at the library

Well, it'll probably be the end of January or so until we have broadband access from home. If I can find a wifi spot in town, I'll be able to post more pictures. Until then, my internet access is restricted to twice per week usage at the local library. It's a beautiful sunny day, and we're off to check out the beach at Ballybunion. Yesterday was the last official day of Christmas, know as Women's Christmas. Women all go out to dinner, and their husbands or boyfriends are supposed to give them flowers and chocolates and other gifts. Barry seemed skeptical when I told him of this tradition. Perhaps there are more holidays similar to this? I hold hope of this. Everyone's Christmas decorations are taken down today. We were starting to wonder how long people in Ireland held on to Christmas. Susannah got her school uniform today; I'll post a picture when I can.

more Christmas Eve pictures

Grace Gilmore and Paul Shper host a Christmas Eve caroling party for family and friends. Great food, great company, and it was a welcome break from packing.

Grace & Sarah
Spencer
Sarah B.
Fred & Carol
Skye (scraper) & Jenna

Christmas Eve pictures

Lea (Lea, if I've spelled your name wrong let me know)
Grace & Susannah
Harris
Jesse & Parker
Susannah & Evan

All of our stuff at the Shannon Airport, 5:30 a.m., Dec. 30, 2005

New Year

We're here, in one piece, with no big mistakes to date. Thanks to family and friends, we left Vermont on schedule, had a good time with family and friends in Massachusetts, and got ourselves and a copious amount of luggage onto Aer Lingus. It was hard to leave, especially because everyone was being so nice to us. Next time, all of you should just kick us on our way out; it would be a lot easier.
The logistics of the trip went fairly smoothly, although it turns out that an Irish 7-person van is a wee bit smaller than an American 7-person van. This difference meant a second trip to the Shannon airport to haul our stuff, which Barry did on our second day. I've more or less mastered driving on the left side of the road after being awake 28 hours straight. Nothing like adrenaline to keep you alert, I always say.