Sunday, September 14, 2008

Uncorked



In keeping with the spontaneity of Ireland, a couple of us took a little jaunt to Cork this weekend, catching a bus early Friday. Cork, in the south of the country, is Ireland's second-biggest city after Dublin, and its third most populated after Dublin and Belfast. Historically, it's known as "The Rebel City," due to the role it played in the War for Independence and Ireland's Civil War.

Colloquially, it's known as a bit of a letdown. Cork's a mix of Cumberland's dreariness, Baltimore's unease, and the shopping centers of Queens. While very well-dressed, the people there were far less likely to return smiles. This may not be a reflection on the Corkonians themselves --- we were asked for directions by three different groups of Americans, some Canadian visitors, and a posse of Israeli tourists. Nobody's quite sure of their bearings in Cork, and somehow the atmosphere takes on the feeling of an outdoor warehouse full of strangers.

But even a bleak destination is manageable when you're traveling with friends. And what companions I had! The girls and I had such fun exploring up and down the River Lee while waiting for the others to arrive. A wonderful dinner at an organic place called Nutmeg cheered us all up immensely, and we ended the night in hilarity --- all ten NYU kids in one hostel room, trying to sleep and failing catastrophically.

1 comment:

Cathie Schorn said...

Monica--I lost a "comment" just now; if this duplicates another one, I'm sorry...

In the second installment you'll describe your visit to Blarney Castle, won't you? So much magic gets equal time!

By now the group's all back. What did the boys do while you were at Blarney? Did Lexi and Carmen have any adventures on their second stayover? Am eager to hear the continuing saga!

And Daddy was glad, by the way, that you ate dinner at a proper restaurant. For the nutrition as well as the cultural experience. Ugh. Why go to MacDonald's anywhere outside the U.S.? What a travesty!

Time for church. We'll talk with you afterward, honey; Daddy especially. Love you!!!

Mama