Ard Fheis, or How I had the Best Night in Ireland at a Political Conference part 2

Flash back again if you would.

A few things I forgot to mention. First, Alison went out Friday night before we left with some friends from home, some of which are Irish. They told her it was really cool she was getting to go to the Ard Fheis—she said she couldn’t understand what they were saying with their accents, but either way, you know it’s a big deal when the Irish think it’s a big deal in politics, because people don’t really care that much. With some understandable reasons...

Second, the Ard Fheis, (even though part of what it translates into is annual) only happens every other year—at least for Fine Gael not sure about the other parties. And, save Alison and myself, there were no other interns or Americans there.

Third, Alison interns for a member of the Government. I told Brian (assistant) that and he said, don’t tell anyone. I felt bad because I think Alison might have felt a bit awkward, but neither of us cares that much about the parties. We tried to maintain the rouse, but we couldn’t cover it up very easily, and with neither of us wanting to directly lie, our avoidances made it obvious. The people who found out, mainly some of the assistants slagged her a bit, but it wasn’t a big problem.

Finally, there weren’t very many middle-aged people in attendance. A nice sized high-school aged group with Young Fine Gael (of which I was informed not too many are normal), a few college age students maybe also with Young Fine Gael, or just interested. A few middle-aged people and a TON, a TON of Irish Elders.

I feel it’s important to point out that for the first time in the last FIVE weeks of my sickness, I was not the person in the room with the worst cough. You should have heard all the old people coughing up their lungs, it was disgusting, but I was delighted because it put my cough to shame.

So, after Edna Kenny’s speech Alison and I tracked down Brian to figure out what was going on. With little to no success. The Irish don’t necessarily explain things very well, which is odd, but I’ve encountered that a lot. It was funny actually, Brian just up and left while we were standing around with his friends, being actually pretty awkward, and then Brian sent one of his friends a message that I crept on saying he had gone to Burger King and would be back in 20 minutes. Now, you may hold it against me or find it creepy that I casually looked over his friend’s shoulder at the message, but like I said, no explaining, very awkward situation, I think it was justified. Anyway, Alison and I headed towards the main area of town to try and find some cheap food. We succeeded at Mike’s Fast Food. Or something. I honestly don’t remember what it was called but it tasted delicious.

After our food we headed back to The Malton because supposedly something was going to happen. We walk in the door and Mike, who works in the Fine Gael press office says hey, where’s Brain? and opens his jacket pocket. He pulls out two tickets, smiles and says, take these. Alison and I look at the tickets we’ve been handed. They say:

Edna Kenny TD Leader of Fine Gael

invites you to a reception

following his Presidential Address

Drinks 9.00 pm

*no admission without invitation.

Mike gives us directions as we excitedly hustle towards the reception room. On our way, run into Brian TD and he says, oh let me take you downstairs etc. We walk down this set of narrow stairs to this almost secret room with TWO guys standing out front. They take our tickets and the three of us walk in, and talk for a couple minutes. Then Brian asks, “what are you drinking?” We tell him, he goes over to the (open) bar and brings us back a vodka tonic and a gin and tonic. Then he says hang on, or maybe just disappears and comes back with two more. Mental image, Alison and I are now downstairs, in a small reception room, surrounded by TDs (reminder: essentially congressmen and women) and senators, each of us pretty excited, double fisting drinks brought to us by a TD. All of this while Edna Kenny is about 2 meters away drinking a GUINNESS. Best image ever. We talk with Brian for a while and then he leaves to mingle. Politicians never stop campaigning. Then we bump into a couple of Brian (assistant)’s friends from Leinster House that I’ve had lunch and tea with a few times—Matt and Paddy. We chat, get a couple refills and continue to have an amazing time. Especially after being told that Brian (assistant) couldn’t get in downstairs. [It was a pretty exclusive event!] (this is so long; My excuses a) I’m part Irish b) I’ve been in Ireland for a few days shy of three months c) this was an awesome night d) I think the details make it more real e) I never want to forget this.) Eventually the open bar closes. Maybe because they’ve run out, which I actually wouldn’t doubt, but probably because its getting late at this point. I tell Alison, I’m depressed, that sucks, and we laugh. Then quiet pause. No, I think I’m actually a little depressed, I assert. We laugh again.

Paddy and Matt, head upstairs and encourage us to follow, since most of the other guests have filtered out. Upstairs in the Hotel’s main reception bar area, reunite with Brian (assistant) who says, “I hope that’s water you’re drinking,” and I say, “of course, cause you’re just drinking orange juice.” I never drink, he says, and I say, “ohhh, so that’s why so much work got done on Thursday” (the day after St. Patrick’s Day) We both laugh and I feel overwhelmed with how happy I am to have been placed with the (my?) Brians, and how much I love politics, and how happy I am to have come to Ireland. Honestly I can’t stress enough how much the experience I had was exactly what I wanted, to be welcomed in by the people I work with, to have a truly unique experience with a foreign government, to have an amazing internship. Everything fell into place and was validated by this silly conference out in the west of Ireland with a funny name.

The night continues on in the hotel reception. I meet more of Brian’s friends and colleagues. Alison and I are introduced to Edna Kenny, who is in an adjacent room, taking pictures, chatting. One of the guys asks if Edna can meet two Americans. He stands up to greet us, kisses our hands, and of course, mentions Obama, and we get our picture taken with the next Prime Minister of Ireland. One guy, Colm, used to work for George Lee—the celebrity TD who resigned—but he didn’t spill any details for me. I get led into my first debate of the evening, the first point of conversation with almost anyone Irish person who realizes you’re a yank—Obama. Colm tells me he’s a McCain man and I respond heavily. And I launch into the hands down (Lansdowne) number one reason why no intelligent, self-respecting informed person would ever vote for McCain (as president in 08) : Sarah Palin. Oh goodness, for those of you who have had the pleasure of avoiding this topic with me, lucky you. Anyway, I went into my stump speech on all the reasons I have for hating her, as a person and a politician. Colm and the others smile and laugh at my ferocity, and I assure them I don’t swear a lot, and that I especially didn’t too often before I landed on their island, but that she is one of the only people I would use some very choice words on. They don’t believe me, or they do, and just want to hear me say it, so I do. Everyone laughs and the conversation continues on things I find less infuriating.

Eventually, I get baited into a conversation that I know full well to avoid. I get asked by a few young Fine Gaelers who were introduced to me, “If you lived in Ireland, would you actually support Fine Gael?” Which is a really valid and interesting question. And I say that I certainly wouldn’t support Fianna Foil, because they’re awful and corrupt and Brian Cowen seems like an idiot. But that I do tend to lean pretty left, like socialism left. And the boys—I say boys, they were probably a year or two younger than me, but they looked 16 tops—tell me, we’re pretty socialist. I should have just left it. I should have just nodded quietly, turned to my right and joined Alison’s conversation, I had many options, but took none of them. Natalie likes to debate—ok, argue. Natalie feels strongly about quite a few things, and one of them is government and its role in (a) society. So I say, yes, but in the states it’s different, and the Democratic Party platform is more liberal. And they ask, how? Well, I say, we have the separation of church and state and I so very strongly believe in that. And they ask me to elaborate and I throw out Gay Marriage as an example, and they say we support that—which, pretty sure, they don’t—but whatever. I should have left it, but I continued forth: It’s just different, there’s different issues. Like what, they ask? I assert its different and they ask again. I should’ve known better. I really should’ve, but I decide it’s time for someone to say it. Abortion. WHOA. Explosions everywhere. I don’t even remember if they listened to me, going through my piece of, regardless of how you morally stand on abortion, I believe—especially under the US Constitution—that you absolutely CANNOT heap those morals onto the other 300 odd million people. And that I want abortions safe and regulated. And that I believe it is an important component of women’s rights and privacy rights. And also, that I would never choose that option for myself, nor would I advocate it for a friend in that position. But it needs to be an option. And I got the question, “so you believe abortion should be used as contraception” which no, um, hello, contraception is preventative, abortion is, well, reactionary, or something. Anyway, as I stirred up discussion between them, I removed myself and jumped in with Alison.

Ok. I’m going to try and finish this up. We (a group of about 8 guys + Al and I) eventually moved out of the hotel to McSorley’s—a bar/nightclub. There was a €10 cover, but someone called the TD from Killarney—Tom Sheahan, and they let us in for free! Have to love being connected to the political elite. We hung out at McSorley’s—more free drinks—Alison and I were pretty much, well, the hit of the party. Some of the only girls--definitely the best ones!!—the only interns and the only Americans. They were all so interested in us! It was a lot of fun. Plus, going out with Brian (assistant) was fun to see, and he was such like a big brother. None of the guys were at all creepy or sinister. It was just all around a great time. Eventually Sorley’s closes, we head back to the hotel for a supposed band, most people seem to have started packing in, Alison googles pictures of the Irish rugby player she’s into—Rob Kearny. Matt and Paddy walk us back to our hotel to make sure we get home ok. Seriously, I can’t say it enough, it was truly my best night in Ireland.

Brian, Alison and I

little known Natalie fact: I dont like beer, I dont drink beer.

this is only the second beer I've ever finished. Beer #1) going

away party in which Tyler convinced me they wouldn't let me

visit Ireland if I didn't finish the Guinness he brought and this

was Beer #2.

Alison, Colm, Mike, Brian, Paddy, Me and Patrick.

just some of the lot.

Ard Fheis, or How I had the Best Night in Ireland at a Political Conference part 1

Best Night in Ireland. Hands down Lansdowne. Probably one of the best nights ever in the grand scheme of things. Of course, nothing comparatively to the night I met my best friend, but still.

Fine Gael have been gearing up for their National Conference or Ard Fheis in Irish (pronounced are-desh, go figure. Irish is feckin crazy.) I was reading through Brian’s conference speech on Thursday morning. His wife came in and I met her, she was really nice, and she asked, oh are you going to the conference, and I said no at the same time that Brian said yeah. And then he said, “Oh! You should go! Brian, lets get Natalie a room and you can take the train down Saturday morning. Bring one of your friends.” Fast forward to Saturday morning and Alison and I are jumping on a train (technically the dart, then the LUAS, then one train and then another) down to the very south west of Ireland in Killarney, County Kerry.

Alison and I were so excited to be getting out of Dublin! Plus, we were up in a FOUR STAR hotel—The Killarney Plaza and Spa. Much different than our recent trips (hostels yikes!) and our accommodation down in D4 (we came home to ants).

Flash back to Thursday afternoon. Brian was mentioning to some of his mates how they shouldn’t put conference in the same week as Paddy’s Day because it was too hard on ones liver. I should have taken greater note and prepared.

We’re forward again to Saturday. We got to Killarney at half twelve (12:30) and walked over to our hotel. Brain Hayes was waiting for us in the lobby and checked us in at the desk. I leaned over to Alison and said, “I feel like such a mistress.” The hotel was absolutely gorgeous. SO HAPPY. Plus, Killarney was very nice, very beautiful, etc. Alison and I are moving to Killarney one day. We got up to our great room, unpacked, and lounged for a little bit. Lunch and then to another hotel, the Malton, where the actual conference was on. We sat in on the Education Panel during which Brian gave the speech I edited and then there was a lot of discussion about Education in Ireland as well as abuse in both the education system and the government in general. It was about 2 hours, but mostly interesting.

The really funny part was that after some of the panel would speak, they’d ask for questions. And the moderator specifically said, questions, quick questions, no comments. None of them were quick, and probably about 2 of 15 were questions. THE IRISH CAN TALK. And they love to talk, and I love that about them. Congratulated Brian afterwards and headed back to our hotel. Then headed down for a quick workout at the “state of the art gymnasium” It felt good to get on an elliptical again. Showers, ROBES, and the beginning of the Ireland v Scotland rugby game. Then back to The Malton for the Leader’s Speech. I thought it would just be Edna Kenny, the party leader, TD from Mayo and Spokesperson on Northern Ireland giving his speech with one or two introduction speeches. –As is rather common in Ireland, or at least with the Brians, no one told me what was going on or what it would be like. There was a very engaging master of ceremonies, a young middle-aged woman, I cant for the life of me remember who exactly she was but I liked her. -----Mairead McGuinness, a Member of European Parliament. Woo woo EU. Then there were several speeches from Fine Gaelers. (Whats the plural? Haha) The two best were Leo Varadkar, the spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment who really laid into government and blamed them for the recession—but in a very intelligent, impassioned way—and then Michael Ring, spokesperson on Community and Rural Affairs. Deputy Ring had a very humorous speech, most of it equating to what a joke Fianna Foil is and what an astounding leader Edna Kenny is. There were some good videos played too—a few about current Councilors who will be running in by-elections for TD seats, and a FF joke one, and a video of Edna Kenny’s accomplishments since becoming leader. Which, he’s actually led the party very well, gained a lot of seats, laid out good policies, etc. Plus the video was to the tune of Sweet Surrender [by the Temper Trap--you should listen to it!!], which is most definitely a favourite.

Finally, Edna took the stage. His speech was about 25 minutes long, and he laid out Fine Gael’s 3 pillared plan to get Ireland back to work that will be implemented when they’re in government. It was a good speech and I really like Edna Kenny. He seems like a great, smart man. More on that later though.

I’ll conclude here with Part One. The Business half of my trip to Killarney.

I’m very very tired—which will be covered in part two. Hopefully tomorrow.

St Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day.

Mary’s sister Tory came to visit, and Alison and I were talking about going to Munich for a beer fest the weekend of April 17^th, and Alison was saying, “oh I didn’t know how interested you were in going, I know you hate beer” and Tory said, “why did you come to Ireland?!”

Good question.

Lately I’ve been thinking I should have just gone to Morocco and that that would have been better, half as expensive, more academically beneficial—especially in regards to Arabic, which I so intensely want to be fluent in.

Anyway, I’m here and I try not to dwell on anything else too much. “Be here now” and “Where ever you go there you are” as the boyfriend says. :)

But I was very excited for St Patrick’s Day. From what we had heard, Tuesday night (the night of the 16^th) was the night to go out, because everyone has Wednesday off, because it’s a bank holiday, and everyone has to go back to work on the 18^th.

So we went out Tuesday Night after work. Went to a pub in City Centre near Grafton Street. Alison and I talked to lots of friendly Irish and a few Americans. We were accosted by a very sweet 30 year old Irish woman who grabbed Alison and I and another American woman in the bathroom and gave us a hug while proclaiming how much she loved it when the Yanks came to town. I loved her and Alison and I were proclaiming how much we loved the Irish. All in the Ladies room.

After our prolonged pub experience, Alison, Tory and I headed to McDonalds for some Shamrock Shakes. BEST. DECISION. EVER.

Woke up yesterday morning feeling on my B game. Alison and I headed back to City Centre to see the parade. The weather was kinda shitty yesterday, I’m jealous of Minneapolis, I heard you guys had 60 and sunshine there. We ended up being submerged in a large group of people and not really being able to see the parade. Which was pretty depressing. I was bummed. Plus, poor Alison measuring in at a big 5’1” couldn’t see a thing and was feeling smushed and claustrophobic.

Then my camera battery died. Needless to say, I was pissed and pretty depressed that I couldn’t use my camera. After that Alison and I met up with some of the other guys on our programme who were also headed to the Gaelic Athletic Association championships. So we went with them to Croke Park, but they bought tickets by themselves, so we didn’t end up sitting with them. We watched the Hurling match and then the Gaelic Football match. It was pretty cool, but by the end of it I felt exhausted. So I came home and took a nap. I then spent the rest of St Patrick’s Day in my bed. Alison and I were going to go to a small pub near us, but she decided to go to Temple Bar, which I just wasn’t up for. Plus, no one else, and I mean no one, had to go into the Dail today, except for me. And not only did I have to go in, but I had to interact with both Brians.

I feel really lame and disappointing. I think others look at my life and think I’m boring. Which I probably am. It’s hard for me not to care what other people think, but I do. But, I am happy with my life back home.

I’m just not one of those people that enjoys being out until three in the morning, and I cant function on less than eight hours of sleep very well. I feel like I don’t really fit in with the people around me.

But I’m glad I went in today and I’m glad I wasn’t trashed from last night. Besides, I still have a cover letter and four 2000 word papers to write before my mom gets here a week from Sunday.

Ultimately, I’m happy with my internship experience and I really hope I’ll be able to leverage it into jobs and more internships. But I cant help but feel like I made the wrong decision.

Passion Pit

I went to a concert Saturday night, and I seriously had one of the most amazing nights I've had my entire trip here. I went by myself which was completely refreshing, and I met some really cool Irish kids my age and it was just a

fucking blast. I was so excited for the band to come out and I was smiling up a storm. The absolute only thing that could have possibly made it better would have been the addition of one of my boys.

The opening band was phenomenal, a girl from

the UK, Ellie Goulding. I think she'll be huge in the states soon. [And I normally tend to be right about those things] You can watch one of her music videos here.

The band I went to see--Passion Pit--

is from Massachusetts and I've been super into them lately. Their stuff is really upbeat and, I would probably describe it as Indie Pop. They were really good live too, nice guys. Overall, best €25 I've spent the entire time I've been here.

I did however, get yelled at by security about my big ol beast of a camera. Not for using a camera--

which everyone was doing--but because it was

big. no joke. The guy said because it was so big, theres copyright concerns with pictures I would take with it. Which is hysterical to me, because how is the quality of a concern?

My logic is, either I can take a picture, or I can't. and also, the small digital camera Joey and Nick have takes the BEST pictures I've ever seen--short of National Geographic. I did manage to steal a few though.

my boyz.

What I Perceive as Ridiculous

Another resignation. This one's due to back pain. No (apparent or visible) scandal.

The margin the government has over the opposition is now only 4 votes. (Had Lee stayed it would have been three!) The Dail was voting on order of business last Thursday, and I asked assistant Brian, why doesn't the whip and Edna Kenny make sure every single Fine Gael member is in for every single vote and put pressure on the Government? Background-- just like the US, members are hardly ever in the chamber, sometimes they aren't even in the building. They'll come in for a vote--a LOUD bell rings in every room of the buildings when there's a vote, but if they aren't there, they aren't there. So Brian tells me it wouldn't matter because they pair off. Then he explains that the majority whip calls the minority whip, says we've got 3 gone, and the minority whip calls three deputies and they abstain from voting. This seems crazy to me. Especially when they'll do it even when the number of Finna Foil people gone wouldn't lose them the Majority… even when they'll still win! They still want the vote to reflect their margin of excess seats--now 4. Does this make sense to anyone?

I asked Brian if that's in the constitution, and he said no, thats just what they do. I asked him what the benefit for the minority party is, and he said, thats just how we do it. It boggles my mind. Seriously.

Now, what lead to my question was the debate I saw in the Dail about the order of business. It was two fold. One, Fine Gael wanted an immediate discussion on a news story that broke: Thousands and thousands of referral letters sent to the Tallaght Hospital had been unopened. And 58,000 X-rays had been ignored by the consultant radiologists. Government voted against that. Mainly because the parties oppose everything the other does, but also because the Minister for health was on a "state visit" to New Zealand. pictured above--this is not anything I've seen, unfortunately [The Labour party leader said the trip, "reads more like the Lord of the Rings trail than it does like a State visit; the only thing missing is dinner hosted by Bilbo Baggins"] The second fold was having the Dail, (which is now adjourned until the 23rd of March) stay late for discussions and questions and answers on the situation. The Government voted against that too. More and more, the Irish political system seems like such a joke. The Government is in complete control and they are barely held to account for anything. Its ridiculous. The opposition cant get anything done. All they can do is criticize. Besides their constituent work, I don't think they are actually productive. Maybe I haven't dug in far enough yet...

Paris

After Rome, I was so exhausted, and I really just wanted to go home.

Preferably on a flight back to my (apparently hypothetical) Minneapolis home,

but Dublin home sounded good (and more probable) too.

One mishap, two taxi rides and a good heap of sleepy frustration later,

we arrived at our hostel.

Now, we booked at one of the cheapest hostels we could find that had a decent review, and settled on The Peace and Love Hostel. We first located the hostel by the HUGE NEON SIGN. Under the sign, was a bar. This is about 1:45 in the morning... So we walk into the bar. the bar is the reception desk, and the bartender is our cheerful receptionist. Finish checking in, go up to the room, to which there is not a key. this makes me nervous, but I continue on. The room is the size of an average dorm room. There are four 3-high bunk beds. And one cot. The room smells funky and all other 11 people's luggage is strewn about on the very little floor space. I climb up to one of the empty beds and go to sleep. --I completely forgot to take any pictures of the hostel, for which I am kicking myself, but it really was probably more of a you had to be there type of thing.

Next Day: Rain. Lots of rain. The rain makes everything look dirty and disgusting. The rain makes me hate Paris. Croissants make me happier.

Head to the L'ouvre. See the Mona Lisa, a few other things, and get dragged away. Intend to go back, never do. Next stop: Museé d'Orsay. Monets, van Goughs and Courbets and Degas'. and others. So much more appreciated by me. I would have spent forever in there had it been up to me. Walked around near the Champs-Elysees and headed back to the hostel. FABULOUS DINNER. First salad in Europe. (The mom did the math, said 54 days without a salad?!) It was 9 euros, and it was HUGE. The size of the mixing bowl Joey and I use for Guac. --The Engelharts can attest that this is a BIG bowl. Anyway, great salad leaves, great dressing, great tomatoes, and then, the BEST PART. [and yes, short of the Monets, the salad was the highlight of Paris at this point] Anyway, the best part was three toasted baguette slices with warmed and seasoned goats cheese on top. Probably one of the top 3 best European meals I've had my entire semester.

Next Day: More time on the actual Champs-Elysees. 20 euro for cough medicine from a very nice Parisian chemist. The Arc de Triomphe-- can't stop thinking, "did you mean French Military losses?" Oh google. I hope you remember how I professed my love for you when you take over the world. Can everyone tell I'm writing this portion while it's late? Hahaha.

Notre Dame. I think I had a baguette for dinner. Tour de Eiffel at night. Quote, "Is everyone happy? I've seen the fricken Eiffel Tower" After Italy, I felt like I had seen so much, done so much, and really worn down. I was feeling like I couldn't handle any thing else, especially the Eiffel fucking Tower. Its just such the cliche image of Paris, and of France. I've already seen thousands of incarnations of it on everything, but I did go and see it, and I'm happy I did.

Final day: very happy to be getting back to Dublin. Late flight, spend the morning and early afternoon eating croissants and wandering to the Montmartre (mountain of the martyr) neighbourhood. The Sacré-cœur is a beautiful Basilique on the top of the hill and the highest point in the city. Montmarte is known as the Artist's quarter. Lots of famous artists had studios up there when they were in Paris---INCLUDING Salvador Dalí. There's a Dalí museé and I spent an amazing hour inside of it. Cant wait to get to Spain and St. Petersburg, FL. A new goal in life is to own an original Dalí. (Wish me luck). Buy lots of postcards and head to the airport. Baguette and large wedge of brie for lunch/dinner in the airport-2.5 euro. Both the price and the nourishment are delightful and greatly appreciated.

Now if you're reading this, you probably know how I feel about over-hyped things. I didn't avoid reading/seeing Harry Potter because I had anything against wizards and magic. I did it because I cant stand things that loads of people are into. It just seems too easy, like those people aren't developing their own tastes and interests, as if their just following what everyone else is reading because that way they dont have to think about what they're actually interested in. I just am repelled by those things... Same with Lord of the Rings and Twilight--although I'm pretty sure I never would have touched the latter regardless of the size of the fan base. I think its just really boring to have read the same thing as 500 million other people. And I think over-popular things tend to be dumbed down and shallow, thats why its easily marketed. Its not groundbreaking, its not controversial, its just easy. And they choke out more legitimate, more thoughtful works. Anyway, I bring this up not only because it's interesting and something I feel strongly about, but because I was thinking of this in regards to Paris.

Everyone always says, well, I dont really know, but people seem to really love love luhhhh-ve Paris. Paris, je t'aime. Lots of people. And despite the rain, being sick, poor, tired and overwhelmed by sightseeing, I really did enjoy my Parisian trip. But the words catch in my mouth if I try to say I loved it. Something was off for me. I really really liked it, but it wasnt love.

Roma

Rome was beautiful and highly enchanting. Arrived mid afternoon, checked into the hostel, showered and hit the town. Goal: wander around. Like I said, there werent very many concrete plans. The sun started to set and we were walking up and down these older Roman streets, passing by old churches, big statues, every once in a while seeing ruins. And of course, PICTURES. That night we saw some of the Forum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, lots of other random but beautiful old stuff. And that was literally what I was doing that night, "look! thats old, right?" as I'm snapping my pictures.

Next day, Vatican City. I think I missed something there, like another part I was supposed to go and see, but I saw St. Peter's Basilica and the square. The [ ] was really, really pretty, even though it looks more or less average in pictures, but I really didnt like the Basilica. It was nice and whatever, but I guess I was spoiled on the Duomo. Saw the Vatican Museum as well, where the Sistine Chapel is. I imagined it differently. I was sadly underwhelmed with the Vatican... Sorry mom, sorry God.

Then, the Colosseum. I dont even know how to talk about it. Like, what could you even possibly want me to say? The symbol and the history and the foreign all converging on top of you, pressuring you to feel something profound, to experience it or something.

I dont know, tourist after tourist after tourist after tourist. Does anyone have a home anymore? Do I?

I didnt feel that way in China, at the Great Wall, at the Imperial City, wherever...

Maybe thats because it was more novel? (and by it I mean the trip, the culture, the experience)

Alas, I've digressed. Italy was everything I wanted it to be. Italy just fit. It was beautiful, fluid, and it felt very natural. Maybe in time, or subsequent journeys, or more time with my beautiful english major, I'll be able to express it better, but for now, hopefully this is sufficient.

Italy

The Duomo

We arrived early in the morning in Milan to gray skies and lots of rain. I was excited for Milan because of the fashion, but I was forgetting a couple of things. Mainly, my poor college student

status that keeps me from purchasing the things

I long for, like a Gucci bag and Prada sunglasses, a Fendi scarf and Versace shoes.

Second, travelling with boys who do not care about any of the above. Also, I never looked anything Fashion-y to do up… I probably should have tried to hit an outlet mall or something, but I can’t really afford anything other than food right now. Its hard not having a job and seeing your balance constantly plummet... I’ll just have to head back after I make partner somewhere and am rolling in filthy amounts of money. Anyway, Milan, not too terribly exciting.

We did see the Duomo though, which was absolutely incredible. By far the favourite between Notre Dame and St Peter’s Basilica. Had my first awkward English speaking encounter, trying to order water in the restaurant next to our hostel. Had first pizza too. Andy kept saying, this is so good, this is the best pizza ever, (side note, Andy always talks about how amazing everything is, which is funny, but his optimism and excitement is appreciated too) but to be honest I like Punch and the other place Joey and our families go—Pizza Nea—a lot better. They put more spices and ingredients on. For example, love the basil leaves and the Mt. Vesuvio tomatoes, and sun dried tomatoes when Joey lets me get them. Overall, as I was told, Milan, least favourite.

Inside the Duomo

The next day we got up early to get to Venice. Took a train there, and it was about 3 hours. It was rainy again in Venice, but really cool. It’s hard to believe how old it is, and that more of it hasn’t sunk already. We checked into our hostel and wandered around for several hours, taking lots of pictures and peaking in stores. Made our way to Saint Mark’s square, took more pictures, didn’t go inside of anything and made our way back. I’m sad to say I took a nap. Between waking up at 3:30am the day we left, walking around in the rain, and being sick, I just couldn’t keep going. Eventually woke up and went for dinner, a self-serve place that had phenomenal spaghetti con pesca, (with fish!!) So good. And, my first (of many) gelato—rum chocolate.

Venice

a channel

a market

a boat

gelato

The next day, another train. Another 3 hours. Florence. The weather there was fabulous. The entire city was so beautiful, so old and so gorgeous. Florence was basically the same strategy as all the other cities: 1) consult the various lists we had of must-sees, 2) look at the (a?) map, 3) wander, and 4) take pictures. We hiked up to Michael Angelo Plaza (I believe, but its hard to keep track) for its amazing vistas. More gelato. More pictures. More beautiful Italy.

I feel I should probably interject that I didn’t really want to go to Italy (or Paris for that matter) for break. I’ve never been super into Italy, and I don’t know anything real about Italian culture that doesn’t come from fictional-media works. Which is kind of surprising considering a) how much I adore Italian food, especially pasta. If not at house of fine foreign cuisine, and if I don’t get a salad, I’ll almost always order pasta. Hazelwood with the Engelharts: pasta (and of course the fondue). Bucca, I never get the chicken or veal or anything, its always pasta. I make myself pasta as a meal probably 5 or 6 days a week here. (and at home, but I did more stir-frys at home) PLUS, that doesn’t even count the days I eat penne for lunch and spaghetti for dinner. Anyway, Italy was not top on my list. Italy wasn’t even on the list. I ended up going because I was worried about travelling a lone and didn’t want to stay in Dublin.

I mention this because Italy absolutely blew me away and far exceeded any expectations I had. [With the exception of Vatican City]

I’ll finish with Rome and Paris tomorrow.

When I knew Florence was a Great City

Best statue ever?

Remember that blind guy who could sensory perception draw?

This is that thing-- The Baptistery.

watch

Update II

Health update: I saw a very nice doctor on Monday. She had a dog in her office that she let me pet. It made me instantly feel better. I miss my aminals. I think she said I had a sinus infection and rx-ed me some antibiotics, codeine cough drops and steroid nose drops. I’ve been gradually feeling better since then. Hopefully by Saturday or Sunday I’ll be back to 100%

Daíl Update: Since the last post, two Fianna Fail Ministers have resigned: Defense and Food. Not sure why the defense minister resigned, but the food minister had to step down because he had written a letter to the police asking them not to prosecute a man. [Which I’ve been assured happens a lot, but he was stupid to write it down and get caught]. To my knowledge, they’ve appointed temporary replacements, but a reshuffling of the front bench is expected in the next week or so.

Also, huge news… The Thursday before I left for Italy, there was a vote in the Dail on financial regulations. Someone in Fianna Fail messed up, big time. I'm guessing the whip.

The TDs are always coming and going, and there’s hardly ever more than 20 (of 166) in the chambers, unless there’s a vote. And I’m not sure if I mentioned it before, but the TDs never, never ever ever break party lines, so it isn’t normally a big deal if everyone isn’t in for a vote.

But two weeks ago it was. FF was short members, and all the other TDs happened to be around and voting. At one point the vote was a tie! If FF had lost, it would have dissolved the government (because they would have been ineffectual) and launched everyone in to an immediate election cycle! The government almost collapsed! Unfortunately I wasn’t in that day, but apparently it was crazy town around Leinster house.

This week I’ve just been doing more data entry stuff and some research on priority questions for Brian.

I will talk about Italy and Paris ASAP, but I’ve been pretty drained this week.