The University — would that it were this sunny now
Rainy and cold. Bunch of American (Canadian?) kids running around screaming in the computer room at half past 11. Everyone else is totally wiped out from jet lag. I got in this morning after a long night at Stansted Airport in London, where I perhaps ill-advisedly bought a round-trip ticket downtown, even though I only had a few hours and had never been there before. Expensive. Costs four bleeding pounds to ride the tube — that’s one way. Walked along the Thames. Saw Big Ben. Westminster Abbey. Lots of closed pubs and shops. Managed to find one open and serving delicious sandwich and chips and ‘extra cold’ Guinness just in time, but had to run back to the tube stop to make my bus…
Made it in this morning and had a hard time at Irish passport control, where the officer asked for documents confirming that I was studying at University of Cork… Of course I don’t have anything ‘official,’ since I’m here via Texas State, so she nearly didn’t let me in. My frazzled American attitude didn’t help, I’m afraid.
Had a hot shower to wash the ‘miasma of London’ off me, strolled down to the store for some supplies, was shocked at the prices, came home and had breakfast and coffee thanks to the french press. Went running along the river and into the fabulous stadium next to our dorm, though again I lack official U of Cork documents for this. By the time I got back the other T-Staters had arrived on their shuttle from Shannon. We trundled out in the rain to march downtown, split up to eat and go shopping, made our way back home.
In the evening Nancy and Steve rousted some of us to go for a pint at the pub, but their favorite one just down the road is now closed. So we walked again in the rain towards downtown for a drink at the Thirsty Scholar. By the time everyone forced down a drink, several of the gang were falling asleep in their seats. Nancy went and found us a cab back to our dorm.
I miss Maribor, and a certain someone who’s still there with her family. Tomorrow morning it’s back to work.
It sounds like Britain (London), though. I’m glad you did manage to arrive after all. From now on it will get better and better, you’ll see.
Isn’t Cork green and nice? Isn’t it nice to have Nancy and Steve there?
Have fun you guys!
I’m glad that you liked our invigorative country. I enjoyed spending time with you and your wife 😉 Really amazing week. It was a great pleasure meeting you and I hope we get to spend some time together again soon. Have fun in Ireland and good luck with volunteering in Jameson’s factory ;))
Uživaj in adijo, R.
Yes, good times!
David, a certain someone misses you too!
Oh, it sounds so great there. I am sitting here sweating. It is 95 degrees today. It is just unbearable outside:( I wish I were in western Ireland with a light rain and a high of 60 degrees F. Maribor sounds really beautiful and cool. Did you hear the Tiges are in first place in the AL? They just swept Boston. A couple of grand slams in the series and Granderson is just unstoppable. Are we going to the WS again? I hope so. In the meantime, it is really fun watching them. Saturday night’s game went 13 innings until midnight. It was really exciting.
I could do without the rain. Don’t mind it every now and then, but it’s been pretty constant, at least a constant threat. And it was already / still is raining in Texas! Weird, weird weather. But it is pretty beautiful nonetheless. Still getting used to it.
Yes, I’ve been following the Tigers! They’re on a helluva roll. But I think it’s gonna be back and forth with the Indians all year in the A.L. Central. Boston’s hit a rough patch, but they’ll be back in the 2nd half. Have you read Granderson’s blog on ESPN.com?