The Jazz Festival

Ode to the Jazz Fest:

Jazz Fest,  oh Jazz Fest you were pure magic

Your music was wonderful and drinks were fantastic 

Great food, vendors, and street performing galore

Leaving onlookers to shout encore

We'll miss Jazz Festival, you can't be beat

To say it simply, you were such a treat!

The GUINNESS CORK JAZZ FESTIVAL takes place in October each year in Ireland’s Southern capital. According to locals, it is one of Ireland’s biggest arts and cultural events, attracting visitors from all over the world. This weekend, Josh and I enjoyed what the media named the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Irish festivals.

First night of Jazz Fest.  We went to Waterford, we ended up going there all three nights!

Yum!

One of the many street performers!  They were incredible!

The sea of people and vendors.  There was so much to choose from; jewelery, to baked goods, to actual Mexican food.

In front of one of the many tea and coffee shops that had live bands!

As you can see, behind my handsome husband, is a packed ally way!

Enjoying many of the varieties of beer that Guinness has to offer.  They were the sponsors of the event after all!

Entrance to a beautiful park

One of the bands.  We decided that a Jazz Festival didn't actually mean the bands were playing Jazz music.

These two boys sounded exactly like the Kings of Leon

This was our third time stopping by the Waterford to see our new favorite band, the Three Piece Sweet.  They were incredible!

Bulmers is a cider beer: aka wine cooler :)

He's in heaven!

We had such a great time traveling the city looking for bands and enjoying delicious food! 

We put in an offer to rent

After a few days of searching, Josh and I have seen some truly incredible homes.  We have weighed out the options: such as does it have enough space for loads of visitors?  Do the dogs have a safe place to play?  Are there plenty of opportunities for me to volunteer and take classes that are in walking distance?  Is it a long commute to work?  Is it going to cost a bundle to heat it?


Every area and house had a long list of pros and a few cons.  We chose to live in Kinsale, the culinary capital of Ireland with the most incredible views!  Here are our top two houses.  We should hear back within the week!

Our first option is a period home. The owners actually like us because we are Americans.  They are concerned about our dogs.  The backyard is wonderfully manicured with fabulous views that can also be seen throughout the house.

The next home is a B&B.  This house is very modern and lacks the charm and prime location of the first one.  This home has been converted into a B&B so all of the rooms are en-suite.  The are two sun rooms that were specifically designed to let in the most about of sun!  The kitchen is almost overly updated.  This house has two large side yards and a wrap around patio.  The house is located on a busy road without any foot paths to the town.  The owner is very accommodating and is willing to fence both yards so that our dogs could safely play outside.

Hopefully we will know very soon if the first house will work, otherwise we will put an offer on the second. 

Housing Options

After quite a bit of looking, Josh and I have narrowed our housing list from 25 to 7.  Last Thursday I went around and viewed 12 homes.  To my surprise most places were incredibly updated.  I guess  I always pictured Irish homes as farms with sheep and cows grazing on rolling hills.  Currently we are trying to decide on living in Kinsale, Cork City Centre, or Douglas.  Below are pictures of each area.

Downtown Kinsale

Kinsale views

The city of Kinsale

The buildings of Kinsale are all brightly painted

Cork City Centre at night

This looks a bit like San Francisco, but these are homes in the city centre

Just one of the beautiful castles that are sprinkled in the city

This is a fresh farmers market that is open daily

Downtown Douglas

Douglas town center

Shops around town

These are the three towns we are really excited about.  Below you will find links to homes we will be seriously considering on Tuesday.  Click on each of the images to see more photos of the house.

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=944176&search=1 - B&B

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=932669 - Silly

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=863898 - Cork City

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=939540 - Douglas 

There are many more, but I thought I would just give a sampling of a few!

Subtle Differences

Josh and I have been working hard to become mainstream Irish and yes that does include increasing our drink intake.  Yesterday we received our Irish Social Security card and opened a bank account.  As we continue our interactions with the local Irish, we are noticing subtle differences in our language, and albeit they aren't huge differences, they still make us stop and smile.

Irish/English                                                                                           

1.  Hand bag/Purse  
I got a look of horror when I asked the lady cutting my hair where I should put my purse.  I'm not to sure what she thought I said because the word purse is hard to mumble or mispronounce.  I was notified that purse sounds way to close to an Irish curse word.  So hand bag it is!

2.  Cabbage Head/Curly hair  

This was another interesting situation.  The lady cutting my hair asked if I was a natural cabbage head, I was trying to determine if I should be insulted. 
3.  Footpath/Sidewalk

4.  When sliding down the banister of life, may the splinters point in the right direction (such wonderful imagery)/Good luck

5.  Cheers/Goodbye

6.  Mum/Mom
7.  Bum/Bottom

8.  Cheeky Bastard/Clever or self-centered 
9.  How are you gettin' along?/How are you doing?
10. Monday's next/Next Monday 
11. Lolly/Popsicle 
12. Lift/Elevator
13. This next one was asked as I was wandering around the street.  A lady was offering to take pictures of families: 
Would you fancy a photo of your wee bit/ Would you like a picture of your baby?
To explain this, a toddler was standing next to me and the photographer must have thought he belonged to me.  Nonetheless, I was really concerned about what exactly she was wanting to photograph.
Also, television times aren't on the half hour or hour.  Shows start at 5 or 10 after or 20 till.

Hopefully a few of these differences will make you smile as well!  Cheers!

Pictures of our place!

Here is our kitchen.  Yes that is the washer.  It is very small and sounds like it is going to blow up after every load.  And a load can only be 4-5 shirts at a time.  I think I am going to be spending a lot of here:)

This and That

 New Learnings and Noticings

We haven't been here long, but there are a few things that you learn quickly!  Josh and I basically took today to wander around the city's streets.  There is something very surreal about seeing an ornate church with intricate carvings, now turned into... you guessed it, McDonalds.  We learned that in order for the appliances to work, we actually have to turn them on.  Leggings and tights are all the rage here, regardless of size, shape, or age (hopefully because its always on the verge of rain here).  So are ankle boots!  Orange Juice doesn't have pulp, it has bits (which I am hoping is pulp).  Josh has already had quite a few fun filled, sarcastically stated, times driving on the other side of the road on the other side of the car, but he always manages to collectively get where he needs.  Also, pubs are the anchor to this city, and really all cities in Ireland.  Starting from early afternoon to late in the evening, pubs seem to scream with activity with patrons watching games or singing along to Irish jigs.  There is never a dull moment in County Cork.

Are You Here On Holiday?

Every where we go we seem to get the same question, "Are you here on holiday?"  To which I usually respond "YES!"  Once I think about it, I am reminded that Josh and I aren't here for just a vacation.  We moved here.  This is a reality that strikes me periodically through out the day, although I don't think that I can believe it.  Josh and I have been richly blessed by such an amazing opportunity.  We truly thank everyone for your support as we continue to venture on, trying to find our way about.

Pictures of Doggie Day Camp

Now I know that most people are waiting on Ireland pictures, but those might take a bit.  So here are some photos of Dax and Callie at their Pet Camp.

Here's Callie chasing after Dax trying to get the rope toy!

Dax usually wins this game.

Playing hide-and-go-seek with the other dogs.

Best Friends!

Callie romping around!

Callie making new friends!

We are officially in Ireland

Welcome to our blog!  This seems like an excellent way to keep us all connected as we start this new and exciting chapter in our lives!

California on my mind:

Before leaving California, I dropped our doggies off at Pet Camp in San Francisco.  This was probably one of the most difficult tasks I have had to do.  Dax and Callie have kept me company when Josh was traveling for work.  I know that they are having a wonderful time burrowing through tunnels, jumping over bridges, taking swim classes, and eating pup-cicles.  We have 85 days until we see our buddies again!

Our last night in California was a memorable one filled with our favorite people!  Moriah and James threw us an awesome going away party where we played Minute-to-Win-It games.  Nick wowed the crowd with his ability to hip thrust apples into a circle using a banana, James was able to stack apples five high without them falling over, Andrea and Scott tried to secure a slinky on the top of their head, Josh rocked beer pong, Brett sucked and stacked candy through a straw, and Linz and I tried to balance candy on two elevating pencils.  We are so grateful and blessed for the friends in our lives!

Rocky Mountain High, Colorado:

Before heading to Ireland, we were able to head back to Colorado to see our families.  Friday was filled with the Thompson's, Saturday was the Wesling's, and Sunday was an Open House for everyone.  We know that we are going to miss everyone so very much and always appreciate everyone being accommodating of our schedules.


The Emerald Isle:

After twenty-two hours of traveling, Josh and I were greeted by Ben O'Leary, our relocation guide.  He helped us get from the airport to our temporary apartment in one piece.  Josh did an amazing job driving on the other side of the street on the other side of the car.  Reaching our apartment, Josh and I enjoyed the views from each room.  Our apartment is right in the center of a booming city on one side and a rushing river on the other.  We can see the rolling green hills, old churches, and sacred temples.  Alley ways are covered with dripping vines, posh coffee shops (thank goodness), bistros, and shopping.

We have had many accomplishments our first day.  The first accomplishment was taking a long nap.  We also established where the grocery store is, had a delicious dinner where we learned that ordering a salad is just side condiments not a side salad.