After spending the night without sleep, we decided the best course of action would be to simply sleep in the afternoon, and party hard come night.

As brits in general are a most political people in their nature (I mean their accents alone hold the promise of loads of jovial government-slanderous banter), we decided to do our part to fit in and head to the best spot in town to have a lively discussion - the Town Hall. 

Incredible as it may seem, the former bastion of the city has been transformed into something that I thought I’d only see in the post-apocalyptic future.  When you get inside, you are surrounded by the incredible age (although restored) of the place constrasting with the high-tech modern plasma TVs and neon lights that decorated the walls.  A really cool place that would probably be a hit back in Montreal!  I’m thinking franchise..

Anyways, our fabulous hostess Rina (pictured here with one of her favorite drinks we brought over), proposed we start the night off with a local pizza eating extravaganza.

Once we arrived at the aforementioned City Hall, the debate was swift and exciting.  I postulated that the best use of cars was for driving on the right side of the road, whereas the others passionately argued that I was an idiot.  Having soundly destroyed their logic (at least in my mind), I rejoiced.

I’m not quite sure how Dave and I managed to stay up as long as we did, but by the end of the night we were quite delerious with sleep deprivation and decided to help out a couple of fellows that looked like they were having a hard time moving some equipment.  I did what I could, but they acted as if I wasn’t even there.  A simple freaking "no thanks" would have been acceptable, thank you.

I’m going on vacation.  Care to hasard a guess where?

Aye, that’s right laddie.  For two whole weeks I’ll be touring the grand green isle via bus, foot and occasionally by crawling.  The occasion? The one and only true holiday worth celebrating all year, of course - a certain St. Paddy’s day.  We’ll be spending three days touring the west country out from Dublin, then back to party central for three days of merrymaking and revelry during the fest, and then another three days to the north onto Belfast.  It’s a veritable blitz of the countryside, with only a lone bus and guide to point out the sights, castles and many, many local pubs as we zoom by.

Right now Dave and I have arrived in London to work off the jet lag and take in a bit of that charming Brit spirit while we stay for a spot of tea at a friend’s house in Staines.  The flight was overnight and without sleep, mainly because I failed to realize that when I arrived in the new country, I would get to live an entire day all over again without having slept through the night.  Why look outside, it’s 7 am and the sun is shining! (Shining, that is, from the airplane.  We all know of course that once you get to London the omnipresent clouds get to laugh at all the tourists who were hoping for a speck of blue up there). 

So, I’m operating on almost no sleep, and I’m feeling a little drunk already because of it, and I haven’t even touched the drink.  Well let me specify - I have had some tea here.  Actually more than one.  More like a total of 4 or 5 already, and I haven’t been here for a day yet.  All I needs me is some crumpets and a bowler hat and I’ll be able to go incognito.

SO - Stay tuned.. the best is yet to come.