Ok here's some pictures from the past couple weeks. The first three are from around where Bono lives up the street from me in Killiney. And the rest are from the past weekend in Kerry in the West of Ireland.

I went to Kerry b/c my friend's TD (Parliament guy) wanted her to come out and see his constituency and how he works and stuff, so he invited me out to give her company. The guy is soooooo nice...he's an ex-rugby and Gaelic player, and now spokesperson for the second major party on Arts, Tourism, Sport and stuff. He put us up in a B&B where the wonderful Mary waited on us hand and foot. She even put hot water bottles in our beds for us. He also paid for all our meals and basically drove us around the entire weekend showing the sights. The first day we went to a bunch of his clinics with him. In Ireland the politicians HAVE to know everybody in their constituency, which is an entire county. Your man knew everyone by name and exactly what they were up to in their lives. They get votes mainly by setting up certain times to do "clinics" in pubs or hotels or wherever so that ppl can come in and basically lodge complaints or ask for favors etc. Its a WAY different (and somewhat better) system than the US...mainly b/c the country is so much smaller. That night he took us to a charity concert where they played traditional music and did step dancing...we almost won a macrame lamp. That would have been interesting. We had a pint at the pub and then spent the best night of sleep ever in the B&B.

Next day Jimmy Deenihan (the wonderful TD) took most of his day off to drive us around the Dingle Peninsula. Its very scenic, right by the ocean, lots of mountains. Its funny b/c these guys never really have a day off...your man was taking phone calls in the car all day. Never a moment's peace. But he still drove us wildly around this mountain pass in the fog (thought I was gonna die). Then we went all along the coastline and saw some sights, bought some pottery. Had a meal in Dingle. Then drove back and saw his house and met his wife...very stylish lady. We went out to the pub again with them for a couple drinks and then again spent a wonderful night in bed. (that sounds dirty)

Anyway, it was a great relaxing weekend. Especially b/c we didn't pay for anything but pottery. Jimmy is a really REALLY nice guy, ready to do a favor for just about anyone. I'm not even one of his voters, but he's gonna try to get me a job as a cocktail waitress back in Boston (he knows the guy who owns the Green Dragon, Hennessey's, etc.) Nice way to wrap up my time in Ireland. And now I'm back in the States and I missed you all and its really weird right now but once I get back into the swing of things it'll be great again. Things have changed, but many things stay the same. I guess here ends my travelog for awhile. Peace out and slainte!