Surfing and Super Bowl

Late Friday afternoon the fifty or so students, including Sean, Brittany, Kathryn, and I; leaving for the surf trip gathered by the bell tower in windstorm conditions. What followed was a long 4-hour ride for the Irish, but a quick trip compared to the 16-hour drive to Florida last spring break. By the time we had packed the bus with boards, wetsuits, and bags it was dark so I saw little of the countryside en route, but passed through the city of Limerick and arrived at Lahinch on the west coast.

Our accommodations appeared extraordinary, with groups of 6-8 staying in a community of cottages five minutes from the shore. Joining us in cottage 23 were Russell and Donal. The two-floor building included two full bathrooms, three bedrooms, a living room, with a TV and fireplace; a dining room, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a combination washing machine/dryer. Shortly after unpacking, we set about from house to house engaging in cards, the Box Game, and in one building a club-like atmosphere.

The following early morning we awoke to scramble for food at the local Centra. In which, I bought a cheap liter of apple juice, a couple apple squares and a Boston Cream donut. The latter failed to impress, with the donut displayed upside down and the cream less than pervasive. After breakfast, we loaded onto the bus for a trip to a more protected beach given the wind (and rain) of the day.

First view of the North Atlantic, Sunday's Beach

After fighting into a wetsuit (without boots) and claiming a board, we scrambled towards the ocean. Unfortunately the trip to the water took us down a decline filled with rocks and and across a raging stream of runoff water coming from the land above. After scrambling across the two natural barriers, we arrived at the welcome sand and split into groups of experienced and beginner surfers.

The club had hired two instructors to teach the beginners, so we learned the basics of where to be on the board, how to paddle, and two ways to stand up. Following the quick introduction, we split into two groups as there were insufficient boards for everyone. Since I had navigated passage across the rocks with a board, I brought it with me as part of the first group.

Throughout the hour or so spent surfing, alternating between groups, I managed to catch a few waves and even stand a handful of times. Given the surge that accompanies the board catching the wave, and the resulting speed at which you ride on top of the crest, it is easy to see that surfing for its adrenaline rushes can become a lifestyle. Nevertheless, with feet and hands exposed to the frigid North Atlantic, I could only endure so much fun before they were numb and paddling/standing became near impossible.

After scaling the rocks and passing through the torrent, we returned to the bus and our much needed warm clothing. Still, instead of waiting for everyone to change, Russell, Donal, Sean and I headed back into town on foot for Centra and lunch. Once inside, we quickly determined that the 2 euro frozen pizzas were the best option, and each purchased a couple.

Back at the cottage we realized that the seeming magnificent cottages of the night before had lost some of their gilded luster. Lacking sufficient insulation, the buildings were perpetually cold and damp. Thankfully we had the benefit of hot water, unlike others, who as refugees came to our bathrooms for showers. Still, our stove would not turn on, so we visited the neighboring cottage, holding the club's committee members, and stacked several pizzas inside their oven.

While waiting for them to cook, we gathered around the TV and caught the end of the Ireland vs. Italy 6-Nations Rugby match played in Rome. Despite Ireland being the heavy favorites, the Italians led after a near last minute try. It took an Irish kick through the uprights to avoid their first defeat in Rome, in a relatively low-scoring match. After the game, we stayed to eat lunch and watch the slaughter of the Scottish side in Paris at the hands of a piercing French offense.

Back at the committee house at night, we played another round of the Box Game. Again I was able to advance to final round, where the cereal box had given way to a thin piece of cardboard lacking any edges. Afterwards we engaged in a game of Sardines - which had managed to cross the Atlantic. It is a sort of reverse hide-and-seek, where one person hides and everyone else tries to find him or her. Once you find the person, you squeeze yourself into their hiding spot, so that by the end everyone is packed in as tight as sardines.

Despite my initial disbelief in the availability of hiding spaces in the small cottage, the fifteen or so competitors found the game to be quite entertaining. To add to the effect, we closed all the curtains, turned off the lights, and turned on music. The flexibility of some hiders was astounding, with people squeezing into the smallest of closets and corners.

Following Sardines, we left for Kenny's - a local pub in the center of town. Along the way, celebrations for Father Ted Weekend were in full display. The weekend references an Irish sitcom from the 90's involving priests on a remote island, which has attained cult-like status. In the pub, the bartenders were dressed as priests with most patrons doing the same or dressed as nuns. Relative to expensive Dublin, pints were cheap with Guinness at 3.70 euro. We secured a couple booths and enjoyed the live band and atmosphere unique to Father Ted Weekend.

Downtown Lahinch

Full Lahinch Album

Once the pub closed, several people decided to pay the exorbitant 10 euro cover for the club next door, while many of us decided to visit the Chinese takeaway on the other side of the street. In which, I bought my first 3-in-1 or chips, rice, and curry sauce for a cheap 4 euro. To add some more spice to the night, we engaged with a couple less than nice Lahinch girls who perhaps had a bit too much to drink, and were ironically shouting "foreigner" at the Irish girls in our group.

Back at the cottages, Donal and I visited a couple of the other houses to see some of their antics. But with the rest of the group determined to stay at 23, we soon returned. In a twist not surprising given Irish singing culture, Donal and Russell decided to regal us with their version of the Lion King song.

On Sunday, we again awoke early and the few still committed to surfing took boards and wetsuits from the bus and walked to the main beach in town. The tide was fierce and battling it took most of my energy, still it was again worthwhile to enter the North Atlantic and attempt to surf. Returning to the cottage, we packed our belongs and relaxed to the 1980's Nicholas Cage bodyguard drama "Guarding Tess."

Brittany's Tour of our Cottage

Following the gripping drama, we boarded the bus and headed back to Dublin. En route, the sun was still out, so I could see the rolling green fields and flooded riverbeds. In addition, we played the game "Horse" where you try to be the first to spot a horse. However, if you are too eager and mistake a cow or donkey for one, then you lose all the horses that you had claimed. After stopping at the Burger King in Limerick for dinner, we  engaged in game of Mafia (I was killed by the townspeople in the second round), and played the word riddle game "I'm going on a road trip around the world" where you must name a country that fits the rule.

Exhausted, but still determined to catch the Super Bowl. Sean, John, Brittany and I passed on Captain America's for its raised 10 euro cover to make the 40 minute walk to Portobello's for what we believed was free entry. Unfortunately, we were greeted with the same cover, begrudgingly paid our way in, and gathered on the floor in front of one of several large screens.

Notable moments from the game, include the patrons booing George Bush, an Irishman discussing that he supported the Packers for having "green" in their name, and the generic American's and two British selected by Sky TV to commentate during the periods where viewers in the States had expensive commercials to entertain them. The Tron-esque Black Eyed Peas halftime show was perhaps a step into the roaring 2010's.

Despite going to sleep at 4am, I awoke Monday with time to sign onto the Russell for Welfare Student Union campaign and acquired my free T-shirt. I am looking forward to seeing Erik, my cousins, and potentially Mitch in London next weekend.