Also see Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8

Day 9: Galway
This day was mostly frustration and disappointment. Originally we were going to visit the Aron Islands, but because my professor has connections, we were offered an opportunity to check out a new attraction for free. This is something that was just opening (we were their first guests) and would normally cost 50 euro. So we thought, sure, we’ll do the islands later and try this thing out. It was billed as an experience in Irish history and culture. We were lead to believe it would be very hands-on and interactive.

The bus was supposed to pick us up at 9:30, so when we were still waiting at 10:45 we started to get pissed. Turns out there was a miscommunication, and they immediately sent a bus for us. But we got to this cultural place late, meaning we were rushed through and missed a lot of it. It was cold and painfully windy that day, but the first part of the experience included a tour of the property and a lecture. Basically we were on top of hill on the windiest day in history with no trees or buildings to protect us.

See those specks of color out there? That was our group. We tried to be interested, but mostly we were hoping they’d stop talking and let us go inside. Eventually we did – we got to see an old Irish home and hear about how people used to live. And how some of them still do. Then we moved to a craft room where the people who arrived before us (because the bus didn’t forget them) were making St. Brigid’s crosses with reeds. We were told there wasn’t time for us to join in, and we were really kind of mad because here’s the hands-on part of the day and we can’t even participate. But we got to watch. Oh joy.

Next they served us tea and flapjacks and played some traditional Irish music. That part was nice, especially because the flapjacks were crazy good. If anyone has a good recipe for Irish flapjacks, do share.

When the music was done, that was pretty much it. Like I said, we were mostly frustrated and disappointed. It was a new attraction and they had a lot of kinks to work out, but it kind of felt like a waste of a day when there was so much else we wanted to do. Before the bus took us back, it brought us to a small seaside town to shop, then it was back to the hostel.

Up until this point we had been sleeping three to a room because there were six students. That worked out well except for the fact that the Bull (our nickname for the one male on the trip) was a big-time snorer. It was affecting the rest of us, and we decided we’d rather cram five girls into one room (with one bathroom) than try to sleep through the noise. Imagine five girls in this small four-bed room:

It was cramped, but it was also fun. Like a slumber party. We kept that arrangement the remainder of the trip. It was an early night again for me. I was finally starting to feel a little relief (and I finally got some more medicine), but I needed another night before I dared join the others at the pubs.