31 August 2006
29 August 2006
Immigration
Craig has a work authorization to be able to work and stay in Ireland for two years. When we first arrived at the Dublin Airport, we were told we had to report to the Garda Station within 30 days to register with the Immigration Services. We showed up at 8:02 a.m. (they opened at 8:00 a.m.) and there were already about 50 people there. They were calling names and countries of origin...South Africa, Nigeria, India, New Zealand, China, Philippines, Zimbabwe, M0ldova, and the United States. Dublin is having a huge economic boom and people are moving here from all over the world. Craig was issued his Immigration Card, but I need to present our marriage certificate before they will give me mine. I guess that means I am an illegal immigrant at this point. I guess I'd better be on my best behavior.
27 August 2006
Sailing Again!
We feel so lucky to be able to do this much sailing in Ireland. We set off on the DART to Bray on Sunday to go for a little float with Joe and Eilis. The weather was sunny and warm with a nice wind from the west. They say they don't get many days this nice in Dublin. We sailed out to The Kish, which is a sand bank marked by a lighthouse, about 10 miles out of Bray Harbor. We had a great sail! We're talking about the four of us racing next summer! We make a pretty good team!
26 August 2006
Howth
We took the DART train to Howth (rhymes with both) on Saturday. The weather was clear and sunny. We hiked up to Howth Head with spectacular 360 degree views over the city and Dublin Bay. Great trails and absolutely amazing views. The weather here changes quickly and our unfortunate timing found us eating our lunch during a brief wind and rain storm! As soon as the system passed, the sun came out again. We piled on and off our layers quite a few times. We walked through St. Mary's Abbey, a 16th century church and cemetary. A lot of very interesting history here.
20 August 2006
19 August 2006
The Bassetts
We met Joe and Eilis Bassett when we were sailing in the British Virgin Islands in 2005. They live in Bray, Ireland and belong to the Bray Sailing Club. Last weekend we sailed with them from Bray north to Malahide and stayed at the Malahide Marina. After breakfast on board Sunday morning we sailed south to Dun Laoghaire. Because Bray Harbor is a dry harbor, meaning that at low tide it completely empties of water, you have to time your entrances with the tide charts. We decided to dock at the National Yacht Club to wait for high tide. We sat outside on the deck to have a pint. Later we walked up into town for lunch. We left Dun Laoghaire at 6:00 pm to arrive at high tide at half seven. Craig and I then took the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) train back to Dublin. Another fun weekend!
17 August 2006
Lot's of Differences!
We've been living in Dublin now for 23 days. Although Ireland is an English speaking country, there are many differences we've found already. Most people use the 24 hour clock. It's a bit confusing looking at the digital clock reading of 22:12. The common greeting is "hi-ya" and upon departing "see-ya". A lift is an elevator, a boot is a car trunk, a car park is a parking lot. You let an apartment, drop your kids at a creche, and ring your friends on your mobile. Chips are fries and crisps are chips, jello is jelly and jelly is jam! The drugstore is the chemist and the doctor is the surgery. A sweater is a jumper, pants are trousers and tennis shoes are runners. We're learning and having a great time!
12 August 2006
07 August 2006
A Weekend in London
We decided to spend our first European weekend in London. We flew Aer Lingus from Dublin to Heathrow and took the tube to the west side of London. I think we were the only people on the tube speaking English. London is a very international city. We stayed in a great little hotel called Fieldings in Covent Garden We either walked, took the bus, or took the tube everywhere. One night we saw the show Chicago and the other night we went to a comedy club. The streets were busier with people after the shows than when we went in. London is a very fun city!
06 August 2006
04 August 2006
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