It’s been about 24 hours since I last wrote… Oh how fun it is here! (AND TODAY WAS PAY DAY!!!)
It’s definitely more fun to travel with someone that knows the ropes. Last night we ate some stew that Tommy had made, and then hung out for a little. A little later (around 9) Greta, Tommy and I went out.
The scene here is fantastic! We had such a grand time. We started at a very crowded pub, full of Americans. Had a round there, then moved on. The second pub we went to was totally different. It was humongous, and full of old men, and had a live band. The band was jolly, and the beer was good. Had a few rounds there. That pub closed at midnight, so after that we headed to a third pub, which was another completely different experience.
This pub was a bunch of levels, the top being the roof, the bottom being a dance floor with a DJ. It was so fun. We danced and danced and danced, European men are much more fun to dance with. They have no qualms with busting a move! At 2:00am they turned the lights on to get everyone out… it was like being in high school. We called it a night when the lights came on. Took a taxi back.
This morning we all slept a lot. Didn’t get up until about 11. Went to the store to buy toilette paper, bottled water… and beer. (Welcome to Ireland!) Came back, ate some cereal for lunch (some things are universal), then hopped in the car. Spent a good 5 hours driving and looking at things. Tommy is a fantastic tour guide, he knows quite a bit about Ireland. He’s been here for about 15 months, got his masters and Galway University (is from Wisconsin like all of the Russler Clan). The two main places we stopped were Roundston and Clifton. We grabbed a mid afternoon snack in Clifton. I had a chicken and mozzarella sandwich, it was not on bread shaped like a shamrock though. The towns are very pretty, also very quite. Winter is not a very touristy time of year, so things all around (except pubs at night) are ghostly. I got some delightful pictures, but you will have to wait for them.
Here’s something interesting: all of the trees by the coast are swayed one way. Branches do not grow on the other side, why? Because of the wind! They are pretty cool looking, but I don’t think I got a good picture of them.
It’s like 6:30 here now, so we are going to head to town to get some fish and chips. Then hit up the pubs, obv. And hopefully go dancing! Tonight is my last night in Galway, tomorrow I fly to London. That’s all for now, Cheers!
Friday, November 27, 2009
End of Dublin
So now I am a day behind. I wrote this post while driving to Galway last night, but did not have internet. I was picking up some signal from the bus in front of us, but not enough to post this. So here it is! Will try to catch up sometime tonight.
Sorry, no pictures in this post. More later though!
Happy Thanksgiving back in the States!
After I last wrote, I went out to get dinner. Went to a place called Babylon. Got chicken fingers and French fries (with salt and vinegar). Took it back to the hostel and ate with a lady from New Zealand. She has been in Dublin for the last month trying to get a job. She is a receptionist. Seems pretty strange to me. But, after talking to Tommy (Greta’s cousin) some, I’ve learned that many Irish people bounce back and forth between NZ and Ireland and vice versa. Also last night, I spent a long time talking with Sean. He works at the hostel. Very interesting talking about the differences in cultures. There is a lot of common interest in music.
Greta made it safely to me at about 11:30 last night. Which meant we stayed up until the wee hours catching up and hanging out. We chilled in the lobby for a long time. The guy that had control of the TV remote was watching Jerry Springer… not the best moment for America, actually it’s damn sad. At one point the guy on TV was like “Why to I need to get a job, I collect unemployment.” Living the American Dream. Oh my. Anyways.
Set my alarm for 9 AM because the hostel served free breakfast until 10. Free breakfast consists of bread and jam, and coffee. Pathetic, but I’m definitely not complaining! Free is free (and man today has been an expensive day).
After my lovely breakfast, I got back in bed. Slept until about 10:00, at which point Catherine, Greta’s sister called. They were an hour away from Dublin, so we got our lazy asses up and got ready for the day. (Wore Erica’s red boots from Italy today!)
Greta and I leisurely walked to the city, stopped in a few shops on the way (our hostel was in the ghetto on the south side of the city). Met Tommy and Catherine in the city centre and had lunch. I had a delicious Brie and bacon sandwich at some place that started with an “O’ ”. The bread it was on was in the shape of a clover. I think the thing I’ve learned today is that every Irish stereotype has a very strong foundation. These people…
After that we walked to the Guinness Factory. It was a long trek, but it was by the river so that was legit. I’m already used to the cold, and now know and appreciate the power of pockets. Took a tour of the factory, and spent a few hours there. Once you get to the top (the 7th floor), you get a pint of Guinness, and (more importantly) an incredible view of Dublin. The weather was beautiful while we were there, so we could see a lot. It was beautiful. The city seems a lot bigger when you’re on the ground than when you’re above it all. It’s kinda crazy that being on the 7th level is all it takes to see so much, I feel like you have to go to the like 70th floor of the Westin to see around Atlanta.
After that we walked back to the hostel, they stored our bags for free. Then we walked to the car. Thomas has rented a car for the week…. It’s a VW Rabbit – how fitting!
Now we are on our way to Galway. Traffic getting out of Dublin was ridiculous, but we made it. It’s a little over 3 hours to get to Galway. It’s been raining on and off. They’ve had a lot of flooding in Galway in the past week, and there is still standing water. We’ve been listening to the radio, there is an interesting mix of Irish jigg music and American pop. The last song was Fireflies by Owl City, and now “New York” by those people is on. Feels like home.
Sorry, no pictures in this post. More later though!
Happy Thanksgiving back in the States!
After I last wrote, I went out to get dinner. Went to a place called Babylon. Got chicken fingers and French fries (with salt and vinegar). Took it back to the hostel and ate with a lady from New Zealand. She has been in Dublin for the last month trying to get a job. She is a receptionist. Seems pretty strange to me. But, after talking to Tommy (Greta’s cousin) some, I’ve learned that many Irish people bounce back and forth between NZ and Ireland and vice versa. Also last night, I spent a long time talking with Sean. He works at the hostel. Very interesting talking about the differences in cultures. There is a lot of common interest in music.
Greta made it safely to me at about 11:30 last night. Which meant we stayed up until the wee hours catching up and hanging out. We chilled in the lobby for a long time. The guy that had control of the TV remote was watching Jerry Springer… not the best moment for America, actually it’s damn sad. At one point the guy on TV was like “Why to I need to get a job, I collect unemployment.” Living the American Dream. Oh my. Anyways.
Set my alarm for 9 AM because the hostel served free breakfast until 10. Free breakfast consists of bread and jam, and coffee. Pathetic, but I’m definitely not complaining! Free is free (and man today has been an expensive day).
After my lovely breakfast, I got back in bed. Slept until about 10:00, at which point Catherine, Greta’s sister called. They were an hour away from Dublin, so we got our lazy asses up and got ready for the day. (Wore Erica’s red boots from Italy today!)
Greta and I leisurely walked to the city, stopped in a few shops on the way (our hostel was in the ghetto on the south side of the city). Met Tommy and Catherine in the city centre and had lunch. I had a delicious Brie and bacon sandwich at some place that started with an “O’ ”. The bread it was on was in the shape of a clover. I think the thing I’ve learned today is that every Irish stereotype has a very strong foundation. These people…
After that we walked to the Guinness Factory. It was a long trek, but it was by the river so that was legit. I’m already used to the cold, and now know and appreciate the power of pockets. Took a tour of the factory, and spent a few hours there. Once you get to the top (the 7th floor), you get a pint of Guinness, and (more importantly) an incredible view of Dublin. The weather was beautiful while we were there, so we could see a lot. It was beautiful. The city seems a lot bigger when you’re on the ground than when you’re above it all. It’s kinda crazy that being on the 7th level is all it takes to see so much, I feel like you have to go to the like 70th floor of the Westin to see around Atlanta.
After that we walked back to the hostel, they stored our bags for free. Then we walked to the car. Thomas has rented a car for the week…. It’s a VW Rabbit – how fitting!
Now we are on our way to Galway. Traffic getting out of Dublin was ridiculous, but we made it. It’s a little over 3 hours to get to Galway. It’s been raining on and off. They’ve had a lot of flooding in Galway in the past week, and there is still standing water. We’ve been listening to the radio, there is an interesting mix of Irish jigg music and American pop. The last song was Fireflies by Owl City, and now “New York” by those people is on. Feels like home.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Made it to Ireland! We landed at around 11:30, maybe 12 (Which is 6:30-7AM in Atlanta). Got an extra few hours of sleep. Probably total sleeping time was around 4 or 5 hours.
Made it through customs, got my luggage, got some Euros, got a bagel and locks, cursed myself because I ALWAYS pack so much, then went to the bus stop. (Note: No where in there did I say I picked up a map, or asked for directions…. Might’ve made sense) Waited for about an hour for the 16a bus. It eventually came. By then my hands were frozen – mom, there’s something I forgot to pack, mittens!
Then the bus ride…. Oh my word. It took forever. Everyone on the bus from the airport was confused about where they were and where they were going. On top of that, people here are pretty fearless. They drive crazily and walk crazily! (But since they all do it, it is normal to them I guess) The good thing about Ireland though is that (on some streets) everything on a street is named after that street, so you have the Camden Pharmacy, and the Camden Bookstore, and the Camden Hotel Camden Clothes, etc, which means you’re probably on Camden Street. The bad thing about Ireland is that there are no street signs, so the streets with nothing happening, there is no telling where you are.
Here's proof that I am in fact in Ireland
Anyways. I got off the bus once I started seeing things with “Camden” in the name and found the hostel I had booked. Success. Even got upgraded (from a 16 person co-ed dormitory, to a 4 person female only room – which, so far, I’m the only person in). Once I put my stuff down I walked out the front door, and turned left. I walked a lot. Saw a lot. It’s a curious place.
I stopped in a cathedral (actually two, but only of them was free.)
Then, I did go on a tour of the Dublin Castle. That was pretty bad ass. It was rebuilt at some point because it caught fire at some previous point. Blah blah blah. I am not a history major – feel free to Wikipedia it. There was a lot of pretty stuff to look at.
Oh- here’s a story for you mom, you’ll like this. So the original thrown was too tall for Miss Lady Queen (once again, not a history major). So instead of buying her a new thrown, they simply cut off the lion’s claw feet at the bottom. This way she could get up into it! (Totally ruins the look of the chair though, sorry the picture is blurry, I was being rushed by some French guy)
The tour lasted about an hour, so when I got out it was almost 5. This meant most all of the touristy things were closed/closing for the day. So, I just wandered. Spent a good hour playing tourist, snapping pictures, and watching people. Then I got totally lost – but no need to fear, I found a number 16a bus stop!
In other news. Greta just called from London. Something is wrong with her Visa, and it made her miss her flight. So, she won't be here until late tonight… or maybe not at all. We shall see! No worries though, it will all work out.
As for me, its about 7:15. I think I’m going to go downstairs and mingle with other people staying here tonight, and go to bed early. Just takin’ it easy. I’m EXHAUSTED!!! I leave you with a few more pictures and a whole lot of love!
I'm pretty sure this sign says, "We're so glad you're here Janet"
Made it through customs, got my luggage, got some Euros, got a bagel and locks, cursed myself because I ALWAYS pack so much, then went to the bus stop. (Note: No where in there did I say I picked up a map, or asked for directions…. Might’ve made sense) Waited for about an hour for the 16a bus. It eventually came. By then my hands were frozen – mom, there’s something I forgot to pack, mittens!
Then the bus ride…. Oh my word. It took forever. Everyone on the bus from the airport was confused about where they were and where they were going. On top of that, people here are pretty fearless. They drive crazily and walk crazily! (But since they all do it, it is normal to them I guess) The good thing about Ireland though is that (on some streets) everything on a street is named after that street, so you have the Camden Pharmacy, and the Camden Bookstore, and the Camden Hotel Camden Clothes, etc, which means you’re probably on Camden Street. The bad thing about Ireland is that there are no street signs, so the streets with nothing happening, there is no telling where you are.
Here's proof that I am in fact in Ireland
Anyways. I got off the bus once I started seeing things with “Camden” in the name and found the hostel I had booked. Success. Even got upgraded (from a 16 person co-ed dormitory, to a 4 person female only room – which, so far, I’m the only person in). Once I put my stuff down I walked out the front door, and turned left. I walked a lot. Saw a lot. It’s a curious place.
I stopped in a cathedral (actually two, but only of them was free.)
Then, I did go on a tour of the Dublin Castle. That was pretty bad ass. It was rebuilt at some point because it caught fire at some previous point. Blah blah blah. I am not a history major – feel free to Wikipedia it. There was a lot of pretty stuff to look at.
Oh- here’s a story for you mom, you’ll like this. So the original thrown was too tall for Miss Lady Queen (once again, not a history major). So instead of buying her a new thrown, they simply cut off the lion’s claw feet at the bottom. This way she could get up into it! (Totally ruins the look of the chair though, sorry the picture is blurry, I was being rushed by some French guy)
The tour lasted about an hour, so when I got out it was almost 5. This meant most all of the touristy things were closed/closing for the day. So, I just wandered. Spent a good hour playing tourist, snapping pictures, and watching people. Then I got totally lost – but no need to fear, I found a number 16a bus stop!
In other news. Greta just called from London. Something is wrong with her Visa, and it made her miss her flight. So, she won't be here until late tonight… or maybe not at all. We shall see! No worries though, it will all work out.
As for me, its about 7:15. I think I’m going to go downstairs and mingle with other people staying here tonight, and go to bed early. Just takin’ it easy. I’m EXHAUSTED!!! I leave you with a few more pictures and a whole lot of love!
I'm pretty sure this sign says, "We're so glad you're here Janet"
Flight
Things started off well. Was told the first in-flight movie was supposed to be Ice Age – It was 500 Days of Summer instead, a pleasant surprise! Obviously this meant that I did not read my textbook then, or sleep for that hour and a half. Had a lovely dinner of chicken, salad, corn, bread, cheese, crackers, a brownie, peanuts, etc…. the normal plane food. Yum.
Movie number two was Imagine That – those two words together will always bring back memories of Science Camp, therefore I opted to (try to) sleep through this movie. Third was Harry Potter. Also ideal for sleeping, and stargazing. There is a much better view of the stars when you’re in the sky than when you’re living in downtown Atlanta. Weird, right?
About an hour from landing time, I was awoken to some nasty breakfast. There was German on the packaging, so I don’t know what I was expecting. New philosophy: if it’s German and not a Brat (or beer), then it’s probably bad. Maybe one day this will be disproved in Germany.
Next few hours were spent circling around Dublin, hoping winds would chill out enough so we could land this bad boy. No such Irish luck! Had to detour to Manchester (only other option was to run out of gas and crash land – I guess the right choice was made). But, Manchester is a very pretty place to fly into, actually. People don’t seem to be too upset yet, but I think most people are pretty tired. Something about leaving one city at 6 pm, and arriving at another at 8 am without having 14 hours pass is quite strange. There was a little kid in the back of the plane that cheered, “We did it! We did it!” when we landed. I think he was the only one brave enough to verbalize what many people were thinking (especially the tatted up thug three seats over who turned into a complete pansy as we bounced through the air). It was rough flying over Dublin – had that rollercoaster feeling in the pit of your stomach. (I like that feeling.)
So here I sit, in the sketchy back lot of the Manchester Airport, waiting for them to refuel the plane, and Mother Nature to decide we can go to Dublin.
It’s interesting reflecting on the differences between this trip, and my last trip to Europe. For those who do not know about that trip, or have forgotten – it was about 5 years ago (in summer). We started in Great Britain, spent a few days there. Then traveled to France, Italy and Greece. Then ended with a bombdiggity cruise around the Greek Islands. The trip was 19 days (just like this one) but we only spent a few days in each country. We saw a lot, did a lot, and learned a lot.
The biggest difference is that at that point I did not realize the impact that art would have on my life. I enjoyed art, but am not sure I had a passion for it. I definitely did not spend every minute living it, surrounded by it, obsessing over it. We visited museum, after museum. The Tate Modern changed my life. I fell in love with the fact that a glass of water on a shelf, paired with the title “Oak Tree” was enough to be called art, and that it was acceptable for someone to be crazy enough to full heartedly BELIEVE that this glass of water, was in fact an Oak Tree. But, that was just the beginning of the trip. When we were in France we ran through the Louvre – only spent about hour there. But now, I could probably live there for a week.
The craziest difference that’s crossed my mind is that when I was here 5 years ago, I had 5 disposal cameras with me. This time, I have 2 digital cameras (and a computer). There’s a difference between 100 pictures and an infinite number. Oh, how we’ve progressed. Can’t wait to see what it’s like in 5 years when I come back – HOPEFULLY I’LL HAVE A ROBOT WITH ME!!!
Also last time, I think my communication back home consisted of one e-mail that had like 10 words in it. Mom you will have to correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it said “Am doing fine. Miss you, love you. Janet.” Look at me now- I haven’t even gotten to Dublin and my first post is written. Of course, you will have to wait for it to be posted because surprisingly enough there is no wi-fi on this plane. Don’t feel to spoiled by the length, and brilliance of this post. Hopefully I will not have this much free time during the rest of my trip.
Movie number four – Time Traveler’s Wife. Quite an broad range of films showing on this plane. I wish they would play P.S. I Love You, I mean, afterall, we are trying to get to IRELAND!
Movie number two was Imagine That – those two words together will always bring back memories of Science Camp, therefore I opted to (try to) sleep through this movie. Third was Harry Potter. Also ideal for sleeping, and stargazing. There is a much better view of the stars when you’re in the sky than when you’re living in downtown Atlanta. Weird, right?
About an hour from landing time, I was awoken to some nasty breakfast. There was German on the packaging, so I don’t know what I was expecting. New philosophy: if it’s German and not a Brat (or beer), then it’s probably bad. Maybe one day this will be disproved in Germany.
Next few hours were spent circling around Dublin, hoping winds would chill out enough so we could land this bad boy. No such Irish luck! Had to detour to Manchester (only other option was to run out of gas and crash land – I guess the right choice was made). But, Manchester is a very pretty place to fly into, actually. People don’t seem to be too upset yet, but I think most people are pretty tired. Something about leaving one city at 6 pm, and arriving at another at 8 am without having 14 hours pass is quite strange. There was a little kid in the back of the plane that cheered, “We did it! We did it!” when we landed. I think he was the only one brave enough to verbalize what many people were thinking (especially the tatted up thug three seats over who turned into a complete pansy as we bounced through the air). It was rough flying over Dublin – had that rollercoaster feeling in the pit of your stomach. (I like that feeling.)
So here I sit, in the sketchy back lot of the Manchester Airport, waiting for them to refuel the plane, and Mother Nature to decide we can go to Dublin.
It’s interesting reflecting on the differences between this trip, and my last trip to Europe. For those who do not know about that trip, or have forgotten – it was about 5 years ago (in summer). We started in Great Britain, spent a few days there. Then traveled to France, Italy and Greece. Then ended with a bombdiggity cruise around the Greek Islands. The trip was 19 days (just like this one) but we only spent a few days in each country. We saw a lot, did a lot, and learned a lot.
The biggest difference is that at that point I did not realize the impact that art would have on my life. I enjoyed art, but am not sure I had a passion for it. I definitely did not spend every minute living it, surrounded by it, obsessing over it. We visited museum, after museum. The Tate Modern changed my life. I fell in love with the fact that a glass of water on a shelf, paired with the title “Oak Tree” was enough to be called art, and that it was acceptable for someone to be crazy enough to full heartedly BELIEVE that this glass of water, was in fact an Oak Tree. But, that was just the beginning of the trip. When we were in France we ran through the Louvre – only spent about hour there. But now, I could probably live there for a week.
The craziest difference that’s crossed my mind is that when I was here 5 years ago, I had 5 disposal cameras with me. This time, I have 2 digital cameras (and a computer). There’s a difference between 100 pictures and an infinite number. Oh, how we’ve progressed. Can’t wait to see what it’s like in 5 years when I come back – HOPEFULLY I’LL HAVE A ROBOT WITH ME!!!
Also last time, I think my communication back home consisted of one e-mail that had like 10 words in it. Mom you will have to correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it said “Am doing fine. Miss you, love you. Janet.” Look at me now- I haven’t even gotten to Dublin and my first post is written. Of course, you will have to wait for it to be posted because surprisingly enough there is no wi-fi on this plane. Don’t feel to spoiled by the length, and brilliance of this post. Hopefully I will not have this much free time during the rest of my trip.
Movie number four – Time Traveler’s Wife. Quite an broad range of films showing on this plane. I wish they would play P.S. I Love You, I mean, afterall, we are trying to get to IRELAND!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)