Urgh. I am never drinking again.
This time, I mean it.
I arrived in Caernarfon at about 1pm, after blatantly disregarding “The Quiet Coach” of the train (look, nobody was in there, nobody cared if my phone wasn’t on silent), and a trip in a snazzy Smart Roadster. We ended up on a green field outside Caernarfon overlooking the Menai Straits, and we had plenty of beer, sausages, crisps. Perfect for a barbecue.
One hour, two burgers and three hot dogs later, I was full. After a kickabout (which I haven’t had for weeks, god I was unfit!) we headed to the hostel (Totters Youth Hostel, Caernarfon), which was clean, friendly and warm. The breakfasts were simple and easy and the staff were friendly. It was also quiet, which was very nice, as I slept like a log.
However, I reckon that’s more to do with what happened in the evening. Myself, Ian and about 9-10 others went out on the lash in and around Caernarfon. We first went to Weatherspoons for a bite to eat, where I decided to do something I have rarely done outside of school.
Talk in Welsh.
You see, if you saw me in the street you’d probably think I’m scouse or something, not Welsh. Colwyn Bay – for lack of a better phrase – is an English part of Wales. Caernarfon is one of the most Welsh part of Wales, with over 80% of the city speaking Welsh. Impressively, in my terms, my GCSE in Welsh held up and I managed to order drinks and food in Welsh. I say Welsh, but really it was half Welsh – they never teach you in school that, in Caernarfon anyway, they say certain words in English like numbers – so if I was cheating, all of Caernarfon were.
I think it’s nice that at least in Caernarfon, Welsh is still alive and well. There are only about 750,000 Welsh speakers in the world, although it is increasing. I used to hate Welsh in school, but I don’t want the language to die. Maybe if they change the way it’s taught in Wales (we were taught how to conduct deep philosophical discussions in Welsh, stuff that I’d never need!) then maybe more people will adopt it.
But after a few drinks, constant “I can’t believe how Welsh this is, I’m so proud!” whittering too my new found Welsh buddies, chatting up some laydee in broken Welsh (she said “Berchodd” when I said I was from the Bay, which literally means “Oh you poor thing” – it’s good word to say in a sarcastic way), copious amounts of Brains ale, falling asleep in Weatherspoons and ringing Aussie Ami, I decided to call it a night and head home. Of course, Ian stayed out a while longer and took a few photos, including a number of me asleep. Phwoar, I look dead sexy me! I’ve put my photos on facebook, and you can see and comment on my drunkeness there
It was a fun weekend, and hopefully I’ll do it again sometime. Ian and Ste and whoever else are already planning on coming over to Llandudno for a few drinks and to watch the cricket in early August, but I’m in charge of organising that. Woe!
So, to finish, a little game. Below are some Welsh words on Bangor station. See if you can guess what they mean in English?
Comments: 11 Comments
Rhys Wynne, the author of this blog, is a 20 something web designer from Colwyn Bay. 
When I see Welsh words, I can not for the life of me figure out how to pronounce them!!!
“Urgh. I am never drinking again.
This time, I mean it.”
then
“It was a fun weekend, and hopefully I’ll do it again sometime. Ian and Ste and whoever else are already planning on coming over to Llandudno for a few drinks and to watch the cricket in early August, but I’m in charge of organising that. Woe!”
>
I would ruin the game for everyone if i played.
A woman from Caernarfon said bechod you came from colwyn bay… pot kettle black
I don’t know if you can do it on the internet, but if you’re ever out west in the States, you should check out Navajo Radio. They don’t have equivalent words for some things either, so it’s odd to listen to something being said in Navajo then “124 Mainstreet”.
I’m pleased to see that Welsh is now being offered by “Rosetta” and several other language-teaching companies. Perhaps you should take a course from one of them so you can have…unphilosophical conversations? I am tempted to get one myself!
You always tried to teach me welsh – its pretty impressive to be able to speak another language though! I needed your french skills last week!!
Never drinking again? Pfft! Yeah right. How many times have we all said that?
Yeah top stuff on the multi-lingual capabilities. Speaking another language is awesome – my Portuguese is starting to get real rusty :S
On the topic of beer though – it’s my 21st this weekend. My old man went and bought 22 cases of beer (528 bottles) for my party this weekend. We are also putting on Wine and Bubbly for the chicks.
I think I’ll have the same opinion on drinking by Sunday ahahhahhahah
I think platfform means platform.
Ah, Ive been trying to learn welsh words so I dont look like a total ignorant from the Colony!!!
And, you will drink again. Because I will be there very soon! Thanks for the call, possibly the funniest voicemail in the history of the world… The combination of english and welsh was brilliant!!!
“(we were taught how to conduct deep philosophical discussions in Welsh, stuff that I’d never need!)”
I sincerely hope you are being ironic here. Education is not about what you’re going to need or use. It’s about building brain strength so you can figure things out, like understanding the need to save your culture.