Sligo and Dublin

I have been more than derelict in posting, for which i have no excuse, it's not like i haven't had the time, or that we have had nothing to post about! We've booked trips to Oktoberfest in late September, which Josh apparently regards as heaven, and the Dressendorfers booked a trip for June, right after the Duwes leave, and my mom and dad booked their trip to all of Ireland in late August, so we are thrilled to have so many visits to look forward to! Harp will get here in 2 more months...
We went to Sligo with new friends Ciaran and Sarah Jane; Sarah Jane is the lead singer of a band called Dirty Epics who was playing out there and the boys wanted to surf as well, so it was a quick, but eventful trip. I hadn't heard her band before, but they were really good, and we had a great time. They are playing at SXSW in Austin in a couple of weeks, so i hope our friends in Austin get a chance to see them play, they kept me out til 330 in the morning which takes a lot of entertaining. I have a lot more pics that i will add to the album as soon as i can get them uploaded, but here are a few for now:

http://picasaweb.google.com/erinhittman/Sligo?feat=directlink


We've continued to expand our experience of Dublin, I found a fabulous grocery store on a tip form Sarah Jane that is about a mile from the house, but since we have actually had some sun and temps at abt 55 lately, the walk is a pleasure. It's like the Whole Foods i miss so much in Austin, just smaller, a bit fancier. Pastas from Italy, spices and teas from all over Asia, a beautiful fruit and veg section, and a butcher/cheese shop to die for. Beautiful little bakery as well. It's off the Grafton St pedestrian mall which is always bustling, so i am very happy with my little find.
Also made it over to Christchurch Cathedral, the oldest building in Dublin. It's lovely, built on the ruins of an old viking church. Tons of history, lots of charm...it's older than Notre Dame, nowhere near as grand, but far more accessible. I have this addiction to old churches and cemeteries that i can't explain other than to shrug it off as part of being raised Catholic. Anyway, I never pass one up, and always light a candle for my mom. Josh humors me, but it's really better for me to do this on my own if possible because i spent a good 3 hours in Chirstchurch just exploring and listening to the organist practice. It was beautiful. I will be going to St. Patricks Cathedral in the next week, and i think i will head back to Christchurch with the camera, so i'll get those both up soon.

We have a quieter weekend planned, the Irish play the Scots this week in 6 Nations, and then next week they will hopefully play for the championship against the Welsh. Laura will be here and we'll be with our friends at the Officer's club for the match, then downtown afterwards. It's definitely a local's experience of Dublin,rather than a tourist's, and i am excited for her to come along, she'll impress them and i think we will all have a lot of fun.