Il dolce far niente in Doolin, Ireland

I've had a nice relaxing day in Doolin. Il dolce far niente. The sweetness of doing nothing. I did do some, but not much. I did laundry, washing everything but my dress (which I wore). I read my book, Eat, Love, Pray, by Elizabeth Gilbert and am in the Italian chapter of the book where she talks about the sweetness of doing nothing so it was ironic that I read it on my most relaxing and laid back day.

In the evening, I met with Madori and we made dinner next to four Italians. One, Arianna, spoke great English, one spoke some English, Sam was shy with English and Lia was learning from Arianna. They were very nice and used my computer to transfer their photos to their flash drive. I decided I am the technology ambulance. I recharged an French girl's mp3 player last night, Madori's iPod today and now the Italian's photos. It's good to be able to help people out and it allows you to meet more people. I talked with them (and Madori) for a while and they taught me a little Italian then asked it we were going out to the pub, so we joined them for music at McGann's pub.

McGann's, like most other pubs in Doolin, has trad music (traditional Irish music) every night so even though it was Sunday, there was still a full pub. We got a combination of Guinness, Irish Coffees and glasses of Baileys and just talked. Usually English, but often with the Italian translation from Arianna. They taught me quite a few new words then three of them left me with Lia, who is learning English, so they could go smoke (they are Italian, after all). We learned that the more animated we were and the slower we spoke, the easier it was to understand each other. We taught each other new words with drawing with our fingers, acting out and describing with words we did know. Lia taught me polipo, which is octopus and I taught them goofball because Sam, the guy, is silly. We had a lot of fun and were exhausto at the end. It's difficult to learn a new language, especially after a few pints. It really takes it out of you, but it was great.

I made plans with them to go to Inishmore, on the Aran Island, today and they are at breakfast now and will come back at noon to get me so we can drive to the ferry dock. We are staying overnight on the island and then coming back to Doolin and then I will go to Galway maybe with them in their car, but it will be crowded with five of us. Good language experience though. I've been inspired by Madori learning English so quickly and the book I'm reading where she is doing a "tandem language exchange" where she meets an Italian for coffee or lunch a few times a week and teaches each other new words and practices together. That will be me for the next few days. I will teach Lia some more English and she will teach me Italian. Arianna will translate if we need it.

Thirty minutes and then we will leave for the ferry but we are running on Italian time, so maybe 45 minutes. :) Ciao!