Time is passing all to quickly. This weekend I'm in Donegal Town. Last night we watched the men's team in the inter-firm finals - possibly the best game I've ever seen. It was fast-paced, intense, and card filled. First, picture a perfect Irish downpour - rain everywhere. Add a three-year long rivalry between the best two teams in the inter-firm league (we won two years ago, they won last year). Next, throw in the type of personal talent and cohesiveness that make for beautiful passing, flicking, and footwork. How could it get any better?
Laghy Waste scored in the first half with a beautiful goal. In the beginning of the second half, they received a yellow-card in the box (uncalled for - too much diving) leading to PK. The score is now 1-1. More pushing, cursing, and there are yellow cards everywhere. Laghy Waste scores with five minutes left with a shot from about 40 yards. Simply beautiful. Movie Madness scores with three minutes left. Another second yellow card (effective red) and red card for Movie Madness and we move into overtime with 9 players against 7. In overtime, Laghy Waste scores two goals to seal the championship. The entire match was a nail-biter (Nuala threatened to "eat her hat" at one point) and just beautiful to watch.
Afterward, we came back, got dressed-up (heels, makeup, the works) and headed out for the celebration. There were barbeques at the pubs for the players and supporters and a presentation of medals. I also got to listen to a great guy who played guitar and covered everything from classic rock to eighties pop to recent hits. The coolest part was sitting on the back patio and looking at the constellations - something near impossible in Hoboken. It was a long night and a great deal of fun.
Today was the first day without rain and plenty of sunshine during my entire trip to Ireland. I actually wore a tank top and sunglasses. After doing some laundry, Nuala and I went to her Mom's house where her neice and nephew were visiting. Talk about angels. I truly felt like I was either on a movie set or in heaven, walking barefoot in the grass, rolling green hills in every direction and the sound of church bells. We brought her wee nephew to the trampolene and soaked up the sunshine. It was the perfect day to relax, get a tiny bit of tan, and enjoy the Irish country-side.
Tonight I tried Irish Chinese food from a restaurant called Shamrock Chinese Take Away. It is completely different here - I didn't see General Tso's on the menu, nor dumplings/wontons. They did have sirloin steak, curry chips with peas, chicken or beef hamburgers, and other traditional take-aways.
----------------------------------
Monday, July 28th at 10am
The weekend has been pure gorgeous! Woke up this morning and the sun is still shining. We finally got the weather that I've been wishing for!
Yesterday was just an easy-going day. Went to Nuala's mom's house for dinner with the family, read for a bit and tanned on the trampoline, went to dinner with friends. Now that the clouds have lifted, I can really appreciate the beauty of the rolling hills in southern Donegal and the Montana-esque mountains in the northwestern corner of Donegal.
Today we're going on a beach walk and bringing our lunches for a picnic. If only I hadn't sent my shorts home with my family!
----------------------------------
Monday at 5pm
The variety of beauiful scenery here is astonishing. I got a tan at the back strand (click for pictures) today - 75 degrees, sunny, and a nice cool wind. I'm really going to miss it here.
I also happened to see Gerry Adams today at the beach. Astonishing. Such a small island.
No comments:
Post a Comment