June 23 : Second Day in Galway

 Today we decided to forego the afternoon tour and just people watch in the pedestrian area of the old city district of Galway.  What we gave up was a sheep dog and shearing demonstration, which we had already seen in New Zealand.

In the late morning we went on a food and drink walk in the restaurant area of Galway. Galway is trying to establish itself as the culinary centre of Irish cuisine.  They are trying to remove the image of hearty and bland meals with fresh locally produced dishes.

Our guide was a French trained chief, who has ties to Galway.  She has designed the tour to provide samples of many types of local foods.

We started off with locally blended and brewed coffee beans.  The shop has several blends and markets them with originally designed packaging.  Next, we went to chocolate and pastry shop. Here we had raspberry croissants and two samples of their chocolates. Along the way between the shops, she told us about the history of Galway and the different buildings.

Next, we went to a café, where we sampled two local whiskies and a very good apple brandy.  She also had a sample plate of local cheeses and meats.  She provided a history of the farmers that had supplied these delicious goodies.

After that we went to the oldest pub in Galway, where we were treated to a bowl of muscles in a white wine sauce and two fresh meatballs in a fresh tomato paste.  Because several people in our group didn’t like muscles, I was able to have two bowls.

Finally, we went to one of the top new restaurants in Galway and were treated a wonderful seafood chowder.

All in all, it was a wonderful way to spend lunch.

On the way back Google maps again sent us on a wild goose chase.  What should have been a leisurely 15 minute walk turn into a 40 minute hike, through some neighbourhoods that were not that best, although I never felt we were not safe.

Tonight what a different story. Again slow service and an arrogant waiter that every request for service was greeted with indifference. When we asked him to separate the bill for the table for each of the couples, he initially refused.  He said that too many times people were being shafted by dishonest people who would not claim their proper meals.  When I asked him, if he was saying we were dishonest, he got very defensive and rude, which only raised my temper. You can call me many things but call me dishonest and war is declared.  After he realized that he crossed a line, he became a sniveling little ass and did work out the bills.  For all the four and five star hotels we've stayed at, I don't think we're received four and five star service in any of the hotel restaurants.