Tiny villages are awesome

Erik and his band played and they were brillinat! Their band's name is the gaelic word for Anarchy, so you can pretty much guess what they were singing about. Then this other guy I hadn't met before took the stage with his band and for the first time in my life I had a song dedicated to me by a musician! He pointed at me, asked my name and said, 'This song is for Brigid'.

Let's just say, I was pretty chuffed.

And to make it even more awesome, he really could sing! I would actually buy their album if they ever get stuff recorded.

Afterwards, we got chatting and I discovered his name - Brian. Then I convinced him to meet me somewhere in Waterford to join me for my trip across Ireland, but I don't think he can get away from work and stuff so spontaneously. But, anyway, another friendship was forged!

Oooh, and, on that note, I also made friends with this Polish man and he's very nearly convinced me to throw Poland into my trip as well!!! But I'll just have to see where I am and how I'm feeling by the time I get to eastern Europe.

Then there was a minor disaster - Aga, who I was meant to stay with that night came looking for me, but just missed me. And her phone wasn't working - PANIC. But it was actually quite comical. Andy, Erik and Conner found it highly amusing because, as they put it, 'We wouldn't leave you out on the streets, you know?'

I ended up walking up to random people at Seomra Spraoi and asking them if they had a 'free couch, bed, spot on the floor, anything?' Once that was sorted (and you'll be amazed at how many people were willing to help) I could finally relax and enjoy the terrible dance music that Brian's housemate was DJing.

Yesterday morning, I hopped on a bus, ditched Dublin and headed towards a tiny little village in the middle of nowhere. Leighlinbridge. And, when I say 'tiny', I really mean it. There is one tiny little corner shop that serves as the village supermarket. Granted, there are loads of pubs and one touristy hotel (in which I'm currently sitting and stealing internet), but STILL! It's absolutely lovely.

I went for a really nice walk (with my massive backpack on my back and my little backpack on my front) along the river, killing time and stopping randomly when my shoulders started to complain. Then I found a nice little corner to fall alseep in, hugging my bags and wriggling until I was comfortable.

Then I moved a little further along the path and fell asleep in a new spot, and so on and so forth until a fisherman who had seen me pass him a few dozen times eventually sat with me and offered me a beer, and we got chatting.

It was wonderful!

Then I met up with Aileen (my couch surfing host) and was shown the luxurious room I was to stay in. Aileen is amazing. She welcomed me to stay despite the short notice of my request, and has gone above and beyond what's required of a host. Plus, she has REALLY great taste in music!

Today I am just going to chill out and take it easy, recover from the late nights in Dublin and wander around the town. I'm quite looking forward to it, actually.

written by  Brigid Jelsma on April 4, 2011 from Leighlinbridge, Ireland
from the travel blog: Walk a little further to another plan
tagged Ireland
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