Thomil's Random Ramblings

Well, it looks like it is that time of the year again. People are dashing back and forth carrying huge piles of bags, boxes and what not, disturbingly cheery and cheesy music is blaring from every speaker, and there seems to be a sudden proliferation of deciduous trees even in downtown. Yep, 'tis christmas season again. The weather may not look like it here in Cork, but the decorations of Patrick Street, etc., the repertoire of the buskers, and the annoying radio programs all lead to that conclusion. I'll take this opportunity to thank everyone who reads this blog for their perseverance over the last year. Posts have been few and far in between, but that will (hopefully) change. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays with your loved ones. Oh, and one more thing: Screw that diet plan and indulge. If not now, when else? ;-)

Huh? Maritime Cork? Have you been drinking too much? Just look at the map, Cork is nowhere near the sea. Nope, I'm still in full command of my mental and physical abilities. Hey, you two over there in Speyer!! Stop giggling! Seriously though, Cork's maritime side is not always obvious, but it is this city's past as a port that enabled it to become the second city in Ireland, right behind Dublin. And even today, maritime trade is a major factor for the economy of Cork. Looking at a map of Cork, it is pretty obvious that the city is pretty far away from the open ocean. Granted, the lower reaches of the River Lee are navigable, hell, parts of the Port of Cork are built on it, but it is still a long way from the sea. If it wasn't for Cork Harbour. It claims the title of the second largest navigable natural harbour in the world behind Sydney, Australia. How much of that is true, and how much is just the work of the Port of Cork PR department is open to debate.  What i

Wow I've just noticed that I haven't posted here in a long time. I guess all the hubbub about moving over here to Ireland really did keep me busy. Furthermore, its much harder to run a blog in a language that is different from the country you're living in. Quite simply, many people who read my english language blog probably wouldn't give a damn about the tribulations of railroad entrepeneurs in Germany or my short-lived political activism back home, both things I blogged about on my other blog. But things are going to change. I am going to put more of a focus on my english language blog.So, there will be no more escape for those of you who don't speak german. It has now been almost four months since I left Germany to make my home here in Ireland. The move, and the settling in at my new employer have kept me pretty busy. Still, even with all that buzz, you can't help noticing that things here are a bit different over here. I don't drive, so left-handed