Things to Know When You Go to Ireland (Cause You Should All Go To Ireland) Part One

1. You need to get a Clark. (too bad I'm pretty sure there's only one.....)

This is Clark. (Well, technically, it's Clark along with Peter the Angry Irishman, who is also a very cool fellow and thankfully was not quite so bitter about Ireland's Rugby loss in this photo....)






Clark started out as a friend of a friend's brother who was going to let us crash at his place in Dublin-- but Clark wound up being far, far more than that. If any of you go to Ireland, you should be so lucky to stay somewhere as all inclusive in its services as Casa Clark. He's the best tour guide, rugby introducer, driver, explainer, stand in the snow and get ice-cycles on his head freezer, language explainer ("pants/trousers" "crisps/chips".....need I say more?) that any group of travelling girls ever had. It's not every man that will sleep on a deflated airmattress in his own apartment just to give the beds to one girl he knows and two girls he doesn't.


2. Everything is always Cheryl's fault. Everything

3. Watch your body language in pictures. I present Exhibit A:




When you are taking a picture meant to convey that you are dangerously near the edge of a dramatic cliff (which in all fairness-- we really were)...you should not pose knees bent with ankles jauntily crossed like you're out for a afternoon stroll in the park. Crossed ankles are never edgy.


4. Stay at Petra House in Galway. Not only is it a lovely place to stay with yummy breakfast, but you are also treated to the dulcet tones of Frank's voice. I feel confident in my assertion when I tell you that Frank is the most soothing man in Ireland. He could be telling you that your hair is on fire and you would just feel incredibly good about it.