Well my little sojourn in Ireland has sadly come to an end. I am, once again, back in Riga and it is, once again, snowing. In an effort to prolong the holiday feeling, I thought I’d share some thoughts on my lovely weekend – otherwise known as bacon-fest.
- It is possible, but possibly not very wise, to eat your own body weight in bacon.
- I now need a bigger freezer.
- Irish people do not paint eggs for Easter. We fry them and eat them with bacon.
- ‘Chipper’ chips are even better than I remembered them.
- Caramel bars are definitely smaller than they used to be.
- Smiling, like riding a bike, is something that comes back to you when necessary.
- Irish people really are wonderful. They’re warm, friendly and fun. They strike up random conversations at the bus-stop, in bars, in bar bathrooms, in shops… and there’s nothing sinister or fake about it. It’s just, well, nice.
- Irish people start saying ‘sorry’ from around 10 feet away just in case there’s a slight chance they might bump into you.
- If there’s a sign that says ‘No smoking in this area’, chances are you’ll see an Irish person standing directly underneath it – smoking.
- If you tell Irish people they can’t go to the pub on Good Friday, by God will they make up for it on Easter Saturday. And Sunday.
- It’s easy to see why Irish pubs are popular all over the world. Irish pubs are brilliant.
- Unfortunately, they are also quite expensive. Hand over 10 euro to pay for two pints and the barman will stand there with his hand out until you hand over some more.
- The graffiti in Hogan’s bar is just as entertaining as ever.
- We need to bring Bulmers to Latvia.
- We also need to start a campaign to bring Penneys here.
- Going to a shopping mall seems to be the new Irish family pastime of choice.
- Irish children are LOUD.
- I’m never having children.
- Sometimes the English in Ireland is as bad as it is in Latvia.
- Ryanair – for future reference, I do not want Ryanair Talk, I do not want Ryanair Travel Insurance, I do not want your Ryanair suitcase. When I’m on board your planes, I do not want calling cards, smokeless cigarettes, scratch cards or bus tickets. What I do want, is to eat my home-made sandwiches in peace. Even though it feels a bit Latvian, it also helps me feel like I’m beating your crazy system in my own small tinfoil-covered way.ย
But for now, it’s back to grim, snowy reality and waiting for the Spring that seems forever beyond Latvia’s reach. Thank you to Ireland and my wonderful friends and family who helped put a little warmth back into my life. The Irish weather certainly didn’t.ย
AWW, now this really added Ireland to my list of destinations. Usually Scotland is my Promised Land, but you had me at friendly people, bacon and pubs.
We have all of those things in abundance ๐
What about the men? Of rugged adventurer persuasion? Actually, I work with an Irish expat and he is HILARIOUS.
Funny yes, ruggedly handsome… I think Irish men are more ‘growers not show-ers’ – as in they grow on you ๐
Helpful info. Lucky me I found your web site by accident, and I
am surprised why this coincidence didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
Hi there, happy to be in your bookmarks! ๐
Q 1. Why do Irish pubs have bathrooms? I know there’s a Czech brewery where you can take a bath in beer – but I never thought the irish would be into that sort of thing! (A waste of beer when it can be drunk instead!)
Q 2. How come you can get a pretty picture of yourself alongside your posts, whilst all I get is a sort of random splodge?
Q 3. Where did you say those bacon-flavoured…..er…..Oh, never mind!!
1. I could have said ‘bog’ but ‘bathroom’ sounded more ladylike ๐
2. I think it’s a very attractive splodge. It brings out the colour in your eyes.
3. If I get my hands on those bacon flavoured …, I’ll let you know!
Sure we still have some snow, but there are sunny days in between as well. Besides, there are some good news, I’ve heard there will be a bit less snow during summer :).
Well that’s something to look forward to… ๐
Goodness, that was a short trip! I loved both your last post (checklist) and this one. (Actually, I love all your posts.) After reading this, I want to go to Ireland. Latvia, not so much ๐
It’s definitely worth a visit! Yes, unfortunately the trip was far too short – got there on Friday afternoon and back last night – had to squeeze in a lot of family, friends and shopping in that time! But I’ll be back again in the summer! Thanks for your very kind comments by the way ๐
You flew all the way here (on feckin’ Ryanair) just so you could go to Hogans???
Is Riga really that bad?
The things I do for a pint of Bulmers… ๐
Feckin’ Ryanair is correct, I also sit and moan about them, but who would fly home for bacon if we had to pay British Airways prices?
Or Air Baltic – they’re outrageously expensive! I do like BA though… (wistful sigh)
Air Baltic..snigger.. I flew air Slovenia (Adria Airways), I was very impressed. I did think we would have to help make the sandwiches and do the washing up, but it was very civilised
I flew Aeroflot from Moscow to St. Petersberg once and the cabin filled up with white smoke on take-off… terrifying…
That sounds horrendous! Did they keep going? Did they explain what the smoke was coming from?!
Ha ha, stop – you’ll give Ryanair ideas! They can get rid of the cabin crew and make us do everything ourselves!
๐
Can I be captain.
I think I’d feel safer with Mrs Sensible in charge…
mmm I think I will now go and sulk ๐ฆ
I just like the gold braid on the uniform
I’ll send you some Latvian clothes…
hi hi!
The Aeroflot cabin staff looked at us like we were big girls blouses. They said it was normal during cabin pressurisation… freaked me out..
Ah yes, the ‘puny Westerner’ look – I know it well!
Where is my bacon?? I hope you had a great time. I can’t go foraging for bacon until Italy gives me my driving licence back
Your bacon is in my freezer ๐ Do you now have a photocopy of the sticker on top of the photocopy of the photocopy of your English licence??
Oh Lord… I have a sticker on a piece of A4 paper that has a lot of Italian words typed on it. None of them make much sense.
However!!! My licence should be with me in 9 days.. If Signore Cretino is to be believed.
9 days seems a bit ambitious but I have faith in Signore Cretino!
I am glad one of us does ๐ How was the mucky Irish pubs??
Mucky but great craic! Check this out – bacon flavoured condoms – genius!
http://metro.co.uk/2013/03/29/new-bacon-flavoured-condoms-from-company-that-produced-pork-inspired-lubricant-3564905/
Noooo.
This wasn’t an April the 1st joke?
Can you imagine, “OK luv, cherry, strawberry or bacon flavour “
I guess sausage flavour was a step too far. ‘Make your meat look like meat’ isn’t the most romantic tagline though – maybe it would gain something in Italian?!
Ha ha! Salame Piccante.
We had better change the subject back to Irish beer, before one of us gets banned. Mind you this is on your post isn’t it ๐ ๐
Oops, thanks for the warning Mr Sensible! I’d send you a Guinness if I could!
Mr Sensible, lol I have never been called that before, anyway about the salami….
You’re a bad man ๐
No, just a black sheep.
Maybe you should consider changing your name – Pecora Piccante has a certain ring to it!
Spicy Sheep!!! I will have you know I have been a black sheep for nearly 50 years, or as long as I can remember.. but Pecora Piccante has a certain ring to it.
I thought so!
Sounds like you had a great trip!
I really did! Sun is shining here today so I’m likely to be hit by some falling snow – nice welcome back present ๐
I live in Ireland… 13 years…
Do you like it??
It`s OK. But home is home