Fall Break came and went quickly. It was hard to believe we were at the halfway point in the semester. I couldn't fathom that six weeks of classes had already gone by and that I only really had six weeks left in my wonderful Ireland. I began fall break by traveling to Galway with Abby and her friend, Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Abby actually met last summer while they were studying in Galway. It was awesome to visit Galway and be shown around by two people who know and love the city like a local would. Galway was one of the cities everyone says you have to visit when you go to Ireland, and I wholeheartedly agree. I especially want to go back to Galway on a non-rainy weekend and walk down by the water.
We got to Galway on a friday night and checked into our hostel. Called The Bunk, our hostel was on the backside of this fancy 5-star hotel. The decor was very modern, clean, and quiet. Abby, Elizabeth, and I stayed in a 9 bed all female dorm. The coolest part of the hostel was the bunk beds. We slept in a triple bunk bed, which Abby and I decided were definitely necessary for our apartment. I couldn't help but think how much fun it would be to have one of these back home for me and the sisters. We settled in and napped for a bit before going out for food and to walk around Shop Street. We ate the most amazing pizza I have ever tasted at Dough Bros, a pop-up shop run by these two brothers and their friend. They own a food truck that goes around Galway, apparently, and were running the pop up restaurant for six weeks. We could hardly get enough and were tempted many times during our stay in the city to go back and eat more pizza. After Dough Bros, Abby and Elizabeth took me up and down Shop Street, which is famous for its bars and different boutiques. It leads from the heart of the city, down to the water. For a Friday night, Shop Street was hopping with so many people in the street and in the bars and clubs. It is a very popular spot to host Stag and Hen parties because of how many centrally located establishments. The city was so alive and exciting; I absolutely loved it. We grabbed gelato for dessert and then returned to the hostel to get some well deserved rest.
Abby and Elizabeth were most excited for Saturday morning. With an entire day to explore, Abby and Elizabeth took me to all of their old haunts from their summer in Galway. We visited this cafe, 37 West and feasted on their french toast, bacon, and the best pot of tea I've had in Ireland. It was one of Abby and Elizabeth's favorite place to eat when they lived in Galway. We walked all around NUIG–National University of Ireland, Galway and Galway's Cathedral. Both are photographed above (the cathedral is on the left and NUIG on the right). We went back to Shop Street on Saturday to peruse the shops and the farmers' market. Saturday was extra special on Shop Street, as they were having a Swing-a-thon to raise money for this charity for mental disabilities. It was so much fun to dance again! I hadn't danced since early August in San Diego, as Swing is not popular in Ireland. I was lucky that Abby had her camera ready and was able to capture some of the dances. We shopped a bit, ate a bit more, and then went and cleaned up at the hostel before going out for drinks on Shop Street. Overall it was a great trip and I can't wait to get back to Galway to see more of the city. It was a great start to the break.
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