Ramblings

First off, I have badly neglected to plug my picture site. Go to natecoxmt.shutterfly.com to see pictures of my trip. I thought about switching my blog to that site as well, but decided not to. I will continue my written updates here.

Also, I love hearing from any and all of you who might be reading my blogs, so please leave comments.

I find it hard to believe that I left Montana four weeks ago today. It really does not feel like I've been gone for that long. On the other hand, I have covered some serious ground, both between here and home and within Northern Ireland. I've worn out a pair of shoes that were barely broken in when I left.

I am losing my taste for rain. At home, it is an occasional, almost rare, event that is welcomed and usually enjoyed. Here, it is a very regular, almost constant part of life. Last summer, I was driven to near madness by three weeks of rain, sleet, and snow. It didn't help that I was outside a lot during that time, but I am unsure how I will handle several months of near-constant drizzling. I love sunshine and will love it more when I am out of Ireland. Speaking of which, I am certain I am one of the tannest people on the island.

Before I left, I was constantly told that I would come back a completely changed person. I adamently refused these accusations. As each day passes though, I do see some changes happening. My potato baking skills are getting so good, I'm going to make some of you uncomfortable. They're that good.

Also, there seemed to be a quiet consensus that I would slip a little too easily into the Irish lifestyle and become an alcoholic. While I very much enjoy the ciders, lagers, stouts, and pub atmosphere, odds are slim at best that I will become a full blown drunk because a typical pint unloads me of 2.80 pounds, or about $5.20. And that's cheap for Ireland. I can remember two times when I bought more than one drink in a day, and they were weeks ago.

I went to mass at St. Peter's cathedral on Sunday evening. I had planned on going that morning but got the bus times confused. St. Peter's is about half a mile down Falls Road, which is a sketchy part of Belfast in the daytime, not to mention at night. I had to have a pint beforehand to have enough courage to walk down it by myself. It was a good thing I stopped for the drink where I did though, because I found another church right by my two favorite pubs. Both of the pubs have traditional music sessions. It might sound strange to be in a pub before and/or after going to mass, and this paragraph sort of contradicts the previous one, but when in Rome...