We had Dr A and GNZ over for make-your-own-sushi last night. I even remembered to take a photo (this is our 3rd sushi night here, first time I've remembered). Dr V is visiting with them and came too. She's been travelling steadily for the last 4 months in Europe and will be finishing things off with a one month road-trip through the UK.
We were talking about our current plans, how we're feeling that we have to cut down on the places we can visit, and eliciting travel and walking advice from them. They gave us some good advice (apparently Croatia is nicer than Santorini, better beaches) and we had fun eating sushi. Sushi is almost unheard of in Cork, there are 2 places you can buy pre-made sushi and it is either very expensive or has been refrigerated, so the rice is yuck.
Dr A went to school with Muggle and is friends with a few of her and my friends. She studied with Beau, but they weren't in the same study group, so he didn't know her very well. So, we both knew people who know Dr A, but neither of us knew her (or GNZ). Coming to Ireland we've gotten to know them and they are cool people. They're not as geeky as us and we would probably never have gotten to know them in NZ, but now that we have, I hope we stay in touch.
We were talking about how once we start travelling we will hardly be back in Cork or Ireland and how we will be leaving the flat sooner than we originally thought (December). We have been thinking we will leave on 1 Nov. Dr A then suggested that we leave at the end of August and that when we are briefly back in Cork, we can crash on their air mattresses. We brushed if off at the time.
We are now thinking that is a good idea. If we can leave at the end of this month, we will save over €1000! Of course it's a good idea! I feel stink though, because when we signed up for our flat we said we'd be there 8 months. We didn't sign a contract or anything, so there is nothing legally to stop us leaving, but I feel bad, like we misled Voltron when we told him how long we would be staying.
I think our current plan is that when we leave Ireland for Spain, we don't return until the end of November, to pick up our stuff, say last farewells and do some last minute Ireland touristing (Giant's causeway)! This also means no GaleCon in Dublin in October.
My head is kinda spinning at the changes, my heart is kinda aching at the thought of leaving and the thought of causing Voltron problems, but I think this is the right choice.
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Weird to hear that sushi isn't big in chought it was pretty a popular food everywhere like curry. Europe travel plans sound very exciting.
Posted by: Debz at August 2, 2008 10:33 AMOh yeah and I have also heard that Croatia is a beautiful place to visit, of course I haven't been there and have only heard this from Croatians and kiwis of Croatian decent so it may be biased. I think you always love a place more if you have family or personal history there.
Posted by: Debz at August 2, 2008 10:36 AMYeah, we were weirded out by the lack of sushi too. The only "Japanese" restaurant is Wagamamas (a chain now in Wellington). Cork (and Ireland as a whole) is still building a food/cooking culture. NZ is light years ahead in a lot of ways.
I don't think we'll make it to Croatia, but we'll see!
Posted by: Giffy at August 3, 2008 12:31 AMyay that you'll be getting to get to more of the places you were hoping to :) plus, i'd imagine that the longer you get to do the holiday bit of your working holiday, the more relaxed you'll be before you get back
Posted by: Zephfi at August 3, 2008 10:56 AMHaving more time to visit places is cool, but I'm not sure about being more relaxed. Esp when we get back after long flight, just in time for oh, so relaxing Christmas. We're going to try and do X-mas shopping in the States. TV and Movies make me wonder if this a good idea...
;)
Also, we've talked to our flatmate and he has been super cool about it. Ahh.
Posted by: giffy at August 3, 2008 11:15 AMOk, you must email me with addresses for letters to go to.
Also, I think leaving the flat earlier makes sense. You must still go to Santorini though because of the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. (Joke ;p)
I've heard Croatia is beautiful (and cheap!) and is also on my list for my next trip, along with Santorini;p
Posted by: Sass at August 3, 2008 07:53 PMJenni: Looks like our flatmate is def staying here (there was a possibility of him moving out when we did too) so if stuff does arrive here it won't be a problem. However, I shall email you. Beau is actually being talked around by Santorini... but we've heard so much good stuff about Croatia now! Maybe we will have to save and do a group Santorini trip in 5 years or something ;)
Sass: *Everything* is apparently cheap compared to Ireland! Or the same. We shall see how money and time go.
Posted by: Giffy at August 5, 2008 06:03 AMGiffy I don't even have your first address written down anywhere! Srsly I am slack! Can you email me where you would like mail to go?
Lovles!
Not just Croations or decendants, I went there when I was 10 and it is beautiful ;)
I think I saw a Wagamama here in Aucks also....
*fingers crossed* for the travel plans and the flat situation, it all sounds very exciting in all senses of the word!
Posted by: Michaela at August 6, 2008 11:57 PM