vendredi 23 juin 2006

Good man yourself!

It’s a simple and extended expression to say good work or thanks, here in Ireland. Firstly, I thought it was a funny expression to seem stupid, but it is really used in a serious way.

In other ways, I can’t write anything new or relevant. I watch matches on TV , some films and soup operas, and read books and magazines in English and Spanish. I want to finish “The Historian” (E. Kostova) in order to start another book (the second part of “The Stone Shelters”, “The Valley of the Horses”) that I had started in Spain before. In the work, the same routine and I don’t go out because Jaime (the other housemate) and I haven’t got the compatible timetables (and I don’t want to go out alone because it’s a bit dangerous if you meet drunken-aggressive people).

Yesterday, we had a visit of a former housemate. Anna, from Germany, speaks English, French and Italian fluently (and German, of course), and she has returned to visit Agnes and Michael (the owners) and to see the enormous changes occurred during these years. Then, she will travel to Cork (a important city in the South) to meet with a German friend.

Well, I’m waiting e-letters and more comments (thanks to Anastasia, Loco and Dora). Today I’m going to do (or to try or to die trying) a Spanish Omelette (o sea, una tortilla de patatas con cebolla) for the match. Agnes is French and cooks decently (with olive oil!) but a Spanish Omelette is an Asiatic luxury in this Gastronomic Desert.

See you in a next post!

Elgaine de Balliers

mercredi 7 juin 2006

No more sighs from Ireland!

Almost a month in this country, but ... I don't know what is wrong. I have some problems to understand yet, but some times the worst is to express myself (how to say thing when you think in spanish).

Last Sunday was my birthday (I’m thirty, by God) and I went to Dublin for a walk. It was very sunny and even hot at noon, and I walked the both parts of the city. The Liffey river divides the city in two parts, one is very British (a lot of people says that isn't Ireland) and the other is more popular and Irish. Well, in the British one is the Trinity College, Grafton St (like Serrano St in Madrid), Saint Stephen Park (similar to Retiro), Christchurch (anglican), the Parliament and other interesting places like Temple Bar). In the other shore, there are a lot of shops in Henry St or O’Connell St, and some monuments two, like Four Courts.

Well, while I was walking, near to the tourist centre, I found a Spanish restaurant and do you know what is its name? Curiously, its name is Salamanca (life‘s causalities or not?) and they have a lot of typical Spanish plates and “tapas“ like Paella or Stew of Madrid. I was also in a second hand library but I didn’t find anything interesting.

In other ways, I’m fine in my job and I’m just moving to Lucan, nearer to my job. The tips are good some days and very helpful. I think it will be better in some ways (the room is bigger and food taster, I hope). The worst or the best is that I’m going to live with another Spanish, Jaime (he’s from Calahorra). He works with me in the Petrol Station in Lucan, and I treat to not speaking with him in Spanish, but some times I do it unconsciously.

And well, I’m adapting to this place and I’m trying to start new activities, like English classes.

Finally, I send you greetings from here, so cheerio!