On the last weekend, and announced here on the blog, rolled the Festival of World Cultures 2008 in Dun Laoghaire.

Friday I was at home in the afternoon when I received a call from the staff of my office, saying they were there. I invited a few people and went there. The first night was not very full, but it was still pretty cool. There was nothing happening on the streets, just indoors, perhaps because the day with even fewer people.

I watched the show from a Spanish band, Erik Noon And txaranga, making a good Ska. Some covers. I enjoyed the show quite a number of foreigners from various corners dancing happy. Soon after the show went home.

On Saturday, the weather was very bad. Windy and it rained for over an hour in the evening and perhaps that had no presentation rolling in the street. The good part was that we found a gang of Brazilians, some of which combine, others by chance. We saw a part of the show's Tiken Jah Fakoly, then scattered and I at least did not find anything very exciting addition to the Guioza Fairs and chats with staff in Bodega. Below, the only time the sun appeared, but did not last long, there is the picture why. Following two more photos of Dun Loaghaire you to learn more about the place.

On Sunday, I worked and could not attend. The Edu was alone. It was the busiest day in the sun came out and spent almost all day lighting and warming the crowd. Some presentations on the street, rolling indoor shows and on stage. Edu did not find any event that held his attention, but was not far behind.

As a general comment, I would say that the whole event left a little to be desired. Perhaps because of the weather (which is always bad in Dublin), had not so many people not so much happening on the streets as the Edinburgh Festival. But of course, that those who are here can not let go know. Although it was less than I expected, is a great event and had a great time in the days that I was (Friday and Saturday) and Edu as well (Saturday and Sunday). Whether the event is for everybody who is there!

UPDATE OF EDU

As Homer said, I kind of lost me because they have been finding a lot of people in separate groups ... time was the personal trampo, time was people who understand us, from the e-dublin, school staff, various friends .. and ended up losing me forever!

On Sunday I took the guitar, I was the sun, bought some beers at the Off-license (there is a hint, do not buy into these situations pub! A pint costs 5 euros and the off-license with a 6 pack of 500ml beer (Tuborg) costs 7 euros!).

The weather here is 8 and 80, sometimes discouraging ta (as on Saturday) but there are days (Sunday) the sun ta incredible ... I think it is a matter of getting used to.

Another tip: The bus ticket costs 2 euros one way, 2 million back, and it takes 1 hour to reach the center in Dun Laoghaire. If you get the Dart, will pay 3.80 for round-trip ticket and takes about 30 minutes to arrive. Since nothing is late, we left before midnight (the last time the Dart).

Well, the news must have gone to Brazil, but needs strengthening it and discuss it. Especially after the discussion that rolled on top of our post on Sunday.

I think it is worth reading about the restrictions. Some time in Europe opened its doors to tourism in Brazil, and now, the United Kingdom, is trying to put a guard on the door of exit to prevent illegal entry into their country. And a little more, again with the need for tourism visa to enter the country.

Right or wrong, I do not know, our government can say what they want, but that English has no reason for that they have. Meanwhile, Ireland, needs our labor force, our money. If we act the same way that we act in the U.S., Spain and the United Kingdom in the future things will not be much different here either.

Is to think! And there is a hint to follow the news, because everybody coming here makes a point of stopping by in London, Edinburgh, Belfast etc! = o)

Out on the last Saturday (16), in IndiaTimes. It's worth reading the comments too, I thought the players were happy.

http://www.estadao.com.br/estadaodehoje/20080816/not_imp224890, 0.php

That's it my friends, after 4 months here made our second trip. And we can say it was a happy coincidence!

We bought the tickets from Ryanair to Glasgow for 2 months. Meanwhile, several people told us that Edinburgh was much nicer than Glasgow. We do! Reserve beds at Castle Rock Hostel, which the Cheras wet dog, but outside it was very good. Clean, organized, cheap (15 pounds).

3 or 4 days before traveling, I was talking to Nial, Irish who lives with us, and he lived 3 years in Edinburgh. Found that just the weekend prior to that we buy the tickets began a major cultural event in the city, the Edinburgh International Festival.

On the streets, like artists everywhere, making presentations, dancing, singing, playing, interacting with pedestrians. All organized by the city. Each artist was allowed to stay some time in a particular place doing his show, and had auditors on the streets organizing this.

In universities, theaters, arenas: events happening all the time, 9, 10 am to 00h. The most famous of them, sold out since Christmas last year, the Military Tattoo.

Walking through the Royal Mile, the main street of the city, several people delivering flyers or pasting banners presentations on the poles. After an hour's walk, we had 10 flyers on hand to choose which event we would attend.

Royal Mile

We chose a play, The Servant of Two Masters. It was the best part of the world, but it was cool. While we waited to watch the play, a guy dressed as a witch, being followed by a group, began to tell the story of Edinburgh. We followed him, and we learned things like the plague, the witch hunt, among other things.

After the play, we decided we would eat something traditionally Scottish. On the recommendation of one of the guys who worked in the theater, we went to Howies. Eat well, deliciously: duck, salmon, soup, wine, sparkling water, pure meat ... 46 euros, 23 for each.

We in the hostel to change clothes. We went back and started to rain. When the rain eased we went looking for a ballad. We found one that seemed to Sarajevo (which is on Rua Augusta in Sao Paulo). Strange people, alternative music upstairs and Blues live at the ground floor, and a very bad Scottish beer being sold. That is, we feel at home! When the rain stopped, more than 2 in the morning, we left and continue walking through the city. I think we get in another 6 or 7 seats. 3 or 4 of them were nice, with beautiful people, foreigners and locals enjoying the festival.

4 in the morning back to the hostel and slept. The next day, tired, just climb a mountain in the city to have a privileged view and play a little. Another little walk on the Royal Mile and started our way back to Glasgow, and then Dublin.

On the top of the Hill

Many things went wrong during the trip. We forgot to print the ticket, reserve a hotel in Glasgow wrong (wrong near the airport), slept at the airport, Edu missed the Scottish hat he bought, among other small things that happened. Even adding all this, can not get an impression of bad times there, it seems that everything was perfect.

I think it is worth Edinburgh congratulate the perfect organization of the event, and also take the opportunity to indicate to whom you're here in August of next year. Certainly, if I'm in Europe next year, I would go back to the event.

I hope that the Festival of World Cultures that happens here in Dublin at the end of the month is as good as that of Edinburgh.

I put some pictures and videos of the trip here. Who wants to see more, go to my profile on Orkut and Edu.