Celtic Bart: May 2008

The Nice People of Medellin

For the past week, i have been living in Medellin "the city of eternal spring". The home of the world's most famous drug cartels, is now a safe, modern city beautifully settled in a mountain valley. My buddy igor is here with me for a week and we've decided to go all out and rented a pimp apt. Days consist of lazy tourism, eating and nightlife. The people here are the nicest people i have met ever. For example, the other day, Igor and i were lost looking for a restaurant...so we stopped by a chicken fast food joint and asked for help. All three staff got to work, first finding the restaurant in the yellow pages, then calling them to get precise directions, writing it all down on paper for us and then coming outside to point us in the right direction. Another example happened today on the public bus. A young girl who was sitting next to igor, tapped a man that was standing next to her and offered to hold a bunch of documents he was carrying with him.

Im in the process of trying to organize some spanish lessons...turning out harder than expected.

Sweatin it out in Cartagena

Hola Amigos! So i´ve finally executed on a dream that started over 2 years ago. My first attempt failed a few months ago, but now im in Colombia. I arrived to Cartagena without any luggage, but managed to survive a day before it was delivered to my hotel. It´s figgin hot and humid here...so im taking about 3 showers per day and trying to walk slowly. Cartagena is a beautiful small city, full of colours and history. The people are great so far, everyone is chill and smiling. Im only here for 3 days (thankfully cause i won´t be able to stand the humidity much longer) but enrolled in a language school as it´s a easy way to meet people and to refresh my spanish. Like yesterday, i met a very cool korean girl and we ended up taking marengue lessons after which we practiced our new skills at a bar built on the old fortress walls (which surround the city) overlooking the sea.

Last Day In Ireland

After 2 years and 2 weeks, my final day in Ireland has arrived and another chapter of my life is closed. My time here has been incredible, i've enjoyed every after work pint, every deep philosophical conversation, every couchsurfer, every weekend trip, every party in Studio56. But it's time to move on again for new challenges and new excitement. I will miss Dublin, i've connected more to this city than any other place i've ever lived. So I'm sure i'll be back to visit.

Last night, I took it easy, went to see a film 'In Bruges' which is absolutely fantastic. Then to a good friends house for a goodbye drink. Today I fly out to NYC and a few days later to Cartagena, Colombia. Stay tuned.

Booze Cruise

The journey continues. After an inspirational conversation from my friend Tomasz, me and my two buddies Nick and Soeren booked a short party trip. After missing my flight to Stockholm, i managed to book another one the following morning. I arrived, and met my buddies and my good friend Ida whom i have not seen for three years. It's amazing that after such a long time, you can see someone and pick up exactly where you left off. Thanks Ida and i'll see you again somewhere in this world. The three of us then took a party boat cruise across the baltic to estonia. This was something amazing. A cruise boat, filled with young people, a duty free liquor store onboard and a few discos...we partied the night away with estonians. We have spent the last two days in the beautiful town of Tallinn...continuing what we started on the boat. One more day and we're back on the party boat to Stockholm. What a trip.

Sunset on the Baltic (photo by S. Kunst)

Highest Cliffs in Europe

Just spent the last three sun-filled days on the west coast of ireland with my sister. We started in Galway, then headed north through Conomara National Park where we hiked to the top of Diamond Hill and saw plenty of beautiful beaches. We visited Archile Island and then drove to Donegal where we hiked up Europe's highest cliff. At nights we would eat local seafood at nice restaurants and drink at the local pubs...we even bought an irish music CD for the car to ensure a full irish experience. Overall i think it was a great journey...she has a couple more nights in dublin before flying home and i fly out to sweden!