Typical pub crawling night

Right now I'm in Galway staying on Mekala's couch (her apt. is on the 3rd floor that'll be important later). I've been bouncing around a bit lately so I'm never here for more than a few nights at a time but the times I am here we usually go out to a pub (or two...) with a group of her friends from college.  Thought I'd share what seems to be a typical night with these goons: 

So we met up with a bunch of her friends at a pub called the Front Door. Awesome pub-lot of trad music with a pretty mixed crowd and not too pricey. I started to learn how to dance to some of the songs (can't remember what kind of dancing I only really remember "1,2,3" that was the steps and such). Anyway next thing I know I lost the group (happens almost every night it seems). So I went to the next pub/club with these girls. Little hazy but I do remember Smithwicks, dancing, and sitting outside for a bit. Next thing I know I'm standing outside the apt. and nobody is picking up to buzz me in. Not sure what time it was must've been pretty late. Luckily, Mekala's apt. has a balcony, connected to the ground. And the door isn't locked from the outside. I remember bits and pieces of climbing up onto the first one and then on to hers (I'll take a picture of the thing tomorrow you'll see what I mean). next thing I know It's 7am. Also (not sure when, where, or how this happened but anyway) I woke up with busted knuckles, scratches all over and a pretty good cut on my elbow. I think most of it was from climbing but not totally sure. Anyway that was wednesday night. Last night was Arthur's day. (Arthur Guinness' day-doesn't take much explaining considering I'm in Ireland). Started out at the Kings Head pub, lost the group in a record breaking 30 minutes and proceeded to be forced to chug every pint I had that night. Seriously ever single one. I must've had a sign on my back with "CHUG CHUG CHUG". At first I was still feeling sick from the previous adventure-as well as being really full from dinner and the first couple pints. Sooooo in my awesome logic I ordered a shot and a Guinness. Even the smell of Jack was making me sick but, of course, down it went. Immediately headed to the bathroom to either let it settle or send it back. Of course, the bathroom was packed-even had a few girls in it because the ladies room was even more full. So anyway I pick a corner sink, put my pint down and settle in to wait for a bit. not 2 minutes later some drunk Irish guy notices and decides that calling for me to chug the full Guinness next to me will for sure make me feel better. Didn't take long for the entire bathroom to very vocally agree with this guy. Well, what else was I gonna do? That was the first one. (I even had some guy who was apparently present stop me later on my way out of the pub and tell me that I'm "dangerous". Dono). Anyway as I'm standing outside realizing that I'm flying solo a buddy of mine (actually had no idea who he was but he sure knew me) walks by and tells me to go to Fibbur McGees (not actually spelled that way or even close but it's the best I've got). So I end up there with him (pretty sure his name is Brian) annnnnndd typical every time I go to take a sip what seems like the entire pub decides that I should finish it. Luckily, the bar was out of Guinness and Smithwicks (pronounced Smithicks-found that out) so I was drinking Bud (yeah I know. Terrible. But hey). There was another pub upstairs where they were playing pong, and that's the last I remember before 7am. Luckily, I still have everything I left with. 

So the point of sharing these stories isn't be be like "oh hey look what an alcoholic I am" what I'm trying to get across is that this is just how things are here (at least when you're college age) but even older people spend a lot of time in pubs. They're very central to the culture here. The people you meet and the adventures you have are unlike any other. That said, I probably won't drink for a while I could use some time off. Aright that's all I've got-actually thats a lie I have some pics that'll go up in a minute. Enjoy!