Christmas in Erin

Christmas Eve Eve

So far, another wonderful Christmas here!

It really started yesterday (well, really long before with the present buying and planning, but we'll skip ahead), the 23rd of December. The morning was full of feverish cleaning - an Irish tradition. With a spotless house, we set off for the city centre. This has been a tradition for us for a few years. We spend an afternoon really soaking up the holiday atmosphere. Mostly, we walk around downtown. In Seattle, we enjoyed gingerbread displays and teddy bear suites. Waterford does not have either (to my knowledge), but we found enough to get us in the spirit.

We first headed to a large hotel with restaurant for Sunday carvery. This is a great tradition for any weekend in Ireland, and we thought it a perfect new Christmas tradition. It is basically cafeteria style, starting with carved meats of various kinds then a variety of root veg including potatoes atleast 2 or 3 ways. Get your plate filled, then for the next Irish tradition, you tuck in (eat heartily).

Next was over to Christ Church, the Anglican cathedral here in town - a must see for all visitors. Amazing history too, Strongbow and Aoife were married at this spot. If that doesn't mean much to you, read up on the history of England and Ireland, basically it all started with that wedding. Anyway, we thought we were going to a nice little Christmas concert. Turned out that we were going to the civic service of Waterford, with Martin Cullin, Teachta Dála (TD) for Waterford (basically our representative) and cabinet minister and Mary O'Halloran, Mayor of Waterford, doing readings! It also happened to be the Nine Lessons and Carols, something both Slim and I remember fondly from our childhoods with Waterford's Brass Band and the Cathedral Choir. It was really beautiful and certainly fit the bill of getting us in the Christmas spirit.

Waterford's city centre was festivally decorated with a huge tree in the centre square and tons of lights everywhere. One more stop for a Christmas drink - again a tradition from the last few years with Irish influence for our new home: Hot whiskey this year.

The day finished with one of my favorite movies of all time, Love Actually, more Christmas spirit!

Christmas Eve

Typical Christmas weather for us - grey, wind, mist and some rain. We started the day with fluffy waffles, black and white pudding and a couple slices of the ham, which is delicious! Also Ethiopian coffee from Starbucks in Dublin. Next a lovely Christmas Eve walk, basically around the neighborhood including a bit along the River Suir. Then home to listen to another Christmas favorite - the Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris. Hilarius, but just a warning, NOT G rated.

After which, a lovely ploughman's lunch. I made some of my tasty brown bread, Slim made his smoked salmon and cream cheese spread, added to that were a couple of beautiful hunks of cheese from the Clonmel market, pickled onions, tuc's crackers and satsumas, finished off with cider for me and Guinness for himself.

I'm now writing to you while listening to one of the local radio stations (there are two). The Christmas broadcast features Santy and an elf with local kids calling in. Santa knows all of their pets and family names as well as what they want him to leave under their tree. Very cute. Slim is amazed that Santy has an Irish accent - who knew?

Gotta go snooping now, my presies just emerged from the wrapping station upstairs....

Story will be continued on Slim's Speakeasy.