So I got to the Madrid Airport around 12 and had to wait til 4:30 til Kevin arrived which wasnt bad because I had lunch and wrote 8 pages in my journal all about Berlin. Also when it was time for Kevin to get in I realized I was in the wrong terminal so I had to do a mad dash over to Terminal 6 while I was in Terminal 1. Luckily I got there in time and had to wait. I seriously wish that terminals in Europe were the same as they are in the states. It makes you feel like a celebrity. People wait outside the terminal gate and there are gates that people have to walk around. It was so great to see Kevin and have a little bit of home with me.
We took the metra to the Way Hostel which was one of the best hostels I stayed at. We got in the front door and the receptionist was so friendly. I dont remember his name but anytime he saw me he remembered mine. He told us of a Tapas place to watch the game but since we were early and it wasnt the type of atmosphere we were looking for we just had steak fillet tapas with fanta which was our choice of soda over there.
Then we wandered around to try and find 2 Irish pubs to watch the Spain game and somehow stumbled upon it. The bar Dubliners ended up being our bar that we would go to every night to watch the game and get a bucket of Heineken which is 6 bottles in a bucket. The Spain game was amazing. David Villa hit 2 goals and the place was electric with Spanish pride granted there were definitely Americans there that had never seen a football match that was not Kevin and I who know football. After the game which Spain won and the whole bar was screaming Villa's name and the cow bell behind the bar was rung. We went back to the hostel where we passed out.
The next morning we got our free breakfast of corn flakes or toast and Nutella- Kevin's new breakfast and waited around for our free walking tour which was really good. We learned about the symbol of Spain a bear eatting berries from a tree which is represented in the main square Platza del sol where protests go on and on New Years Eve for every time the clock strikes you eat a grape which if you complete means you will have good luck for the year. We also saw the palace which is the largest in Europe. The interesting thing about the palace is that it was taken over by the french who thought it was ugly and to try and get on the Spaniards good side they threw a huge party with wine and once the celebration was over the Spaniards smelled smoke and saw the palace to the ground however all the things that were inside the palace were taken out before hand which is why the Spanish have an interesting relationship with the Spanish monarchy. Next to the palace is the church of Madrid which the front is really really plain and ugly. Like you see Notre Dame and its gorgeous same with Westminster Abbey the churches that symbolize their country and then you see Spain and its a total disappointment however the back of the church looks beautiful which is why the church called Almudena is sometimes what men call ladies in Spain meaning that your ugly in the front and nice in the back which is not a complement.
Behind the Palace are huge massive gardens where the king use to go hunting however today at night this turns into the red light district and in the day in the distance is an amusement park. In Madrid near the palace is a bridge with class high walls it isnt for decoration its to prevent suicides because thats where most people committed suicide and they put an end to it when someone put a bullseye on the ground with concrete. All around Madrid there are signs on houses with numbers these numbers go back to when they use to do a census and where they heavily taxed people which is why some houses in Madrid look like they only have 3 floors however they end up being 5 because back in the day when they taxed people they would count windows .
Then we went to the newer side of Platza del sol which is more modern and has more of a french and roman look. The streets are bigger and sidewalks wider. At the end of del sol is Cibeles fountain representing Earth where if Real Madrid ( a football team) wins the league or a trophy the captain kisses the statue and puts a Real Madrid scarf on her. Then down the way there is a fountain with Apollo who represents wind and then there is a fountain of Zeus who represents water however the artist commissioned to do the project was tired and wanted to go home so when the king asked where was fire he said that the fire lies within the Madrid people for the passion and love they have for the city.
After the walking tour we went to get some food and then went back to the hostel where we took our own siesta. When we woke up we went to get some dinner to watch the 1st half of the Argentina game and then returned to our hostel to watch the 2nd half where we found signs all over the place that said Important Note: All Argentinians watch the World Cup; Somewhat minor Note: The receptionist is from Argentina; What to take away: Don't disturb the front desk from 20:30-22:30
Argentina won and the game so the receptionist was in good spirits. After the game we waited around the hostel for the pub crawl which was one of the best pub crawls Ive been on and to prove my point Kevin went on it twice. It cost 10 euros but the 1st bar we got free drinks for an hour- either a beer or sangria which totally didnt have any alcohol in it. Then the rest of the other bars we got a free shot. Met some great people on the crawl and both Kevin and I ended up back at the hostel at 3 which is semi normal for people in Spain. They start parting at 12 and go all the way to 4 or 5 am in the morning which is insane because then they wake up at 9 to go to work but maybe thats whats so nice about the siesta at 2 .
The next day Kevin and I went to the Palace and only had to pay 3 euros each. I love having the student discount and they really give discounts. For instance if you want to see an opera in Madrid students have a 75% discount and lets be honest in the states student discounts are no where near $3. We got an audio tour and toured the palace which surprisingly had a lot of carpet in rooms for a place that gets severely hot over the summer. Also the rooms had many different themes like oriental , french, ect but no matter what room we were in there was some intricate clock fixture. Then we went into the Armory and pretty much called it a day from there. We walked back from the palace and ran into some guys in US jerseys who apparently had been in South Africa watching the game. We heard the vuvuzalas on their iPhone and it is seriously deafening in the stands. We showed them to Dubliners where we watched the US game where Donovan scored the goal and the place erupted into the loudest cheers I probably heard so far on my journey in Europe. Kevin and I got lunch there and some drinks to enjoy the game then we went back to our hostel to take our siesta and then went back to Dubliners to watch the German game and had Nachos for dinner which the Germans won and surprisingly in a different setting than their home country they are not as crazy as they are in their own country.
The next day was art museum day and I actually got Kevin into art... well famous modern artists. We went to the Reina Sofia which we liked better and is for all modern art and named after the current Queen Sofia. It was probably the smartest day to go to the museums because it was 92 that day and all the museusms are air conditioned. WE spent about 3 hours at the Reina Sofia mainly looking at Picasso, and Dali. Then we went to the Prado and mapped out what we wanted to see and spent about a 2 hours there and skipped out on the free hours which is a plus because then its not as crowded.
After the museum we had some ice cream in the park since I slowly was getting a sore throat and just chilled out. Then we chilled out at the hostel where Kevin decided to go on the pub crawl again and we actually met someone who kindof knew our cousin and then I met some guys that only knew 1 person who went to UD and it was Jimmy Lynch who I KNEW to some degree. That night there was a thunderstorm which I missed but Kevin got wet and of course enjoyed the pub crawl again
The next morning it was off to Barcelona where we were going to take a 10:30 train. We got our tickets the day before at the train station which has a jungle inside it and a mass amount of turtles in the ponds. Anyways our train was delayed an hour because the workers had gone on strike so our train was attached to the train that was leaving at 11:30 which made our train number 17 instead of 7 also known as the 2nd to last train. But it was a fast train and we got there at 3 about an hour before the Brazil Portugal game. I'll tell you the rest in the Barcelona journey so just read on
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Berlin and the wall
Jessie and I got to Berlin around 11pm and went right to bed. The next morning we decided to take a walking tour through the city which was probably the next best walking tour I took. Our guides name was Mike and he was from New Zealand but was now living with his wife and children in East Berlin aka the bad side where we were staying too. Mike was very enthusiastic and loves Berlin but misses New Zealand to some degree. He showed us where the New Zealand Embassy was as well as where it is on a huge globe we came across on our travels as a little joke. On our walking tour we saw part of the Berlin Wall, places where the Berlin Wall once stood to show where the death strip was which was around checkpoint charlie. We saw where Hitler's Bunker was but you cant actually see it because its under 14ft of bad ass Nazi Concrete- as Mike told us. Near Hitler's Bunker is also the Jewish Memorial site which is really cool because you can interpret it in many different ways. For instance it can be the amount of Jews taken, the types of Jews, and since its dark and quiet inside the memorial and you can't tell where others are you have the type of fear that the Jews could possibly experience. We also saw the university where Einstein and other famous German philosophers and such went to school. This is also the same place where the Nazi's did the Book burning which is memorialized with empty bookcases under a glass in a square across from the university. We also went to Museum Island where there are 4 museums and you can see bullet marks left on the museum from when they attacked Berlin. Also across from the Museums is the Berlin Cathedral which is really dark ash from the war however the statues on the cathedral look new because the Nazis put the statues in the water and in special places so they wouldn't be destroyed during the war. Right near Museum Island was a little place to remember those from WWII where there is an Jew, a unidentified Nazi and regular soldier over a statue with a woman carrying her son. The building however had a hole at the top like the Pantheon which made Jessie a little happy because it reminded her of Italy but it was copying it which made her a little mad because of how many buildings copy it. Then we ended our tour by the Brandenburg Gate which is the symbol of freedom for people of Berlin and where the Berlin wall was in front of the gate. Also around that area the US, France, and UK embassy is there but more importantly is the hotel where Michael Jackson dangled Blanket over the balcony. Overall we saw a lot and had a great time but we were tired after the walk that we went to look for a place for Cappuccino, which Jessie has gotten me into. After Cappuccino Jessie and I went and got some Currywurst which is a Berlin delicacy and is indeed delicious. Then Jessie and I played with the Berlin Wall for about 20 minutes by going inside the crevices. We had a little too much fun probably but we had fun. Then we went inside the free museum which talks about everything the Nazi's did from 1939-1942
Then we wandered around and ended back up at our hostel where one of our roommates told us of an underground pub crawl which we had to do a mad walking dash to get to the first bar. We missed the first drink but we got our Piss Off stamp to get into the bars. The 1st bar we went to was a Goth bar where they played 90's music like Sugar Ray and Pink. At the bar we befriended Rodrigo and Paul who we pretty much stuck with the whole night. After the Goth bar we went to an absinthe bar where the 4 of us all did the shots together. Then we went to a secret Ping pong around the world bar where back during the war people would discuss politics but the ping pong would mute their voices. After that we went to what I call the black light bar where there was just black lights everywhere and strange rooms including the mens bathroom which we found out had a camera over the urinal . The our last bar was a Rastafarian bar where we spent about 20 minutes and then went to get Kabobs. We were planning on walking home but since we were on the other side of town and it was 3am we took a cab back to the hostel. Overall the pub crawl was a lot of fun and none of us got bad.
The next day we slept in til around 11 which is the latest the both of us had slept in. But today was a relaxing and free day. We walked towards the Brandenburg gate where there was a Starbucks. So a little slice of home while looking at the gate was just delicious. Then we went to the Reistag which is their Parliament building. On top of the building there is a huge glass dome which is circular and gives you great views of the city. While in the dome the audio guide tells you what to look for and once you get to the top there is an open hole like the Pantheon and there is a huge funnel to capture the water. This whole contraption and the dome itself provides heat for the building. That's not the only cool thing but when you finish walking down the dome you can look down to see Parliament working. The whole idea behind the glass dome and looking down into Parliament is the unification of the people and they have a say in government now.
After the Dome we went into 4 museums in the matter of 5 hours. To be honest probably not the best but it was definitely fun. They somewhat all blended and seemed to have an Egyptian theme except the art gallery which had morbid type of drawings like heads being cut off ect. However the thing that sticks out the most is the bust of Nefertiti. It was beautiful and looked like it could come alive. She had glass eyes that looked like they were real however she only had one eye due to someone taking it or losing it along the way. Overall Jessie and I were amazed at how much Egyptian stuff was at the museum. The best picture, although no one will ever see it because my camera card is gone was we found a face of a man that looked like Eric from The Little Mermaid and Jessie looked at it like Ariel; it was precious and its worth mentioning since one day I will forget and those are the only two things that stick out in my mind during those museums. After the museums Jessie and I pretty much called it a night because we had a fun filled footy day ahead of us.
We woke up at 11 and had lunch in the park before we were off to see the Germany, US, and England game. Jessie and I wanted to experience the World Cup adventure with Germans where the Germans go which was Olympic Stadium where the World Cup was played 4 years ago as well as the Berlin Olympics. We got on the train just in time... well Jessi got on and literally put her body through the door to help me get on the train which was pretty much the last train to get to the stadium on time. The train ride was getting crazier with each stop but it got extremely crazy 2 stops away from the stadium where the train cars ended up being like sardine and all you heard was vuvuzelas doing da da da daa daa daa da da da daa Deutchland. At that stop it took them 3 tries until we could finally leave the station. Once we got off the train we ran with all the other Germans to the stadium and we should of definitely had some brewskies before we got in because everything was overprices. Then when Germany lost it was sad because angry Germans are not fun. We ran into 2 fights 1 over spilled beer another for no apparent reason. Then we had angry german screaming at the screen 1 sounded like a smoker german and then the other who was behind us decked out in everything German Flag sounded like a Gollum Screaming German. Thankfully we didnt go back on the train we stayed for the US game where practically there was a small group of Americans who all came together and stood together to watch the game versus Slovenia where there was an even smaller group of Slovenians. They were the first to score the goal and a man with the Slovenian flag proudly ran in front of the Americans. But in the end America came back and Donovan saved the day and although the game was tied we should of been 1 up for the infamous goal we didnt receive because a man was possibly offsides.
Then we went back towards our hostel and watched the England game over there which they lost. I did better and was not upset. So overall the game day ended up being 2 losses and 1 tie although should of been a win. Overall it was a fun footy day and felt like we saw good football. I am referring to soccer but I call it football because thats what everyone else calls it over there.
The next day was probably not my most proudest moment. To sum it up I really wanted to enjoy it the best way possible since it was the Gay Pride Parade which is attended by many Berliners. I wanted to get buzzed and watch it but I had a little more Prosecco then wanted. Lets just say we walked in the Parade and all I remember is the YMCA. However when I felt better at night I had the best dorm conversation ever albeit it went till about 2 in the morning but it was hysterical. To set it up it was Jessie, Shubrah, and I all from America, Daniel Hussey and his passed out friend with an umbrella from Australia and another random Australian Johnny. The conversation overall was between the girls and Daniel. Daniel kept calling Americans Wankers and then gave me the nickname buckets, he was going to marry Jessie in Italy so Jessie was his wife and then Shubrah he kept messing up her name. Bottom line the best line of the night came from Johnny who had the best 1 liners and would speak at random times. So I asked Johnny when he came in if Americans were Wankers and he replied " Everyone masturbates now and then" You probably had to be there but it was a fun night which Jessie had to leave at 4:30am to catch her flight back to Italy. I also had to pack up because I had to leave around the same time the next day and was moving to a hotel.
The next morning Shubrah and I went to Sachsenhausen which is a concentration camp near Berlin which was the model for all the other concentration camps. We had a guide that was from the same company that did our walking tour take us through the camp which is pretty much destroyed. There are outlines of where all the bunkers were and there is a mock up of what one of the living spaces would of been. Then we saw the place where they executed people with either the showers or a "doctor examination" which was where the person was put up against a wall to what he thought was to check his height but behind him was a Nazi officer pointing a gun at his neck. They found this was the easiest way to execute people and then they would either bury the bodies or put them in the ovens.One thing that is different from Sachsenhausen than other concentration camps is that after the war the Soviets used it as a special camp where they kept prisoners inside barracks but they just stayed inside the barracks all day. People say that the Soviet special camp was worst than the concentration camp because they didnt do anything.
After the camp Shubhar and I went to the Berlin Dome and sat through part of a mass so we wouldnt have to pay admission price and see most of the church anyways. We both had pamphlets to tell us what to say and we started writing on them to decide when we wanted to leave and talk about how we had no idea what the priest was saying. He looked like a judge and all I could make out was blah blah blah but in harsh tones. So we finally decided to leave and I wanted to keep the pamphlet for my scrapbook but when we were leaving the man guarding the door took the pamphlet out of my hands because we were leaving and didnt have any more to give to anyone so he gave mine to the someone else which made me dash out of there because I didnt want him to look at the back and look at me. Once we got out of the cathedral Shubrah and I started cracking up hysterically because we couldnt believe what just happened and wondered what the person would of thought when he looked at the back.
After the cathedral we said our goodbyes as I trekked back to the hostel and to my hotel which was 20 minutes away. I got a doner Kabob for dinner and then returned to my hotel to watch the Ivory Coast vs Brazil game where Brazil dominated. Then I took a shower and went to sleep to get ready to go to Madrid in the morning
Then we wandered around and ended back up at our hostel where one of our roommates told us of an underground pub crawl which we had to do a mad walking dash to get to the first bar. We missed the first drink but we got our Piss Off stamp to get into the bars. The 1st bar we went to was a Goth bar where they played 90's music like Sugar Ray and Pink. At the bar we befriended Rodrigo and Paul who we pretty much stuck with the whole night. After the Goth bar we went to an absinthe bar where the 4 of us all did the shots together. Then we went to a secret Ping pong around the world bar where back during the war people would discuss politics but the ping pong would mute their voices. After that we went to what I call the black light bar where there was just black lights everywhere and strange rooms including the mens bathroom which we found out had a camera over the urinal . The our last bar was a Rastafarian bar where we spent about 20 minutes and then went to get Kabobs. We were planning on walking home but since we were on the other side of town and it was 3am we took a cab back to the hostel. Overall the pub crawl was a lot of fun and none of us got bad.
The next day we slept in til around 11 which is the latest the both of us had slept in. But today was a relaxing and free day. We walked towards the Brandenburg gate where there was a Starbucks. So a little slice of home while looking at the gate was just delicious. Then we went to the Reistag which is their Parliament building. On top of the building there is a huge glass dome which is circular and gives you great views of the city. While in the dome the audio guide tells you what to look for and once you get to the top there is an open hole like the Pantheon and there is a huge funnel to capture the water. This whole contraption and the dome itself provides heat for the building. That's not the only cool thing but when you finish walking down the dome you can look down to see Parliament working. The whole idea behind the glass dome and looking down into Parliament is the unification of the people and they have a say in government now.
After the Dome we went into 4 museums in the matter of 5 hours. To be honest probably not the best but it was definitely fun. They somewhat all blended and seemed to have an Egyptian theme except the art gallery which had morbid type of drawings like heads being cut off ect. However the thing that sticks out the most is the bust of Nefertiti. It was beautiful and looked like it could come alive. She had glass eyes that looked like they were real however she only had one eye due to someone taking it or losing it along the way. Overall Jessie and I were amazed at how much Egyptian stuff was at the museum. The best picture, although no one will ever see it because my camera card is gone was we found a face of a man that looked like Eric from The Little Mermaid and Jessie looked at it like Ariel; it was precious and its worth mentioning since one day I will forget and those are the only two things that stick out in my mind during those museums. After the museums Jessie and I pretty much called it a night because we had a fun filled footy day ahead of us.
We woke up at 11 and had lunch in the park before we were off to see the Germany, US, and England game. Jessie and I wanted to experience the World Cup adventure with Germans where the Germans go which was Olympic Stadium where the World Cup was played 4 years ago as well as the Berlin Olympics. We got on the train just in time... well Jessi got on and literally put her body through the door to help me get on the train which was pretty much the last train to get to the stadium on time. The train ride was getting crazier with each stop but it got extremely crazy 2 stops away from the stadium where the train cars ended up being like sardine and all you heard was vuvuzelas doing da da da daa daa daa da da da daa Deutchland. At that stop it took them 3 tries until we could finally leave the station. Once we got off the train we ran with all the other Germans to the stadium and we should of definitely had some brewskies before we got in because everything was overprices. Then when Germany lost it was sad because angry Germans are not fun. We ran into 2 fights 1 over spilled beer another for no apparent reason. Then we had angry german screaming at the screen 1 sounded like a smoker german and then the other who was behind us decked out in everything German Flag sounded like a Gollum Screaming German. Thankfully we didnt go back on the train we stayed for the US game where practically there was a small group of Americans who all came together and stood together to watch the game versus Slovenia where there was an even smaller group of Slovenians. They were the first to score the goal and a man with the Slovenian flag proudly ran in front of the Americans. But in the end America came back and Donovan saved the day and although the game was tied we should of been 1 up for the infamous goal we didnt receive because a man was possibly offsides.
Then we went back towards our hostel and watched the England game over there which they lost. I did better and was not upset. So overall the game day ended up being 2 losses and 1 tie although should of been a win. Overall it was a fun footy day and felt like we saw good football. I am referring to soccer but I call it football because thats what everyone else calls it over there.
The next day was probably not my most proudest moment. To sum it up I really wanted to enjoy it the best way possible since it was the Gay Pride Parade which is attended by many Berliners. I wanted to get buzzed and watch it but I had a little more Prosecco then wanted. Lets just say we walked in the Parade and all I remember is the YMCA. However when I felt better at night I had the best dorm conversation ever albeit it went till about 2 in the morning but it was hysterical. To set it up it was Jessie, Shubrah, and I all from America, Daniel Hussey and his passed out friend with an umbrella from Australia and another random Australian Johnny. The conversation overall was between the girls and Daniel. Daniel kept calling Americans Wankers and then gave me the nickname buckets, he was going to marry Jessie in Italy so Jessie was his wife and then Shubrah he kept messing up her name. Bottom line the best line of the night came from Johnny who had the best 1 liners and would speak at random times. So I asked Johnny when he came in if Americans were Wankers and he replied " Everyone masturbates now and then" You probably had to be there but it was a fun night which Jessie had to leave at 4:30am to catch her flight back to Italy. I also had to pack up because I had to leave around the same time the next day and was moving to a hotel.
The next morning Shubrah and I went to Sachsenhausen which is a concentration camp near Berlin which was the model for all the other concentration camps. We had a guide that was from the same company that did our walking tour take us through the camp which is pretty much destroyed. There are outlines of where all the bunkers were and there is a mock up of what one of the living spaces would of been. Then we saw the place where they executed people with either the showers or a "doctor examination" which was where the person was put up against a wall to what he thought was to check his height but behind him was a Nazi officer pointing a gun at his neck. They found this was the easiest way to execute people and then they would either bury the bodies or put them in the ovens.One thing that is different from Sachsenhausen than other concentration camps is that after the war the Soviets used it as a special camp where they kept prisoners inside barracks but they just stayed inside the barracks all day. People say that the Soviet special camp was worst than the concentration camp because they didnt do anything.
After the camp Shubhar and I went to the Berlin Dome and sat through part of a mass so we wouldnt have to pay admission price and see most of the church anyways. We both had pamphlets to tell us what to say and we started writing on them to decide when we wanted to leave and talk about how we had no idea what the priest was saying. He looked like a judge and all I could make out was blah blah blah but in harsh tones. So we finally decided to leave and I wanted to keep the pamphlet for my scrapbook but when we were leaving the man guarding the door took the pamphlet out of my hands because we were leaving and didnt have any more to give to anyone so he gave mine to the someone else which made me dash out of there because I didnt want him to look at the back and look at me. Once we got out of the cathedral Shubrah and I started cracking up hysterically because we couldnt believe what just happened and wondered what the person would of thought when he looked at the back.
After the cathedral we said our goodbyes as I trekked back to the hostel and to my hotel which was 20 minutes away. I got a doner Kabob for dinner and then returned to my hotel to watch the Ivory Coast vs Brazil game where Brazil dominated. Then I took a shower and went to sleep to get ready to go to Madrid in the morning
Friday, June 25, 2010
Amor(e)Rome
Did you know that the word Rome spelled backwards is Amor which means love meaning "To love Rome" which I love Rome!!! It's one of my new favorite places.
Anyways getting to Rome was brutal because I couldn't wait to see Jessie and we have been counting down the days. Jessie was rightfully freaking out since my train was 5 mins late and I didn't have a phone.
So I ran into her outside the train station because I was so excited and wanted to freak her out since she wasn't looking.
It blew our minds that we were both in another country, her Italy, her Roma, and that we were going to be together for about 9 days. She is also my personal guide and has taken me to all the sites and the best gelatterias of course. The best one which I have been hearing about for 3 years Giolitti's which seriously is the best and today we found out the Obamas went there.
So once I got to Jessies apartment, where I stayed for 2 days, we walked over to the Vatican, which is by her house. We just walked over there and the square was packed because .... THE POPE WAS SAYING MASS to welcome all priests into the catholic family. It was AMAZING and I couldn't believe I actually was seeing the Pope. Then we went to sleep for a bright and early day at the Vatican.
At 11:00 Jessie dropped me off at the Vatican so I could take a tour of the Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's. The tour was great and probably the best part was I got to skip the whole long as ever line to get into it. Saw great sculptures, Rafael's work leading to the Sistine Chapel and seriously there are no words to describe the chapel unless you have seen it. Throughout the whole time your viewing it you hear Italian guards yelling NO FOTO and shhhhh. Then I went into St. Peter's which was lucky because it was closed since the pope was doing a mass for the new priests. It was so weird seeing St. Peter's because I've seen pictures forever of the outside and not the inside.
Rick Steve's did my audio guide inside St. Peter's where I came across Pope Pius who looks like he could wake up from his sleep any minute because of the preserving of his body. Also around the altar the canopy from left to right has sculptures of a woman going through child birth because at the time the artists sister (Bernini) was pregnant.
After the Vatican we did a whirlwind tour of everything Rome. Saw the Pantheon, Jessie's favorite place in Rome, Spanish steps, Trevi fountain, Castel de Angelo, Piazza Navona, largo di torre argentina also know as the cat monument because of all the cats roaming around it, and via del coral. Most of the big things I remember but there is just so much to see in Rome and when you see a lot in a day some of it blends. All I can tell you is I had a huge smile on my face.
The 3rd day I officially slept at the yellow hostel which was eh. I probably wouldn't stay there again but it was a place to sleep; however it was probably the worst hostel i have been at so far. Anyways Jessie picked me up at the train station and to me to Santa Maria Maggiore which is a church that Mary said where it snows it Rome build a church there. It was a beautiful place with a ceiling full of gold. Then we got pizza where I proceeded to not see all the oil drip onto my shorts to if course make an oil stain that looks like male genitals. After pizza, Jessie and I met up with some UD students to watch the US vs England game. We went to a restaurant first which had one side US and the other England. We didn't stay long because the waiter who we named Loco Luca wouldn't pay attention to us and because we ordered beer originally but then we ordered after a new waiter. Luca got in trouble which I liked but after dinner we dashed to a near by bar which had incredibly good looking waiters. One who particularly couldn't take his eyes off Jessie. After the game I was not in a good mood because England tied and in my opinion they should of won.
On Sunday we met @11 and saw the mouth of truth which was cool but not all its cracked up to be. I really wanted to see it though because of Roman Holiday :D. Then we sat by Circus Maximus where they used to do chariot races. Then we had pizza (you can see a theme here) and Jessie dropped me off at the Colosseum since she had a date ;) but also because it was extremely hot. The Coloseum was massive and again had a lovely tour guide of Rick Steve. It is crazy how the Coloseum was the 1st arena and how much a spectator sport it was pinning animal vs animal or human vs animal. After the Colosseum I went to cool off at the capital museum which was if i remember correctly by Michelangelo or Caravaggio. The museum had great pictures and marble structures. The best room was the bust rooms which had busts of Homer and other famous well known people. After the museum I found my way back all by myself to Campo di Fiori which I was very proud of since this was my first time without Jessie guiding me. After I got to Campo we went to the good looking men bar to celebrate Allie's birthday and to watch the Germany vs Australian game. The waiter gave us his four favorite drinks and 4 shots on the house since it was Allies bday.
Then we went to a bar that was full of American students and had karaoke night. Sadly I was to tired and didn't stay long so missed out on the singing.
My last final full day I went to the Forum and Palatine hill. The forum was amazing and I could of spent hours there but the heat got to me so I sat for some time after my guide Rick Steve's gave me a tour around. After the forum I went to Palatine hill which was where Cesar and royalty lived however due to an earthquake that ruined most of Rome many years ago there are pretty much ruins which to me all looked the same. After that it was laundry time which cost me more than I'd like but hey you got to smell good from time to time unless I'm over here too long and start smelling like some Europeans. After laundry made it over to Jessie's place with the UD girls where we had a full out pasta meal. After dinner we hopped on a bus to go see the Italian game which thankfully they tied 2-2 but the Italians were not as crazy as I thought they would be but again it is just the round of 32. After the game I called it a night because I had a bright last day in Italy.
My last day was a little hard getting up for because all the adventure was starting to wear me out. I had a 9am appointment at the Borghese Gallery but I had to have breakfast before I left because if I don't i feel awful. This decision I came to regret because the apple at breakfast seemed off and not ripe but I ate it anyways. Breakfast also made me a little late to the museum because I thought I could walk it but I was 50 steps from my hostel and I knew I was doomed so took a taxi from the train station. Got to the Borghese 10 til 9 and saw a line which I thought was for people without tickets but no it was only for advanced tickets because the museum was booked. FINALLY I got my audio guide and was in the front door and was blown away. The gallery is amazing. The marble statues are so unbelievable that you didn't know that could be done to marble. So I'm walking through the gallery and come to gallery 8 the so called Hefertiti room known for being half man half woman and start feeling my stomach churn that I dash out of the gallery in fear that I will pull a Charlotte from Sex and the City Movie. No worries I made it but missed the whole second floor of the exhibit because the museum has a time slotted time. However the good thing is most people say the 1st floors the best or they are lying to me to make me feel better. After the gallery I was down so walked through the park to go to the top of the Spanish steps chapel which really isn't anything compared to the other churches I've seen. Then I finished off the day with what I call "if you go to Rome you have to do this-Jessie Ciraldo wish style" Meaning I had to go to Giolites for the last time which I was very proud I found on my own. And the scooper man gave me the free cream on top since we had a little convo on how I mispronounced a gelatto. Then I headed to the Vatican to climb the dome because it has the best views of the city and it's a must. I waited in a short line to get into St. Peters and another for the dome where I cheated and took the elevator to skip 200 plus stairs to take you right to the mosaic dome which when you're in St. Peters you don't realize people are up there. It's also cool to see the mosaic up close. Then we climbed 300 plus stairs narrow stairwells to the point where your body is on an angel to get to the top where there are 360 degree views of the city and major landmarks stick out. I stayed up there for about 20 minutes because I had to make a mad dash home to catch our flight to Berlin and we had to take many forms of public transportation to get there. Needless to say we arrived at the airport and were one of the firsts to be in the Berlin airplane line.
So yeah that's Rome. I'm currently in Madrid on the way to Barcelona and am trying my best to keep you guys updated. If not I'm home soon July 1st :/. I have been having a blast just don't want it to end.
Til next time and hope all is well with you
Anyways getting to Rome was brutal because I couldn't wait to see Jessie and we have been counting down the days. Jessie was rightfully freaking out since my train was 5 mins late and I didn't have a phone.
So I ran into her outside the train station because I was so excited and wanted to freak her out since she wasn't looking.
It blew our minds that we were both in another country, her Italy, her Roma, and that we were going to be together for about 9 days. She is also my personal guide and has taken me to all the sites and the best gelatterias of course. The best one which I have been hearing about for 3 years Giolitti's which seriously is the best and today we found out the Obamas went there.
So once I got to Jessies apartment, where I stayed for 2 days, we walked over to the Vatican, which is by her house. We just walked over there and the square was packed because .... THE POPE WAS SAYING MASS to welcome all priests into the catholic family. It was AMAZING and I couldn't believe I actually was seeing the Pope. Then we went to sleep for a bright and early day at the Vatican.
At 11:00 Jessie dropped me off at the Vatican so I could take a tour of the Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's. The tour was great and probably the best part was I got to skip the whole long as ever line to get into it. Saw great sculptures, Rafael's work leading to the Sistine Chapel and seriously there are no words to describe the chapel unless you have seen it. Throughout the whole time your viewing it you hear Italian guards yelling NO FOTO and shhhhh. Then I went into St. Peter's which was lucky because it was closed since the pope was doing a mass for the new priests. It was so weird seeing St. Peter's because I've seen pictures forever of the outside and not the inside.
Rick Steve's did my audio guide inside St. Peter's where I came across Pope Pius who looks like he could wake up from his sleep any minute because of the preserving of his body. Also around the altar the canopy from left to right has sculptures of a woman going through child birth because at the time the artists sister (Bernini) was pregnant.
After the Vatican we did a whirlwind tour of everything Rome. Saw the Pantheon, Jessie's favorite place in Rome, Spanish steps, Trevi fountain, Castel de Angelo, Piazza Navona, largo di torre argentina also know as the cat monument because of all the cats roaming around it, and via del coral. Most of the big things I remember but there is just so much to see in Rome and when you see a lot in a day some of it blends. All I can tell you is I had a huge smile on my face.
The 3rd day I officially slept at the yellow hostel which was eh. I probably wouldn't stay there again but it was a place to sleep; however it was probably the worst hostel i have been at so far. Anyways Jessie picked me up at the train station and to me to Santa Maria Maggiore which is a church that Mary said where it snows it Rome build a church there. It was a beautiful place with a ceiling full of gold. Then we got pizza where I proceeded to not see all the oil drip onto my shorts to if course make an oil stain that looks like male genitals. After pizza, Jessie and I met up with some UD students to watch the US vs England game. We went to a restaurant first which had one side US and the other England. We didn't stay long because the waiter who we named Loco Luca wouldn't pay attention to us and because we ordered beer originally but then we ordered after a new waiter. Luca got in trouble which I liked but after dinner we dashed to a near by bar which had incredibly good looking waiters. One who particularly couldn't take his eyes off Jessie. After the game I was not in a good mood because England tied and in my opinion they should of won.
On Sunday we met @11 and saw the mouth of truth which was cool but not all its cracked up to be. I really wanted to see it though because of Roman Holiday :D. Then we sat by Circus Maximus where they used to do chariot races. Then we had pizza (you can see a theme here) and Jessie dropped me off at the Colosseum since she had a date ;) but also because it was extremely hot. The Coloseum was massive and again had a lovely tour guide of Rick Steve. It is crazy how the Coloseum was the 1st arena and how much a spectator sport it was pinning animal vs animal or human vs animal. After the Colosseum I went to cool off at the capital museum which was if i remember correctly by Michelangelo or Caravaggio. The museum had great pictures and marble structures. The best room was the bust rooms which had busts of Homer and other famous well known people. After the museum I found my way back all by myself to Campo di Fiori which I was very proud of since this was my first time without Jessie guiding me. After I got to Campo we went to the good looking men bar to celebrate Allie's birthday and to watch the Germany vs Australian game. The waiter gave us his four favorite drinks and 4 shots on the house since it was Allies bday.
Then we went to a bar that was full of American students and had karaoke night. Sadly I was to tired and didn't stay long so missed out on the singing.
My last final full day I went to the Forum and Palatine hill. The forum was amazing and I could of spent hours there but the heat got to me so I sat for some time after my guide Rick Steve's gave me a tour around. After the forum I went to Palatine hill which was where Cesar and royalty lived however due to an earthquake that ruined most of Rome many years ago there are pretty much ruins which to me all looked the same. After that it was laundry time which cost me more than I'd like but hey you got to smell good from time to time unless I'm over here too long and start smelling like some Europeans. After laundry made it over to Jessie's place with the UD girls where we had a full out pasta meal. After dinner we hopped on a bus to go see the Italian game which thankfully they tied 2-2 but the Italians were not as crazy as I thought they would be but again it is just the round of 32. After the game I called it a night because I had a bright last day in Italy.
My last day was a little hard getting up for because all the adventure was starting to wear me out. I had a 9am appointment at the Borghese Gallery but I had to have breakfast before I left because if I don't i feel awful. This decision I came to regret because the apple at breakfast seemed off and not ripe but I ate it anyways. Breakfast also made me a little late to the museum because I thought I could walk it but I was 50 steps from my hostel and I knew I was doomed so took a taxi from the train station. Got to the Borghese 10 til 9 and saw a line which I thought was for people without tickets but no it was only for advanced tickets because the museum was booked. FINALLY I got my audio guide and was in the front door and was blown away. The gallery is amazing. The marble statues are so unbelievable that you didn't know that could be done to marble. So I'm walking through the gallery and come to gallery 8 the so called Hefertiti room known for being half man half woman and start feeling my stomach churn that I dash out of the gallery in fear that I will pull a Charlotte from Sex and the City Movie. No worries I made it but missed the whole second floor of the exhibit because the museum has a time slotted time. However the good thing is most people say the 1st floors the best or they are lying to me to make me feel better. After the gallery I was down so walked through the park to go to the top of the Spanish steps chapel which really isn't anything compared to the other churches I've seen. Then I finished off the day with what I call "if you go to Rome you have to do this-Jessie Ciraldo wish style" Meaning I had to go to Giolites for the last time which I was very proud I found on my own. And the scooper man gave me the free cream on top since we had a little convo on how I mispronounced a gelatto. Then I headed to the Vatican to climb the dome because it has the best views of the city and it's a must. I waited in a short line to get into St. Peters and another for the dome where I cheated and took the elevator to skip 200 plus stairs to take you right to the mosaic dome which when you're in St. Peters you don't realize people are up there. It's also cool to see the mosaic up close. Then we climbed 300 plus stairs narrow stairwells to the point where your body is on an angel to get to the top where there are 360 degree views of the city and major landmarks stick out. I stayed up there for about 20 minutes because I had to make a mad dash home to catch our flight to Berlin and we had to take many forms of public transportation to get there. Needless to say we arrived at the airport and were one of the firsts to be in the Berlin airplane line.
So yeah that's Rome. I'm currently in Madrid on the way to Barcelona and am trying my best to keep you guys updated. If not I'm home soon July 1st :/. I have been having a blast just don't want it to end.
Til next time and hope all is well with you
Monday, June 14, 2010
Florence
So i got to Florence around 6:00pm after taking a 9 hour train ride and connecting on 3 trains. I had a little difficulty finding the hostel but no biggie eventually found it. Once I got there I had amazing spaghetti and Caresse salad from the hostel. The spaghetti was with olive oil and then some ground meat which was delicious and the tomatoes here are so fresh and delicious I want to have one every day. Then since everything closes at 6 and was the time I got in I just chilled out at the hostel. Met two English girls Kristin and Sarah who I got on splendidly and ended up chatting till we went to bed.
The next morning I woke up early and checked out to go to the Academia which is where the David is. I overhear some of the tours that were going through to get some information. This is what I got- can remember so it might be totally true.
-The statue iof David is right before he takes on Goliath and you can hardly see the rock or sling shot on the statue
-His hands and feet are bigger than normal because it was suppose to be viewed from below
- The David statue you can literally see his vains and it took him just 3 years to finish
- On his left leg there is something that looks liek a tree but it is actually to support the statue
- His ass is fine and I just started at it for hours hahaha
Overall the statue is amazing and indescribable.
Since Ive never been to Florence and I was seeing Jessie in a few hours she suggested on what to see. So I stopped by the San Lorenzo market and got some things for people (markets are a bad place for me.... Things are so cheap and cute) I then walked by the Duomo but didnt go in, although its free because A. Rick Steves said it wasnt that intersting(the girls said the same thing too) B. its full of statues and C. By the time I saw it I had seen so many churches however I did overhear tour groups talking about the building right across from the Duomo where there are gold gates called the Gates of Paradise which was the first artwork of the Renaissance and depicts stories from the Bible. After the Duomo I went to the Ufitzi Gallery.Jessie's favorite museum and full of Renaissance artwork. I saw a line when I got there but then there was a sign that said entrance. So I went in there and must of paid a little extra but hey I got in right away. Then something crazy happened.....After the first Gallery I turn the corner and hear someone yell OH MY GOD MARIN HOAG!!!!I freaked out for like 2 secods because come on who do I know in Florence and how often do you run into someone you know IN EUROPE. Anyways it was my friend Kaities sister Greta who has a twin so when I first saw her called her, her sisters name. Greta was in Florence doing a summer session there. So the two of us walked through the galleries and caught up. Then we went and got some Paninis and some amazing gelato. She then showed me the Ponte Vechio which is the only bridge that wasnt destroyed during WWII becuase it was old and beautiful. Back in the day it used to be a bridge that sold meat but today it sells gold and jewlery.
After the bridge went to Gretas apartment to see it but ended up staying longer and chatting with her roommate. After awhile she led me back to the Ponte Vechio which from there I went back to my hostel on the way to Rome.
SO Ill write about Rome soon but i have been having less and less time to do journal and blog. So keep checking here . :)
Until next time
Ciao
The next morning I woke up early and checked out to go to the Academia which is where the David is. I overhear some of the tours that were going through to get some information. This is what I got- can remember so it might be totally true.
-The statue iof David is right before he takes on Goliath and you can hardly see the rock or sling shot on the statue
-His hands and feet are bigger than normal because it was suppose to be viewed from below
- The David statue you can literally see his vains and it took him just 3 years to finish
- On his left leg there is something that looks liek a tree but it is actually to support the statue
- His ass is fine and I just started at it for hours hahaha
Overall the statue is amazing and indescribable.
Since Ive never been to Florence and I was seeing Jessie in a few hours she suggested on what to see. So I stopped by the San Lorenzo market and got some things for people (markets are a bad place for me.... Things are so cheap and cute) I then walked by the Duomo but didnt go in, although its free because A. Rick Steves said it wasnt that intersting(the girls said the same thing too) B. its full of statues and C. By the time I saw it I had seen so many churches however I did overhear tour groups talking about the building right across from the Duomo where there are gold gates called the Gates of Paradise which was the first artwork of the Renaissance and depicts stories from the Bible. After the Duomo I went to the Ufitzi Gallery.Jessie's favorite museum and full of Renaissance artwork. I saw a line when I got there but then there was a sign that said entrance. So I went in there and must of paid a little extra but hey I got in right away. Then something crazy happened.....After the first Gallery I turn the corner and hear someone yell OH MY GOD MARIN HOAG!!!!I freaked out for like 2 secods because come on who do I know in Florence and how often do you run into someone you know IN EUROPE. Anyways it was my friend Kaities sister Greta who has a twin so when I first saw her called her, her sisters name. Greta was in Florence doing a summer session there. So the two of us walked through the galleries and caught up. Then we went and got some Paninis and some amazing gelato. She then showed me the Ponte Vechio which is the only bridge that wasnt destroyed during WWII becuase it was old and beautiful. Back in the day it used to be a bridge that sold meat but today it sells gold and jewlery.
After the bridge went to Gretas apartment to see it but ended up staying longer and chatting with her roommate. After awhile she led me back to the Ponte Vechio which from there I went back to my hostel on the way to Rome.
SO Ill write about Rome soon but i have been having less and less time to do journal and blog. So keep checking here . :)
Until next time
Ciao
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The hills are alive in Salzburg
I took a sleeper train from Paris to Munich and from Munich to Salzburg I took a regular train. The sleeper train was so weird and somewhat nice. My car was for 6 people and I had the bottom bunk which sounds like it would suck but I only had to share the car with one other person. Meaning I could push the bed above me up and have enough room to sit up. Since I've never been on a sleeper train I had no idea the sheet they gave you was like a sleeping bag so I had to ask the lady to help make my bed. :/ kind of embarassing but just being the only person it wasn't to bad. Had some decent zzzzs but kept waking up when we would stop to get gas or when we were moving to hear the clanking of the rail tracks.
When I got to Munich had 10 mins to get on my next train which luckily was right next to the train I departed. Although the trip was suppose to take 45 minutes it ended on being an hour and a half because the train on the next track parallel to us hit what I believe was a body.
There were 3 sheets held down with rocks and outside one of the sheets I saw an organ. Who knows if it was an accident or attempted suicide the whole train car made a collective aaaaa in horror.
Once I got to Salzburg I made it to my hostel all by myself!!! It made me miss Katie though because she was my map girl and got us from place to place. I got lost twice trying to get back to the hostel but I figured it out:). The hostel I stayed at was probably one of my favorites so far. It had amazing shower pressure to the point where you felt like you were at home, it was very clean, and it had sound of music pictures all over the hostel. They also play the movie every day which sadly I watched some of it because of the time I got in and when the sound of music tour started. Yes!!! I went on the sound of music tour where I saw the gazebo, the back of the house where they fall in the water and play outside, the street where the children are in the trees, and the church where they filmed the wedding scene. From afar we saw what the front of the house which is now a school of music and the Abbey but they couldn't film inside because the order didn't want them to. Also the house that was the back is now for Harvard students :p and the gazebo was on the house grounds but they moved it to a park. Overall the tour was good and the bus itself played the Sound of Music soundtrack.
When I got back wandered the city for awhile and went to the castle on top by gondela to get amazing views of the city. While wandering the city came across a street game of chess and street dancers who looked like they were doing more of an interpretive dance. I then wandered the streets looking for a place that has schnitzel. I decided I would have the Salzburg schnitzel and have the local grub since when will I ever have it again and Katie would try all the local food wherever we went; so i thought I'll do the same. It really wasn't bad it was like fried chicken breast with ham cheese bacon mushrooms and some sauce inside.
Then I returned to by hostel where I met Jayme, Jenna and an Aussie who I never got her name but we chatted a lot. Anyways that night all of us had a rough time sleeping because one of our roommates had the longest and loudest snore I ever heard. I seriously never new you could snore every breath for like 20 minutes.
The next morning I went to the salt mines with 4 other people from the
hostel: Connor, Ashely, Ariel, and Sophie while everyone else from our tour bus went to Eagles Nest which I had no idea was Hitlers hang out spot so I just asked what it was instead of vocalising that I thought it was a legit Eagles nest. Anyways the salt mines were awesome! The 5 of us all stuck together and would slide down the slides to the different parts of the mine. The slides themselves are like a long stick that dips (ok didn't mean to make that sound dirty) with 2 places for your feet and you just slide down. The salt mines themselves are one of the oldest working mines in the world. In the mine we came to what looked like a huge sheet of glass where below you could see the salt rock but in actuality it was water. So we took a little boat across to the other side and witnessed a " salt explosion" aka a light show that reflected in the water. Haha.
After the tour I went and visited Salzburg's most famous person, Mozart. I first started off in the family apartment where they lived when Mozart was in his teens. There you saw the pianos and organs he played on along with letters and sheet music he wrote. The museum also had things about Mozarts father who wrote a famous how to play the violin and had a musical background as well as Mozart's sister Nanner who back in the day received high praises for her musical gift; but obviously Mozart was a prodigy. He masted the violin and piano by the age of 6. By the age of 8 he wrote his first symphony and for 3/4 of his life he traveled all over the world with his father and sister and would preform in front of royalty. You would think this would being in a lot of money but most of the rime the Mozarts were payed in cigarette cases or match stick boxes which didn't translate to money.
After their apartment I went to Mozart's birth place where both he and his sister were born. His mother stayed there most of the time when they traveled a d sadly had 7 children with only Mozart and Nanner surviving.
Overall Salzburg was a beautiful city and 2 days was definitely the right amount of time to spend there. Now I'm on a train to Florence :D. I have to take 3 trains to get there but on the 1st one Jayme came with me since she wanted to visit Innsbruck??? All I could fell you is it's surrounded by more of the Swiss alps and I saw a Swarkosvki factory. Oh did you know that a little town outside Salzburg was where red bull was created/ started.
Til next time which will be WORLD CUP time!!! You all should be excited although I will be anti-American and root for England and Spain. June 12 people USA vs England will be an excellent game. I'll be with Jessie which I can't wait for and will probably be crazy as ever.
So excited and the idea that I only have a couple more weeks left makes me sad since I've been having so much fun. Wish I could explore/ be in Europe forever. ;);)(mumsy) Ive run into so many Aussies who are taking trips for like 4 months and some more. There is this bus that goes on a consistent route throughout Europe and is hop on hop off really cool idea.
Ok didn't mean to blabber on will talk to you from Italy.
When I got to Munich had 10 mins to get on my next train which luckily was right next to the train I departed. Although the trip was suppose to take 45 minutes it ended on being an hour and a half because the train on the next track parallel to us hit what I believe was a body.
There were 3 sheets held down with rocks and outside one of the sheets I saw an organ. Who knows if it was an accident or attempted suicide the whole train car made a collective aaaaa in horror.
Once I got to Salzburg I made it to my hostel all by myself!!! It made me miss Katie though because she was my map girl and got us from place to place. I got lost twice trying to get back to the hostel but I figured it out:). The hostel I stayed at was probably one of my favorites so far. It had amazing shower pressure to the point where you felt like you were at home, it was very clean, and it had sound of music pictures all over the hostel. They also play the movie every day which sadly I watched some of it because of the time I got in and when the sound of music tour started. Yes!!! I went on the sound of music tour where I saw the gazebo, the back of the house where they fall in the water and play outside, the street where the children are in the trees, and the church where they filmed the wedding scene. From afar we saw what the front of the house which is now a school of music and the Abbey but they couldn't film inside because the order didn't want them to. Also the house that was the back is now for Harvard students :p and the gazebo was on the house grounds but they moved it to a park. Overall the tour was good and the bus itself played the Sound of Music soundtrack.
When I got back wandered the city for awhile and went to the castle on top by gondela to get amazing views of the city. While wandering the city came across a street game of chess and street dancers who looked like they were doing more of an interpretive dance. I then wandered the streets looking for a place that has schnitzel. I decided I would have the Salzburg schnitzel and have the local grub since when will I ever have it again and Katie would try all the local food wherever we went; so i thought I'll do the same. It really wasn't bad it was like fried chicken breast with ham cheese bacon mushrooms and some sauce inside.
Then I returned to by hostel where I met Jayme, Jenna and an Aussie who I never got her name but we chatted a lot. Anyways that night all of us had a rough time sleeping because one of our roommates had the longest and loudest snore I ever heard. I seriously never new you could snore every breath for like 20 minutes.
The next morning I went to the salt mines with 4 other people from the
hostel: Connor, Ashely, Ariel, and Sophie while everyone else from our tour bus went to Eagles Nest which I had no idea was Hitlers hang out spot so I just asked what it was instead of vocalising that I thought it was a legit Eagles nest. Anyways the salt mines were awesome! The 5 of us all stuck together and would slide down the slides to the different parts of the mine. The slides themselves are like a long stick that dips (ok didn't mean to make that sound dirty) with 2 places for your feet and you just slide down. The salt mines themselves are one of the oldest working mines in the world. In the mine we came to what looked like a huge sheet of glass where below you could see the salt rock but in actuality it was water. So we took a little boat across to the other side and witnessed a " salt explosion" aka a light show that reflected in the water. Haha.
After the tour I went and visited Salzburg's most famous person, Mozart. I first started off in the family apartment where they lived when Mozart was in his teens. There you saw the pianos and organs he played on along with letters and sheet music he wrote. The museum also had things about Mozarts father who wrote a famous how to play the violin and had a musical background as well as Mozart's sister Nanner who back in the day received high praises for her musical gift; but obviously Mozart was a prodigy. He masted the violin and piano by the age of 6. By the age of 8 he wrote his first symphony and for 3/4 of his life he traveled all over the world with his father and sister and would preform in front of royalty. You would think this would being in a lot of money but most of the rime the Mozarts were payed in cigarette cases or match stick boxes which didn't translate to money.
After their apartment I went to Mozart's birth place where both he and his sister were born. His mother stayed there most of the time when they traveled a d sadly had 7 children with only Mozart and Nanner surviving.
Overall Salzburg was a beautiful city and 2 days was definitely the right amount of time to spend there. Now I'm on a train to Florence :D. I have to take 3 trains to get there but on the 1st one Jayme came with me since she wanted to visit Innsbruck??? All I could fell you is it's surrounded by more of the Swiss alps and I saw a Swarkosvki factory. Oh did you know that a little town outside Salzburg was where red bull was created/ started.
Til next time which will be WORLD CUP time!!! You all should be excited although I will be anti-American and root for England and Spain. June 12 people USA vs England will be an excellent game. I'll be with Jessie which I can't wait for and will probably be crazy as ever.
So excited and the idea that I only have a couple more weeks left makes me sad since I've been having so much fun. Wish I could explore/ be in Europe forever. ;);)(mumsy) Ive run into so many Aussies who are taking trips for like 4 months and some more. There is this bus that goes on a consistent route throughout Europe and is hop on hop off really cool idea.
Ok didn't mean to blabber on will talk to you from Italy.
Monday, June 7, 2010
London Triangle and Beyond
Ok if you're ready this will probably be the longest blog post there ever was. Sorry haven't written but our hostel which, I have been waiting forever to visit and was written up in a new York times article 4 years ago ( yes I've been planning that long and dreaming about it for so long) charged us for Internet which is why I have been so far behind.
So to start out Katie and I did what we refer to as the London triangle and successfully did it. So what does the London triangle consist of you might ask well all of this in a day on May 31....
Edinburgh--> London: Megabus (10:30 pm --> 7:30 am)
London --> Chesterfield: Megatrain (9:00-11 am) Chesterfield -->London: Megatrain (7pm-10pm) London --> Salzbury; RailEurope (11-1am)
Salzbury-->London: Megatrain (7-10pm June 1st)
Yes we were crazy but got everything we wanted out of it. The bus ride was about 8 hrs and probably not the most comfortable ride you would want but I got around 5-6 hours. Once we got to London we took the tube stop to King Cross/St. Pancras (their connected) so we did platform 9 3/4 which was actually between platforms 8-9 which upset Katie and probably any die hard Harry Potter fan.
Then we went to chesterfield because it was the closest town to Chatsworth hose. When we got to chesterfield,although I had bus instruction but was confused how to use them we decided to take a cab.
But ended getting stuck in traffic due to it being a bank holiday and a Tudor festival on the grounds. Anyways we took the tour of the house which had the most beautiful entrance and artwork. Many of you might know this house as Pemberly from the new Pride and Prejustice or if you've seen the Dutchess both with Kiera Knightly and shows the inside of the house. The house was just amazing you couldn't believe it was real and that people still live in it. So the house had the veiled woman (if you seen P&P you know what im talking about when shes in the hall with all the statues which by the way that hall really does exisit). The house also had modern artwork which was cool except they had a Andy Warhol type of pic that just kept changing colors of a daughter in law. We explored the grounds which had beautiful flowers and of course the beautiful fountain. Then we also visited the farmhouse which was like a mini zoo with no joke chickens and hens walking amoung the people and the biggest pigs you will ever see.
Currently this chickens have given the current dutchess prize winning eggs. Katie and I also had a pasty which I wasn't a huge fan of but it tasted like chicken noodle soup in a pastry. Then when it was time to leave we saw we had missed our bus by 15 mins so we asked for an alternative root to see our bus pulling away. No worries folks it was for the better. We walked through the sheep poo grounds till we found a path which led us to the new bus station where we met a nice old couple who take walks every Sunday around the grounds and showed us to our train which we had to wait for an hour since we were early and everything closed at 6. Oh almost forgot to tell u the best part on the way to chesterfield a family was stopping at Derby to pick blueberies however this cute little kind in an English accent kept saying over and over "I don't want to go to Derby I don't want to go"
however when the dad said don't you want to pick blueberries he said I want to pick blueberries bur not go to Derby. Ok maybe it was a had to be there moment
Finally get into London and are taking the train to Salzbury where we had an adventure. We got in at 1am and took a taxi since it wasn't walking distance. We get to our hostel and we were locked out. So now it's 1:20 2 girls now walk the lone streets on Salzbury til we run into a car which points us in the right direction of a hotel which was 3 minutes in front of us. We get to the citylodge and ask if they have a room which they do. Thank God!! Wait it gets better; we got the discounted deal since it was a holiday and we get a full breakfast with ceral, toast, tea and fruit plus it's the first time we have a shower to ourselves. We slept like babies which is why the next day they had to knock and sound 2 alarms.
We checked out and went on a tour bus for Stonehedge which felt so weird to finally see it in person. Thankfully they had an audio guide because I would have been just staring at rocks for an hour. We learned how the rocks that are standing are at least 5 feet in the ground and have groves on the top of them so they fit like a jigsaw puzzel. It also acts as a calendar where each month the sun shines through each pillar and how on the summer soltice it hits the middle one perfectly. Although it is an amazing structure the reason for it is still unknown. What is known is around the structure and throughout Salzbury there are burial grounds that look like hills.
After Stonehenge we went to Old Serum which was included in our ticket and where there used to be a castle of one of the Kings but William the conquerer took over it and destroyed it. It was a fun place to see however the most enjoyable part were two groups of children. One group was just brothers playing hide and seek which the others had army gun, army hats, and swords. Seriously felt like you were back in a messed- up middle ages with Army men surrounding you. Was to funny.
After old serum we went to Salzbury Cathedral where we caught the last tour however it was given by an old lady who talk. e. D. Like. T. H.
I. S.... Although the cathedral was interesting like how they painted over everthing and knocked down all the saint statues and how the spire is somewhat on the verge of falling on the catedral if our tour guide spoke faster we would have gotten the opportunity to see 5 magna cartas. Oh well till another time or another museum that had it. I thought it was at the British library too but I can't remember plus we didn't go there on this trip. Then we got our bags and went to the train station where we thought there would be a waiting area but no.
So we sat on grocery bags and had our dinners(I had mediterranean Chicken with cous cous from tesco!!! --> I was excited about the grocery stores cuz of watching xfactor uk and other british things. ) We finally got to London to our hostel however our room was a sauna/ penitentiary because we had white walls and no windows. Here we met Heath, Ashley, and Brittany. We all bonded over the hotness of the room and since we were all from the states-weird I know. But Heath Katie and I bonded over the other girls after they left because they rushed through London and wanted to see the zoo. Really, hello there are zoos back home haha.
So I'm gonna summarize London the best way possible by telling you everything we did. Katie and I became masters of the tube thanks to the lovely touch application. Well when we arrived we went to the Bloody Tower of London where we had a beefeater tour where the guy was very funny. (In order to become a beefeater you need to have served for your country and depending on your rank you had a different uniform at the tower. )He asked where we were from and we told him Chicago and he said I love Lsd which we replied we did too and everyone looked confused. So he told them the Chicago secret of Lake Shore Drive.
We then saw the crowned jewels which were spectacular and then went to the white tower. The white tower used to house kings and queens and this time when I was there, there was an exhibit. It housed some of the same things but added more content. We also went to the bloody tower where bloody Mary stayed when she was in the prison. Inside the tower they had a mystery who done it exhibit which talked about 2 princes who were found in the tower who were in line to the throne before king Richard took over. Both Katie and I guessed him and to treat ourselves we had delicious macaroons. After the tower we went to St. Paul's which we couldn't tour fully because they were having evening song. Katie and I both had a little tiger snooze there but the ceiling was beautiful. For those who don't know, st Paul's is where Diana and Charles got married. From there Katie and I went to Trafalgar square and Piccadilly circus where we just stood and looked at it. We were both tired and it was approaching 7 so I suggested let's see a play which we chose well I guess I chose Hair since we were supposed to see it for my 21st birthday but it was sold out cuz it was free. That's another story. Anyways we got cheap tickets £39 each and were in row L at the aisle which ended up being Katie's seat where she got her hair stroked multiple times and the main character tried to get her on stage with all the other audience members bur we denied him which made him do the awkward smile/ok laugh like he's never been denied. Anyways the show was so upbeat, brilliant, and covered the 60s. I loved it.
The next day we did a split day. Katie saw the cabinet war rooms while I went to Stamford Bridge where my football team Chelsea plays and where I want to work in the future. (skip this paragraph if you don't want to hear footy or my obsession with the team/the sport)We saw where the WAGS (Wives and Girlfriends) sit during matches. The away locker room/ loser room( called loser room because not that many people win at Stamford) where they have the lockers below the seats, dry erase board behind the door which has to stay open during matches and crappy madage chairs. Then we went to the home locker room where everyone's jersey was out and displayed by what language you spoke meaning you'd sit by your friends. All the English players were together and Jt and Lampsys lockers were next to each other :D. German speaking African speaking etc. Then we saw Jts personal massage chair which is next to Lampsy where the hold hands while getting their messages. We went to the press room where I got a picture from behind the desk and then we walked down to the pitch which we couldn't walk on because they are putting down new grass. Finally we sat where the Chelsea players sit and where the crazy fans sit. Then we went to the megastore where I was overwhelmed and spent about an hour. During which my suntan lotion exploded in my purse, my picture taken with the Premier league trophy, Fa cup trophy, and Community shield broke the printer that when I finally went around the stadium and did the museum I finally got my pictures And received 3 copies.
After the stadium met up with Katie where we did 10 downing street, although you couldn't see anything, and Buckingham palace to get good pictures because with the changing of the guard you see very little.
The next day we did Westminster Abbey and Kensington Palace.
Westminster was awesome as always. Loved the writers corner and Henry VI chapel. Then we did Kensington Palace but 1st we went to whole foods to get some food and had a lovely mini picnic which involved strawberries, a salad, brownies, and a tart/pasty. Then we went to Kensington Palace thinking it would have stuff of Diana's and previous princesses but unread found a creepy child like museum. So after that Katie and I wandered around the park to find the Peter pan statue and the Diana memorial fountain which is a fountain that everyone can play in; very cute. Then Katie and I made it to Harrods where the French Connection collection sucked us in and although we resisted at first by not trying things on. We eventually did and bought ourselves dresses.
Finally our last day in London we went to Buckingham Palace to see what we thought would be changing of the guard but was in fact practice for the queens birthday next week. It was a blast to see all the different uniforms and horses but after standing for an hr and a half with no action we left because we heard it was going to be the same things we just saw. So we went to Portabello Road which was like a mile long and
where we had paella for lunch homemade bruscetta and I had a crepe.
After walking for so long and being in the sun we thought let's go to covent gardens to relax thinking it was a garden. But no it's a huge shopping area and we took 198 steps to get there because we didn't want to take the lifts since the lines were long. Although we didn't do much here we ate at Nandos :D (a sneakybplot to go there because it's a certain british boybands fav eating spot.) The food was delicious. I had a chicken breast pita with pineapple and cheese. Yes sounds gross but delicious.
After nandos went to see the globe theatre and then went home to pack and have a glass of wine because it took us an hour to get home due to construction work.
It was up early to catch the Chunnel to Paris. We got in around 12 but didn't leave the station til 1. One things for sure everything we wanted to do in Paris didn't happen, but that's ok. We got our tickets to go to Versailles but got on the wrong train so a French man in his 50s helped us get on the right train and our transfer train plus he looked out for us. Told us to stand rather than sit because the pickpocketers get you better. Made sure we had our purses in front of us. Was very nice which was odd since the French hate us and everyone we were in contact with thus far had been rude to us. Besides this man and Versailles Katie and I believe France doesn't like us that much.
When we transferred trains Katie somewhat slipped in the gap and lost her shoe. So for about 5 minutes she was walking in the French station with 1 shoe on and 1 foot barefoot until I gave her 1 of my socks.
Then we got her Eiffel Tower flip flops before heading to Versailles which honestly is a golden palace since gold is everywhere. It was a beautiful palace and the grounds were too. We didn't get to explore much because I had to catch a train to Salzburg. But we did see a fountain show set to music however I couldn't capture it because my camera broke :'(.
Once back in Paris Katie and I had our last supper together before taking a taxi to the station I had to go to while Katie went to the EiffelTower.
So now I'm exploring on my own and going to make more mistakes without my other half near by. So to get to Salzburg I took a sleeper train which was suppose to fit 6 people but it was just to me and an older German Lady. So I got to sleep in a bed and got a decent amount of sleep but the train tracks and refueling stops woke me up sometimes.
However it was definitely the way to travel for me since got a good amount of sleep and it cost only €39.
That's about it. On the way to Salzburg in a commuter train that's going all the way to Budapest crazy. Well til next time and if you read this all in one sitting Bravo !
So to start out Katie and I did what we refer to as the London triangle and successfully did it. So what does the London triangle consist of you might ask well all of this in a day on May 31....
Edinburgh--> London: Megabus (10:30 pm --> 7:30 am)
London --> Chesterfield: Megatrain (9:00-11 am) Chesterfield -->London: Megatrain (7pm-10pm) London --> Salzbury; RailEurope (11-1am)
Salzbury-->London: Megatrain (7-10pm June 1st)
Yes we were crazy but got everything we wanted out of it. The bus ride was about 8 hrs and probably not the most comfortable ride you would want but I got around 5-6 hours. Once we got to London we took the tube stop to King Cross/St. Pancras (their connected) so we did platform 9 3/4 which was actually between platforms 8-9 which upset Katie and probably any die hard Harry Potter fan.
Then we went to chesterfield because it was the closest town to Chatsworth hose. When we got to chesterfield,although I had bus instruction but was confused how to use them we decided to take a cab.
But ended getting stuck in traffic due to it being a bank holiday and a Tudor festival on the grounds. Anyways we took the tour of the house which had the most beautiful entrance and artwork. Many of you might know this house as Pemberly from the new Pride and Prejustice or if you've seen the Dutchess both with Kiera Knightly and shows the inside of the house. The house was just amazing you couldn't believe it was real and that people still live in it. So the house had the veiled woman (if you seen P&P you know what im talking about when shes in the hall with all the statues which by the way that hall really does exisit). The house also had modern artwork which was cool except they had a Andy Warhol type of pic that just kept changing colors of a daughter in law. We explored the grounds which had beautiful flowers and of course the beautiful fountain. Then we also visited the farmhouse which was like a mini zoo with no joke chickens and hens walking amoung the people and the biggest pigs you will ever see.
Currently this chickens have given the current dutchess prize winning eggs. Katie and I also had a pasty which I wasn't a huge fan of but it tasted like chicken noodle soup in a pastry. Then when it was time to leave we saw we had missed our bus by 15 mins so we asked for an alternative root to see our bus pulling away. No worries folks it was for the better. We walked through the sheep poo grounds till we found a path which led us to the new bus station where we met a nice old couple who take walks every Sunday around the grounds and showed us to our train which we had to wait for an hour since we were early and everything closed at 6. Oh almost forgot to tell u the best part on the way to chesterfield a family was stopping at Derby to pick blueberies however this cute little kind in an English accent kept saying over and over "I don't want to go to Derby I don't want to go"
however when the dad said don't you want to pick blueberries he said I want to pick blueberries bur not go to Derby. Ok maybe it was a had to be there moment
Finally get into London and are taking the train to Salzbury where we had an adventure. We got in at 1am and took a taxi since it wasn't walking distance. We get to our hostel and we were locked out. So now it's 1:20 2 girls now walk the lone streets on Salzbury til we run into a car which points us in the right direction of a hotel which was 3 minutes in front of us. We get to the citylodge and ask if they have a room which they do. Thank God!! Wait it gets better; we got the discounted deal since it was a holiday and we get a full breakfast with ceral, toast, tea and fruit plus it's the first time we have a shower to ourselves. We slept like babies which is why the next day they had to knock and sound 2 alarms.
We checked out and went on a tour bus for Stonehedge which felt so weird to finally see it in person. Thankfully they had an audio guide because I would have been just staring at rocks for an hour. We learned how the rocks that are standing are at least 5 feet in the ground and have groves on the top of them so they fit like a jigsaw puzzel. It also acts as a calendar where each month the sun shines through each pillar and how on the summer soltice it hits the middle one perfectly. Although it is an amazing structure the reason for it is still unknown. What is known is around the structure and throughout Salzbury there are burial grounds that look like hills.
After Stonehenge we went to Old Serum which was included in our ticket and where there used to be a castle of one of the Kings but William the conquerer took over it and destroyed it. It was a fun place to see however the most enjoyable part were two groups of children. One group was just brothers playing hide and seek which the others had army gun, army hats, and swords. Seriously felt like you were back in a messed- up middle ages with Army men surrounding you. Was to funny.
After old serum we went to Salzbury Cathedral where we caught the last tour however it was given by an old lady who talk. e. D. Like. T. H.
I. S.... Although the cathedral was interesting like how they painted over everthing and knocked down all the saint statues and how the spire is somewhat on the verge of falling on the catedral if our tour guide spoke faster we would have gotten the opportunity to see 5 magna cartas. Oh well till another time or another museum that had it. I thought it was at the British library too but I can't remember plus we didn't go there on this trip. Then we got our bags and went to the train station where we thought there would be a waiting area but no.
So we sat on grocery bags and had our dinners(I had mediterranean Chicken with cous cous from tesco!!! --> I was excited about the grocery stores cuz of watching xfactor uk and other british things. ) We finally got to London to our hostel however our room was a sauna/ penitentiary because we had white walls and no windows. Here we met Heath, Ashley, and Brittany. We all bonded over the hotness of the room and since we were all from the states-weird I know. But Heath Katie and I bonded over the other girls after they left because they rushed through London and wanted to see the zoo. Really, hello there are zoos back home haha.
So I'm gonna summarize London the best way possible by telling you everything we did. Katie and I became masters of the tube thanks to the lovely touch application. Well when we arrived we went to the Bloody Tower of London where we had a beefeater tour where the guy was very funny. (In order to become a beefeater you need to have served for your country and depending on your rank you had a different uniform at the tower. )He asked where we were from and we told him Chicago and he said I love Lsd which we replied we did too and everyone looked confused. So he told them the Chicago secret of Lake Shore Drive.
We then saw the crowned jewels which were spectacular and then went to the white tower. The white tower used to house kings and queens and this time when I was there, there was an exhibit. It housed some of the same things but added more content. We also went to the bloody tower where bloody Mary stayed when she was in the prison. Inside the tower they had a mystery who done it exhibit which talked about 2 princes who were found in the tower who were in line to the throne before king Richard took over. Both Katie and I guessed him and to treat ourselves we had delicious macaroons. After the tower we went to St. Paul's which we couldn't tour fully because they were having evening song. Katie and I both had a little tiger snooze there but the ceiling was beautiful. For those who don't know, st Paul's is where Diana and Charles got married. From there Katie and I went to Trafalgar square and Piccadilly circus where we just stood and looked at it. We were both tired and it was approaching 7 so I suggested let's see a play which we chose well I guess I chose Hair since we were supposed to see it for my 21st birthday but it was sold out cuz it was free. That's another story. Anyways we got cheap tickets £39 each and were in row L at the aisle which ended up being Katie's seat where she got her hair stroked multiple times and the main character tried to get her on stage with all the other audience members bur we denied him which made him do the awkward smile/ok laugh like he's never been denied. Anyways the show was so upbeat, brilliant, and covered the 60s. I loved it.
The next day we did a split day. Katie saw the cabinet war rooms while I went to Stamford Bridge where my football team Chelsea plays and where I want to work in the future. (skip this paragraph if you don't want to hear footy or my obsession with the team/the sport)We saw where the WAGS (Wives and Girlfriends) sit during matches. The away locker room/ loser room( called loser room because not that many people win at Stamford) where they have the lockers below the seats, dry erase board behind the door which has to stay open during matches and crappy madage chairs. Then we went to the home locker room where everyone's jersey was out and displayed by what language you spoke meaning you'd sit by your friends. All the English players were together and Jt and Lampsys lockers were next to each other :D. German speaking African speaking etc. Then we saw Jts personal massage chair which is next to Lampsy where the hold hands while getting their messages. We went to the press room where I got a picture from behind the desk and then we walked down to the pitch which we couldn't walk on because they are putting down new grass. Finally we sat where the Chelsea players sit and where the crazy fans sit. Then we went to the megastore where I was overwhelmed and spent about an hour. During which my suntan lotion exploded in my purse, my picture taken with the Premier league trophy, Fa cup trophy, and Community shield broke the printer that when I finally went around the stadium and did the museum I finally got my pictures And received 3 copies.
After the stadium met up with Katie where we did 10 downing street, although you couldn't see anything, and Buckingham palace to get good pictures because with the changing of the guard you see very little.
The next day we did Westminster Abbey and Kensington Palace.
Westminster was awesome as always. Loved the writers corner and Henry VI chapel. Then we did Kensington Palace but 1st we went to whole foods to get some food and had a lovely mini picnic which involved strawberries, a salad, brownies, and a tart/pasty. Then we went to Kensington Palace thinking it would have stuff of Diana's and previous princesses but unread found a creepy child like museum. So after that Katie and I wandered around the park to find the Peter pan statue and the Diana memorial fountain which is a fountain that everyone can play in; very cute. Then Katie and I made it to Harrods where the French Connection collection sucked us in and although we resisted at first by not trying things on. We eventually did and bought ourselves dresses.
Finally our last day in London we went to Buckingham Palace to see what we thought would be changing of the guard but was in fact practice for the queens birthday next week. It was a blast to see all the different uniforms and horses but after standing for an hr and a half with no action we left because we heard it was going to be the same things we just saw. So we went to Portabello Road which was like a mile long and
where we had paella for lunch homemade bruscetta and I had a crepe.
After walking for so long and being in the sun we thought let's go to covent gardens to relax thinking it was a garden. But no it's a huge shopping area and we took 198 steps to get there because we didn't want to take the lifts since the lines were long. Although we didn't do much here we ate at Nandos :D (a sneakybplot to go there because it's a certain british boybands fav eating spot.) The food was delicious. I had a chicken breast pita with pineapple and cheese. Yes sounds gross but delicious.
After nandos went to see the globe theatre and then went home to pack and have a glass of wine because it took us an hour to get home due to construction work.
It was up early to catch the Chunnel to Paris. We got in around 12 but didn't leave the station til 1. One things for sure everything we wanted to do in Paris didn't happen, but that's ok. We got our tickets to go to Versailles but got on the wrong train so a French man in his 50s helped us get on the right train and our transfer train plus he looked out for us. Told us to stand rather than sit because the pickpocketers get you better. Made sure we had our purses in front of us. Was very nice which was odd since the French hate us and everyone we were in contact with thus far had been rude to us. Besides this man and Versailles Katie and I believe France doesn't like us that much.
When we transferred trains Katie somewhat slipped in the gap and lost her shoe. So for about 5 minutes she was walking in the French station with 1 shoe on and 1 foot barefoot until I gave her 1 of my socks.
Then we got her Eiffel Tower flip flops before heading to Versailles which honestly is a golden palace since gold is everywhere. It was a beautiful palace and the grounds were too. We didn't get to explore much because I had to catch a train to Salzburg. But we did see a fountain show set to music however I couldn't capture it because my camera broke :'(.
Once back in Paris Katie and I had our last supper together before taking a taxi to the station I had to go to while Katie went to the EiffelTower.
So now I'm exploring on my own and going to make more mistakes without my other half near by. So to get to Salzburg I took a sleeper train which was suppose to fit 6 people but it was just to me and an older German Lady. So I got to sleep in a bed and got a decent amount of sleep but the train tracks and refueling stops woke me up sometimes.
However it was definitely the way to travel for me since got a good amount of sleep and it cost only €39.
That's about it. On the way to Salzburg in a commuter train that's going all the way to Budapest crazy. Well til next time and if you read this all in one sitting Bravo !
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Edinburgh
So sorry I haven't blogged- It costs money for access in London-- but here is my latest:
So if any of you come to Edinburgh I have the hostel for you. It's called the castle rock which is right next to Edinburgh castle but it is definitely a trek up a steep hill because Edinburgh is built on rocks and used to have two active volcanoes before it moved to where it is today.
I really forgot how beautiful Edinburgh was. ( I was here 6 years ago for a youth group trip) It was weird to be back in a European country where things I had seen before were so fresh in my mind and this time it was definitely more enjoyable.
When Katie and I got to our hostel they told us there was a free walking tour which was brilliant. Our tour guide was named Ronnie and was very knowledgeable on Edinburgh. We learned about how at 1 everyday a cannon is shot from Edinburgh castle to tell people that it's 1:00.
Also how in front of a church there us a Scottish heart where people spit on it because in that area people used to go to pay their taxes and of course no one likes taxes. Then being the brave one in the group I acted out a story of a woman who stole carrots for her children and was pinned by her ears to a door where people would throw things on you and ridicule you but if you were brave enough you could unpin yourself and have a bloody ear where everyone would know you were a criminal. I got many laughs and cheers from the crowd which was good.
Then we went by the writers museum where people used to throw there poo out the window and would all end in the river. You may ask why is this important but people would walk through this area and when someone yelled gardey hoe one would move to the side however people back then drank beer and whiskey because it was actually better than water so when people headed back from work in that area they would hear that and were too slow to move that they would get shit in their face which is where the phrase shit faced comes from.
Then I had a freaky dejá vu ever when we were by the same fish and chip shop that I had eaten at when I was there last time. Both Katie and I went in there this time though to have fried Mars bar which we shared and liked but apparently most people don't. In that same area we learned about Maggie Dicken (I think that was her name. I know Maggie's right) who was hung for having a premature baby which she left by the river. However when she was on her way to the cemetery the driver heard banging
Greyfriars Bobby is a dog who is one of the most pictured statues in
Edinburgh because when his master, the man who patrolled the
graveyard, died he visited his grave everyday til he died and his grave is there as well. Also in the graveyard Tom Riddle and the inspiration of Professor McGonigal are buried here.
So as you can see we learned a lot about Edinburgh and we did visit the castle which can be seen practically from all directions of the city. In the castle they have a stone which wherever thevrock was it was considered the one who ruled the UK. Then Katie and I took the megabus to London which was about a 7 hr bus ride where we got very little sleep but we had to make do.
Well I'll tell you about the rest of the trip soon. In London now on way to see Stamford Bridge aka where my favorite football team plays.
Let's hope I make it got like 10 mins to spare and still on the tube.
Eek
So if any of you come to Edinburgh I have the hostel for you. It's called the castle rock which is right next to Edinburgh castle but it is definitely a trek up a steep hill because Edinburgh is built on rocks and used to have two active volcanoes before it moved to where it is today.
I really forgot how beautiful Edinburgh was. ( I was here 6 years ago for a youth group trip) It was weird to be back in a European country where things I had seen before were so fresh in my mind and this time it was definitely more enjoyable.
When Katie and I got to our hostel they told us there was a free walking tour which was brilliant. Our tour guide was named Ronnie and was very knowledgeable on Edinburgh. We learned about how at 1 everyday a cannon is shot from Edinburgh castle to tell people that it's 1:00.
Also how in front of a church there us a Scottish heart where people spit on it because in that area people used to go to pay their taxes and of course no one likes taxes. Then being the brave one in the group I acted out a story of a woman who stole carrots for her children and was pinned by her ears to a door where people would throw things on you and ridicule you but if you were brave enough you could unpin yourself and have a bloody ear where everyone would know you were a criminal. I got many laughs and cheers from the crowd which was good.
Then we went by the writers museum where people used to throw there poo out the window and would all end in the river. You may ask why is this important but people would walk through this area and when someone yelled gardey hoe one would move to the side however people back then drank beer and whiskey because it was actually better than water so when people headed back from work in that area they would hear that and were too slow to move that they would get shit in their face which is where the phrase shit faced comes from.
Then I had a freaky dejá vu ever when we were by the same fish and chip shop that I had eaten at when I was there last time. Both Katie and I went in there this time though to have fried Mars bar which we shared and liked but apparently most people don't. In that same area we learned about Maggie Dicken (I think that was her name. I know Maggie's right) who was hung for having a premature baby which she left by the river. However when she was on her way to the cemetery the driver heard banging
Greyfriars Bobby is a dog who is one of the most pictured statues in
Edinburgh because when his master, the man who patrolled the
graveyard, died he visited his grave everyday til he died and his grave is there as well. Also in the graveyard Tom Riddle and the inspiration of Professor McGonigal are buried here.
So as you can see we learned a lot about Edinburgh and we did visit the castle which can be seen practically from all directions of the city. In the castle they have a stone which wherever thevrock was it was considered the one who ruled the UK. Then Katie and I took the megabus to London which was about a 7 hr bus ride where we got very little sleep but we had to make do.
Well I'll tell you about the rest of the trip soon. In London now on way to see Stamford Bridge aka where my favorite football team plays.
Let's hope I make it got like 10 mins to spare and still on the tube.
Eek
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Salisbury
We did it! we did the London triangle successfully. Took the bus from Edinburgh from there took tube to st pancras. From St Pancras we took train to chesterfield to see Chatsworth House which was beautiful (took a cab there) walked to nxt town to get the bus since we missed it in front of our eyes. Took train back to London then tube to Waterloo which got us into salisbury. Took cab to our hostel which is the 1st one not open 24 hrs so we are now in a country side inn where we spent the night for only 39 pounds since it was a holiday price and we got breakfast included we just lost deposit for hostel. Tonight go back to London
That's about it. Were off to see Stonehenge and the cathedral
That's about it. Were off to see Stonehenge and the cathedral
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Oh That's Blarney!
On our way to Edinburgh and 2 days away from the London Triangle and the most crazy travel one can do in a day it's insane but you will hear about that soon.
Now you may ask why Cork what is there to do? Well I will tell you the great Blarney Castle and after that not to much in Cork but that's ok.
Both Katie and I took the public bus to Blarney and made it there and back all in one piece. The Blarney area was beautiful. All different colorful flowers and a lake. We first started off at the main attraction which was 100 steps with a very narrow winding staircase with little rooms off to the side. Once we were at the top we kissed the blarney stone which you need to do by going on your back to the point where your but is at the ledge and kiss the stone. No worries love ( they say love over here all the time it's brilliant) there are bars below so you can't fall through and a man who is holding you.
So now I have been gifted with the gift of gab/eloquence which is an incredible gift if I do say so myself.
After the castle and it's other rooms we went to the blarney estate/ home which modern day people still live in. It had beautiful chandeliers and an amazing view of the lake. The house had beautiful artwork of the past families who lived there and a beautiful wood piano which the children of the house can only play on until they master the piano on a Caseo. The house itself housed a table that Princess Diana used for her wedding and both her and the family have stayed there a couple of times. The house also contained beautiful wood work that bears the family crest. We were very lucky to see inside the house because it is only available during certain times of the year. Although we only saw the 2 stories there was a 3rd level where our tour guide has even stayed a couple of times. Also during the tour the guide was trying to remember who wrote Whithering Heights and I remembered. So proud of myself and got some brownie points whoop whoop. Oh I almost forgot the house is equiped with bells which the house still uses for the servants to bring them food.
After the house we went to the Rock Path which contained two waterfalls the witches steps a fairy fort and a witches stone. The witches steps which you had to go up and down them with your eyes closed to make your wish come true. Which mine did after we visited a pharmacy (thought I had a tick in my belly but it's just an irritated
hair) so the witches steps does wonders. The grounds in that area were cute and full of all little myths but apparently there is still a "witch" but she comes out at dusk aka when the park closes.
After Blarney we went to the pub to have lunch and of course they came with chips. They really love them here it even came with pizza which I'll get to later. I had the local drink Beamish which looks like a Guiness and I thought tasted like a Guiness in the states but still good.
After lunch we headed back into Cork after missing 1 bus we got into the City at around 5:25 so things started closing. However we went down St. Patricks street which is the main busy shopping area and looked around. Katie and I both got something from H&M and stopped into Topshop/Topman. Then we wandered the streets looking for dinner.
Went into a pub but they stopped serving dinner which is when we came upon Scoozi an Italian restaurant which we waited for an hour but it was ok we both weren't hungry. While waiting we saw the waiters putting up streamers, Balloons and signs saying good luck. We also started naming waiters our favorite was Foxy who had his towel on the back of his bum and his dark brown hair had two little parts sticking up. He also had perfect amount of facial hair. He made our wait enjoyable although it is obvious someone that good looking would have a girlfriend. :'(
After dinner Katie and I went back to our hostel which was also a bar.
When we got in the night before it was insanely crazy to hear the receptionist because it was in the bar. We had to pay an extra night which was why when we got back from dinner we had to move into a new room where 4 rooms of 6 had to share one bathroom. We met Kevin and Harry who are from Canada and will be here til who knows they were fague but good company. Sadly we kind of woke everyone in the room this morning at 4:30am because we had to catch our flight to Edinburgh.
We've learned a lot about traveling through different forms. For instance we took a train practically back to Dublin when we could have taken a 3 hr bus ride.
So we have gotten to Edinburgh and are on our way to the hostel. We took probably the coldest airplane ever and got off the plane and we could see our breath. So sad were back to layering since yesterday all we had to wear was a light jacket or no jacket at all when we were at Blarney.
Toodles and will tell you all about our adventure soon in Scotland.
Now you may ask why Cork what is there to do? Well I will tell you the great Blarney Castle and after that not to much in Cork but that's ok.
Both Katie and I took the public bus to Blarney and made it there and back all in one piece. The Blarney area was beautiful. All different colorful flowers and a lake. We first started off at the main attraction which was 100 steps with a very narrow winding staircase with little rooms off to the side. Once we were at the top we kissed the blarney stone which you need to do by going on your back to the point where your but is at the ledge and kiss the stone. No worries love ( they say love over here all the time it's brilliant) there are bars below so you can't fall through and a man who is holding you.
So now I have been gifted with the gift of gab/eloquence which is an incredible gift if I do say so myself.
After the castle and it's other rooms we went to the blarney estate/ home which modern day people still live in. It had beautiful chandeliers and an amazing view of the lake. The house had beautiful artwork of the past families who lived there and a beautiful wood piano which the children of the house can only play on until they master the piano on a Caseo. The house itself housed a table that Princess Diana used for her wedding and both her and the family have stayed there a couple of times. The house also contained beautiful wood work that bears the family crest. We were very lucky to see inside the house because it is only available during certain times of the year. Although we only saw the 2 stories there was a 3rd level where our tour guide has even stayed a couple of times. Also during the tour the guide was trying to remember who wrote Whithering Heights and I remembered. So proud of myself and got some brownie points whoop whoop. Oh I almost forgot the house is equiped with bells which the house still uses for the servants to bring them food.
After the house we went to the Rock Path which contained two waterfalls the witches steps a fairy fort and a witches stone. The witches steps which you had to go up and down them with your eyes closed to make your wish come true. Which mine did after we visited a pharmacy (thought I had a tick in my belly but it's just an irritated
hair) so the witches steps does wonders. The grounds in that area were cute and full of all little myths but apparently there is still a "witch" but she comes out at dusk aka when the park closes.
After Blarney we went to the pub to have lunch and of course they came with chips. They really love them here it even came with pizza which I'll get to later. I had the local drink Beamish which looks like a Guiness and I thought tasted like a Guiness in the states but still good.
After lunch we headed back into Cork after missing 1 bus we got into the City at around 5:25 so things started closing. However we went down St. Patricks street which is the main busy shopping area and looked around. Katie and I both got something from H&M and stopped into Topshop/Topman. Then we wandered the streets looking for dinner.
Went into a pub but they stopped serving dinner which is when we came upon Scoozi an Italian restaurant which we waited for an hour but it was ok we both weren't hungry. While waiting we saw the waiters putting up streamers, Balloons and signs saying good luck. We also started naming waiters our favorite was Foxy who had his towel on the back of his bum and his dark brown hair had two little parts sticking up. He also had perfect amount of facial hair. He made our wait enjoyable although it is obvious someone that good looking would have a girlfriend. :'(
After dinner Katie and I went back to our hostel which was also a bar.
When we got in the night before it was insanely crazy to hear the receptionist because it was in the bar. We had to pay an extra night which was why when we got back from dinner we had to move into a new room where 4 rooms of 6 had to share one bathroom. We met Kevin and Harry who are from Canada and will be here til who knows they were fague but good company. Sadly we kind of woke everyone in the room this morning at 4:30am because we had to catch our flight to Edinburgh.
We've learned a lot about traveling through different forms. For instance we took a train practically back to Dublin when we could have taken a 3 hr bus ride.
So we have gotten to Edinburgh and are on our way to the hostel. We took probably the coldest airplane ever and got off the plane and we could see our breath. So sad were back to layering since yesterday all we had to wear was a light jacket or no jacket at all when we were at Blarney.
Toodles and will tell you all about our adventure soon in Scotland.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Galway Doesn't like this girl
We got into Galway at 6 and unlike the states everything closes except pubs which only a select few serve food after that. We treated ourselves to both steak and lamb and I had an amazing clam chowder.
Then we had profiteroles for dessert.
After dinner we decided to draw money from the atm which decided to eat my card. So I tried calling the bank but didn't know the country code so I called them back at the hostel to fund out "No you can't get your card back and we won't retrieve it." Then the hostel which was very nice and very helpful but proceeds to tell us the Irish aren't helpful and open late like 10/12. That was not all that was bad about Galway; we found out that the Cliffs of Mohrer, something we mainly wanted to see in Galway was an overnight tour. We were only staying in Galway for a day so we were determined to find an alternative way which the hostel said there was a 1 day tour. So have to say Galway doesn't like this girl.
Random side note: on the train we sat across from a man who was from Glenview and then a girl at the hostel recognized Katie and we found out she went to Regina.
So to start off the day today we woke up at 830 so I could get my eurorail pass validated before we took a tour bus to the Cliffs.
On the way we took mini stops to a cliff made of rocks, some castles, and then the cliffs which were so beautiful. Both Katie and I were bundled up because we have been cold the last couple of days. But seriously the Cliffs are unbelievable and probably around 2/3 stories high. While we were up there I fell down...... A mini hill which wasn't bad but got a gasp from the crowd. Then we went to the other end to O'Briens castle who was a man who visited the cliffs and started the paths for tourists. After that we went to the exhibit and learned about the cliffs and the stories about them.
For instance on the Cliffs there is a corner called jags head. The story behind it is that this woman followed around an Irish warrior named Cu Callah (or something along those lines) so he jumped off 1 cliff and she followed then he jumped off the Cliffs and she followed and died. Her blood was spread everywhere and is now hags head.
Then there was a fisherman who came across a mermaid and took her jacket. The mermaid came to his house and couldn't find her jacket. He asked her to marry her and they had a son and a daughter. Then one day she found it and went back to the cliffs. We learned a lot of fable stories. All around the Irish country side there are fairy trees which are small trees with white flowers. We went around a fairy fort on our tour and had to sing a song in Gaelic to hey rid of the bad spirits :D The fairy trees are not to be cut down or bad luck will happen Some of the stories were a man cut the tree down to build a fire. All of a sudden his best cow went down and ill but when he returned the stocks his cow was better. Then another man told his whole family to dig around a fairy tree to loosen it and get wood for the house. The whole family died and their house went in flames.
On the way back to Galway we stopped at an archaeological spot called Poulnabrone Dolmen which was built by Neolithic farmers about 5,800 years ago making it older than the pyramids We also went to Kilferora Cathedral known as the City of Crosses where there Celtic crosses from the 6th Century.
It was definitely a nice trip but we didn't get to see that much of Galway. All we saw in Galway was the Spanish Arch which was the arch to the port from Spain and st Nicolas cathedral where Christopher Columbus stopped before he took his trip to the Americas. Inside the cathedral there was a window where the pastors son hung himself and for some reason is a thing to see in Galway.
Anyways on the train to Cork where we are going to Blarney Castle and possibly a chocolate shop from the 18th century. Then we leave the next day we have a flight at 7 am ewww. Another somewhat eww is on the way to the cliffs we totally just saw a baby horse being born. The placenta was still attached and the horse was still wet with blood :P haha One thing that was funny was when we left Galway the tide was low to the point where boats were on dirt but when we came back they were floating like you would see any boat.
Were definitely kicking this trip and can't believe we've only been here four days.
and sorry for any spelling errors- often entering on my ipod and need to post quickly.
Slag (bye in Gaelic)
Then we had profiteroles for dessert.
After dinner we decided to draw money from the atm which decided to eat my card. So I tried calling the bank but didn't know the country code so I called them back at the hostel to fund out "No you can't get your card back and we won't retrieve it." Then the hostel which was very nice and very helpful but proceeds to tell us the Irish aren't helpful and open late like 10/12. That was not all that was bad about Galway; we found out that the Cliffs of Mohrer, something we mainly wanted to see in Galway was an overnight tour. We were only staying in Galway for a day so we were determined to find an alternative way which the hostel said there was a 1 day tour. So have to say Galway doesn't like this girl.
Random side note: on the train we sat across from a man who was from Glenview and then a girl at the hostel recognized Katie and we found out she went to Regina.
So to start off the day today we woke up at 830 so I could get my eurorail pass validated before we took a tour bus to the Cliffs.
On the way we took mini stops to a cliff made of rocks, some castles, and then the cliffs which were so beautiful. Both Katie and I were bundled up because we have been cold the last couple of days. But seriously the Cliffs are unbelievable and probably around 2/3 stories high. While we were up there I fell down...... A mini hill which wasn't bad but got a gasp from the crowd. Then we went to the other end to O'Briens castle who was a man who visited the cliffs and started the paths for tourists. After that we went to the exhibit and learned about the cliffs and the stories about them.
For instance on the Cliffs there is a corner called jags head. The story behind it is that this woman followed around an Irish warrior named Cu Callah (or something along those lines) so he jumped off 1 cliff and she followed then he jumped off the Cliffs and she followed and died. Her blood was spread everywhere and is now hags head.
Then there was a fisherman who came across a mermaid and took her jacket. The mermaid came to his house and couldn't find her jacket. He asked her to marry her and they had a son and a daughter. Then one day she found it and went back to the cliffs. We learned a lot of fable stories. All around the Irish country side there are fairy trees which are small trees with white flowers. We went around a fairy fort on our tour and had to sing a song in Gaelic to hey rid of the bad spirits :D The fairy trees are not to be cut down or bad luck will happen Some of the stories were a man cut the tree down to build a fire. All of a sudden his best cow went down and ill but when he returned the stocks his cow was better. Then another man told his whole family to dig around a fairy tree to loosen it and get wood for the house. The whole family died and their house went in flames.
On the way back to Galway we stopped at an archaeological spot called Poulnabrone Dolmen which was built by Neolithic farmers about 5,800 years ago making it older than the pyramids We also went to Kilferora Cathedral known as the City of Crosses where there Celtic crosses from the 6th Century.
It was definitely a nice trip but we didn't get to see that much of Galway. All we saw in Galway was the Spanish Arch which was the arch to the port from Spain and st Nicolas cathedral where Christopher Columbus stopped before he took his trip to the Americas. Inside the cathedral there was a window where the pastors son hung himself and for some reason is a thing to see in Galway.
Anyways on the train to Cork where we are going to Blarney Castle and possibly a chocolate shop from the 18th century. Then we leave the next day we have a flight at 7 am ewww. Another somewhat eww is on the way to the cliffs we totally just saw a baby horse being born. The placenta was still attached and the horse was still wet with blood :P haha One thing that was funny was when we left Galway the tide was low to the point where boats were on dirt but when we came back they were floating like you would see any boat.
Were definitely kicking this trip and can't believe we've only been here four days.
and sorry for any spelling errors- often entering on my ipod and need to post quickly.
Slag (bye in Gaelic)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Goodbye Dublin Hello Galway
So it's our last day in Dublin and then we will be heading to Galway.
Yesterday we did a lot of walking. We went to St. Patricks cathedral where st. Patrick baptized Protestants into Catholics in a well. The Church also had flags of all the knights of st. Patrick along the alter which was pretty cool.
Then we made our way to the Guiness Factory which Katie walked us through some of the neighborhoods in Dublin and got us there. Seriously she is the best map reader ever and has gotten us from place to place even though sometimes I doubt her we alway get there.
In the Guiness factory which is shaped like a pint of guiness was really fun. We learned about what goes into Guiness which actually has a redish hint to it and truly does taste better and different in Dublin. In the factory we had the option of either pouring your own or having them do it. Katie and I had them do it and I was sadly disappointed that there was no shamrock on top. But the 360 view of Dublin made up for it.
One of the things that was interesting is when they used to make barrels out of wood it took a 7 year apprenticeship to be considered a master. Katie and I got an honarary apprenticeship while we were there and will post the picture on facebook when we get back.
After the Guiness factory we went on a literary pub crawl which was mostly attended my American tourists. The actors were very funny and gave very knowedgable information. After the pub we got dinner which I got lamb and had a bulmers which was amazing cider. So now I have officially had heiniken, carlsburg, and a guiness and hope to continue my many different beers.
Then we went back to the hostel and we had a full house of 12 people. We met two people Mariana and Silvia who both signed my TOMS. They liked my idea of what I was doing and told them what the company does and its cause. So before going to bed we chatted to them who we might meet up at Kings College when were in London but we'll see since it is their exam week. Anyways we went to bed and 2 Russians (well I call them that cuz they both had leather jackets and had heavy shoes as if they were in the army) came in and left then about an hour later the drunken Irishmen came in. The 1 closest to my bed started stripping and got into Silvias bed thinking it was his. He kept falling and shaking the bed I had no idea what was happening. Then his friend tried to get into his bed but fell out. Let's just say yes kindof funny jut not when your trying to fall asleep. Then in morning drunk man 1 kept clearing his throat and exposing his nude coloured boxers (yes I just pulled out how they spell over here) and he and his buddies had a full on conversation.
Sad to say goodbye to our hostel which was really nice and everyone kept saying it was really nice. So were assuming we can only get worse from there haha
Then we kicked off the day with our backpacks to the writers museum. Where we had audio tours and were in Mr. Jameson house who put stainglass windows into the house that has the Jameson logo. In the museum there were all the traditional Irish writters you think about. They had death masks of the writers which was wierd and have no idea what that was about. Then there was a writer who threw his typewritter out a pub window. A writer who would put cow poo on his shoes to remind people he was from the country and a writer who had a phone to only take calls he wanted with both red and green lights. Then there was the writer something along the lines of st. George who shot bullets above Oscar Wilders head and so he included him as a character in one if his books. Wow yeah look at what I got out of the Museum can't even remember the writers names.
Anyways that will be it. On the train right now to Galway where there many pretty field and sheep. Katies being the official photographer since she's closest to the window. And we have both had our workout with carrying our backpacks.
Laters
Yesterday we did a lot of walking. We went to St. Patricks cathedral where st. Patrick baptized Protestants into Catholics in a well. The Church also had flags of all the knights of st. Patrick along the alter which was pretty cool.
Then we made our way to the Guiness Factory which Katie walked us through some of the neighborhoods in Dublin and got us there. Seriously she is the best map reader ever and has gotten us from place to place even though sometimes I doubt her we alway get there.
In the Guiness factory which is shaped like a pint of guiness was really fun. We learned about what goes into Guiness which actually has a redish hint to it and truly does taste better and different in Dublin. In the factory we had the option of either pouring your own or having them do it. Katie and I had them do it and I was sadly disappointed that there was no shamrock on top. But the 360 view of Dublin made up for it.
One of the things that was interesting is when they used to make barrels out of wood it took a 7 year apprenticeship to be considered a master. Katie and I got an honarary apprenticeship while we were there and will post the picture on facebook when we get back.
After the Guiness factory we went on a literary pub crawl which was mostly attended my American tourists. The actors were very funny and gave very knowedgable information. After the pub we got dinner which I got lamb and had a bulmers which was amazing cider. So now I have officially had heiniken, carlsburg, and a guiness and hope to continue my many different beers.
Then we went back to the hostel and we had a full house of 12 people. We met two people Mariana and Silvia who both signed my TOMS. They liked my idea of what I was doing and told them what the company does and its cause. So before going to bed we chatted to them who we might meet up at Kings College when were in London but we'll see since it is their exam week. Anyways we went to bed and 2 Russians (well I call them that cuz they both had leather jackets and had heavy shoes as if they were in the army) came in and left then about an hour later the drunken Irishmen came in. The 1 closest to my bed started stripping and got into Silvias bed thinking it was his. He kept falling and shaking the bed I had no idea what was happening. Then his friend tried to get into his bed but fell out. Let's just say yes kindof funny jut not when your trying to fall asleep. Then in morning drunk man 1 kept clearing his throat and exposing his nude coloured boxers (yes I just pulled out how they spell over here) and he and his buddies had a full on conversation.
Sad to say goodbye to our hostel which was really nice and everyone kept saying it was really nice. So were assuming we can only get worse from there haha
Then we kicked off the day with our backpacks to the writers museum. Where we had audio tours and were in Mr. Jameson house who put stainglass windows into the house that has the Jameson logo. In the museum there were all the traditional Irish writters you think about. They had death masks of the writers which was wierd and have no idea what that was about. Then there was a writer who threw his typewritter out a pub window. A writer who would put cow poo on his shoes to remind people he was from the country and a writer who had a phone to only take calls he wanted with both red and green lights. Then there was the writer something along the lines of st. George who shot bullets above Oscar Wilders head and so he included him as a character in one if his books. Wow yeah look at what I got out of the Museum can't even remember the writers names.
Anyways that will be it. On the train right now to Galway where there many pretty field and sheep. Katies being the official photographer since she's closest to the window. And we have both had our workout with carrying our backpacks.
Laters
Monday, May 24, 2010
Over tired in Dublin
So I finally made it to Dublin to start my big Europe adventure.
To start off Katie n I got there at the same time however we found out that our in flight entertainment was not going to work so we both bought books for the plane. Then we thought the gate was M9 and we didn't understand how no one was there so I double checked and realized we were at the wrong gate and our hate was at it's last boarding call so made it just on time.
Finally leave airport and thanks to printing our how to get to the hostel we took a bus where we met a couple from Oklahoma. Then got off st trinity college and used both itouch and printed directions to get to the hostel which we now have down flat and in only a day.
Now you might think they were so tired they must of napped.... NOPE! We made a full packed day.
1st went on a historical walking tour throughout the city which was fantastic because we found out all the history of the historical places without paying a price. We started off at trinity college where found out the president of the university said he wouldn't admit a woman over his dead body. Well the first day they admitted a woman he died. Also the school was only admitted presbiterians however over time they admitted Catholics but had to prove it to their bishop on their town.
Then we went to parliament which is housed in the bank of Ireland aka a real bank. Then we went to Dublin castle which hardly looks like a castle. King John you know the one everyone hated in robin hood built the castle and they said it was the worst built castle. So all that stands is one stone round tower while the rest is red brick.
Then we went to City council which wasn't anything special. Then went to Christ church which looked very cool. After 2 hrs then Katie and I got a free beer voucher at bull or something.
After that went back to Trinity college to look at the book of Kels which is thxe bible all done with beautiful handwriting. Then we went up the stairs to the long hall which houses books back from the 18th century and due to a law they have to get every book ever published at Trinity college. Now this hall looked liked something out of Harry Potter. The smallest books on top and bigger books on the bottom and each shelf was labeled a through p just to give a picture. While we were there i finally got tired and fell asleep somewhat mid sentence which is why we got Starbucks. Which here they ask if for here or to go cuz they give you a legit cup if you stay. Also what was wierd had to ask employee to open bathroom door cuz it was locked with a special code.
After that went back to finally get onto our room which is an 8 bedroom ensuite mix meaning coed and we all share a bathroom. At the moment there are only 6 beds occupied so who knows if well have a full house.
Anyways after quick run back here went to a musical pub crawl where we met up with people we met on the walking tour. We went to 3 pubs however at the 2nd I was in and out die to the tiredness hitting me. So its 12:30am here and have another full day packed. Hopefully will fall asleep after drunks provide all this drunkiness entertainment and that won't walk in on 2 people in the same bed.
Side note: have to write blog on notes on itouch so things might be delayed
Also I became a fan of xfactor britian this year and one of the groups who made it to 5th place are these Irish twins named Jedward (google them/YouTube them an you will just want to run away) anyways saw them as an advertisement for a fast food place n it said ice ice baby - more of a reference for alex and Julie but thought I'd include a past obsession. Hopefully will be able to write tomorrow
Marin
To start off Katie n I got there at the same time however we found out that our in flight entertainment was not going to work so we both bought books for the plane. Then we thought the gate was M9 and we didn't understand how no one was there so I double checked and realized we were at the wrong gate and our hate was at it's last boarding call so made it just on time.
Finally leave airport and thanks to printing our how to get to the hostel we took a bus where we met a couple from Oklahoma. Then got off st trinity college and used both itouch and printed directions to get to the hostel which we now have down flat and in only a day.
Now you might think they were so tired they must of napped.... NOPE! We made a full packed day.
1st went on a historical walking tour throughout the city which was fantastic because we found out all the history of the historical places without paying a price. We started off at trinity college where found out the president of the university said he wouldn't admit a woman over his dead body. Well the first day they admitted a woman he died. Also the school was only admitted presbiterians however over time they admitted Catholics but had to prove it to their bishop on their town.
Then we went to parliament which is housed in the bank of Ireland aka a real bank. Then we went to Dublin castle which hardly looks like a castle. King John you know the one everyone hated in robin hood built the castle and they said it was the worst built castle. So all that stands is one stone round tower while the rest is red brick.
Then we went to City council which wasn't anything special. Then went to Christ church which looked very cool. After 2 hrs then Katie and I got a free beer voucher at bull or something.
After that went back to Trinity college to look at the book of Kels which is thxe bible all done with beautiful handwriting. Then we went up the stairs to the long hall which houses books back from the 18th century and due to a law they have to get every book ever published at Trinity college. Now this hall looked liked something out of Harry Potter. The smallest books on top and bigger books on the bottom and each shelf was labeled a through p just to give a picture. While we were there i finally got tired and fell asleep somewhat mid sentence which is why we got Starbucks. Which here they ask if for here or to go cuz they give you a legit cup if you stay. Also what was wierd had to ask employee to open bathroom door cuz it was locked with a special code.
After that went back to finally get onto our room which is an 8 bedroom ensuite mix meaning coed and we all share a bathroom. At the moment there are only 6 beds occupied so who knows if well have a full house.
Anyways after quick run back here went to a musical pub crawl where we met up with people we met on the walking tour. We went to 3 pubs however at the 2nd I was in and out die to the tiredness hitting me. So its 12:30am here and have another full day packed. Hopefully will fall asleep after drunks provide all this drunkiness entertainment and that won't walk in on 2 people in the same bed.
Side note: have to write blog on notes on itouch so things might be delayed
Also I became a fan of xfactor britian this year and one of the groups who made it to 5th place are these Irish twins named Jedward (google them/YouTube them an you will just want to run away) anyways saw them as an advertisement for a fast food place n it said ice ice baby - more of a reference for alex and Julie but thought I'd include a past obsession. Hopefully will be able to write tomorrow
Marin
Friday, May 21, 2010
And were Off
So its down to 2 days and then were off. Katie and I have done so much planning its crazy and we just can't wait to get there. I am going to try my best to keep everyone updated on my backpacking; ups, downs, and craziness.
Although the main purpose of the blog is for my Euro trip I plan to eventually use it for other purposes in the near future and become somewhat an avid blogger.
The Blog itself deals with things related to me. First, a nickname I got in college from a lovely roommate, Brits because I have an obsession with the UK and its culture, Kicks--> my love for soccer/football, and the other obsessions I have that come and go.
I hope you enjoy and please post or write emails to keep in touch. :D
Although the main purpose of the blog is for my Euro trip I plan to eventually use it for other purposes in the near future and become somewhat an avid blogger.
The Blog itself deals with things related to me. First, a nickname I got in college from a lovely roommate, Brits because I have an obsession with the UK and its culture, Kicks--> my love for soccer/football, and the other obsessions I have that come and go.
I hope you enjoy and please post or write emails to keep in touch. :D
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