Jameson Distillery, Midleton, and Ballycotton

Hey Everyone!

I've been in Ireland for 

a few days now and I'm starting to settle in.  I have 5 other girls livi

ng with me and we have a nice kitchen, living room, and two bathrooms.  We do tend to use alot of hot water so I've had a few cold showers.  My room is small but comfortable and I've managed to fit my things in.  I even got a cellphone but I need to put some minutes on it.  I'm meeting some really nice people and not just

 international students either.  I'm excited about orientation tomorrow...I'm actually ready for classes to start.

I think I'm going to join the International Society because they plan lots of trips around Ireland and I think that will help alot.  Erik and I are planning on going to Killarney next weekend.  I'm trying to find the best deal to travel along with a hostel.  There is so much I want to do I feel like I'll run out of time.

I haven't really gotten a chance to explore Cork city as much as I hope but I have w

itnessed a street protest and little children gangs.  The city is packed during the day...but alot of shops and stores close pretty early which can be a hassel.

Today, a friend from Washington College named Bridget, who lives here in Ireland, took myself, Erik and our friend Allison (also from WAC) to the Jameson Distillery, her home town of Midleton for some horse racing, and Ballycotton a beautiful coastal city south of Cork.

The Jameson Factory was awesome. 

Here is a picture of the main entrance.  This is actually the old factory that is not used

 anymore...we did not get to see the new factory but we could smell the smoking coming from the distillery.

 There was a 30 minute walking tour and they served a glass of whiskey at the end.

We saw the process used to make the whiskey as well as the long time it takes to perfect the whiskey.  

You could even do a taste test and compare the whiskey to other from America and Scottland...obviously the Jameson was the smoothest and richest. 

 It was a really fun tour!

Next Bridget took us to her home in Midleton and we met some of her family.  Apparently today was the county horse racing.  She took us down to a field where there were tons of locals and even

 out of town people betting on horses and races.  It was completely different from the Harrington

 raceways that I'm used to.

I bet on a horse named Cottage Acre #4 but it only got 3rd place.  Erik's horse won and he got

 8euro.  It was really fun and the scenery was beautiful.  It was actually cloudy...which is a first

 since we've been here.  It hasn't rained yet since during the winter rain is not as common as it is in the spring.  It has been kind of cold but not nearly as bad as it gets in MD. 

Bridget's mom made us a lunch...which is probably the best meal I'll get in a while.  Her family was very friendly and welcoming.  I really enjoy the Irish hospitality.

After lunch Bridget took us to Ballycotton, a small town south of Midleton on the coast.  The scenery was breathtaking.  The cliffs and the island were amazing. 

 

I wanted to rent a little boat to take to the island and see the lighthouse but it was to late and a sunday.  

I might try and visit there during may when the weather is warmer.  A friend of Bridget's lives there, her name is Evelyn and she also goes to UCC.  She was very friendly and showed us around the town.  I decided I want to become a fisherman and move to Ballycotton and live in a little cottage.  It was so cozy and quiet...I would prefer that to the big city of Cork.

The driving here scares me to death...the roads are so small and the drivers are pretty hasty.  But the people are so friendly.  You can walk past someone on the street and they will say hello and how are you.  It's very differnt.

So classes start on tuesday and I'm sure it will be a crazy week.

I'll write something new soon.

I miss you all!

Erica