One month and one day ago

I was tossing back beautiful vodka at a sketchy bar in Belfast while Kelly attempted to pace me. Awww...the memories.

One month ago, Kelly and I were crying like suckholes on our return British Airways flight. We attribute this to our lack of sleep because we wouldn't cry otherwise - we aren't babies.

Motherland '09 requires that Kelly learn some key Croatian words. I think it would be fun for her if she learned and communicated with the Croats on her own.

New travels!

To Montreal. It's all tentative (and mostly all in my head), but we are all going to pack up, get in an automobile and make out way to Juhee's (so...Juhee, what are you doing in two weeks?). I imagine it will involve shopping (only national sport I participate in), eating and imbibing.

From Ireland to Quebec...we are nutty! What's next?

Travelling today

to the downtown core. My trainer has resurfaced and we're meeting at my gym downtown. He will be sorely disappointed with my behaviour. Will he quit me? Will I quit him? Stay tuned.

An aside: Am missing life on the rails. Kelly, are you?

Completed

a repeat of yesterday's Tim Horton's performance. Just returned from a brisk walk to Timmy's on Woodroffe and Medhurst with a large double double in hand. Interesting, no. True story, yes.

Hit up the Tim Horton's

on Merivale and Meadowlands today (sidenote: they have Timmy's at some choice Spar locations in Ireland!) and ordered a medium double double with a triple-toasted bagel + cream cheese. Ottawa's finest.

I'm not travelling overseas right now, but one can consider leaving my home and getting in the car to get to point 'A' techinically travelling.

Motherland '08

is a wrap. It was an outstanding 12 (11?) days spent in Ireland, Kela's homeland. Heartfelt thanks to Kelly for bringing yours truly and the same to Leah for the opportunity.

Killah and I are tossing around ideas for Motherland '09. Croatia is on the agenda and we'll throw in another country - maybe Italia? There will be a blog for that, too. We'll probably update this one because we're used to it now and we don't want to disappoint our fans. I know there are more than the 8 of you that are following this blog. Those 8 are the die-hard fans that don't have to pay membership fees.

Back to reality..it ain't cute..

Oh, where to start? I'm at my mom's house sitting in front of the computer just absolutely missing Ireland. I almost have tears swelling in my eyes. The Country has made such an impact on me that I had a slight breakdown on our flight back home yesterday, the tears just couldn't stop rolling down my face (some into my mouth, whole new meaning to water works). I guess the reason why is the reflection of what Tania and I had experienced and how lucky we were to experience them.

Belfast was amazing. The history that holds this city together is outstanding, the fact that the history is still their reality to this day is mind boggling. I don't need to tell you about the segregation of the Catholics and the Protestants (Tania has already given you a snip it of it), but it's so intense that you can't even ask a local what their religion background is in fear that someone may overhear you or their answer. As your walking down the streets, you see the police "walking the beat", you can feel the intensity that this city isn't a joke. The flip side of Belfast is that you can go for a day trip and view the Causeway which is over 5million years old or visit the shipyards where the remains of the Titanic is resting or take in the history that lays right in the city center.
Belfast is just in the beginning stages of rebuilding itself. They're hoping that in 5 years the city will rejuvenate itself in being one of the most sought after cities to visit. I say, go now, so you can see how beautiful it is before they overbuild it with high rises and department stores. Once this happens, visitors will not be that interested in the history that is so thick in Northern Ireland.

Our last day was one of our favorite day's. I was able to finally get my families name tattooed on my back with the memory of my father. It was a emotional day. Full of energy and excitement and the fact that I met someone doesn't hurt either ;p
We spent the better part of the day trying to explain what I had invisioned to be written:

' T.Kelaher
Oct.11,1944-June 12,2005'

But it didn't come out like this....a few times. The handsome shop owner Erik may of had a hard time explaining it to Andor who didn't speak English very well. The final design is absolutely beautiful and I love it.

In closing, this trip has opened my eyes to something that I am sure I will be infatuated with for the rest of my life. Traveling is meant to open your eyes, to learn how someone who is just like you has lived a completely different life. People's lives are so rich with what we hold so dear.. ancestors, past history and the makings of new history.

I am surely blessed that I was able to see Ireland and relay the experience through my eyes of what my father had dreamt of his whole life. I didn't cruise the country in a Winnebago like he had imagined but view with my dear friend Tania.

Thank you to the people who have been following this journey with us. There are more plans in the works to see Tania's mother land Croatia in the near future..stay tunned.

This is Killer K signing out xo

Home sweet home

The eagles have landed, as Kelly would say. We got in around 7 pm and met up with Bev and Bob at Dorval. I'm drinking black coffee (no mlk!) right now. A sure sign the earth has stopped spinning on its axis.

The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind. We decided to forgo sleeping Saturday night and just stay up until our Aer Lingus flight back to London. A good idea, in theory. We had six hours to burn in Heathrow until our 3.30 pm flight for Montreal. Fortunately, those six hours were spent in terminal 5 where we made sure to relieve ourselves of extra baggage by spending the english pounds we had left. I was beyond excited to restock my Shu Uemura mascara, as they don't carry it in Canada.

Sunday afternoon, back in Belfast...
Last time I posted, we were on our way to the tattoo shop. Kelly had her heart set on a tattoo and she pretty much had the design in mind (family name). She had brought in a sample the day before, jotting it on hotel stationary. Something so simple turned into an intense two hours as we sat through the resident translator relaying to the Hungarian, non-English speaking tattoo artist, what Kelly wanted. The bad feelings started when Kelly looked over the artist's shoulder and saw him sketching - he was sketching the logo of our hotel, as seen on the sample. I die laughing when I think about Kelly walking out with a tattoo of our hotel on her back. After ixnaying that one (and another!), he really wasn't looking impressed and the translator let us know by informing us that he could've done half a sleeve (half an arm of tattoos) in the time he spent on her design. We contemplated making a run for it. Any confidence I had for Killah walking out with a good tattoo was sitting in my shoes because all signs were shouting "SUSPECT".

It turned out perfect. Exactly what she wanted. Turns out, Andor is a bad-ass artist.

It was a great few days in Belfast, a couple of more would've been even better. There were tons of things we didn't get to do because of the weather and time. We're not done with Belfast.

Back on Sunday night, driving to Ottawa...
my mind started playing tricks on me. I didn't tell Kelly or Bev this, but I was in a daze and I swear, it sounded like Bob had the thickest Irish accent. Bob lives in Ottawa and has about as thick an Irish accent as I do. And, while coming in and our of my fog I was wondering why Bev was driving now because Bob was driving when we left Montreal. I momentarily forgot we were back to drivers on the left side.

Today, I feel a bit sluggish and am missing Ireland and Belfast hard. This morning, I woke up at my normal time. My body thinks it's going to work. Think again, body. I wonder how I'll function at work tomorrow. After spending a minimum of 7 hours a day walking, I wouldn't be suprised to find myself doing laps around my office every hour.

I'm going to ring Kelly and see if she wants to go to a pub later and walk ten miles in the rain.

Belfast rocks.

This city is wicked. We did the city centre/shopping district walkabout as we do in every city. Strictly for research purposes - need to ensure merchandise mix in all Topshop locations are consistent. Following that, we went to Mourne Seafood Bar and had the best meal since Market Lane in Cork. On our way back to the hotel, we popped into a tattoo shop so Kelly could kick around some ideas for a new tattoo. We're going back there now to see what they came up with for her. We have to go back to Zara, though. We have some stuff on hold.

The weather is mental today - viciously windy. We took a video of us being attacked by the wind and bitch-slapped by my umbrella...pretty funny. We did the Black Cab tour (in a blue car that didn't really look like a traditional black taxi) and it was really neat. Housing here is 80% segregated (Catholics, Protestant) and the schools are 95% segregated.

Belfast is in the midst of major development right now, it's really buzzing and very tourist-friendly. In five years, this city will be absolutely phenomal. They want to prepare this city for the 2012 Olympics in London and it looks like great progress is being made.

I can't wait to come back.

Ohhh Galway....

I'm not sure if it was the weather, the lack of steam in me or what?!? I'm a bit sick as well.. Maybe I'll have a different perspective later on? None the less, it was a beautiful city. Wish we would of had the chance to see Aran Islands, but due to bad weather conditions, the ferry wasn't running...another time? absolutely. I have plans of coming back to my motherland in the near future.

We just arrived in Belfast today by train, what a beautiful scenic ride, words can't explain the vibrant green rolling hills and the large mountains that hug this Country. Itook some pictures and some video's, but it doesn't do it justice...

Tonight, Tanialasvegas and I are hitting-up some nightlife to get back on track with our real lives, I think we need it..actually, I know we need it. We have a few lounges/clubs in mind and possibly a nice seafood dinner will be in the works. Ahh back on track it is..

Can't wait to see you all!! We'll be back Sunday night, Mom & Bobby will be picking us up at the airport in Montreal and then back to the grind Tuesday.

I love you all xoxox

Big blast in Belfast

We just got here, so nothing is really happening, but that title makes it sound promising, yes?

Train ride here was amazing - best scenery I've seen on all trains we've done. This city is gritty and friendly and so far, I love it.

Our original plan was to see Giant's Causeway tomorrow, but we really want to check out this city, so we may forgo that. Within the city, we'll probably do the touristy Black Cab tour and a walkabout of the Titanic shipyards.

Enjoy your day - we will.

Mother Nature has spoken

and she gave us a big middle finger and threw a monsoon down on us. The wind is out of control, although the rain has subsided a bit. We were supposed to leave at 8 am and our front desk informed us that they will check on the weather after noon and the ferry out to the islands will make the call on whether it's they will go out. We are numbing our pain with shopping. It's not the best remedy, but it will work.

Yesterday's walk through Galway was so lovely. In each city we've been in, shopping districts are lined along pedestrian walkways and Galway is no exception. It's nice to not have to battle with cars when you've zig-zagging from store to store. Crossing the street is another issue all it's own. 5 out of 10 times, it's like crossing a death trap. To reward ourselves with a successful street-cross, we popped in to an old pub by Eyre Square that once was a shop and small bar. The bartender told us that the counter we were sitting at is an original part of the shop, and it was where ladies would purchase goods while the men drank in the pub (ladies were not permitted in pubs at one time). In 1927, the wall separating the two was torn down. That's all I remember. I tuned out because he gave us his laptop to research how to get to Belfast and I had work to do.

It's unfortunate that it's been raining most of the time here and we really haven't been able to see a lot of the city, although I have seen the inside of many pubs.

I miss Dublin now. I take back what I said earlier.

P.S. Kelly's Timberland's and my Air Force 1's have been severely assaulted by the weather here. We are pressing charges.

All the way in Galway...

Wow what a journey! We left Cork yesterday morning, a bit saddened that we had to leave such a beautiful city and such great hosts Avril and Toni at Fernroyd's B&B. I will see you again soon!
Both T'Nasty (her new MC name) wished that we would of have had one more day in Cork and one day less in Dublin...tis' what it is.

Monday we ventured up to Blarney so I can finally see what 'the gift of the gab' was all about.
As we stepped off the bus the rain just poured down on us, luckily there was a pub right in front of us (go figure) so we decided to grab a Guinness and sit while the rain passed us by. As we were sipping this delicious nectar, we didn't realize that we were among the winners of the Blarney Hurling team, all of the sudden a man tapped his glass and started to sing an ol' Irish ballod, my eyes just swelled, this was finally what I was looking for!!! Thoughts of my Dad came pouring through, it was amazing. After our lunch, we headed up to the Blarney Stone, absolutely breath taking, we went all of the way up to the top of the castle's narrow staircase where I would have the chance to kiss the Blarney Stone, hilarious. Then I saw the old Irish man that was going to hold me while I was bentover backwards..as I lay down and started my descent he said " Ah, lets see how she kisses in the afternoon!!" SAY WHAT! no you didn't! and, yes he did..what could I say? i was at his mercy, I slapped his arm when I got up, cheeky man. Love it.
That night, T'Nasty and I decided that this was the night to venture out and possibly have a bender..it was Monday, and not much goes down in Cork on Monday nights..we did however manage to finally meet a guy, not a Irish, but a Belgium, lets just call him M'Nasty (this was the day we made up MC names, obviously). We went to this young University Bar, not our steez, then we went to a place called 'Havana's',weird, we left promptly. Then M'Nasty had the idea to go back to center town and hit a afterhours bar/pub, we were absolutley down as T'Nasty & I haven't had a night out in awhile. It ended up being a Hendrix cover band and a blues band, simply amazing. Good memories.

Lets just say we had a 'grand' time in Cork, it's surely missed. I already can't wait to visit this city again.

Yesterday we traveled across Ireland to get from Cork to Galway, took us all day by train, it very scenic, rolling hills, sheep farms, a old ruin of a castle and once again too late to take a picture, did I tell you that I'm kicking myself for not buying a new camera?!? silly Irish girl.

Today is a whole new day in a new city! First thing is first, coffee and a internet cafe, but I saw a Claddagh jewlery store..must stop in and purchase a ring, maybe it will finally bring me luck? I have everything going towards good luck now, a Claddagh ring, I kissed the Blarney Stone and oh ya, I bit into a pearl last night that was in one of my mussels (at least that's what the chef said as we returned the mussels, back to the kitchen). I kept the 'pearl' just in case, I'll be getting it appraised later this afternoon.

I think that's it for now,
This is KillerK reporting to you from Galway.
xo

Live from Galway, Tania reporting

Your favourite terrible twosome have arrived in Galway. We pulled in yesterday after what seemed like a ten hour train ride (was four in total). We had to go to Dublin to catch a connection from Cork to Galway, so it seemed longer. And after two days with no internet, finding an internet cafe was our top mission this morning.

Our stay in Cork was really great - such a cute little spot. The BnB was excellent and our hosts were so sweet (and funny!). Kelly was offered a job washing dishes, should Canada not work out. Last time we posted, we were on our way to Blarney Castle. Truly stunning in person and the grounds are outstanding. The castle itself is intimidating - the stairs to the top were sooo narrow and I was sure I'd go sliding down them. A darling local we met at the bus stop was our pseudo tour guide and I'm sure he thought I was cracked as he dealt with my one-liners as I scaled the walls in an effort to not go rolling down. At the very top is the Blarney Stone. I thought it was a giant rock (much like the Cavar one, for family members), but it's actually just part of the castle wall. I wasn't about to touch it without proof of it being scrubbed so I supervised Kelly laying back and kissing this stone upside down. I couldn't really enjoy the top because I was so nervous that I'd fall out of any opening I passed (with my vise grip on the railing and all).

That night, our mission was to find some semblance of nightlife in Cork (pop. 125K)...on a Monday night. We met a lovely Belgian lad on the street with the same agenda. Our first stop was this cheesy bar where there was a DJ spinning (I win) mediocre music (everyone loses), but it was alright. Our Belgium friend, M, is a huge Cork fan and knows where the hot spots are, so he took us to this after hours joint (after hours in Cork is anything after midnight). It seemed questionable until we scooted to the back where the bar opened up to this venue type room where a Jimi Hendrix Experience cover band was playing. That was a gem of a find. Shout out to M-Nasty for being in-the-know.

We lost most of yesterday to travelling and unfortunatley, never made it to Kinsale. We're excited about seeing Galway today. I've 86'ed any hope of shopping and have focused on more important things, like finding the good restaurants and pubs. Today, we will organize ourselves for our trek out to the Aran Islands in the morning - Kelly K especially has been looking forward to this.

P.S. Some have enquired - no, there have been no U2 sightings. Mission aborted.

Hallelujiah!!!!

Wow, what a difference!! Tania and I went out for our first well balanced meal last night! It was the most amazing feeling..I think I fell in love with food all over again. We had to pinch ourselves a few times to make sure it wasn't a dream. Tony, our host at the B&B we're staying at (absolutely beautiful and very welcoming) suggested that we give this restaurant called Market lane a try and boy what a fab recommendation!

Today, we're heading to Blarney where the Blarney Stone lives, apparently if we kiss this ruin backwards we're supposed to get the gift of the gab and have some kind of luck..we'll see..maybe I'll come with and Irish man..pray for me.

That's it for now..

ps Juhee - I had a crazy & funny dream about you lastnight!!

Killer K ~ out!