With the end of the semester fast approaching I have been seriously slacking off on my blog posting. Hopefully that will change now that the due dates for my papers are coming up. I always love a reason to procrastinate...not that I need a reason most of the time.
In the next few posts I will just be playing catch up.
Three weekends ago I went to glorious Ireland and one weekend was not enough! We flew from Leeds to Dublin and took a bus to our hostel right off of O'Connell Street. For once there were no travel mishaps and we had virtually no problem finding where we were staying. Maybe I am getting better at this whole travel thing...maybe.
Anyway we always arrive late so after climbing like 5 flights of stairs we just headed to bed. The next day was when we really got to see Dublin. We decided to pay for one of those hop on hop off tour buses because the ticket is good for 2 days and it takes you to all the main sights. Basically it meant that we would have to pay for any transportation while we were there. Also they picked up right on O'Connell Street so it simplified things.
When we first got on we got off at like the first or second stop because I really wanted to see the statue of Oscar Wilde and roam around the park that the statue is in. I was in serious need of a park. I'm glad I got off. Oscar Wilde is posed in this awkward "just chilling on a rock with my pipe and smoking jacket" kind of way, and it just felt like Oscar Wilde....or at least what I know of him from his quotes seeing as how I've never read any of his work. Then we just meandered through the park. All the trees were beautiful fall colors and it was just breathtaking. I wish there was a park closer to where I am staying in Bradford. We ended up getting so distracted by it all that we missed the next two times the bus came around. Also we found SWINGS!! It was very exciting for some reason. Its not like I swing a lot at home, but for some reason I was craving it. Of course these swings were designed for little kids so even my legs were too long to really get any momentum. Still it was nice to just chill in a park.
Next we headed across the street to the "Dead ZOO". Really it is just the Natural History Museum, but that's what people call it. I mean it makes since because there are just a bunch of fossils and taxidermied animals in there, but the name is a bit morbid. I think we only went in because of the name. I mean honestly I don't really like Natural History Museums...unless they have dinosaurs. Dinosaurs make the whole thing worthwhile, but this museum was small and didn't have any.
We finally managed to get back on the bus. We were planning on just hopping off again, but this bus driver/tour guide was hilarious so we just stayed on for the entire loop. We sat on the top level in the open area just like we did in Scotland. It wasn't nearly as cold, but after a while the wind really gets to you. Since its been so long I don't even know if I remember everything we saw on the tour. I know we saw Dublin Castle (not a castle in the traditional sense), the Temple Bar area (definitely going to have to spend more time there next time), St. Patrick's Cathedral, Guinness Storehouse (considered going in but the tickets cost too much, especially considering how I am currently not a huge fan of beer), Phoenix Park, Old Jameson Distillery, Parnell Square, and The Dublin Eye.
The amazing sights along with the witty commentary and historical references really just made me miss my Dad like crazy. He would have loved it. My family is Irish and it is actually sometimes a big deal. He has never been to Ireland, but we used to go see Riverdance every time they came to Birmingham and then we would spend the rest of the night pretending to Irish step dance on the air conditioning floor grating because it made the right sound. We also have a contemporary wood painting of St. Patrick next to our front door that my Dad is very proud of him. So I already know he would love Ireland, but he is also kind of a random facts/history buff. When we travel he likes to take over as our historical tour guide, and this tour would have given him some excellent information that he could later repeat to us four or five times. Hopefully he will come visit me at the end of the year and all of this can still happen.
So by the time we finished the loop and then went back around to get off at more stops we were both starving. We had had lunch, but that seemed like ages ago. First though we decided to go to the tourist information center and get a day trip for tomorrow. I really wanted to go to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway, but Jasmine made it perfectly clear she had no desire to go there. I would have been fine with going alone, but I would have felt guilty because I still don't feel like she is comfortable with it. Anyway, we decided to go to Cork and Blarney Castle. I want to go there too so its not like I was unhappy, and I'll just go to the cliffs next time because there will be a next time. After dinner, which I don't even remember, we stopped by this souvenir shop so Jasmine could buy gifts before we headed back to the hostel. She spent a lot of time and money in that store. I haven't bought anyone any gifts. My family understands that I am saving my money for travel, and I don't want to get anybody "junk". If I see something that reminds me of them or that I know they would love then that is when I will buy gifts. I did get Jasmine a birthday present though, but I know she'll like it.
We were going to go out that night but we were both so exhausted that we bailed. Maybe if we hadn't gone to the hostel first it would have happened, but once we sat down and got settled we realized just how worn out we were. We ended up just chatting with this Australian guy that was staying in the room with us. I can't recall his name for the life of me, but I think he was about 18 or 19. It was a really cool story. After he graduated from high school he came up to England with his parents and younger brother to visit their grandmother. Then the day before they were supposed to return home he told them he was not going back with them. He said his father kind of expected it, but his mom was upset. Its very common for Australians to take a year off before university (very jealous), but I don't know if I would have had the courage to just tell my parents I wasn't going back with them. After that he had just been travelling around Europe, but now he was going to head back to England to work because he was quickly running out of money. Kind of a cool life, but I don't know if I want to travel for that long on my own.
The next day was already planned out because of the day trip. We had to be at the coach by 6AM, I think, so we hurriedly got ready in the dark and then it was just a straight-ish shot to the meeting place. I tried to stay awake because the tour guide/bus driver was giving us some really interesting information on the Irish struggles, but my eyelids had a different plan. I did get to see some of the countryside before I passed out so it wasn't all lost on me.
Our first stop (not including the halfway stop) was the Rock of Cashel. Its one of Ireland's most historic sites. There is this beautiful ruin on top of the hill that we got to explore for a while. It offered these beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. I wouldn't mind just staying up there and looking at the sheep covered hills. It had also just rained so everything was just incredibly vibrant.
Then back on the coach to Blarney Castle. We bee-lined it to Blarney Castle so we could explore it and make it up the steps to the Blarney Stone. Thankfully it is the off season so there was no wait. I've heard that the line can be horrendous so we really lucked out. The stairs up to the stone were a bit treacherous. Winding and steep and uneven. The supporting rope was a necessity! The tilt back to kiss the stone was also a bit of a head rush, but now I should have the "gift of gab". People should beware!
The stone wasn't the only reason to go into the castle though. I really enjoy castles. They just seem so ominous and they have these horrid and legendary histories. They also are one of the few places that I realize the benefits of being short. I know some people who would have quite a difficult time exploring the rooms and passageways, but most of the time I don't even have to duck. At this castle they had an oubliette and all I could think about was:
Hoggle: This is an oubliette, labyrinth's full of 'em.
Sarah: Really. I didn't know that.
Hoggle; Oh don't act so smart. You don't even know what an oubliette is.
Sarah: Do you?
Hoggel: Yes. It's a place you put people...to forget about 'em!
-and-
And that was the trip to Ireland. The next morning we got up super early to catch our plane. But hopefully I will be back for St. Patrick's day and on that trip I am definitely going to the Temple Bar area and having a Guinness in Fagan's pub.
In the next few posts I will just be playing catch up.
Three weekends ago I went to glorious Ireland and one weekend was not enough! We flew from Leeds to Dublin and took a bus to our hostel right off of O'Connell Street. For once there were no travel mishaps and we had virtually no problem finding where we were staying. Maybe I am getting better at this whole travel thing...maybe.
Anyway we always arrive late so after climbing like 5 flights of stairs we just headed to bed. The next day was when we really got to see Dublin. We decided to pay for one of those hop on hop off tour buses because the ticket is good for 2 days and it takes you to all the main sights. Basically it meant that we would have to pay for any transportation while we were there. Also they picked up right on O'Connell Street so it simplified things.
When we first got on we got off at like the first or second stop because I really wanted to see the statue of Oscar Wilde and roam around the park that the statue is in. I was in serious need of a park. I'm glad I got off. Oscar Wilde is posed in this awkward "just chilling on a rock with my pipe and smoking jacket" kind of way, and it just felt like Oscar Wilde....or at least what I know of him from his quotes seeing as how I've never read any of his work. Then we just meandered through the park. All the trees were beautiful fall colors and it was just breathtaking. I wish there was a park closer to where I am staying in Bradford. We ended up getting so distracted by it all that we missed the next two times the bus came around. Also we found SWINGS!! It was very exciting for some reason. Its not like I swing a lot at home, but for some reason I was craving it. Of course these swings were designed for little kids so even my legs were too long to really get any momentum. Still it was nice to just chill in a park.
Next we headed across the street to the "Dead ZOO". Really it is just the Natural History Museum, but that's what people call it. I mean it makes since because there are just a bunch of fossils and taxidermied animals in there, but the name is a bit morbid. I think we only went in because of the name. I mean honestly I don't really like Natural History Museums...unless they have dinosaurs. Dinosaurs make the whole thing worthwhile, but this museum was small and didn't have any.We finally managed to get back on the bus. We were planning on just hopping off again, but this bus driver/tour guide was hilarious so we just stayed on for the entire loop. We sat on the top level in the open area just like we did in Scotland. It wasn't nearly as cold, but after a while the wind really gets to you. Since its been so long I don't even know if I remember everything we saw on the tour. I know we saw Dublin Castle (not a castle in the traditional sense), the Temple Bar area (definitely going to have to spend more time there next time), St. Patrick's Cathedral, Guinness Storehouse (considered going in but the tickets cost too much, especially considering how I am currently not a huge fan of beer), Phoenix Park, Old Jameson Distillery, Parnell Square, and The Dublin Eye.
The amazing sights along with the witty commentary and historical references really just made me miss my Dad like crazy. He would have loved it. My family is Irish and it is actually sometimes a big deal. He has never been to Ireland, but we used to go see Riverdance every time they came to Birmingham and then we would spend the rest of the night pretending to Irish step dance on the air conditioning floor grating because it made the right sound. We also have a contemporary wood painting of St. Patrick next to our front door that my Dad is very proud of him. So I already know he would love Ireland, but he is also kind of a random facts/history buff. When we travel he likes to take over as our historical tour guide, and this tour would have given him some excellent information that he could later repeat to us four or five times. Hopefully he will come visit me at the end of the year and all of this can still happen.
So by the time we finished the loop and then went back around to get off at more stops we were both starving. We had had lunch, but that seemed like ages ago. First though we decided to go to the tourist information center and get a day trip for tomorrow. I really wanted to go to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway, but Jasmine made it perfectly clear she had no desire to go there. I would have been fine with going alone, but I would have felt guilty because I still don't feel like she is comfortable with it. Anyway, we decided to go to Cork and Blarney Castle. I want to go there too so its not like I was unhappy, and I'll just go to the cliffs next time because there will be a next time. After dinner, which I don't even remember, we stopped by this souvenir shop so Jasmine could buy gifts before we headed back to the hostel. She spent a lot of time and money in that store. I haven't bought anyone any gifts. My family understands that I am saving my money for travel, and I don't want to get anybody "junk". If I see something that reminds me of them or that I know they would love then that is when I will buy gifts. I did get Jasmine a birthday present though, but I know she'll like it.
We were going to go out that night but we were both so exhausted that we bailed. Maybe if we hadn't gone to the hostel first it would have happened, but once we sat down and got settled we realized just how worn out we were. We ended up just chatting with this Australian guy that was staying in the room with us. I can't recall his name for the life of me, but I think he was about 18 or 19. It was a really cool story. After he graduated from high school he came up to England with his parents and younger brother to visit their grandmother. Then the day before they were supposed to return home he told them he was not going back with them. He said his father kind of expected it, but his mom was upset. Its very common for Australians to take a year off before university (very jealous), but I don't know if I would have had the courage to just tell my parents I wasn't going back with them. After that he had just been travelling around Europe, but now he was going to head back to England to work because he was quickly running out of money. Kind of a cool life, but I don't know if I want to travel for that long on my own.
The next day was already planned out because of the day trip. We had to be at the coach by 6AM, I think, so we hurriedly got ready in the dark and then it was just a straight-ish shot to the meeting place. I tried to stay awake because the tour guide/bus driver was giving us some really interesting information on the Irish struggles, but my eyelids had a different plan. I did get to see some of the countryside before I passed out so it wasn't all lost on me.
Then back on the coach to Blarney Castle. We bee-lined it to Blarney Castle so we could explore it and make it up the steps to the Blarney Stone. Thankfully it is the off season so there was no wait. I've heard that the line can be horrendous so we really lucked out. The stairs up to the stone were a bit treacherous. Winding and steep and uneven. The supporting rope was a necessity! The tilt back to kiss the stone was also a bit of a head rush, but now I should have the "gift of gab". People should beware!
The stone wasn't the only reason to go into the castle though. I really enjoy castles. They just seem so ominous and they have these horrid and legendary histories. They also are one of the few places that I realize the benefits of being short. I know some people who would have quite a difficult time exploring the rooms and passageways, but most of the time I don't even have to duck. At this castle they had an oubliette and all I could think about was:Hoggle: This is an oubliette, labyrinth's full of 'em.
Sarah: Really. I didn't know that.
Hoggle; Oh don't act so smart. You don't even know what an oubliette is.
Sarah: Do you?
Hoggel: Yes. It's a place you put people...to forget about 'em!
-and-
Jareth: She's in the oubliette.
(goblins laugh)
Jareth: Shut up! She should not have gotten as far as the oubliette; She should've given up by now.
Since then all I've wanted to do is watch Labyrinth.
Just outside of the castle they have this Poison Garden. Honestly if I lived in a castle I would have a poison garden. Its nice to have that stuff on hand. There were also a lot of plants from the Harry Potter books in the garden such as Mandrake and Wolfsbane. There was way more land to explore around the castle than I was expecting and I wish I had more time to explore it. Lots of mystical stuff like Druid caves and Wishing Steps. It kind of places you in a storybook. I was really bummed that I didn't get to explore the Witches Kitchen, the Witches Stone, the Druids Circle, and the Fairy Glade. When I was a kid I used to play in the backyard, of course I called it the Secret Garden, and I would collect wildlife and pretend to make magic potions as if I was a witch or Wicca. It kind of felt like I could go back and keep pretending. The woods also reminded me of my grandma 'cause she was always really into fairies and once we went to see Fairy Tale: A True Story in theaters and since then I always walk around circles of mushrooms. The woods were just very magical and in my mind it gave the castle validity. But it was back on the coach before I could get my fill.
The last stop was Cork and we spent most of the time in a pub having lunch. I was absolutely famished and I ended up having some chicken pie thing that was unbelievably rich. It just put me straight to sleep on the coach, again.
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