Trip to Tipperary, Galway, Bray and Dinners in Homes

 by Caridad B. Fiar-od

After mass, everybody trooped to the different cars and proceeded to Tipperary mining field. This place is far away from the city and the miners’cottage located away from their neighbors so it was a conducive place for barbecue, karaoke, gong playing and Irish square dancing.

Upon arrival, two tents were pitched on the ground to house others who cannot be accommodated in the four rooms of the cottage. Heaters were installed in the tents. Adding to the amusement of the field trip was the chilly weather that made it suitable for the playing of gongs up to 2 o’clock in the morning. Others preferred to play cards, and others enjoyed viewing some films on Igorot living while others sang their favorites with the karaoke. 

Aside from the scenic view of the place, there were cattle all around. The miners raised their own chicken and ducks too. The seven miners welcomed the delegates with pinikpikan, papaitan, adobo, drinks of your own choice, hard or soft.

The break camp in Tipperary was on May 21. As others flew home, some went to view the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare and joined a few for a dinner at Brenia and Mark Calawen’s home and at the same time a post-conference meeting among them. The send-off dinner was at Dave’s home. Prior to parting, dinners were hosted in other homes like Tim and Carmen, Judith and Martin, and others.