The World in Britain

After Finals, I departed for Dublin!! Dublin was a lot of fun, and to my suprise - I did see Leprechauns (at a pub - but I swear I was sober). In Dublin, my roomie and I went to the Guinness storehouse, and went to the top of the 13 story building to the Gravity Bar, where they only serve Guinness. We went to several churches and cathedrals, including the cathedral St Patrick built. Temple Bar was a gem, and the clubs there were a lot of fun. The only unenjoyable thing about Dublin was the fact that hardly any Irish were there! More foreigners and AMERICANS were in Dublin than Irish. I did not go to Ireland to converse with Americans at pubs! Next was Belfast, N. Ireland - which was a beautiful city, regardless of the tragic history. I spent 7 days and Christmas Day with Peter McIlvenny and his family - Peter stayed at Randolph for awhile last year!! It was very good to see him again, and his family was so warm and kind, I was not homesick on Christmas day one bit. I also finally got to meet his girlfriend, which was nice. Belfast still has walls dividing the Catholic from the Prostestants, which was sad to see. Leaving Peter and his family was very hard, especially because I fell in love with Nothern Ireland, and her friendly inhabitants. Next was Glasgow. Glasgow, Scotland was FREEZING cold, and icy and miserable. It was a beautiful city with lots of Victorian buildings, but most touristy things were closed because the winters are so harsh. So, instead of staying 4 days, I stayed for 2, and went back to Reading for 2. Being home was nice, but by New Years Eve, I was anxious to be on the train to Edinburgh, Scotland!! MY FAVORITE PLACE so far!! New Years Eve in Edinburgh was amazing, and the Hogmanay Street Party was amazing. The Castle sent off fireworks, and everyone was happy. The castle in Edinburgh was the most amazing one I have ever seen, and it was gorgeous. There was lots to do in Edinburgh, so luckily, 5 days proved to be more than enough time to see everything and do every ghost tour the city had to offer (except 1). Cardiff, Wales was next on the list, and I stayed with my friend and co-worker Cian, who is originally from Ponty-Prith which is not far from Cardiff. He showed me around, and even took me to the Castle in Cardiff, which was gorgeous and re-done in a victorian manner in several of the rooms! Very elaborate and Ornate! I am currently on the train to Amsterdam, and so I will be back soon to tell everyone the joys of Amsterdam, Netherlands!!!!

So, I’ve been very negletful of my blogging.  Since my last entries, I’ve become a ring-wearing Macon woman and a first time continental traveler! The last few weeks of term were crazy with work and preparations for the holidays but totally amazing.  We had a wonderful, quirky Thanksgiving at 141 and then a dream Ring Night!  Now, more than a month later, I feel naked without my ring.  For the holidays, I was invited to visit some friends in Bratislava, Slovakia and Budapest, Hungary.  I flew out on December 16th, on a delayed evening flight from Heathrow and into the beautiful city of Budapest.  I was met by my friend at the airport and then took bus (Orangeways–cheap and very nice) the next morning to Bratislava to spend the next few days with another friend.  I wandered all over Bratislava and spent a day in Vienna.  I consumed so much delicious, new food–especially at the famous Christmas markets–that I felt like I might never eat again.  But of course, then I had another week in Budapest and the crazy cycle of food overload just continued.  I’ve been culinarily spoiled forever now I saw amazing architecture and beautiful painting and gorgeous churches galore.  Castles too.  While back in Budapest, I visited museums and castles and a basilica.  I walked the streets and ate my first gyro and went to a late night folk-jazz concert with sweetest accordian I’ve ever heard.  For Christmas, I went with my friends to family in the suburbs and a village outside Budapest.  Wow! More food.  So much food.  I learned how to say “yes,” “enough,” and most importantly, “thank you” in Hungarian.  Best of all, I got to discover these places with friends who were joyous to share their cities and home with me.  Tomorrow morning, I leave with Tara and Michaela to visit Rissa in France for about 5 days.  I’ll be spending my 21st birthday in Paris! I’m so excited and will update when I return.  Until then, au revoir!