*** Xmas in An Charraig ***

Celebrating Christmas is an issue in the household, that consists of people from different cultures, accustomed to different traditions. Finally we reached the consent, that Christmas Eve will be the celebration day and we shall have a nice dinner together. On the other hand the family, that is native Irish people, decided to have a big, special meal on 25 December.
Celebrating is an issue on an island, where there are almost no trees, let alone nice, green pines. Fortunately, we spotted two orphaned baby heges in plastic pots by the hotel gate. We brought them home and spent an afternoon decorating them with popcorn, cranberries, paper stars and chocolate balls. Tune of the day was "O Christmas Hedge" sung with "O Tannenbaum" melody. They were to provide beautiful shelted for all the unexpected abundance of presents we get posted by families and friends.
We decided to coordinate unwrapping them with the kids opening theirs, that is first day of Christmas. But to respect the tradition of Christmas Eve presents, Anja was allowed to open package from her grandparents on 24 December evening.

Christmas Eve was a beautiful, sunny day. It is so amazing, to cut spinach on 24 December in the garden, not even feeling much cold. A very new Christmas experience for most of us, both because of the weather and the food. We estabilished, that courses will be to our completely free invention, not associated with any particular tradition. And everybody did their best to make the evening meal special.
So there were seven of us around the table: Anja, Sarah, Cassandra and Thomas, Justyna and Robin, and Esther, who came along. Sarahs carrot-ginger soup warmed us up for the evening. Then there was sushi, the most unusual christmas delicacy to imagine. But lady in the asian food shop in Galway, who sold us wasabi day before, was very happy to have day off on Christmas as well. That is the contemprary global bricolage! Third course was genuinely dutch, Cassandra and Thomas performed potato "rosti" frying. And so we sat and dine and rejoice untill nine, when the family came by.
The ritual was modest but very nice. By the dim candle light we sung Silent Night, everybody in one's own language, drowning in the darkness and dissonance symphony. Then Tess told us a celtic tale about the birth of god Lugh, and after Esther narrated story of Jesus birth. As for the irish folklore, we get to know traditional Christmas fruit cake by the way. A round loaf of apparently nothing byt berries and raisins, coated with snow white icing, decorated with a toy robin on top - delicious.

First day of Christmas was relaxed and reflective. We sat around Christmas hedges, gradually reducing the heap of presents, delighting all the things that recalled us our relatives and friends and their warm feelings toward us. The time passed leisurely, just as it should, as we took time ejnoying pale winter light, murmur of the stove and our company.

Marry Christmas everyone! May we all share that peace that was there and carry some of it all throughout the following year within.

Tuesday, 18 Dec 2007
A little workshop in the evening with Dara, during which we inquired about self-sufficiency and John Seymour. The talk of course steered away to different topics too, and was very casual as there were only few of us.

12 Dec 2007
Thank you for the package Sandrine! It will contribute greatly to house Christmas decorations :-) we like the stars most of all! Although the timig was not great, it reached us few days too late :-/

Sunday, 8 Dec 2007
Marion's leaving party - surprisingly small celebration as for a person who left such a trace on the project! Mainly due to the uncertain weather, which finally forced her to go earlier (in case of the storm that might possibly prevent her from catching her flight, and then she would be stuck in Ireland for e v e n longer...).
But it was nice, singing and guitar playing went on long in the night (although the ferry was in the early morning). On one hand we were already discussing the change for about twoo weeks, on the other hand we still didn't really get that you are not here. A additional plate and fork appears on the table occasionally :-)))

Wednesday, 5 Dec 2007
An unexpected resurrection! Instead of allowing death to seize him after battle, our valiant milti-coloured rooster merely retreated from public and political life at An Charraig Chickenyard and has taken up residence as a hermit. His new dwelling is so remote, that it took Marion over a week to discover that he is indeed yet on our side of the grave. Moving things behind the Duck's shed, Marion found herself eye-to-eye with none other than our vanquished hero, previously assumed dead. His one funcional eye glared balefully at her, and he gave her to know that he now prefers an isolated existence to his previous post at the top of the pecking order. He refuses even to allow us to forward his post to a new address, as correspondence would only disturb his contemplation. He does not seem to object, however, to the sort of disturbance that food may bring. Our rooster is well on the road to recovery, but emotional scars of his trauma will still endure. Another minor upset in his bachelor's life was the rremoval of two enormus and greedy ticks.
by Sarah Mellstrom

Monday, 3 Dec 2007 Despite the roaring waves and sweeping wind and rumbling thunders and blazing lightnings, Cassandra managed to join us! She is new EVS volunteer to take over the house duties.

A story of suspended arrival:
My travel to An Charraig
On the 1st December I had to go to An Charraig. I was quite nervous, espcially about the airplane, taxi and baggage. But all went fine, untill... I came to Galway and heard that it was possible that ferry will not sail at 6 p.m. I was told to ask again later. Fortunately I was able to drop my baggage at the ticket office and I went to do some Galway Centre sightseeing. Of course I was a little bit in the bad mood, but I still had hope. When I came again to the ticket office they still hadn't heard anything about the ferry yet, so again, I had to ask again later. If the ferry would not sail, I had to stay overnight in Galway. Which I had to, because the fourth time I went to the ticket office, they finally had news: bad news. Fortunately I found a hostel, there was only a six beds room left and I took it. But there were three other guys in it too, something which I found out after I took the room. So I slept very badly. Anyway, I was planning to get to An Charraig the next day. So I woke up early to ask if the ferry goes: "No, come ask again later" 10:30 a.m. "No, ask again later" 5:00 p.m. "No, I'm sorry" So there was my other night in the hostel. And my hope sailed away (at least something sailed...). But I was glad to have a single room! Meanwhile, I met Anja in Galway, as she was stuck too. And the next morning, suprisingly! The ferry went! So we went with the bus and the ferry and Dara's car and now, finally, I am in lovely An Charraig.
by Cassandra Neecobs

The ruthless storm brought a wounded baby seal to our beach. We found poor creature lying on the pebbles, half-blind and miserable. By fortunate coincidence we had a qualified professional from seal sanctuary with us. With seal-rescue kit he did his best to save it, but the little thing did not make it for several hours we spent calling for help. Forces of nature remain indifferent to the touching sight of a suffering puppy-like harmless being.

Sunday, 2 Dec 2007
Due to strong germanic cultural element in the house, we introduced traditional Adventskranz + candlelighting celebration to the monthly schedule. Girls created beautiful decoration, on which we will light one candle every Sunday, counting down to Christmas Day. It is a good opportunity to sit together around the table, sing the traditional tune and eat a cake ("marble cake", whis week by Janina). Especially appropriate on weekend like this, when the wild storm keeps people at home and boats at bay.