Howdy Ya'll

Or to give the Irish equivalent - what about ye? Yes, I'm afraid that your favourite blog has been temporarily taken over by the Irish, or one of them at least. Fear not, it is only a temporary change and normal services will be resumed shortly. I'm Rachel, Geoff's sister, and I have made it all the way to America to visit the Junior Gill's (that would be Geoff and Melissa).

After a 17hour delay my plane finally became airborne, and I was on my way to the good ole US of A. I arrived early Saturday morning, and I was excited. You see, Geoff had told me that a rodeo was in town on Saturday - and we would be going. Before I left home I tried to convey my excitement to my parents, "I might see real cowboys, with hats and everything!" Because wonderful though Ireland is, cowboys are in scarce supply. In fact in all my twenty one years, I have never come across one. The rodeo would be my opportunity to see cowboys and rednecks in the flesh - awesome.

Almost as soon as we got through the gate I grabbed Melissa's arm, and in wide-eyed awe whispered "Melissa - look! Those men are wearing cowboy hats! They're just walking in around in them! They're cowboys!" The next thing I noticed was the number of people wandering around with confederate flags on their shirts - being a fan of the South, I was impressed (and wondering just where I could get myself one). And then came the icing on the cake - the rednecks. I was as excited as a kid with mountain dew, and Melissa was once again accosted as I said (with appropriate dramatic emphasis) "Look over there!" 'Over there' was a young guy sitting on the fence with his buddies. He was drinking a beer, wearing a trucker hat, baggy jeans, and the essential confederate t-shirt, as well as having a couple of 'southern' tattoos on his arm. To me, he was everything I had ever imagined a redneck should be, and I did find myself wishing that rednecks were a souvenir that could be taken home. As it is, I think I might have trouble getting one through customs.

I'm prettty fond of America, and this trip is convincing me that it may be the second greatest country in the world - cause y'all know Ireland is the first :) Hope you enjoy the photos taken by my multi-talented sister-in-law (she told me to say that) - they'll give you an insight into what actually happened at the rodeo!

Love, Rachel