A Train to Galway

Random notes from my 3.5 hour jaunt.

An American, from San Jose, lives in China and sells construction materials and plywood to the Irish. Ireland has the highest GDP in the world currently.

Eggs, Bacon, and Mayo on wheat.

Hedgegroves. I see why they gave the Army fits in France. The Row houses look like any suburb.

Tullamore, conversations on the train are whispered, but phone calls screamed. Teenage girls text loudest of all.

Athlone. I see a church tower and a Sheraton. They have TV antennas here? Gorgeous Copper dome over-looking the Corrib river. A stone water tower guards an Opel dealership, O'Meara's. (Mom took me the doctor once in an Opel, I had a bad reaction to an insect sting.)

Ballinasloe. "Beal Atha na Sluaighe" Pine tree farms, rooves shone silver at high sun, and legions of honeysuckle bushes. The train station platform was ringed with flower pots, and hanging red carnations.

I notice stone. Stone houses, stone fences, stone quarrys. Reminds me of growing up in North Jersey, random stone fences made to mark estates.

Athenry "Baile A'tha na Ri'" The Rugby Pitch was unlined, the Georgian homes reminded me that only Angels and Elves can die, and fields of grass lined by dark granite, each rock placed by hand.

An Ivied tower sits alone and empty, the Green and Grey competing for the sun.

The Beach is empty. The Breaks were low, shite surf.

Ceannt Station. Armed Guards with Bull-pups line the streets. (Not Dogs, deep-barrel automatic weapons, very like the MP-5)

"Why the armed guards?"

"The Bank Run."

I will find this bank, better be impressive.