IRELAND: A LOVE STORY

I first went to Ireland in July 1989. I was studying English Philology and I arranged a trip with some friends from University to practice the language. We stayed with families and I was definitely the luckiest of all since I became the guests of THE H, who happened to be THE BEST FAMILY IN IRELAND. They treated me as a member of the family since the beginning and I felt delighted. My friends & I made trips around Dublin area where we discovered places full of  magic.

We returned the following Summer, 1990, and we met Ian, Garreth and Ronan, who treated us as if we were princesses (Didn't they, Elvira) and showed us the night life in Dublin. My friend María joined us in the following expedition in Summer 1991. I was already the Hendersons's adopted daughter and I'll always be. Since then I have visited them as a family member as well as they have visited me and we have shared very important moments in our lives. This was the longest gap in my visits, more than 5 years and I really needed to go and see them. I hace been to Dublin at La Almudena long weekend. It has been one of those experiences one can never forget. I just wanted a "kitchen therepy" and I brought back with me LOTS OF TRUE LOVE. the biggest piece of my heart is there, definitely. Thanks so much. I LOVE YOU ALL.

Powerscourt Gardens, The Hendersons 25 wedding anniversary, Malahide Castle, July 1991

Killiney Hill, County Cork, July 1995



Slieve League Cliffs, Adare, March 2002

Half Penny Bridge (Dublin), Jerpoint Abbey, January 2004

St. Stephen Green, Dublin's Zoo, Ciara's, May 2007

ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW OF THE SPANISH CRISIS

This is a video which is publicity of a Spanish company but the ad is very original and it's in English. It can be a good LISTENING ACTIVITY. You can read the subtitles if you need it. It is also a positive view of our country:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUFMxmIoFRc&feature=youtu.be

GUY FAWKES NIGHT

Tomorrow is GUY FAWKES NIGHT. It's a festival celebrated in Britain. It's also called BONFIRE NIGHT, CRACKER NIGHT AND FIREWORKS NIGHT. As you can imagine, there are bonfires and fireworks in many places. This festival commemorates the failure of the GUNPOWDER PLOT. In 1605 a group of Catholics tried to blow up Westminster Palace and kill King James I. Guy Fawkes was of of those men. Nowadays people make cloth "Guys" and burn them in the bonfires. Children also carry "Guys" with them and go out asking for "a penny for the Guy". They also say this rhyme:

"Remember remember the 5th of November
Gunpowder Treason &Plot
I see no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot"