Raf's Travel Diaries

I travel, I live my life, I enjoy every second of it. I believe a lifetime not enough for all the things I want to do, see & learn. I have many stories and no regrets. I dream in advance but make it up as I go along. Raf (with a hint of cinnamon).

Without knowing, I chose to go to Northern Ireland on the 13th of July, a public holiday which commemorates the anniversary of the shutting of Derry's gates (Derry was a 'fortress' to Protestants, when the city came under siege from King Jame's army). I took the train from O'Connolly Station to Portadown (30 euros for the ticket!!!), where 2 friends who live and work in a farm near by picked me up. It rained all afternoon, plus we were advised not to go anywhere because sometimes there are incidents in the marches on this day, so we just hung around the farm house, played pool and ping-pong and then went over to some other farm for a BBQ. On Tuesday, after a quick breakfast we set of for the Giant's Causeway (World Heritage Site- UNESCO), a huge area of interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. Just see for yourself, this place is incredible! ( £ 6 to park). Natural volcanic formations Giant's Causeway Giant's Causeway

Father and son. The pair walked side by side, steadily. They didn't stand out in Dublin's sunny late afternoon crowd. They looked at each other briefly, the kid shrugged, the man gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. They took a deep breath. Stoped. Sat down against the wall of a closed shop. -Any spare change, miss? Raf (resignation is a bitch).

I got my weekly roster on Saturday and saw I had Wednesday and Thursday of the following week off, that same night I checked Ryanair for offers but they all had to be booked 14 days in advance, so I decided to take a bus and go somewhere in Ireland. I'd heard a lot about Galway, and felt like being outdoors, so I decided to go there. I started looking for hosts through couch surfing, and after reading a few profiles I sent 3 couch surfing requests and got an answer the next day. The night before I prepared my bag with the essentials: sneakers, a jumper, a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, toiletries, camera, spare batteries, mp3 player, extra pair of socks and underwear, my diary and pens. Knowing the Irish weather, I set the clothes for the next morning, all water proof and very warm. I woke up at 6 the next morning, took the Luas to the Busaras bus station and bought a return student ticket to Galway for 16,50 (I wonder until when will I be able to pull off the student discounts?). I wa

Last week I finally managed to get 2 days off together by swapping shifts with a mate and decided to start traveling a bit. Destination: Donegal (NE of the Republic of Ireland). Why: Getting to know a bit more of Ireland & a couple of friends are currently living there. How did I get there: Bus (Eireann) 33 euros return (ouch). Accommodation: friend's house. Thanks guys!!! As usual, the weather was CRAP, rained mostly and we had no car (or bike, or means of transport other than walking), so it was the perfect excuse to spend a couple of days in a very quiet place just talking over a cup of tea or argentinean mate, listening to music, drawing, and talking some more. Raf

I found a flat, just where I wanted it, at the price I was willing to pay. And it has a carrot/cheese grater! Raf (Saturday 6:59 am, dead tired, just got back from work, in need of sleep).

I'm looking for a flat, a new job, a cheap flight to London, a cheap flight to Åland (if such thing exists), friends that don't bail out, a carrot/cheese grater, a bit of sun, a free car ride to Donegal next week, amongst other things (like an umbrella that can hold up to Irelands weather & the code to unblock my cellphone); on the other side I have salt, a vodaphone sim card I can't use, a couple of good books, a family that loves and cares for me, who support my decisions even when they don't understand what the fuck I'm doing; & all 10 fingers & 10 toes. Raf (1:40 am, can't keep my eyes open anymore. No 4:00 am post today)

Umbrella proof rain.

The fog is thick, the cold air burns my cheeks. Birds sing shyly as day breaks. A faint siren can be heard in the distance. A few cabs, a couple of newspaper vans, a homeless in a sleeping bag on the walkway, a drunk sitting on the front stairs of a house, head between his hands, gathering strength to walk home. A gray-haired street cleaner in a yellow jacket greets me as I go by. I take a left off the main street and follow the road, no short cut through the housing plans at this time. I fish my keys from a pocket in my backpack and let myself in. The elevator is broken, the landlord says it'll be fixed by next week. I take the stairs. 1 floor, 2 floors, 3 floors, 4 floors. The main door makes a loud sound as I unlock it. I'm home. I'm tired. I'm full. I go to bed. Raf

St. Patrick's day is an annual feast day (March 17th) which celebrates Saint Patrick, one of the patron saints of Ireland. Ticking off one of the big parties in the world. 500.000 cheer St. Patrick's parade in Dublin En the Church, un borracho que realmente se creia que era un Leprechaun. Raf

I need to update my blog, I keep telling myself. But whenever I try to write something I just get distracted by MSN, some discussion in the forum, fb, jobsearching, or I simply don't know where to begin writing (like now). I get a few e-mails from people who are coming here, asking me stuff, but it's always the same: 'Is it easy to find a job?', ' How's Dublin?', 'Are people nice?' and that kind of incredibly vague questions which can only be answered in the same imprecise tone. I know many are just trying to establish some kind of link, connection, get some reassurance from the unknown before heading there. Truth is, at least as I see it, that everything is subjective. It depends. On your personality, luck, personal objectives, plans, expectations, capacity to adapt, to see alternative solutions to daily situations, tolerance, insistence, self initiative, people you meet, more luck, and many other factors. View of Dublin and the hills from my flat.

For children are innocent and love justice, while most of us are wicked and naturally prefer mercy. G.K. Chesterton