Surfing and Hunger Games and Shenanigans -- Oh My!

Sorry that the title is silly and contrived -- it's the most entertaining thing I could think of at this point...

Kyle surfing! He, Taylor, Amber, Andy, and I went on Monday as well -- all of these pictures were taken on Wednesday by Taylor or Pat.

Surfing is quite fun in Ireland on the right day, and it's definitely not something I expected being able to do.

Catching waves is all about timing and form, both of which come more naturally to some than others... the conditions make each day different, too. On Monday we had a harder time catching waves because the swell wasn't as strong but the wind was ferocious. Here, it was easier.

Elvis, our instructor, getting Rick his wetsuit. Those things are amazing -- you don't feel cold at all until you have to take them off at the end!

Taylor!

How we look from dry land -- it's insanely difficult to tell people apart when you're watching from shore. There are only three or four colors of wetsuit, and trying to keep track of who has what colored suit and board is just too much. Hence, in many of these pictures, it's very hard to tell who's who...

It's much easier to maneuver boards in the water than it is to haul them around on land, since both Monday and Wednesday saw a good clip of wind, and the boards are very light.

On Wednesday, when we had a group of 11 or 12 in the water, it got a little crowded...

Taking a breather. On Wednesday the wind had died down, but the swell was a lot more powerful. I got tucked under by a curler I didn't see coming, and I wasn't the only one. It made it easier to catch waves, though, so I didn't mind much :)

Katie managed to catch several good waves on her first day out!

We had a lot more people catching good waves here :D

 It was a lot of work, though, so I'm glad we have a bit of a a break before we're able to go again.

Yesterday, a group of 10 of us rented a mini-bus and went into Westport to catch a 2:15 showing of 'The Hunger Games' -- and it was totally worth spending a day loitering around in town!!

Kyle and Katie... bonding... We shopped around for a little bit then got to the theater at 1:15, and had to wait outside for probably a half hour or so until the movie started...

Katie sandwich :)

OUR THEATER. It was so exciting to finally see it, and even better to see it here in Ireland!!!

Later, we had more downtime, so Taylor, Brittnie, and I chilled out at an open-air cafe, where Taylor ordered a double shot of espresso (turns out that was all it was) and I got a coffee I actually liked.

Mint chocolate and I :D

The evening rounded off nicely with a group going back into Westport and a group staying in Louisburgh to watch movies and hang out. Tonight we have a local play to watch, and then, bright and early tomorrow morning, we head out on our Long Trip. Southern Ireland, here we come!!!!! I will have much to catch you all up on when we get back in a week, but until then...


-S