Unlike many expats who get so homesick during Christmas period that they fly home to mammy, we decided to spend this Christmas in Ireland, and fully immerse in the Irish ways during both Christmas day and St. Stephen’s day (25th and 26th of December).
And thus it came to pass that on the 26th at 12:30 we were among a large crowd at the Leopardstown Racecourse, trying to make sense of the whole betting frenzy, the bookies’ cries for odds and favourites, the weird names of horses (like Is He Serious, Shoulder To Shoulder, Minestrone Soup, Indian Spring and so on…)
The atmosphere was indeed festive and electric, especially during the last minute of each race - when the horseracing commentator would continuously raise the tone of his voice, building up the tension in the already tensioned crowd. I suppose we could not truly get into the feeling of the race, since we did not place any bets. This was unfortunate, but I’ve seen to many movies with bookies that come after you to break your legs if you don’t pay up! However, horseracing is definitely something to try again!
Wow! What a great way to spend Stephen’s Day! I was there myself in 1999 (long long ago, gosh, the memories…). Great atmosphere. Miranda was around (photographer working for Image magazine, section “Miranda’s Diary”, where she wanders about Ireland attending special events and taking pictures of anyone that attracts her attention). You guessed it… She took a picture of me! I was printed in full colour, one quarter of a page, in the December ‘99 edition… The closest I’ve ever been to fame… Isn’t Ireland special??
Well, enough boasting for now… Best wishes for 2008 Torego! I hope you’ll keep writing this wonderful diary so that I can read you!