Kilkenny

I am here in the beautiful town of Kilkenny, Ireland and it is sweet. Finally got out of Dublin city and took a nice leisurely train ride for two hours into Kilkenny. I finally had the chance to get a view of the countryside and it really looked a lot like Wisconsin, with many fields and cows around the area.

Kilkenny itself is a neat little town and it reminds me of something like Dubuque with its little shops all over the place, except for the spectacular churches and it even has a castle! I'm hoping to take the tour tomorrow.

The hostel I'm staying at is pretty awesome...a very small place with about 16 beds and a very cozy atmosphere. I'm currently sitting next to a little coal fired stove watching some NFL on the Redzone. I enjoy this town much more than Dublin already, even though the weather is bitterly cold and shitty. I may have to spend everyone's souvenir allowance on a heavy wool jacket...sorry everyone.

Also for the first time I'm actually hanging out with Americans; one from Georgia, one from Houston , and one from Washington...a definite relief from the gaggle of Frenchmen at the last place. Also, one of the Americans just came from the west coast and had nothing but good things to say about it, which makes me feel good because that's the direction I'm heading.

Tomorrow I'll be touring the town a bit, taking a castle tour, and going to mass at Black Abbey Cathedral...so it should be a pretty interesting day and I'll be sure to add pictures.