I decided to capitalize on a warm and windy Saturday (63 degrees Farenheit) by walking into the Latin Quarter. The Latin Quarter is the shopping and tourist hub of Galway. The area is comprised of pubs, restaurants, and many types of shops.
On Saturdays and Sundays one can shop an outdoor market near the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, an Anglican church that is also Ireland’s largest medieval parish. The market features artwork, fresh produce and other food items. Today I purchased a bowl of curried peas and potatoes and a piece of wheat flat bread. I stood off to the side and ate my lunch watching people pass by while street musicians offered accompaniment. As I savored my food on the Galway street, I experienced an “I can’t believe this is my life” moment. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity.
After I browsed through the outdoor market, I wandered to Eyre Square, now known officially as John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. JFK visited Galway shortly before his assassination and the park features a bust of the former US president. On my way to the square, I decided I should make a point of always walking around the city center on weekends because there are so many interesting things to see. For example, a number of people were out distributing leaflets promoting various causes. One cause dealt with health care, “Don’t privatize our health system” was the line shouted—so different from the debate in the United States!
I also saw performance art. A large group of men and women dressed in form-fitting red body suits with protrusions coming from their heads shouted and clapped and moved together around a large facsimile of a package of Fig Rolls. It was interesting, but it didn’t increase my desire to buy or eat Fig Rolls. It did, however, cement my resolve to never wear a form-fitting red body suit.
I also saw performance art. A large group of men and women dressed in form-fitting red body suits with protrusions coming from their heads shouted and clapped and moved together around a large facsimile of a package of Fig Rolls. It was interesting, but it didn’t increase my desire to buy or eat Fig Rolls. It did, however, cement my resolve to never wear a form-fitting red body suit.
I concluded my excursion with a trip to the ATM and the grocery store.
Outside my apartment building the second scrap heap is ready to be loaded onto a ship. All three “claws” are in position. I have included some close-up pictures of the scrap to demonstrate the variety this pile offers.
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| Scrap pile, left |
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| Scrap pile, middle |
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| Scrap pile, right |
Rachel, I love your blog. Thanks for sending the link.
ReplyDeleteJeannette
Loved the entry and pictures. So many wonderful memories. Thanks so so much for this. I, too, will not want to eat the fig rolls, though I found the artistic ensemble fascinating.
ReplyDeletep.s. How did you close enough to the pile to get those pictures?
Love,
Mom
Thanks Jeannette! :)
ReplyDeleteMom, I just walked up pretty close and then used the zoom lens. Some people climb on it which seems like a very bad idea to me!