If I learned one thing this weekend, it was that I can book my own flights, transportation and accommodations, travel internationally and....well, survive.
I traveled for 8 straight hours to get to Ireland: a bus, 3 trains, plane, and another bus. After several obstacles, and a day of traveling that nearly ended in tears, I found Rachael (long story). There are very few times in my life when I have been so happy to see someone and get a hug. That was one of them.
The rest of my trip was great! I explored three seaside villages (some which reminded me of a combination of Martha's Vineyard and Santa Fe), a couple castles, made friends with two middle-aged couples from Texas (who later said a prayer with me for my safe travels and for being such a nice girl...haha...that's Texas for ya), and ran into four girls from ITHACA. What are the chances? I danced with one of them in Muevete last year. This world keeps getting smaller and smaller, huh?
Saturday night I had the chance to hit up a legit Irish Pub with Rachael. It was called The Bleeding Horse. Neither Rachael nor I could figure out why. We were going to ask the waitress, but it was fairly busy and she didn't have very good English, so I guess we'll never know the story behind the name. Anyway, everyone had been talking about Bulmers Hard Cider...so I figured I couldn't leave an Irish Pub without trying at least a half-pint. It was better/milder than I thought it was going to be, although I was kinda tipsy the rest of the night. psht. Such a lightweight...I know.
Before my flight out on Sunday evening, Rachael and I explored downtown Dublin. Dublin reminds me *a lot* of a smallish American city. I think this was actually a good thing for me since I have been mildly homesick recently.
However, my trip to Ireland was not complete without a trip to the local Tesco to purchase peanut butter and AMAZING Irish granola. Mmmmmm. Little did I know that peanut butter is considered a "gel" when flying. When I was going through customs in the Dublin airport to fly back to Pisa, they pulled me aside and opened up my luggage. The guy found the peanut butter, but saw that it wasn't open. After checking with the guys sitting at the computer screen, he cleared me to keep it (I was almost certain that he was going to just throw it out!). I apologized profusely, and then thanked him almost as profusely since, well, we all know I love my peanut butter.
It has been 2.5 months since I last had peanut butter....but mmmmm it is good! Y'know what's even better? Irish granola AND peanut butter....together! :)
Aside from the travel mishaps and frustrations, it is safe to say that I had a wonderful time in Ireland! I wish I had time to go to the cliffs on the West Coast, but that will have to be for another time.
Next up: To Bulgaria this weekend to party with Anna and surprise several other people that I worked with on Martha's Vineyard this summer. Can't wait to see their faces when I just randomly show up in Bulgaria! hehe.
It's gonna be a party weekend, so I have to rest up this week. ;)
