Back in the Emerald Isle

We are back! We have been incredibly slack at writing a blog, but at last... 2 weeks late here it is.

Photo(left to right): Tillers (Kiwi living in Scotland), Natalie (flatmate), Anna (Polish friend of girls), Sarah (flatmate and Natalies step sister), and two cool dudes.

We found our way to Sarah and Natalie's house (NZ'rs) and have been staying there now for two weeks. We are also living with three Irish people Jonto, Jolene, and Richie. It's a nice house and thanks to the flatmates letting us have the spare room (much appreciated), we hav'nt been paying one cent in accomodation costs. We have spent our time finishing CV's, looking for jobs, buying a guitar (YES!), practicing beach volleyball on grass, and yes - watching a lot of soccer world cup. We have also travelled to Dublin and Wexford for two beach volleyball tournaments each weekend. The level is somewhat lower than NZ standards, so we actually have a chance! On Saturday, we beat the eventual winners in pool play 21-9. Pity our skills failed us afterwards and we came in the 5th-8th bracket. Great craic though! Apparently Irish beach volleyball is more about drinking and socialising, as the night before we all stayed in three houses hired out for the volleyballers, and drunk till the wee hours of the morning. Grabbed a few hours sleep, then headed to the beach to play volleyball all day in the bright sun. Only to repeat the drinking that night!


Photo(left to right): Rachel (Irish non volleyballer friend of others), Doireann (organiser, hypo chick), Jen and boyfriend Oran (no idea how to spell),

The Irish are a funny lot. As soon as the sun shines, guess whats on the menu... yes, a tasty Fried Irish wrapped in crispy red skin, and cooked in sunscreen-free oil. Unbeleivable... I now think New Zealanders are considerably sun-smart compared to these crazy Irish. I saw horrific peeling for days. We also went to see the play "Alone it stands" just two days before the first All Black test against Ireland. It is a memorable moment in 1978 when Munster beat the All Blacks 12-0. Very funny play where 6 actors make up about 65 roles. Good laugh, though we thought we'd hexed the AB's after we saw the first half of the test! We actually were in a small beach town north of Dublin and were wondering at 8:30am trying to find a place that had the Rugby on - eventually we found a hotel that let us watch and gave us free coffee... brilliant!

Here are some photos:

Some old bricks and stuff

Sorry for the long delays in between writing these updates, we are just fitting so much into every day that it gets hard to get to the internet. Also, have a look further down and see some nice photos we added to the older posts... you get to see exciting things like the lizard we caught in a pot, the crazy Germans (Kathi and Anja) Venice in all it's romantic glory.

Rome is wow! From our arrival in the huge Central Station Termini, everywhere you look you see some historic building that is older than, well, real old stuff. Our first day we ventured to an amazing building called the Vittoriano, the burial place of an unknown soldier. So immense, it was the most amazing bit of construction I had seen so far... well for about another hour anyway. Next stop was the Colosseum, and we walked around it but did not enter (trying to save some euros) but we may enter today. The next day we lined up in the biggest line in the world (for the Vatican). Of course we were incredibly prepared, with out jandals, not eating more than a crossiant for breakfast, and bringing our wet weather gear. We did however bring our Pope-pants (required to enter the holy walled city). Well when the heavens opened (figure of speach!) one thousand men carrying 20 umbrellas each magically appeared out of no-where and were selling these for ridiculus prices to all unprepared people (like us).
We finally managed to haggle one of them down from €10 to €3. Not bad, we wont let rain dampen our spirits (So many puns here...). As for the Vatican, it was worth the hour wait and more. So much to see, excessiveness, lush tapestries, immaculate 50ft paintings decorating every wall, ceiling, and niche - only by the most famous of artists of course. Raphiel, Michaelangelo, and much more. Enormous Egyptian collections, gold, silver, bronze marble statues everywhere, just a ridiculous display of priceless artifacts. The Sistien Chapel was immpressive, and I did refrain from taking pictures (not everyone obeyed the rule).

The next day was a visit to San Pietro Basilica (Or big Petie Poos Pad). This is truely one of the wonders of the world. An immense holy structure that dwarfs even the 25ft statues they have placed all around. A vast church with incredibly high domes, immense open floors, and all intricately painted, sculpted and detailed by hand - a process that took more than a few lifetimes to complete. Photos cannot give this place justice, but we will try anyway. We did climb the 320 steps (I think more!) all the way to the top to look over the glorious city of Rome stretch into the distance - and point out other great landmarks. Unfortunately weather in Rome has been rainy and colder. Here is Juan and us up the top of the dome of the St Peters Basilica... a very slow journey, but worth it!

Our hostel that we are staying at is nothing flash. Cold showers, very small, staff aren't super-friendly and sharing a 10-bed mixed dorm just makes sleep seem all the more precious. Though at night time it creates an incredibly social atmosphere, and we have really thrived in meeting many great people here. Of note: "Frank the (Irish) Tank", Juan (Argentinian Doctor), Rebecca (Canadian/converted Spaniard), Natalie (Meteorologist) and many more! Many great nights to be had, and finally everyone can speak English!

Well Rome needs so many photos...

Last point: What is that on my face? Ahh yes, it is a hairy monster! Lazy I guess...