Two ratty days followed by a not so ratty day.

Job.

Our American went missing there yesterday, but thankfully she's been found again.
Was quite scary as she's in Italy at the moment, having arrived at midnight in Genoa the night before last. She had nowhere to go, no Italian and no information about the city. Before she got off the phone with my brother however, she decided to tell him that she, ya know, might just SLEEP ON THE BEACH if she couldn't find a hostel.
What a moron. Genoa. On the beach. Cute little American girl.
Honestly.

My poor brother had to live through yesterday not having a clue what the hell happened as her phone was switched off. It became clear yesterday how much he actually cares about her too. He said to me 'I have this weird, sick feeling in my stomach'. Says a lot really, that's the type of person he is, he couldn't identify his own anxiety.

Moral of the story - don't act like an idiot if you're fending for yourself in a foreign country.
She's getting slaps when I catch her.

''Oh my gosh, do you speak like, Austrian?''

''Ehm no I don't I'm afraid, I see you're fluent in American though.''

Yes, this is what a young American man in a pub in Dingle asked me as I spoke to my new Austrian (or 'International' as he liked to be referred to) friend over the roar of the pub singer and heavy din of American twangs. Don't get me wrong I can understand how he could have been THAT drunk after the supposed seven *gasp* bottles of beer drunk in the space of two hours. They were some craic all the same, my American friends. Even though they were plain silly, you couldn't help but feel protective of them and enjoy their boyband cleanliness. They all had names like Billy and Nick and even though they were all the same age as me or older they had a real innocence and happiness about them that you couldn't help but be charmed by. I'm glad that I seem to be meeting a lot of Americans this summer, they're a likeable bunch.

My Austrian friend had the same disposition in a funny way, even though he was far from an American high school graduate. He upped and left home one day, had slept rough on London streets and was on a quest to become 'free'. Very independent you might think, but us three Irish girls still took him under our wing and brought him around with us for the two days we were sharing a room with him. He was odd I must admit, a typical European metal head. Long hair and chains poking out everywhere, but terribly sweet all the same and maybe just a little lost and lonely.

What else did I do in Dingle apart from laugh at foreigners? Oh nothing, just ya know, cycled around Slea Head. *cough* 40 km *cough* no big deal...

Alien Snots.

The other day we brought the American off to this secret little beach, which can be found somewhere on the south coast should you ever care to visit.



The main aim being to catch some 'alien snots' as they are now fondly known in our household. Otherwise known as periwinkles. We also caught a 'juicer' of a crab. Those Americans and their funny speak. Pftt. She does take some good photos though, especially seeing as it was just a point-and-shooter...







Periwinkles are truly scrumptious by the way, billion times better than l'escargot.

Jeeaaaaalousssyyyy, turning saints into the sea...

Yeah...I never did understand that line. Ace song though.
I am becoming increasingly jealous of the lovely American and her current situation in this world. No, not her button nose, ability to tell funny and interesting stories at the drop of a hat, nothing at all to do with spending lots of time with my beloved brother.

It's this stupid map she's been pouring over:



She is in a bit of a pickle as she'll be needing to decide how she's getting to Spain fairly sharpish. My fingers seem to be turning green as I type.

Alas, I've realised that envy will get me nowhere and so I've resolved to save instead of spending all my measly earnings on shoes, cigarettes and alcohol.
Surely it will all be worth it? Won't it?

Life's a Beach

I am SO original when it comes to post titles, am I not?
But really, life is a beach, especially when once summer comes you spend your life... on the eh... beach. I've spent such a nice couple of days with my friends bustin ourselves around in the sea and slapping each other's nicely crispy arms. The cute American is loving it here too, she thinks it's nuts that people can drink on the street, rob election posters, gowl with the Gardai about the whole thing and still get away with it.

I wonder how long this freakish summer could actually last though?

Ah crap.

Did I just jinx it?

I pledge allegiance...

...bla bla bla, to the United States of America....
Nicest surprise ever today. My brother's kind-of-but-we're-not-too-sure-what-the-story-is girlfriend has come to visit us, all the way from Chicago! She is the cutest thing in the world with her denim shorts and hiking boots, little button nose and blonde hair. She is the most easily likeable person I have ever met, I LOVE her. She's gone to bed now, after we all managed to get her and our fine selves just a leetle bit tipsy. I hate trying to wind down at this stage of the night with a couple of drinks in me so I decided to stay up and blog.
She's a gas woman with the funniest name that I really wish I could share with ye. It's unusual I'm sure, to find an American who really hates certain aspects from American culture. For instance, she got rather heated whilst showing us her passport. Basically, in the places where your visa stamps go on a normal passport, Condaleeza Rice brought in this fantastic idea to fill these pages with images that represent American culture, the bald eagle, Mount Rushmore, oxen and buffalo, Native American totem poles, which my new friend so helpfully pointed out are all examples of either animals, natural resources or cultures that have been endangered or totally wiped out by modern and contemporary culture.
How very ironic.
Hmmm aaanyway, have to go find some friends who are up for some party party! There isn't a snowball's chance in hell I'm turning in yet!