Doolin......Finnnnally

I finally made it to elusive Doolin. After trying to get there for over a week, which subsequently lead to stays in Killarney, Athenry, and Galway, I arrived yesterday at little Doolin. It's a really small traditional town somewhat near the west coast of Ireland, a little bit south of Galway.

I ended up staying in Galway for two nights and it's a pretty interesting town, lots of stuff going on there because it's a college town with lots of Americans. I stayed at a hostel that was right next to the bus station and it was actually a pretty nice place with a couple real nice people. The first night I decided to walk around the town center and was surprised at all the shopping sections Galway has; bricked narrow streets crammed with pedestrians and Christmas lights made for a festive atmosphere.

When you're traveling something to always think about is laundry. Where can I get laundry done? How much does it cost? Is it self-serve? As I was roaming around the streets, I came across this little laundromat ran by an older Irish lady and decided to take my rank clothes in finally as I have been wearing the same jeans for at least a week.  I went in there and threw my clothes in a washer...and was immediately yelled at by this 70 year old woman that was about 110 pounds. "I have to weight those first!" "Put those in the basket!" So like a ten year old getting yelled at by a teacher, I sheepishly put my clothes in a basket and brought them over to the scale to get weighed up, mumbling apologies as I did so.

I also had no idea how to work the washers so she had to help me with that too, her mood softening by the minute. Pretty soon we were talking about all kinds of things; my teaching, college kids in Galway, Irish economy, good places to see in Ireland, and especially the weather.

One of the things I have learned about the Irish is that many of them seem standoffish at first (especially the bus drivers), but once you start to talk to them they'll tell you their live story and give some pretty good opinions on the weather and economy.

Anyway I'll be exploring the coast today, hopefully checking out the Cliffs of Moher as well. Can't wait.