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Céilidh (Kay-lay)

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posted by Tom_Holt at March 18, 2009 - 5:22pm, or 11:22pm for the author

Wow, I've got catching up to do. I'll try to keep 'em shorter...

A few weeks ago I had the immense pleasure of going to a céilidh. These are traditional Celtic dances that are performed all over Scotland and Ireland. The international society put it on for us and we had to buy tickets in advance. Unfortunately, the tickets were sold out and Christine, the same girl I flew over with, actually was not able to buy one. However, we used the time-tested pass-back method and she got in easily enough! Actually, the girl that gave up her wristband was called out by one of the organizers. The lady started complaining about people who didn't have wristbands sneaking in during the middle of a dance. I thought it was funny.

The event was held in a large banquet room in a local hotel. Many of the men who had been here for more than a semester actually wore kilts to the thing, reaffirming my belief that I need to get one soon. Martin and I are going this weekend to get them. I know, ladies, you'll get pictures soon enough. You just have more fun in a kilt.

There was a live band that taught the masses each dance. Each song had its own dance and they were all a lot of fun. I'm not a dancer by nature, so I had a little trouble keeping up, but I was by no means the only bad one. Props to Cailene and Martin for their skills—clearly the best in the house. I don't really know how I would describe the dances, but there was a lot of moving around, men and women splitting up and dancing around, through, and under each other, and even more jumping up and down. If you can imagine me doing these things, I hope you'll have a good chuckle. I know I did.

My group stayed at the dance for around 3 hours. By then it was about midnight, but we decided that we were too tired and sweaty to go out to the clubs. I was relieved, because clubbing after the céilidh would've ruined atmosphere of the night!

I'm certainly not doing the céilidh justice, but I'll remember it as one of the highlights of the semester!

McCann: 215 in my laundry clothes. So 213...

Comments

March 18, 2009 - 5:46pm — Luke OSadnick

I'm pretty jealous you got to learn those dances. When i was Ireland, they had a weekly town dance, but the best we could do was stand in the other room and watch, and drink, and then drunkenly dance. But it was very cool.

Can't wait to see your sexy ass in that kilt!

p.s. 213, nice T.

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