March 23, 2006

Glasgow march 9

our flight was delayed but we made it into glasgow aok at around 10pm. scolded for using the video camera in the baggage claim then made our way to the bus and buchanan station.
walked to Eugene's and arrived around 11:00. he greeted us in style and whipped up a dinner.

on friday, we hit some of the basic spots -- merchant city, george's square, Gallery of Modern Art, Buchanan St (the shopping mecca 2nd in UK only to London) a very mediocre cottage pie from the frozen food section but it was sustenance then went to meet David Shrigley.
we had a great time at the Ubiquitous Chip and it was wonderful to meet him. then we met Eugene's friends at Ische Bar and had one of their "low end's," craggenmore 12 along with the local "Tenants".

Next morning took us to Edinburg where we wandered the city and saw the show Eugene and friends were showing work at. it was great but we got there just before closing so was only able to see Eugene's piece - which was very inspiring. had lunch and coffees in Edinburg then took the train back. Eugene made a fabulous dinner party with orzo salad as a centerpiece. we're going to a party but when we found out it wasn't starting till 2 or 3, decided to go to 'The Arlington' a proper scottish pub according to the bar man. Got home at a descent hour to snow that didn't stop until late the next day.

an unusual 1 foot dropped. eugene graciously trudged with us to the tramway art space. then trudged through the slush to the people's museum which was closed, had a relaxing rest of the day. the rest was a blur. "the state" and "The Hark" and "oneils" were the order of the night. not to be outdone by a fabulous bolognese Eugene made before we went out that hit the spot.

On monday, we made our way to the West Side, with a few detours to the transit museum, g'gow uni, Hunterian Museum, and the mackintosh house. very good indian food that night with Eugene at 'wee curry shop' tuesday sent some mail, made a dash for the peoples museum, Eugene gave us a great tour of the art college (designed by mackintosh) then we were lucky enough to meet David again and be invited to Raquel's Portuguese dinner party - very nice of her.

finally, we are setting our alarms for 4am wed. to catch the flight to Istanbul. check back and see if we actually made it.

thanks to david and eugene's friends for hanging out with us and making us feel so at home.

thanks to eugene for being the consumate host and gourmand.

all our best, andy and sarah

March 11, 2006

Crosshaven...Cork...Dublin

Hi all. haven't been able to get a lot of email time so we just thought we'd jot down some brief highlights to give a snapshot of what we're up to. Best, Andy/Sarah

Arrived in Shannon, picked up by Henry and he graciously organized a full Irish Breakfast of Sausage, egg, rashers, and black and white pudding.

Toured the sights of Crosshaven, in Cork County in Southern Ireland-- where the Titanic left port from.

Met Mariah after her work and went out to Finders Inn for a gorgeous feast and had first Guiness and were both pretty much blown away by the creamy, chocalately, coffee-y, heady brew of I's national drink.

Toured county Kerry, specifically the ring of kerry with old ring forts. saw the tetrapod's (first mammal to come out of the ocean) fossilized footprints - 385 million yrs old

Capped off the long night in kilarney with stunning fish and chips and an irish rock band who ended with the national anthem

hiked the gap at dunloe - a disney-esque beautiful hike through sheep, meadows and mountains

first experience with questionable irish food

went out on the town in ennis

after picking up mikel and tara, mariah and henry generously drove all of us all over -- including to the cliffs at moher -- and back to Cork

Next day toured Cork City and the Jameson Distillery and our first intro to Cronin's the legendary pub in Crosshaven with legendary locals to match. played pool with snookered size balls amongst wall-to-wall photos of misc. boxing legends. http://www.croninspub.com/FC_Dave.html

Then it was off to Kinsley (beautiful small fishing village) and Old Head - an astonishing view of the the atlantic from sheer cliffs punctuated with swooping seagulls and a wind to match.

Regrettably said goodbye to henry, mariah, mikel and tara and set off on bus for dublin. --- 5 hour trip

walked through merriam square and st. stephen green.

Pubs and coddle in the old temple bar area

our fifth and final full irish b/fast then st. james brewery (guiness) storehouse tour then rushed to the airport to catch short flight to glasgow SCOTLAND

Now, the flight is delayed..... we'll update you soon!

andy/sarah