Achill 2006

While we stayed on Achill Island I was interviewed by Midwest Radio, one of the three biggest radio stations in Ireland. It was quite a surprise for me to get a phonecall from one of the hosts (whose name I unfortunately forgot), although Sean told me the night before that he’s given my number to a friend of his who’s working at the radio.

So I could have been prepared…

I was walking to another cottage while I got the call, and I somehow managed to find a place which was sheltered from the wind. When it was broadcasted the same afternoon I recorded it on tape and “digitalized” it afterwards, so that you can download it, if you like.

Just click here to listen to (or download) the interview. (1 MB, mp3)

It feels kind of strange to listen to it now, but it was a very good opportunity to promote our project and say thank you to the local people! I think now that the show has been broadcasted I’ve got about 14 minutes of fame left… =)

Well, that’s it for now, but stay tuned…

Karsten Kneese

This was originally suppossed to be a Travelogue-entry about Trinity College, one of the oldest universities in Europe, which is located in the centre of Dublin.
However, before we even had time to take a walk around the university area we ran into a very interesting man in the college cafeteria. He approached our group, consisting of me, Karsten, Maira and Giulia, because he heard that we weren’t native English speakers, he did introduce himself to us in Irish but before I could get back to the hostel to write this travelogue entry I had forgotten his name. If you happen to be reading this, Sir, I’m terribly sorry for not being able to remember your name.

He told us that he was a retired teacher and had taught French, religion, history, science and also Irish. He actually asked Karsten about his name in German and replied to Giulia in Italian, truly a remarkable man. His main subject, and also the one closest to his heart, was Irish. The use of Irish on Ireland is actully declining since many feel that they have no real use for it and would rather speak English. He was quite glad to hear that we all thought that it was important to learn the language of your country in order to preserve the cultural heritage. But what really impressed me was that he managed to show the likeness between the language spoken in Pakistan, where Maira is from, and Irish, just by comparing the words for 1-10. They actually sounded very much alike, and according to the old teacher it was because both languages have their roots in the Indo-Europen branch of language. So instead of walking around looking at students and architecture we enjoyed a brief lecture about language, but most importantly about how much we have in common even though we live in different parts of the world.

Anders

I’m finally in Dublin…again! After a smooth trainride we arrived at about 5 p.m. at Heuston Station. We went straight to our hostel, dropped our luggage and went off to explore the citylife.

I really like Dublin, for it is not only a very lifely city with great pubs and places to party, but also a very old and historical place. Since it’s rise from an unimportant village at a roadcrossing until it became the city that it is today it has seen many powers come and go. They all had a more or less strong influence on the city, and I really enjoy e.g. to think about what the place where I sit right now and enjoy the highspeed internet connection might have looked like a few hundred years ago when it was inhabited by vikings. I reckon a bit different. =)

There are traces of ancient times everywhere, and one who keeps his (or her) eyes open will be rewarded with an opportunity to travel back in time, while having the luxurious amenities of our modern life.

Well, let’s see what Dublin has in stock this time. I’ll keep you updated…

Karsten

It is dawn and I sit down at the beach hearing how the waves collide with the rocks. I can see some mountains that remember me my village. I love his landscape!! The sky is a mix of yellow, blue and red. Today is my fourth day in Ireland. I have a flash-back about all the things I have learned here and all the people I met. It is a strange feeling. The first day when we arrived in Dublin was really strange, in that moment began our intercultural exchange and we are frightened. In Spain when you are going to meet someone, somebody introduce you to the other person but in that first moment in the hostel when we stay with people we are waiting for that. And before a while we have to introduce ourselves. Pictures are completely different than “the real” people look like and it was difficult to guess people’s names. Now four days later I finally know the name of everybody. We have a completely wrong idea about “moodle-people”. But it have changed until the first day and I think that everything is changing to feel more comfortable in a mix of countries.

Ana

What would you expect the weather to be in February on an Irish island off the westcoast?

Well, as you see, it is sunny and even almost warm sometimes. We are so lucky! Last year it’s been raining all the time, and maybe this time the weather-god is trying to compensate for that. =)

Anyways, we are all doing well and having a great time. But I’m afraid we haven’t really got around to do some blogging…we are just too busy. We’re working on it, but in the meantime you just might want to read our travelogue, which is beeing updated daily.

Slainté…

Karsten

Dublin, Kinley House Hostel 10:30. The first participants of the ISIS 2006 project are due to arrive in about two hours from now. Too little time to go out into town and come back for their arrival – or is it just that I am too nervous to do anything real now? Yes, I guess.
It is absurd, I am probably the most nervous person in the whole hostel this morning and yet I am the only one who is sitting still. Everyone around me is rushing around; hectically dishwashing after breakfast, running up and down the wooden staircase because their taxi has already arrived and their suitcase is still in their dormitory.
I think myself very clever because I brought with me my laptop computer so it looks as if I was working. However, if anybody took the time to really observe me for three minutes, they would notice that I am only pretending to concentrate – like a child who is playing to be a busy shop keeper or a serious bank clerk.
Katja offered to join me in the wait for the groups but I preferred to be alone. When I feel uncomfortable or nervous or worried, I usually prefer to be alone, because I am worried my nervousness could get on other people’s nerves.
I really have no excuse for being nervous. I have been through this moment so many times, year after year – there is no reasonable excuse at all, I tell myself. The Swedish group will land on time at 11:30 and the Spanish group at 12:50. They will be well; everything will have gone according to plan. They will be politely smiling, like I will, both parties hiding their insecurities, worries, doubts about what will happen. We will be wearing a mask of politeness - it will be a whole day before we will all behave like human beings.
Text message from the Swedish group. David writes:
“Swedish group has landed. Getting into taxi now. Will be in the hostel in 40 minutes.” David cannot know how much he has relieved me with his short message. Or maybe he does. From our direct contact through the internet he might have found out that I can be a bit of a worrier
They will be here in 30 minutes. And an hour later the Spanish group will arrive.
Here they come! I must not forget to smile! They will be as nervous as I am.

Laurent

At last I am in Germany, lying in the bed at the youth hostel. I feel really tired after 26 hours spent in a bus. All I want is just to put my head on a pillow and not to think about anything, but I can’t. Various thoughts come to my mind. Tomorrow will be the decisive day – meeting with the German group. I am a little bit nervous about it. It seems to me that a lot of butterflies are flying in my stomach. I don’t know what I should expect from the others and myself as well… I go through different scenarios in my mind anticipating tomorrow’s meeting. But I’m not the only person who is confused, I’m sure. This thought puts my mind to rest J. Well. It is time now to close my eyes – the moment of truth will come soon.

Lina