I live in Maryland, which is a step up as far as I'm concerned from New York City, where I grew up. (concrete and gas stations vs concrete and subway stations...)
Anyway, stone and sea appeal to me the most-- always wanted to see Skara Brae and Callanish and the brochs of the Highlands and Islands. I may be romanticizing, and it may all be seasickness on those ferries, but I know I'd enjoy the tramping around visiting ruins when I get to dry land.
And then to Ireland and green hills.
And music of course. Seeing groups that haven't come here-- and sharing some tunes with folks who wouldn't mind a trying not to be intimidated Yank with a guitar.
So what's yours?
Best of luck on getting there--wherever it is.
Gena
St John’s, Newfoundland, where I got to play in a session with a group of extremely friendly people, including one who lent me a fiddle. Everybody seemed to have multiple instruments, including a couple of box players who each had a set of single row melodeons that they juggled as we changed keys from one tune to the next. We seemed to have loads of tunes in common, even though we might have different names for them, and what kind of animal they were. But it was beautiful old-style music with real rhythm.
And the same trip, sitting on a cliff top for hours getting sunburned, just watching a perfect, huge iceberg really close offshore. And Gros Morne National Park. All in all, well worth an overnight ferry from Nova Scotia and then a round-trip drive of 1800km. I’ll be back
(P.S. Listening to Sarah McLachlan right now, but there’s probably another thread – that’s been done before – in that. And yes, I do like the sound of my own voice.)
Gena - when you get to do your trip to the Scottish Highlands (and don't forget the Hebridean islands - Barra, n + s Uist and Benbecula - absolutely wonderful!) and of course Ireland, you will be so close to Wales you simply shouldn't miss it! It is very beautiful - lots of stone and sea and green green valleys and wonderful beaches and wild mountains (a few wild mountain sheep farmers too!!) and whilst you won't find as many sessions as in Ireland, the music is here and it is Welsh trad - just great - but sadly not so well known as the Irish - or Scottish come to that....
Sarah
No, Gena, you're not romanticising. I've just been to Skye and Lewis after submitting this discussion thread: http://thesession.org/discussions/display.php/3107
You can have a look, there might be some useful information.
I went to Orkney around three years ago, and of course it's a quite magical place though it was very windy. There're many interesting sites other than Skara Brae, which you can't miss all.
I saw Callanish and a broch just a few weeks ago. Superb. The local transport is quite efficient, they were easily accessible from Stornoway. If you want to enjoy the great scenery, stay in Tarbert in Harris. I walked around the area one day, well..., it was beyond words. There was no music there though. But you can check what's on in Hebrides in this page: http://www.culturehebrides.com/events/
My oases in Scotland are Isle of Arran and Sandy Bells in Edinburgh. Arran is a small island, but we can enjoy the dramatic scenery of highland there. And it's just 2-3 hours from Glasgow. Sandy Bells is a quite famous pub for quality traditional music, which is not so far away from the Royal Museum. Nice mixture of people and very cozy place as well. When I was there last September, I saw Cathal McConell playing and singing and enjoyed the chat with him.
My oases in Ireland is Enniskillen in Fermanagh, Inish Mor of Aran islands, Galway city, and Boghill centre in West Clare. Enniskillen is a less known but lovely place in lake district. Aran Islands are nice, but I much prefer Inish Man to touristy Inish Mor. It's a tiny tiny island but lots of things to see: I enjoyed exploring the uninhabited side of the island around 5 years ago.
For the lively music, I always stay in Galway. Although I used to go to listen to the evening session in Taaffes, great musicians now come to flock in Tigh Choili. Two pubs are very close, so it's easy to see in which pub we should drink. Weekend evening sessions in Quay's are always great and shouldn't be missed. Of course, I never forget to check the gig schedule at Roisin Dubh. Besides music, Kenny's bookshop is a nice place to spend some time in. It's a huge second hand bookshop and has a lovely art gallery as well.
I regularly join the workshops in in the Boghill Centre, where the music workshops are held in summer and winter: http://homepage.eircom.net/~boghill/
Nice location, morning lessons from local musicians, practice with others in the afternoon, and great sessions in Lisdoonvarna or Enistimon. Well, I sometimes feel it's too much, but a great place for music.
Thanks Sarah and Slainte!
SO NICE of you to send me more info and suggestions. They're now with my maps and books, ready for "some day."
Until then--
Gena
I second Slainte's choice of Galway. Having spent 4 months there a few years back, I miss it dearly. In fact, at least once a week for the past month or so, I've been having dreams about Galway. I think in the most recent one, I dreamt that I was wandering in from a great distance and there was Galway, sitting there almost as ideal as the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz. Feel free to psychoanalze that one. Anyway, I would love to see other places as well, but Galway never seems to be far from my consciousness.
come to Skye, it's beautiful, wild , friendly and wet! You'll have a welcome, and anyone with music in them is welcomed,it's one of the best passports. Good luck on your travels,
Your ideal vacation oasis
Your ideal vacation oasis
I live in Maryland, which is a step up as far as I'm concerned from New York City, where I grew up. (concrete and gas stations vs concrete and subway stations...)
Anyway, stone and sea appeal to me the most-- always wanted to see Skara Brae and Callanish and the brochs of the Highlands and Islands. I may be romanticizing, and it may all be seasickness on those ferries, but I know I'd enjoy the tramping around visiting ruins when I get to dry land.
And then to Ireland and green hills.
And music of course. Seeing groups that haven't come here-- and sharing some tunes with folks who wouldn't mind a trying not to be intimidated Yank with a guitar.
So what's yours?
Best of luck on getting there--wherever it is.
Gena
# Posted on April 18th 2004 by gena
Re: Your ideal vacation oasis
St John’s, Newfoundland, where I got to play in a session with a group of extremely friendly people, including one who lent me a fiddle. Everybody seemed to have multiple instruments, including a couple of box players who each had a set of single row melodeons that they juggled as we changed keys from one tune to the next. We seemed to have loads of tunes in common, even though we might have different names for them, and what kind of animal they were. But it was beautiful old-style music with real rhythm.
And the same trip, sitting on a cliff top for hours getting sunburned, just watching a perfect, huge iceberg really close offshore. And Gros Morne National Park. All in all, well worth an overnight ferry from Nova Scotia and then a round-trip drive of 1800km. I’ll be back
(P.S. Listening to Sarah McLachlan right now, but there’s probably another thread – that’s been done before – in that. And yes, I do like the sound of my own voice.)
# Posted on April 18th 2004 by Orson Carte
Re: Your ideal vacation oasis
Gena - when you get to do your trip to the Scottish Highlands (and don't forget the Hebridean islands - Barra, n + s Uist and Benbecula - absolutely wonderful!) and of course Ireland, you will be so close to Wales you simply shouldn't miss it! It is very beautiful - lots of stone and sea and green green valleys and wonderful beaches and wild mountains (a few wild mountain sheep farmers too!!) and whilst you won't find as many sessions as in Ireland, the music is here and it is Welsh trad - just great - but sadly not so well known as the Irish - or Scottish come to that....
Sarah
# Posted on April 18th 2004 by cariad
Re: Your ideal vacation oasis
No, Gena, you're not romanticising. I've just been to Skye and Lewis after submitting this discussion thread: http://thesession.org/discussions/display.php/3107
You can have a look, there might be some useful information.
I went to Orkney around three years ago, and of course it's a quite magical place though it was very windy. There're many interesting sites other than Skara Brae, which you can't miss all.
I saw Callanish and a broch just a few weeks ago. Superb. The local transport is quite efficient, they were easily accessible from Stornoway. If you want to enjoy the great scenery, stay in Tarbert in Harris. I walked around the area one day, well..., it was beyond words. There was no music there though. But you can check what's on in Hebrides in this page: http://www.culturehebrides.com/events/
My oases in Scotland are Isle of Arran and Sandy Bells in Edinburgh. Arran is a small island, but we can enjoy the dramatic scenery of highland there. And it's just 2-3 hours from Glasgow. Sandy Bells is a quite famous pub for quality traditional music, which is not so far away from the Royal Museum. Nice mixture of people and very cozy place as well. When I was there last September, I saw Cathal McConell playing and singing and enjoyed the chat with him.
My oases in Ireland is Enniskillen in Fermanagh, Inish Mor of Aran islands, Galway city, and Boghill centre in West Clare. Enniskillen is a less known but lovely place in lake district. Aran Islands are nice, but I much prefer Inish Man to touristy Inish Mor. It's a tiny tiny island but lots of things to see: I enjoyed exploring the uninhabited side of the island around 5 years ago.
For the lively music, I always stay in Galway. Although I used to go to listen to the evening session in Taaffes, great musicians now come to flock in Tigh Choili. Two pubs are very close, so it's easy to see in which pub we should drink. Weekend evening sessions in Quay's are always great and shouldn't be missed. Of course, I never forget to check the gig schedule at Roisin Dubh. Besides music, Kenny's bookshop is a nice place to spend some time in. It's a huge second hand bookshop and has a lovely art gallery as well.
I regularly join the workshops in in the Boghill Centre, where the music workshops are held in summer and winter: http://homepage.eircom.net/~boghill/
Nice location, morning lessons from local musicians, practice with others in the afternoon, and great sessions in Lisdoonvarna or Enistimon. Well, I sometimes feel it's too much, but a great place for music.
H.
# Posted on April 18th 2004 by slainte
Re: Your ideal vacation oasis
Sorry, my oases in Ireland *are* Enniskillen, *Inish Maan,* not Inish Mor...
# Posted on April 18th 2004 by slainte
Re: Your ideal vacation oasis
Theres no place like home.
I like a trip out now and then, but home is my favourite place. That's why I live there.
If I liked anywhere better than home - I'd go to that place instead.
# Posted on April 18th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: Your ideal vacation oasis
Thanks Sarah and Slainte!
SO NICE of you to send me more info and suggestions. They're now with my maps and books, ready for "some day."
Until then--
Gena
# Posted on April 18th 2004 by gena
Re: Your ideal vacation oasis
I second Slainte's choice of Galway. Having spent 4 months there a few years back, I miss it dearly. In fact, at least once a week for the past month or so, I've been having dreams about Galway. I think in the most recent one, I dreamt that I was wandering in from a great distance and there was Galway, sitting there almost as ideal as the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz. Feel free to psychoanalze that one. Anyway, I would love to see other places as well, but Galway never seems to be far from my consciousness.
Jason
# Posted on April 19th 2004 by Jason G
Re: Your ideal vacation oasis
come to Skye, it's beautiful, wild , friendly and wet! You'll have a welcome, and anyone with music in them is welcomed,it's one of the best passports. Good luck on your travels,
# Posted on April 21st 2004 by gummidge