The lovely B & B in Dundalk

I'd highly recommend it. In addition to being ridiculously nice and cozy it was very close to the ice rink.

Game 2...I know a little out of order...but thats ok

This game was fantastic. It was the Latvia Hawks v. Dundalk Bulls. There were so many Latvians screaming the entire game that my ears were ringing when we left. It didn't seem to matter too much that they were down the entire game either. They still fought hard and the fans never gave up. I like this picture because it shows the Bulls' goalie. I sat next to his mom. He is 16 and just started playing ice last December and he was amazing. Such a great game to watch. There was one fight that broke out but it wasn't typical. One of the refs was a woman and one of the Latvian players pushed her (I think). Apparently, the Irish team had enough and a brawl ensued. I was told that this fight was a long time coming. The Bulls won and I will definitely have to go back to see them play again. So young and so full of love for the sport! (Oh, and I think that one of the bull's players might have broke his ankle during the game. Dad, I was thinking that these Irish players may be in need of a good trainer!!!)

Just saying good night

And sweet dreams.

Belfast dominated

Even so, At the end, after both teams clapped for the 20 or so fans, they took a heart warming picture together. They looked so happy even just being there playing each other, that who actually won made no difference! It really was touching. I'm so glad I got to see the start of what I think is one of the best sports in such a great place! Plus, I still have one more game to watch next!!!

Fancy!

1st game: Belfast Bruins v. Irish Flyers

The playing is pretty good. On par with the gulls except without the fights. Its tied 2-2 now.

I made it!

I cant believe it but I made it to the 1st hockey game of the season. Only an hour and a half bus ride that turned out to stop right in front of the bed and breakfast that I only picked because it was the only one in the little town where the only rink is in Ireland. And to make me even happier, it was only a 20 minute walk from the bed and breakfast to the rink! Since the rink only opened last December and hockey is so new to this country in general, although I learned that most of the guys here have been playing roller hockey for years, I could barely find any info online but so far so good, eh?

Just a cool tree.

My roommate would call it 'grand'.

My eyes aren't used to seeing the sun anymore.

I was a lot closer to the 400 or so deer that are in this picture than it looks.

I actually saw two large male deer fighting but i realize its really too small to see anything. Oh well. It was my favorite part of the park!

Lots of fields

I rented a bike a road all around phoenix park today.

Yay, I finally found Brasil!

You know this is for all my Brazilian fans out there (of course, esp. for you Cintia!) The best part is that its not that expensive. Pretty cheap actually considering the cost of going out to eat in Dublin. And, well, that its about a five minute walk from my school means that I'm sure I'll be going there with someone hopefully soon. (so come visit me!!!)

A Trip to Dublin Castle

I finally made it to the Castle in the middle of the city. The best part of it was this garden which has a little maze in it and the Chester Betty Library which is full of the oldest and rarest collection of religious books in the world. They have bible texts written on parchment from like 100AD! They even had a lot of cool and very very old Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic writings too.