Bank Holiday Weekend!

This past Monday concluded a 3 day weekend that has had amazing weather. Almost 70 degrees, for like the past 5 days, we've spent every single day outside. We rented a car and got up early to head to the west coast for a surf trip.

We had an awesome time, after finding no waves in Streedagh, the boys' usual spot, we headed up to Bundoran, and found a brilliant day with 9 ft waves, tons of sunshine, and fairly empty water. Harp adored getting into actual waves and was exhausted by the time we were done as he spent hours leaping over each wave that would break. There are some great cliffs right beside the water, which were a bit dangerous as they are riddled with what are called the Fairy Bridges...literally sinkholes that have fallen thru the hillside down to the ocean crashing below. But anyway, if you are careful, you can head right out along the edge of the cliff and really get an incredible view of the surfers, literally right out below you. So after Harp and i were finished throwing his ball into the waves, we'd head up to the top of the cliffs with my camera and the long distance lens...the reason there are so many damn photos you'll have to sort thru if you check out the link below is because i could actually see Josh's face thru that lens from the to of the cliffs. It was awesome to have such a powerful camera! Of course, by the time i get up there, Josh has been surfing for at least 90 minutes and is still riding a few waves but i missed the chance to get most of his good rides when he was fresh and not exhausted. Next time we're out there, i'll have to figure out a way to placate Harp on the cliffs for a while before we head down to the beach.

We went to Yeat's grave which was in an incredible Irish cemetary, all old celtic crosses and the church sports a carved cross from a monastary that dates back to 500 ad, had fresh crab claws for dinner, and didn't crash the rental car. It was totally a victory. We got back in Sunday evening, hung out with Ciaran and Sarah Jane on our roof deck for the evening, then on Monday we went hiking in Wicklow. We managed to find a sheep trail we followed thru the bogs til we got to a mountain (of the Irish sorts), that we climbed. Harp loved it, was climbing around like a mountain goat and leaping into bog pools--we all had a good day and were completely exhausted when we made it home.

http://picasaweb.google.com/erinhittman/BankHolidayJune09?feat=directlink

Home!

We made it back to Dublin, safely and with no drama. Truly, by the time i had my bags from baggage claim, and made it out to meet Mick and Josh, we called and Harp was ready to be claimed. After all of those papers, those appointments, on and on...there was no trouble and the people at Lissenhall released him immediately.
Harp had had no adverse reactions to the trip, we got him home and he checked out the place, and on Sunday we took him up to North Bull Island so he could run the beach. He loved it, i think he like the dunes best of all, and he barked at the kite surfers. We had a lovely day. He's been for runs with Josh in the mornings already, and it's great to have him round the house while i am here in the day, we're checking out the parks, and he dislikes the rain, so he figured out quickly that the umbrella works for him too if he sticks close to me.
I've got an appt with the SPCA here tomorrow abt some volunteer work and their Safe Haven grant, but nothing else is new, we're settling back into life here! Pics from the visit to the States and Harp's first day at an Irish beach are below.

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

On my way back home

Alright, I am in OHare, Harp has been loaded into his kennel and i had to leave him with the cargo loading people, Sandy and i dropped off the rental car and made it to our terminals, i talked the people at the check in counter into allowing the shock collar and receiver to travel in my checked bags by demonstrating how it worked, and i am finally in the gate waiting for the flight in about 3 hours. Harp is officially out of my hands til we can pick him up tomorrow morning at Lissenhal...

Had great visits with Kelley and the kids--D loved Mary Poppins on Broadway and it was just so good to have a chance to hang out and re-acquaint myself with those kids. I really miss them, and simply don't get to see them enough. Also a really good time to be home with mom and dad--they took amazing care of Harp for 5 months for us, and he's definitely going to miss them. I bet he is missing them right now while he's stowed in his kennel, waiting for them to load him up. I got to see Sam and Brian's new house, which looks incredible, and they get to move in soon. And then Sandy and i got to drive cross country, all with a nasty head cold. We actually had a good time, it was a pleasure to spend the time with her, we stayed with the Macek's in Davenport for a few nights, and i enjoyed myself. They all graciously made the trip very easy on Harp and on me, and i appreciate that immensely. Mick and Josh will pick me up at the airport in the morning, then we'll all head over to Lissenhall to wait on the process of release for the baby...

Ok, so I am watching them load the plane with food and everything else, but haven't seen Harp's kennel yet...I am going to check in with my husband, call my momma to update her and my dad, decompress with some trashy mags and junk food at the airport, then get on the plane and hopefully sleep the majority of the flight. I'll update on how it all went from Ireland!

In the States

Josh and i were back in the States, he was only in Austin for a couple of days for Ab's wedding, which was beautiful, but then had to get back to work in Dublin. I stuck around Austin for a few more days with Steph and the girls. We stayed with Hanna and Eddie, who were wonderful to put us up for so long. Of course Steph had such big news! And we got to see most everyone, and eat most everywhere, that we wanted to get to. We checked on the house, which appears to be doing pretty well, got to see all the renovations the Carters have going to their house, and generally enjoyed Austin despite the shitty weather. After Austin i went to visit my family, and Harp, for about a week which has been so great. Harp is same as always, and it was so good to have him back! Managed to see good friends from high school, and even got to see Boyle for a bit, and she is doing so well.

Travels and Plans

Such a slacker with my postings. We've been to Amsterdam and Spain lately, both incredible.

Amsterdam was great, it's a really beautiful little city, and so unique. The canals and the bridges, the age of the city and how well preserved it is, then just how laid back it all was. Amsterdam struck me because they seem to have taken two vices that every community faces, that of drugs and of prostitution, and rather than react puritanically, they actually took the time to make a different approach. Obviously, "soft" drugs are legal there, and prostitution is legal in the red light district. As we walked thru the District, I was struck by several factors. First was the enormous police presence. This is one of the safest areas of the city, as police turn out in heavy density. The district is also the major bar scene in the city, it's their Bourbon Street, Temple Bar, or 6th Street region, so they have quite smartly corraled a large percentage of the people who are there on holiday and out to get a little crazy. The women, and the men actually, who are working the windows and the sex shows are so much safer in a regulated and protected environment than the women who turn out to street corners. Prices are listed, customers know what to expect, there are significant health and safety regulations at play, and if anyone gets violent or tries to cheat anyone else, the police are there to step in.

I remember being in Stockton and a decent percentage of the women in my shelter worked the streets. I saw one who I knew to be quite pregnant working one evening, I noticed her as she had creatively altered some of the clothes she got from our donation basket to make them work out on her corner. She showed up at my shelter again after she got absolutely savagely beaten by a man who had solicited her, then raped and beat her, then left without paying. She had no recourse really, she could report the assault, but would have encountered a significant amount of trouble after multiple prior arrests as a prostitute, so in her eyes, it was just an aspect of her job and life. She was more vulnerable than most of the women who came thru my doors, and that's really saying something.

This system actually provides health care, regulation and safety checks, the prostitutes pay taxes...it just makes so much more sense than ignoring that it happens everywhere. Same with drug use.

Amsterdam itself was gorgeous, the city centre is pretty purely the ancient canal houses with few modern structures. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Amrath, in an old shipping and customs house that was spectacular. Also went to the Van Gogh museum, the Ann Frank House, and toured the canals. Amsterdam is a whole lot cheaper than Dublin is just for day to day expenses. We really liked it and will be going back once warmer weather permits.

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

Spain...Josh loves Spain and now I can easily see why. Our main goal was to get out of the rain and soak up some sun, but of course we brought the Irish weather down with us; it rained and was pretty cold the whole time we were there. Despite the weather, Spain is remarkable. We flew into Girona, rented a car and drove all up and down the Costa Brava, then down to Barcelona for a couple of days. Barcelona was lovely, nice and old, and everything is highly decorated. We intended to spend three days there, but decided to head back to the coast a day early...we found a spot called Begur, a tiny town on the beach that has an incredible hotel, El Convent. It really is an old convent, built in 1730. It has a natural spring that the nuns felt had healing properties, they built natural spring pools for people to soak in in order to be healed of whatever ailments. Josh and i both got in, we'll let you know how that goes. We just bummed from beach to beach, stopping in the cafes and seaside bars, and we managed to get some sunshine on the last day. It was a great trip.

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

We're heading back to Austin this week for a quick trip back for both of us; Josh comes back after the weekend and I'll stick around with Steph for a bit. Then I'll head up to Colorado for a week, then out to NJ to see Kelley and her family for a little bit, then back to CO. Sandy and i will then drive Harp to Chicago from Denver, he and i will fly back to Dublin together from O'Hare in mid-May. I'm Harp-proofing the house now, and there is a high hope our stuff may get here this week, and then we need not continue to live out of suitcases for a 5th month, and sleeping in separate double beds.
I'll post sooner than later!

So we had Laura for a few days that i thoroughly enjoyed. She got to witness the first Irish Grand Slam in rugby in 61 years, then the ensuing party that Dublin erupted into. We watched the match at the Air Corps officer's club, which was such a great venue for it rather than the jammed bars, then we went out downtown and it was right back into the way things have always been when she is around. It really is a lovely thing to have those friends who you just pick back up with, even if it's months between when you actually get to see each other. Anyway, we spent Sunday wandering around Dublin recovering over a few pubs, then the next 2 days we went to Kilmainham Gaol, which was really bleak and awful; the tour of the place is impressive and certianly relates the historic significance. You walk out thankful to have gotten out of there. After that we went to the Guinness Storehouse, which we both loved. I have heard from several Irish that the tour isn't worth going to but i soundly disagree, i think it was very well done and really interesting, we spent a few good hours there. We wandered all over Dublin and had a lovely time. I owe her a trip to NYC, which i will certainly make good on this summer.

As promised, Laura, here are your 3 items to remember and take home with you:
1. Familio Zuccardi, the 2006 reserve Banarda Mendoza from Argentina is what we liked.
2. The Amazing Race is casting again in June. Get your filming ideas together, and we'll make the tape.
3. http://www.irishrugby.ie/images/news/RobKeaney_LeinsterPlayerofhtemonth_award.jpg
...enjoy...

We're off to Amsterdam this weekend, which i am so looking forward to! Pictures from the Grand Slam week are below:

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

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.