a dish you'd be keen on)
*can't believe its two days away from december already!!
*did the title of the blog make you think that I made two new friends? -I haven't (except Mylie and Britney of course)

2 days flat

Success! Today we got our very own flat! Its actually super sweet. Its a quick bus trip right into the centre of the city and its in a really nice neighbourhood- right beside the national rugby stadium and the biggest ice rink in the country! It's like the ice was calling us home. There is currently a spare bedroom and tonnes of space so the invite is out to all to come stay with us!!!

Before we agreed to get that flat we looked at a couple others. Both pretty good, a little too far out of town though. A very nice women showed us around a nice flat that backed onto a golf course once we saw the flat she said she wanted to show us the garden. Sweet a garden swank. Well the "garden" was swamp land with a clothes line running through it. Pretty.

Anyways after deciding on a flat we continued handing out CV's. My favorite place of potential employment today had to go to a bar names "dirty dick's". Fingers crossed for that one.

Messages to pass on:
*I'm really glad everyone enjoyed my FB status. For those who missed it is was "Britain's gift to Christmas http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=asq7TW4bRBU" definitely check that out if you haven't already
*Britt and I have realized we are very quiet and grumpy- when we are hungry. the afternoon is always quite fun
*I think Carter may be more tanned then I am- I showed someone his picture today and they didn't believe he was born end of October cause hes a man child.
*keep those fingers crossed for jobs

Monster.co.uk

The last two days have been spent figuring out visas and banking, trying to find work, and trying to find a flat.

Today Britt and I handed out resumes, or CV's as they are known here, all over the city centre. We are going back again tomorrow. Basically they are going into every place I wouldn't work at if I were at home, but since I'm a hobo vagabond I'm just itching at the chance to be considered a successful applicant. Strabucks for instance- fingers crossed on that one cause I'm pretty sure I can handle that- except for the part where there is black cherry mochas for the holidays (is this also in Canada?) what the F.

Also pubs have been targeted. All different types- ones with restaurants, small ones, ones in hotels, ones that had a bunch of old men outside smoking, a single person on staff, two Texas mickeys of whiskey hanging upside down from the wall being used for shots, and a bunch of backpacks in one of the corners- basically the kind of establishments you would find in Canada.

I'm really counting on a job in the service industry to get me by for now for two reasons:
1. we were told customer service is crap in Scotland and if you actually provide good service they love that shit and will tip you
2. my very exotic and cute Canadian accent will intrigue customers (mostly of the hot male variety) and cause them to spend money in the place I'm working, making me look good, increasing my wage and possibly resulting in tips- maybe if I'm really lucky friends!

We also checked out our first flat today. I'm not going to describe it because I don't want to jinx it- I'll just say that I'd actually invite you guys over to stay with us if we decide to go for it.

Tomorrow is round two- same drill. Wish us luck!!!!!

PS - dad I'm also looking for real jobs- these were just much more fun to write about, and will hopefully tie my over till I get one.

Back to the home land

Yesterday went something like this:
-get up at 5am
-get driven into Dublin by a man named 'Fat Frank'
-take a bus from Dublin to Belfast
-get a Ferry from Belfast to Turin
-take bus from Turin to Edinburgh
-smell someone having a smoke in washroom of bus
-arrive in Edinburgh at 6:00pm
The funny thing is that the man went for a smoke on the bus and we had been on the bus about 2 hours. I guess when you are jonesing for a smoke you just got to have it- is that right Sandi?

Today we are going to get our lives together and prepare to go into the city tomorrow to look for work and a place to live. Lets be honest I'll probably end up working at Starbucks- those bastards are back all over the city in Edinburgh. HOWEVER not a drive-thru in sight!!

Messages to pass on:
*hi Carter
*hi Luther
*Freya: don't badger me about blogging- Cut it out; Stop (just mouth the word)
*I'll try and find our roots here Gillis clan

Rugby Week

So this week we went to two major rugby games. the first was Munster vs. The all blacks. This was an unbelievable game because Munster is just a club team and The All Blacks are the number one in the world New Zealand national team. the reason it was so big was because Munster and The All Blacks played 30 years ago and Munster win and they haven't played since.

The atmosphere was just amazing, crazy crazy fans everywhere. The riot police were there so you know its a great time to be had. Munster lost, but it was a brilliant game.

Yesterday we went to Ireland vs. Argentina game at the national stadium in Dublin. INSANE- the amount of people there, the chanting in the crowd, being so close to those giant men in short shorts- great time. Ireland won!

Today we get to have a day with no train or bus rides which I'm quite excited about. Tomorrow Scotland!

Messages to pass on:

*that says attendance 68,352!

*the picture layout really pissed me off and I couldn't get it to work

*is it snowing there yet?

Everyone sings like an American

The last couple nights we've been staying in a hostel in Cork city. Its good, have our own bathroom and everything. However the cover on my bed if pulled up to me chin leaves my feet hanging out. Its some sort of miniature transient blanket from 'Hobos R Us' or something.

Last night we went to a CD release party for a band called Remma ( their big single is forcibly impressed). They played a pretty good set quite entertaining. They had three warm up acts, the last of which was a band compiled of a drummer a lead guitar, bass guitar, and a singer. The band themselves were alright but the singer could not have played on key if his pompus- Gallagher brother want to be- life depended on it. Icing on the cake- how he pulled out a flute during the last song of their set and just went to town.

Tomorrow we are headed back to Castlerea to collect all our things and then off to Dublin on Saturday to watch the Ireland Argentina Rugby game and on to Scotland Sunday!

Messages to pass on:
*I've seen one Starbucks since I've been here- in an airport- glorious
*the phrase "tickle me pink" in Ireland includes the word Fuck and nothing to do with tickling
*got told I talked like Hannah Montana but Britt's little cousin

Tacky Tourist

This past week was pretty great. Filled with travels around Ireland and stops in with all Britt's relatives. We headed up to Boyle on Tuesday to see an aunt and her family and went down to Sligo for a pint at a pub. While we were there there was some traditional music going on and a couple fellows came through the door who I had no idea who they were but Britt immediately got excited and said they were the Celtic tenors. We got in a free concert of theirs in this tiny pub and ended up chatting away with them through the night- pretty much celebrities.

It was back to Castlerea the next night for dinner with a cousin and possibly a pint afterward. Well by the time dinner was finished the pubs were closed up- but because this is Ireland Britt's cousin rang a buddy and we were off the Kate's where the barman let us in and we found a number of patrons still enjoying themselves in side. And of course by the end of the night its 5am all the doors are locked everyone is smoking inside, a guy is telling you he was going to be a member of Boyzone, and the bartender has made everyone a bowl of soup- class

We wished a tearful goodbye to Patty yesterday at the Dublin airport and Britt and I headed out to take tourist pics that would put Japanese tourists to shame. We hit all the spots, road on the top of a double-decker sight seeing bus, and of course took the tour of the Guinness factory (certified in pouring a perfect pint now- no big deal).

Messages to pass on:

*they say feck and shit but bleep out ass on the tv here

*Heather I took a pick at the Guinness factory just for you

*bought a cell phone yesterday so you can call and text whenever you want!!!

*you know you need to get some sun when an old Irish man makes a comment on how pale you are

*this is a map of the travels we've done

making out with rocks

Rough night in Cork followed my last post but we still made it out to Blarney where we toured the castle and kissed the Blarney stone! I'm supposed to have the gift of the gab now- I'd say I do in deed.

Britt showed us all around Cork and basically did a tour of downtown and the pubs. Next night we headed to Kilarney and spent a night in. Next up was a stop in to Galway to Britt's cousin and a night out on the scene- I won't describe it all but to be honest I ended up ralphing in her neighbour's bin. Good times.

Just a quick note this time- but I've seen a lot of Ireland and met lots of great people!!

Messages to pass on:
*Canada was playing Ireland here in rugby and was beat 55-0 wow
*great tourist pics up soon
*how did Courtney Love do?

Clench

Well I had a lot on my plate the first few days I was here and now I'm out and about the country seeing sights and traveling around towns.

First of all driving- Britt is doing so well navigating around. Its the opposite side of the road and the roads are about as wide as one lane of traffic, on the old swap road, but with cars parked on both sides. Its absolutely ridiculous. And you can park in which ever direction you want so I find it hard to even determine what side of the road you should even be on. The "highways" are not only that narrow but are also lined with stone walls on either side, which are very beautiful, but actually cause me to clench my ass every time I see on coming traffic. I swear I'm going to have buns of steal in no time (which works well with me constant wardrobe of lulus)

We went to a shrine of Mary today in knock where we saw some beautiful old churches and shrines and were assaulted by a man's ass breath while he attempted to tell us a story about his priest brother.... or something- I think I may go to hell for that comment (Sandi you seem to have a close connection to the spiritual world, help me out).

We headed out on the road yesterday where I got to see the beautiful country side and all the castle ruins- its the most incredible sight to see I can't come close to describing. I also saw the incredible sight of a boy about four years old going to the doorway of a store and proceeding to pee- when his mother realized she started spanking him which in turn cause him to pee all over the doormat- great times.

We were on our way to Killkenny. Here I learned all about Hurling- not the kind that I like to do after too many vodkas- the sport that involves a football field huge sticks a baseball like ball, tackling like in rugby, a goal like in soccer, uprights like in football, no padding whatsoever, and basically insanity to participate- its amazing. Britt Patti and I enjoyed a few Killkeny by the fire in a pub then move on to antoher pub where we listened to some traditional irish tunes (trad songs as the locals would say).

Today we were on our way again more castles and churches to see. We stopped in at the Jamison distillery and had an authentic shot of Jamison whiskey and a quick look around the factory. Next was a stop in the town where the titanic picked up its last passengers before setting out the sea; basically where it picked up Leonardo DiCapprio when he won his ticket in a game of cards.

Now we are in Cork- where Britt used to live! We are about to head out to a pub to watch a Liverpool game.

Messages to pass on:
*pictures up soon hopefully!
*so many sheep in fields with stone walls just like the movies
*I don't like whiskey
*the thoughts in my head to myself are now in an Irish accent

Warn Tow Tree Fur Tell May That Chu Lurve May Mur

In Ireland there is no such thing as the word "my" - only me- thats it. Its a whole different language actually, and when they are drinking at a wedding thats basically what the title of this blog is made of.

I arrive in Catslerae (where Britt's family lives) on wed night and soon discovered that like most Irish towns it is made up of one basic road and outskirts. The town its self has about 2500 people (tops) and about 30 pubs, give of take a few...

So first thing on the adgenda- wedding. The night before the wedding I met the bride (always good thing to do before attending someones wedding). We came just as she was figuring out what her something old something new etc. was going to be. She had it all excpet something blue. Enter Rachel with a Canadian five dollar bill. She had it taped to the inside of her shoe the whole day and night.

The wedding itself was traditional full length catholic wedding- compelete with the preist thanking them for choosing appropriate music that wasn't all abotu love- he was pretty much an old bastard that no one in the family liked.

The reseption was in clargallway at a hotel and this is where Britt was so sick with the flu she didn't make it to the fesivities and I had too much to drink and may have fallen on the dance floor- my first impressions are incredible.

Next day everyone gets together in a pub in hell's kitchen and watches a movie of teh wedding (incase we forgot by then?) Anyways another one of Britt's cousins was singing with his band and it was pure class. Next day was basically recovery from the two before.

messages to pass on:

*WELCOME CARTER!!! (your mouth is freakishly identicle to Jason's)
*Sandi I'm not sure if you are welcome in Ireland based on the reaction to your halloween costume (sorry abou tthat one)
*the two year old in the house I'm staying in loves to say Jesus when hes angry
*hows the weather at home?