Ireland and Scotland: hostels, tours, food and transport info for fellow backpackers

Ireland

The first couple days I stayed at Times Hostel in City Centre. It's not as clean as I would have liked and the lounge area is okay but not exactly "fun." People tend not to hang out there for the purpose of mingling, just to get out of their rooms. Overall it was safe, staff was friendly, and it seemed to attract good people.

I used Airlink 100 and the public bus line 16 for transport my first couple days in Dublin. Public bus is almost 3€ cheaper.

Eat at O'Neills for traditional Irish food.

Use train to get to Galway or Cork, the ride is gorgeous and not too expensive.

Kinlay at Galway is a great Hostel with a super friendly environment. They also offer day tours to Cliffs of Moher at only 15€.  Cork's Kinlay sucks and overlooks a cemetery. It's cheap as hell but if the toilets don't flush you're stuck in a stinky room for the night.

Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral but skip the Dublin Castle. It was boring.


Scotland

I stayed at Budget Backpackers at Cowgate in Edinburgh.

It was awesome. Clean, modern, full of great graffiti art, has lots of character even though it's obvious they are catering to a college age crowd.  They have a full bar, restaurant and spacious rooms. Stay there. Totally affordable too.

Transportation to get there was via Airlink.  Buy your ticket right next to the stop.

Take the day tour to Lochness, Inverness and Pitlochry. Totally worth it.  It's so gorgeous you'll cry.

Hang out on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Touristy as hell but it's still full of great stuff.  St. Giles is the best part. Eat traditional Scottish food at The Royal Mile on The Royal Mile.  Hang out at Ghillie Dhu's for traditional Scottish dancing on Friday nights (I didn't get to dance but there was a great band playing American music downstairs - American is not my cup of tea when in Edinburgh, but it was nice to get a little piece of home while being so far away).


Note: all of the hostels I stayed at are under 30€ and offer free breakfast and free wifi. 

Visit my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/samiranoorali for pics

An Interview with Nishiki Maredia: Feminism and Philanthropy through the 1950 Collective

I wrote this piece on a remarkable young woman and her socially conscious business, 1950 Collective.  Read and be inspired!

https://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/an-interview-with-nishiki-maredia-feminism-and-philanthropy-through-1950-collective/

Conchord: Three Muslims on a Personal Search

Check out my exclusive article for IsmailiMail on Conchord, the all-Muslim band that is setting a lovely example for young Muslims.

https://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/03/21/conchord-three-muslim-musicians-on-a-personal-search/

Salim-Sulaiman @ Harvard

It was a wonderful experience covering the Salim-Sulaiman event at Harvard.
They are always a delight to be around and to learn from.

Check out my exclusive article for IsmailiMail below.

https://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/salim-sulaiman-at-harvard-reflection-and-celebration-of-a-life-inspired-by-music/

The Cast of A Simple Rebirth

A Simple Rebirth, the show, was directed and co-written by Samira Noorali and features wonderful poets and musicians.  If you want to book a show, just send an email to info@samiranoorali.com.  Check out http://www.samiranoorali.com/bookings.html for more information on the show. 

Blanca Alanis-Rodriguez, Poet

Blanca Rodriguez Alanis is a Mexican poet and activist. Self-taught artesana and photographer. In 2008 she opened the first Spanish bilingual bookstore in Houston. Her first work was published by Boundless 2010, The Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival. Houston's El Pueblo Newspaper has published her Spanish poetry. Her poetry bilingual book, Puro Corazon was released in 2013. She has been a spoken word performer and served as co-organizer for Houston's Word Around Town WAT Poetry Tour. She has participated as a poet and artesana at the Houston's Annual Women with Disability Empowerment Fair, Annual Frida Festival, and International Women's Day. Her poetry is inspired by Mother Earth, and the joys and struggles of life.
Blanca is active in the Houston arts community, supports her fellow artists,  participates in organized human rights events.

Noreen Ali, Musician, Actor

Noreen Ali has been involved with musical and theater productions since 2009 as a singer. She is an aspiring biomedical engineer who enjoys writing, composing and singing R&B music in her free time. Her covers and original compositions are on Facebook!   Listen to Noreen's original song "A Broken Heart's Truth"!  Noreen also enjoys listening to music and gleens her inspiration from Frank Sinatra, Alicia Keys and Beyonce. Noreen has been playing guitar for 2 years.

Nydia Avolevan, Poet















Nydia Avolevan, recent law grad, is originally from California but now calls Houston "home". Nydia is a poet who feels strongly about social justice as well as expression of personal feelings. She has performed in a Los Angeles production of The Vagina Monologues in Los Angeles as well as a Pandora's Box production of A Simple Rebirth at the Margo Jones Theater in Dallas. She draws creative inspiration from song lyrics and loves to sing with  church and university choirs. She also enjoys singing solo... but only in the shower. 

Amyna Dosani, Poet



Amyna Dosani has been writing and performing poems (sometimes more regularly than others) for about two years. She uses her words to explore nature and her surroundings, to speak out about trauma and mental health, and to express her views on social and political issues that affect all of us, as well as to keep her creative juices flowing. Spoken word poetry is her reminder that she has a voice and that she can and will use it, not hide it. She is currently a bilingual 2nd grade reading teacher in Houston who is SUPER proud and excited to have put on a poetry slam with her awesome students. She is also a master of Cards Against Humanity and air hockey and drinks too much coffee.


Zoya Gilani, Poet, Dancer

Zoya Gilani has been dancing as long as she can remember.  She is a member of the Ismaili Dance Ensemble and has training in diverse areas, including jazz, modern and classical Indian styles.   She also enjoys writing poetry and has performed in several productions of "A Simple Rebirth" alongside Samira R. Noorali as a dancer and reciter.  She is multi-talented and multi-faceted and brings a unique  flair to all of the productions she participates in.  Zoya is currently studying radiology at Lone Star College.  

Sofia Lakhani, Poet

Sofia Lakhani loves music, dance, and different mediums of expression.  She found herself and broke out of her shell when she took a Theater 101 class at The University of California, Riverside.  Sofia is deeply committed to social justice, activism, and has a background in social services.  She truly believes in the transformative power of art to promote self expression, healing, and compassion.  

Samira Noorali, Director, Writer, Performer

Samira R. Noorali is an Houston-based writer who became a poet early in life. In 2006, she earned her Bachelor's degree with a double major in English-Creative Writing and Psychology from University of Houston. A well-rounded writer, Samira has been published in poetry Magazines, won awards for appellate advocacy at University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and has worked as a staff writer for ITL News and Ismaili Mail. She is currently the Creative Editor at RecoveryView.com. In 2013, Samira published A Simple Rebirth, an anthology containing 38 illustrated poems.  The book has been featured for sale at a production of The Vagina Monologues in Los Angeles, a Gender Studies conference at University of Houston and several literary events in Texas, California and Florida. She has written a play loosely based on A Simple Rebirth - the first reading of which was conducted by Shunya Theater in July of 2014. Samira also publicly shares her intensely private experiences as a speaker, advocate, and teacher to help others find their voice through music, writing, and self-empowerment. She has facilitated seminars and workshops on writing, healing, and "Hero's Journey" psychology at University of Texas, as well as trauma recovery groups. She has been interviewed on KOOP Austin’s, Writing on the Air and Ideas Lounge, BlogTalkRadio’s The Streets Don’t Love You Back, and by Young Houston Magazine in 2013.

Jarvis Price, Poet

Jarvis has performed spoken word poetry throughout Houston for the past ten years.  He has self-published two books Urban Philosophy and Poems in the Key of Price. Recently Jarvis has been featured in the independent and soon to be released romantic comedy Live, Love, Laugh. He is an aspiring actor dedicated husband and devoted father. When writing, Jarvis prefers the subtlety of a composition note book, a black pen and the relaxing sound of R&B music. For him writing in any fashion has been as therapeutic as it has been informative. His favorite poem is Stay Gold by Robert Frost.

Saif Sattani, Singer/Songwriter

Saif Sattani has enjoyed singing since age 12.  His casual study of music at young age blossomed into a heavy involvement in ensemble music and the exploration of various genres of music including pop, rock, Pakistani and North Indian Classical.  He is a member of the Ismaili Music Ensemble founded by Samira R. Noorali, and has performed at the Houston International Festival and Museum of Fine Arts Houston in addition to several other large venues.   Saif is an early childhood education major at the University of Houston. He is new to the poetry performance world and enjoying his experience!

Those who have participated in the past:

Actor: Asif Sayani

Musician: Adnan Khoja

Six-word memoir

Searching for myself in my characters.

Less than perfect review, great challenge

Check out this 4-star review of "A Simple Rebirth." The author of the review has presented a little challenge that I quite appreciate. 

"This is a little book of brilliantly written poems that are thought provoking and empowering. I felt like I was reading poetry for the first time and wanted to read each piece aloud so I can hear the words bounce back to me. I surely hope the author will consider creating a series out this book, the reader is definitely wanting more. 4 stars for now, waiting on the next one."

Purchase the book (and get a reduced rate on shipping) through Uniqebuy.com or my website www.samiranoorali.com.  And be sure to provide a review... however you feel about it :) 

Turning 30

My husband gave me a great birthday surprise tonight: a Pilobolus dance concert at the Paramount theater. I wept through their entire piece, Automaton, which I interpreted as a futuristic and insightful narrative of human existence (starting 2013 until the end of time).  I was full of joy and sadness and so grateful for both the ying and yang in our dynamic system of life.  

I guess you become more aware of your mortality when you hit an age milestone, and every experience has more metaphysical significance than you ever thought to imagine.

"All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling"

Oscar Wilde was right on the money with that quote.

However, in my opinion, good poetry springs from genuine feeling, too.
The only difference is that good poetry doesn't rely purely on emotion and is properly edited.

Here's a little poem I wrote that sprung from a genuine feeling of pain:

Papercut portal... 
stinging
scarlett
stream
escapes 
my pinky &
leaves a
bloody streak 
on a
perfumed 
love letter.

Instructing a class at UT!

I'm really looking forward to teaching at UT this April.

My class incorporates all of my favorite topics including creativity, psychology, and poetry!

Followed by Paramore

I logged onto Twitter today to find that Paramore , the band, was following me. 

Hm, I thought to myself.  I may not know much about social media but I KNOW that this is a Twitter milestone. Pause. Now what?
  
So I did what comes most naturally to me:

I wrote them a music-inspired Haiku.

"Voices of a fugue
effuse from a brief
parting of the sky."


I sincerely hope that Paramore enjoyed it.

Pakistani Media and Anti-American Sentiment

I've become very interested in international political systems.

Read my latest ITL News article to learn a bit about Pakistani press.


http://itlnewsmedia.com/pakistani-media-anti-american-sentiment-pakistan/

ITL News

Dear All,

A couple of months ago I told you about an online publication for which I am writing.
The name of the publication has changed to ITL News and I encourage all of you to like it on facebook and twitter! ITL News  provides information that is often left out of mainstream media.

ITLNewMedia.com
https://www.facebook.com/itlnewsmedia
https://twitter.com/ITLnews


Samira R. Noorali

An exciting review of "A Simple Rebirth" on Amazon.com

I love getting reviews like this.  I obviously appreciate any positive (and even sometimes negative/ constructive) feedback but reviews like these make me feel like I'm getting a small glimpse into the reader's head.  

"I read this immediately after getting it in the mail and I was so incredibly happy with it. It was full of emotion and pretty visceral. I enjoy, well..more than simply enjoy, I crave writing like this. Writing that takes you to another place, even if it is a scary place. Even if you haven't had the same experiences as the writer, believe me, there will be something deep down inside you that this touches..and it churns and churns and makes you think deeply, and you'll definitely, like me, read it over and over. The illustrations do not overpower the writing. They complement it perfectly and they match the feeling of the paired writing perfectly.

If you haven't already purchased the book, go do it now. It is an essential. This woman is not only an amazing writer, but a super strong woman and should be proud of every bit of what she has accomplished. I expect more masterpieces by this writer, and cannot wait to devour them!"


http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Rebirth-Samira-R-Noorali/product-reviews/1467567647/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1

Haiku and other Micropoetry on Self/Identity

Follow me on twitter twitter.com/samiranoorali to get micropoetry as I write it!

don't be hurt, lost and inferior just because you can't define me

A colorful identity swirls tightly around one sky high maypole... it slowly unfurls only to engirdle another.




make an avatar of me and capture my soul for eternity.

you writhe over jagged rocks of self-pity until they begin to feel like soft, open arms... then you simply sink into them.









Poems on Poverty have been updated! Check out that post here.

http://samiranoorali.blogspot.com/2013/08/micropoetry-about-poverty.html

3 Summery Haikus

Two azaleas sway, nudge and graze in the wind like lovers at woodstock

Sipping persian tea, toes buried in warm white sand, balmy winds abound.

Cold blue-green waves curl, softly break through the pinkish pastel horizon.

Micropoetry about poverty

she scratches a 40 year old scar on her wrinkled face, parks her walker, adjusts her violet wig, and pilfers a barbie pink lipstick.




peasants sink into a gravelly, charcoal street that pulls like quicksand.





in the tuberculosis clinic
undulating rainbows of mismatched princess toe-socks cleanse the contaminated air





sift for gold nuggets and rare, perforated swiss on a littered beach.

My interview on BlogTalkRadio TONIGHT!

Tune in tonight! I'll be talking with Boyd and Lucinda on a great show called "The Streets Don't Love You Back."

Aug 21, 2013 .8:30 PT/ 9:30 MT/ 10:30 CT/ 11:30 est Location: GLOBAL 
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thestreetsdontloveyouback 
Phone: 347-826-7273



UPDATE:

It was an honor to talk to Boyd and Lucinda.  They are beautiful people.  I feel so privileged to have discussed the role of the arts in trauma recovery with them.  

Haikus about Greed

I wrote these Haikus and tweeted them.

Stitched purse bottom is ugly, weak and treacherous... squanders my self-worth. #greed #poem #poetry #haiku #misplacedvalues

capital letters scream with impunity, deafening society...

#haiku #capitalism #poetry #micropoetry

Confused by your heart's vacuity as you subsist on diamonds and live prey. #haiku #poetry #greed

my farm grows twinkies, hot pink second-hand scrunchies and defective sporks. #haiku #poetry #MicroPoetry #stateofamerica

Greed is awful but there is hope... lots of hope... that's why I write.  

From out of the loop to IN THE LOOP

Dear readers,

As of a few weeks ago, I'm a staff writer for a nonpartisan online news publication called ITL News Media.  The articles are informative and essentially, a real learning experience for writers and readers alike.   Putting aside my biases and providing nonpartisan news is humbling to say the least.

I'm very excited about delving into the social justice issues that have been on my mind for years.  These are issues I didn't think I could do anything about... just sit back and watch it all happen.
But now, I'm a part of disseminating valuable information to the public, which is a huge part of living in a free and democratic society.   I think that participating in the civic debate is my civic duty and I'm happy to engage at a level that requires me to really know what I'm talking about!

Check out ITLnews.com and read up!


Samira R. Noorali