EUROtrip 2004.
Hi, Andrew!!! (Yeah... I definitely threw this in here on 30 January 2005 at 2256... but I thought you'd like it all the same... Leave me a comment! I miss you!!)
So here's this massive update about what we did on the trip. Since I couldn't update my lj every day, I just wrote it down every day. And now I'm typing for the entertainment of the extremely bored. Warning... it's long.
06-18-2004
In the airport waiting to board the plane. Trip up was awful! Bridget, Danielle and I were all crammed in the back of the Johnson's Tahoe. We had to pee so bad for the last hour of the ride and traffic was moving so slow!
We finally arrived at JFK and the three of us ran to the bathroom. We got back and got our baggage checked in and everything. Then we just roamed around the airport. Mrs. J, Mrs. D, Mrs. R, Danielle, Bridget, and I all grabbed food and sat down for a while to kill some time. Then we walked to some of the random little shops. I got an awesome little journal and 2 decks of cards for Jen.
So now we're all just hanging around and talking until it's time to board. Everything as far as getting through security and whatnot went smoothly. I can't wait to get on the plane and get to London. We land (or are scheduled to land) at 8:50 British time, and from there we start right on our sightseeing.
06-19-2004
Here I am... my first night in London. I honestly don't feel like I'm out of the country.
Our flight was delayed for take-off for some reason. The Virgin Atlantic staff kept apologizing, though it doesn't seem it was their fault. We arrived at Heathrow, picked up our bags and met up with a group from Indiana.
To the hotel! The Holiday in Express. No air conditioning, no clock... Danielle and I are cooped up on the 7th and topmost floor. Having a blast so far, though.
We got 45 minutes to freshen up and then we were off to hop the underground with the Indiana group and the group from Maine that was already at the hotel.
Into Piccadilly Circus. Sean, our tour guide, was showing us around, and then we got a bit of time to roam by ourselves. I found Tabitha's birthday present!
London's a neat city and all, but we haven't gotten to see any really interesting stuff yet. Tomorrow we go on a bus tour and then we get the afternoon to ourselves. Mrs. J and everyone else want to do the London Eye thing... a giant Ferris wheel type thingy. I'm really not looking forward to that. Mrs. J and Mrs. D said they'd buy me a drink if I went up, lol.
Anywho, we ate dinner at this London restaurant called Cafe Quebec. Not bad food. Different, but not bad. Gotta love those Indians. And that's when the ice breaking started. I started talking to Amanda and Kira, two girls from Maine. And then things just started rolling.
A couple of us got together in James' (another guy from Maine) room to watch Eurotrip (he brought his laptop). So it was me, and Danielle, Andrew, James and Kaleb from Maine, and Zack and Jill from Indiana. I'm glad we all started talking so soon. It should help make the trip a little more fun.
Our fourth tour group, a group from California just got here. More ice breaking to be done. And my left ankle feels bruised. No mark, though. I wonder what I bashed it off of this time.
06-21-2004
It's about 12:45 a.m. here and we all just decided to go to bed. We have to be up at 7, lol. James is still out with his friend from Czech who came to see him.
Today we had our bus tour. Kinda neat. We got to see some of the sites around London. Took some pictures of the Cathedral, Big Ben, etc. We almost left the Indiana group leader behind, lol.
After the tour we were allowed to do what we wanted until dinner. So the 6 of us from NEPA went to the London Eye. I hated being up that high! Neat view though. And it was all enclosed and you couldn't rock it, so that made me feel better.
After that, we wanted to go to the Dungeon of London. But we couldn't remember where it was. So we went to the national art gallery instead. Awesome place. A different set of paintings (obviously) than the ones in NY. Even some of da Vinci's works. I got my dad/the family a puzzle of Monet's bridge over the water lillies. And I got Grammy G a magnet of one of van Gogh's paintings.
Then it was off to dinner in Chinatown. But it wasn't a Chinese restaurant, lol. We had pizza for dinner! Then we had an hour of free time, so Zack, James, Andrew, Bridget, Danielle and I walked around. We'd flip a coin at the intersections to determine which way to go. We found a little shop where I bought Jen 4 decks of cards and my dad a shot glass. During the day I also bought Chris's and Evan's presents, and tea for my mom.
After dinner and roaming, it was back to the hotel. I got Zack to buy me my alcohol for the evening (they card at the hotel, and I'm not 18 yet). We all just kind of roamed the halls looking for people to talk to and find out whose room we were hanging out in next. Zack went and got me my 2nd drink and then it was just more roaming.
Zack's really great to talk to. We've talked a lot about just little things... family... relationships... stuff like that. He even showed me some of his writings, and that's just given me the urger to write things of my own. I feel more open now... not necessarily open with the people around me, but open in that I'm writing things down... stuff I'd never think to write.
Off to Wales tomorrow!!
06-21-04
Well today was certainly interesting. We got up bright and early to leave London. Some of us barely got sleep. Around 1:30 James came back with Roman, his friend from Czech and invited Danielle and I down to their room. So we went down, had a few drinks, talked for a while, and then I was back in the room by 2:15. I woke up around 5 and Danielle still wasn't back. She didn't stroll into the room until about 6:15! Party girl.
After breakfast, we were off to Oxford. I got 2 decks of cards for Jen. It was really pretty there. After that we mad a stop at Anne Hathaway's cottage and then off to Stratford on Avon... the home of the Devil Incarnate: William Shakespeare. After a tour of his house, we were free to roam. Bridget, Danielle and I went to this restaurant called the Beefeater or something like that. Really cool place and awesome food. Then it was time to make the rest of the way to Wales.
We got here just around dinnertime. By the time we finished with dinner, all the neat little shops were closed. James, Danielle, Bridget, Zack and I decided to hike up the mountain to where these stone structures are. We all finally made it and the view was amazing! We were climbing the rocks and having a damn good adventure. Then some locallers came up and took some pictures of the 5 of us for us. Words cannot describe the feelings we all felt when we were up there. Too freaking amazing. Helped the 5 of us create even a little tighter bond than that ones already forms.
Then the trek back to the hotel. Zack got me this Bacardi Watermelon Breezer thing for me. And then the trouble hit. Mrs. J found us and was in a bad mood and told us all to get to bed. I took the safe route and went to the room for a bath. Danielle came back after talking to Mrs. J and gave me the rundown of what happened. So then I went to talk to Mrs. J. Apparently the way Zack's sister, Jill, said something was taken completely the wrong way by Mrs. J, or was maybe just said in the wrong tone of us, and it got her upset. It seems to be we're being referred to as "those Pennsylvania girls" and I guess the way it was said made Bridget, Danielle and I sound trashy. But I talked to Mrs. J and put her a bit at ease.
Off to Dublin tomorrow! The guys in our group have me kind of scared... mainly just Zack and James. They're talking about going into every pub to have one drink from every pub they can in Dublin. I don't want to so those guys drunk. They're so much cooler sober.
06-22-2004
Today was our lovely trip to Dublin. Along the way we stopped at Beaumaris Castle in Wales. Holy crap was that an awesome place. As odd as it sounds, it felt kind of like I belonged there. Then a bunch of us went into the little shops and I was able to get stuff for Grams, Aunt Di, Aunt Janie, and my mom.
Then we went to this little town that has the longest name. I'd spell it out, but I kind of don't have a picture of it right now being that my camera is missing. Long story short, my camera either got left behind at the port were we boarded the ship, or it got lost on the ship. Anywho, we got our passports stamped and then headed to Holyhead to grab the boat to Ireland.
The boat was so cool, and the trip was awesome. After about 1 1/2 hours on the boat, we set our feet upon the ground of Ireland.
Got to our hotel (which is just as much a maze as the one in Wales). Then to dinner. Meat and potatoes, of course!
After dinner, a bunch of us walked with Sean in the Temple Bar area. Bridget and I went to the Temple Bar so I could take pictures (Amanda gave me a disposable camera) and get something for Mike that says Temple Bar on it.
Back to the hotel. Puddle jumped along the way. Hung out with James, Zack, and Bridget. Back to the room for a shower. And then more hanging out and storytelling in the lobby.
Around 11:30 the Indiana group leader, Miss Green, told us it was about bedtime. So Danielle and I went up to the room. We decided to run back downstairs because we were so hungry. We asked Miss Green if she knew if there was any food. She said the hotel bar had Pringles, so Danielle and I ran in to get some. James was there and we knew he had food, so we asked if we could have some.
So Danielle and I ran up to his room (where 3 other people, 2 guys and 1 girl were). And that's when the shit hit the fan.
Mrs. J. knocked on the door and told us to get our asses in bed. We don't know why she was pissed and she wouldn't let us explain. She just said "Don't give me that bullshit."
Danielle and I went back to the room where I cried and then called my mom. Everytime I need someone to talk to, the first person that comes to m mind is somehow unavailable. Anywho, we talked for about an hour and she just calmed me down. Then Danielle and I talked for a while.
Oh, something I forgot. When we were all hanging out, Zack noticed his bear was missing. And there was a note:
"If you ever want to see
your fuzzy friend again,
go see the bartender."
And that's when the scavenger hunt started.
The girls from California had taken the bear. They were just going to hold it hostage and return it tomorrow. But then they turned it into a clever, well-thought, and even fun scavenger hunt.
So awake right now. More of Dublin tomorrow.
06-23-2004
This morning we started our day off with breakfast. I had half a piece of toast and then went back to the room to lay down for a while. I actually called my mom (it was about 3:30 a.m. back home) and talked/cried on the phone with her. I was so upset about last night. Talked to Mrs. J a little and then finally calmed down.
We had our tour around Dublin today. Went into St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was absolutely amazing. It was just so big and beautiful inside. I got a candle for Meggie, a deck of cards for Jen, and 2 rosaries: one for me and one for Mother Marija.
Then we went to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. It was neat and all, but I'm kind of wondering what the big deal is. Just didn't tickle me fancy.
After the tour we were free until the meeting time for dinner. Andrew, Amanda, Kira, Danielle and I went for some lunch. But we soon got split up, so Danielle and I just roamed the streets of Dublin. We hit up some of the shops, went to the gallery and the museum. Even got to see the Tara Brooch.
Around 4 we ran into Mrs. J, Mrs. R, Bridget and Amanda. Bridget got her Claddagh ring, and Mrs. R and Mrs. J spent a bit of money at the same jeweler as well. Bridget took me back and I found exactly the Claddagh ring I've been wanting for a while.
I didn't by it. It was 40 Euros, and I just felt bad spending that kind of money unless I know it was OK with mom. Well, I came across a pay phone, so I called my mom to ask. She like half ordered me to go get the ring. So, all giggly and happy, Bridget and I went back and I got my ring. Sterling silver, real emerald. Came out to about $45.
We had dinner and then went back to the hotel to get ready for the show tonight. This kids from Maine were told to dress nicely. So some of the other girls decided to jump on the bandwagon. Melanie loaned me this awesome skirt and I wore my blue Old Navy shirt and my flip-flops. I even put on eye shadow and had my hair down. I felt so pretty!
The show was absolutely amazing. The band, The Merry Ploughboys, were great. And the dancers were so good. One of the dancers hurt his ankle at one point so that sucked. The 5 of us who went up to the mountain in Wales agreed that that was the only thing that beat the experience tonight.
We got back to the hotel with every intention of going to bed. But, upon Bridget's asking, Mrs. J let the 3 of us girls go up on the roof of the hotel with Zack. It was a pretty neat view. The only downside was me losing my footing, falling, and smashing my left knee. Kinda hurt, but OK now.
Killarney and the rest of the trip tomorrow.
Quotes of the Moment:
"I feel like a girl" ~ Me
Me: What did you get?
Zack: *Laughs/Spits out his drink* What did you just say?!
Me: I asked what you got. Why? What do you think I said?
Zack: I thought you asked me how tiny is my dick!
06-24-2004
To Killarney! We stopped at Cashel along the way. But it was 5 Euros to get to the castle. So I just took pictures from down in the streets.
After Cashel was Blarney Castle. I hung out with Melanie, Ashley, Elan, Hillary, and Kendra. Those girls are awesome. I kissed the Blarney Stone, too. Maybe now I'll have some sort of luck, lol. I got my dad a Pubs of Ireland t-shirt and Mrs. J a magnet, and this paperweight thing for KT.
After Blarney we mad it to Killarney. It's a really neat little town. A group of us went to this little carnival thing and rode the rides for a while. It was silly.
We had to be back in the hotel by 11 and in rooms by 11:30. It sucks.
Nothing really more to say. My night has kind of sucked, but I think Melanie and I got a little bit closer.
Last real day tomorrow and then home. :(
Oh yeah, and Sean finally got my name right! He didn't call me Melanie! And I was so hyped to correct him, too.
Quote of the Moment:
"Wakey, wakey!" ~ Sean
06-26-2004
So yesterday was our last day all together. We did this Ring of Kerry tour which I found to be rather dull because we spent pretty much the whole day on the bus. We did get to see this guy do a demonstration of sheephearding with his dogs, which was pretty fun to watch.
Once we got back to the hotel, we had about an hour and fifteen minutes to kill before dinner. So Danielle, Bridget, Jill and I walked around Killarney checking out the shops and whatnot. I got my Irish hat and my Shillelagh (I'm really bad at spelling... but at least you get the ides).
We all got our faces painted with shamrocks (Bridget got the Irish flag) with "Kiss Me!" written under it. So we started a contest to see who could get the most kisses, lol. I wound up with 14.
Then back to the hotel for dinner. Sean called the PA crew over to discuss arrangements for today. We could either come, super early, to the airport with the Indiana people to the airport. Or we could go to this one place with the Maine and California people but risk not getting here in time for our flight.
So we woke up at 5:15 this morning to leave early. Kaleb, Melanie, Ashley, and Elan all came to say goodbye to us.
Then we hopped the coach for the 2-hour ride to to Shannon. For the first hour everyone was just a bit more lively.
As we got to the airport and got inside, we said our sad good-byes to each other because the Indiana people had to check their luggage for their flight. I started crying so bad. In fact, I still am. I don't think I have ever felt sadder to say goodbye to a group of people I've only known for a week. We started and ended Europe with the crew from Indiana.
A few days ago I told my mom and Chris that I would love nothing more than to just go home. Now I would give anything just to stay with these people. To have one more hike up that mountain in Wales... To have one more burst of "Ooooooh... aie dee di dee di dee di dee di dee di dee di!" (Irish Drinking Song from Whose Line is it Anyway?)
The trip had its ups and downs. But I really truly am sorry it's over. We all exchanged addresses, screen names, emails, and phone numbers in the hopes of keeping in touch. Not only do I hope we stay in touch, but I hope we meet again someday soon.
06-26-2004
So our flight from Shannon was delayed because when we were supposed to board... the plane... kinda... wasn't there.
We finally boarded our Aer Lingus puddlejumper to Heathrow. Which is where us PA girls are now. We missed our plane to JFK.
The plane from Shannon arrive so late that ran all through Heathrow trying to get to the plane. When we got to our gate, the plane was just pulling away from the building. It was just sitting there. But they wouldn't let us board!
After about an hour of tears and high nerves, we got put on a flight tomorrow morning.
But we still had nowhere to go, nothing to eat, and no change of clothes.
Well, we still have no change of clothes (we don't know what happened to our baggage with Aer Lingus). But we're at the Renaissance Hotel now. Swissport, a completely different airline than the one we have to deal with, took pity on us. We got one night there, dinner, breakfast, taxi to the hotel, and bus passes to the airport tomorrow morning.
What a nightmare! Bridget and I decided we wanted to call Zack and his family because they'd get a good laugh out of it, being that Mrs. Spencer got lost trying to get to the hotel one night in London because she got left behind on the Underground. And then Miss Green got forgotten at Oxford. No one answered when I called before, so Bridget and I are going back down i about 10 minutes to try again.
Home tomorrow!!
...Hopefully.
06-27-2004
So we hopped the bus to Heathrow for our flight at 8:40 this morning.
We were late leaving, but all went well... sort of. We got into JFK around 11:30 and went through customs, etc. But we had no luggage. British Airways didn't quite know where our luggage was... but they did know. They said it was all going to be shipped on other British Airways flights today and it would be FedExed to us. But now we pretty much all have no clothes. Quel dommage.
Three hour ride home in the Tahoe. I got the middle seat so I could stretch my long legs, lol.
Get back to the school where I'm met by my parents, sister, and Shadow!!
I finally get back to my house, start unpacking my backpack that I had with me, showered (since I was wearing the same clothes for 2 days) and then got ready for softball.
We played Ed-Lark tonight. I don't remember the final score, but I know we won. I had a single, a double, 2 RBIs and a score tonight. I was excited.
And now I'm completely exhausted because my body thinks it's now 3:45 in the morning.
Good night all, I hope you enjoyed your reading.
So here's this massive update about what we did on the trip. Since I couldn't update my lj every day, I just wrote it down every day. And now I'm typing for the entertainment of the extremely bored. Warning... it's long.
06-18-2004
In the airport waiting to board the plane. Trip up was awful! Bridget, Danielle and I were all crammed in the back of the Johnson's Tahoe. We had to pee so bad for the last hour of the ride and traffic was moving so slow!
We finally arrived at JFK and the three of us ran to the bathroom. We got back and got our baggage checked in and everything. Then we just roamed around the airport. Mrs. J, Mrs. D, Mrs. R, Danielle, Bridget, and I all grabbed food and sat down for a while to kill some time. Then we walked to some of the random little shops. I got an awesome little journal and 2 decks of cards for Jen.
So now we're all just hanging around and talking until it's time to board. Everything as far as getting through security and whatnot went smoothly. I can't wait to get on the plane and get to London. We land (or are scheduled to land) at 8:50 British time, and from there we start right on our sightseeing.
06-19-2004
Here I am... my first night in London. I honestly don't feel like I'm out of the country.
Our flight was delayed for take-off for some reason. The Virgin Atlantic staff kept apologizing, though it doesn't seem it was their fault. We arrived at Heathrow, picked up our bags and met up with a group from Indiana.
To the hotel! The Holiday in Express. No air conditioning, no clock... Danielle and I are cooped up on the 7th and topmost floor. Having a blast so far, though.
We got 45 minutes to freshen up and then we were off to hop the underground with the Indiana group and the group from Maine that was already at the hotel.
Into Piccadilly Circus. Sean, our tour guide, was showing us around, and then we got a bit of time to roam by ourselves. I found Tabitha's birthday present!
London's a neat city and all, but we haven't gotten to see any really interesting stuff yet. Tomorrow we go on a bus tour and then we get the afternoon to ourselves. Mrs. J and everyone else want to do the London Eye thing... a giant Ferris wheel type thingy. I'm really not looking forward to that. Mrs. J and Mrs. D said they'd buy me a drink if I went up, lol.
Anywho, we ate dinner at this London restaurant called Cafe Quebec. Not bad food. Different, but not bad. Gotta love those Indians. And that's when the ice breaking started. I started talking to Amanda and Kira, two girls from Maine. And then things just started rolling.
A couple of us got together in James' (another guy from Maine) room to watch Eurotrip (he brought his laptop). So it was me, and Danielle, Andrew, James and Kaleb from Maine, and Zack and Jill from Indiana. I'm glad we all started talking so soon. It should help make the trip a little more fun.
Our fourth tour group, a group from California just got here. More ice breaking to be done. And my left ankle feels bruised. No mark, though. I wonder what I bashed it off of this time.
06-21-2004
It's about 12:45 a.m. here and we all just decided to go to bed. We have to be up at 7, lol. James is still out with his friend from Czech who came to see him.
Today we had our bus tour. Kinda neat. We got to see some of the sites around London. Took some pictures of the Cathedral, Big Ben, etc. We almost left the Indiana group leader behind, lol.
After the tour we were allowed to do what we wanted until dinner. So the 6 of us from NEPA went to the London Eye. I hated being up that high! Neat view though. And it was all enclosed and you couldn't rock it, so that made me feel better.
After that, we wanted to go to the Dungeon of London. But we couldn't remember where it was. So we went to the national art gallery instead. Awesome place. A different set of paintings (obviously) than the ones in NY. Even some of da Vinci's works. I got my dad/the family a puzzle of Monet's bridge over the water lillies. And I got Grammy G a magnet of one of van Gogh's paintings.
Then it was off to dinner in Chinatown. But it wasn't a Chinese restaurant, lol. We had pizza for dinner! Then we had an hour of free time, so Zack, James, Andrew, Bridget, Danielle and I walked around. We'd flip a coin at the intersections to determine which way to go. We found a little shop where I bought Jen 4 decks of cards and my dad a shot glass. During the day I also bought Chris's and Evan's presents, and tea for my mom.
After dinner and roaming, it was back to the hotel. I got Zack to buy me my alcohol for the evening (they card at the hotel, and I'm not 18 yet). We all just kind of roamed the halls looking for people to talk to and find out whose room we were hanging out in next. Zack went and got me my 2nd drink and then it was just more roaming.
Zack's really great to talk to. We've talked a lot about just little things... family... relationships... stuff like that. He even showed me some of his writings, and that's just given me the urger to write things of my own. I feel more open now... not necessarily open with the people around me, but open in that I'm writing things down... stuff I'd never think to write.
Off to Wales tomorrow!!
06-21-04
Well today was certainly interesting. We got up bright and early to leave London. Some of us barely got sleep. Around 1:30 James came back with Roman, his friend from Czech and invited Danielle and I down to their room. So we went down, had a few drinks, talked for a while, and then I was back in the room by 2:15. I woke up around 5 and Danielle still wasn't back. She didn't stroll into the room until about 6:15! Party girl.
After breakfast, we were off to Oxford. I got 2 decks of cards for Jen. It was really pretty there. After that we mad a stop at Anne Hathaway's cottage and then off to Stratford on Avon... the home of the Devil Incarnate: William Shakespeare. After a tour of his house, we were free to roam. Bridget, Danielle and I went to this restaurant called the Beefeater or something like that. Really cool place and awesome food. Then it was time to make the rest of the way to Wales.
We got here just around dinnertime. By the time we finished with dinner, all the neat little shops were closed. James, Danielle, Bridget, Zack and I decided to hike up the mountain to where these stone structures are. We all finally made it and the view was amazing! We were climbing the rocks and having a damn good adventure. Then some locallers came up and took some pictures of the 5 of us for us. Words cannot describe the feelings we all felt when we were up there. Too freaking amazing. Helped the 5 of us create even a little tighter bond than that ones already forms.
Then the trek back to the hotel. Zack got me this Bacardi Watermelon Breezer thing for me. And then the trouble hit. Mrs. J found us and was in a bad mood and told us all to get to bed. I took the safe route and went to the room for a bath. Danielle came back after talking to Mrs. J and gave me the rundown of what happened. So then I went to talk to Mrs. J. Apparently the way Zack's sister, Jill, said something was taken completely the wrong way by Mrs. J, or was maybe just said in the wrong tone of us, and it got her upset. It seems to be we're being referred to as "those Pennsylvania girls" and I guess the way it was said made Bridget, Danielle and I sound trashy. But I talked to Mrs. J and put her a bit at ease.
Off to Dublin tomorrow! The guys in our group have me kind of scared... mainly just Zack and James. They're talking about going into every pub to have one drink from every pub they can in Dublin. I don't want to so those guys drunk. They're so much cooler sober.
06-22-2004
Today was our lovely trip to Dublin. Along the way we stopped at Beaumaris Castle in Wales. Holy crap was that an awesome place. As odd as it sounds, it felt kind of like I belonged there. Then a bunch of us went into the little shops and I was able to get stuff for Grams, Aunt Di, Aunt Janie, and my mom.
Then we went to this little town that has the longest name. I'd spell it out, but I kind of don't have a picture of it right now being that my camera is missing. Long story short, my camera either got left behind at the port were we boarded the ship, or it got lost on the ship. Anywho, we got our passports stamped and then headed to Holyhead to grab the boat to Ireland.
The boat was so cool, and the trip was awesome. After about 1 1/2 hours on the boat, we set our feet upon the ground of Ireland.
Got to our hotel (which is just as much a maze as the one in Wales). Then to dinner. Meat and potatoes, of course!
After dinner, a bunch of us walked with Sean in the Temple Bar area. Bridget and I went to the Temple Bar so I could take pictures (Amanda gave me a disposable camera) and get something for Mike that says Temple Bar on it.
Back to the hotel. Puddle jumped along the way. Hung out with James, Zack, and Bridget. Back to the room for a shower. And then more hanging out and storytelling in the lobby.
Around 11:30 the Indiana group leader, Miss Green, told us it was about bedtime. So Danielle and I went up to the room. We decided to run back downstairs because we were so hungry. We asked Miss Green if she knew if there was any food. She said the hotel bar had Pringles, so Danielle and I ran in to get some. James was there and we knew he had food, so we asked if we could have some.
So Danielle and I ran up to his room (where 3 other people, 2 guys and 1 girl were). And that's when the shit hit the fan.
Mrs. J. knocked on the door and told us to get our asses in bed. We don't know why she was pissed and she wouldn't let us explain. She just said "Don't give me that bullshit."
Danielle and I went back to the room where I cried and then called my mom. Everytime I need someone to talk to, the first person that comes to m mind is somehow unavailable. Anywho, we talked for about an hour and she just calmed me down. Then Danielle and I talked for a while.
Oh, something I forgot. When we were all hanging out, Zack noticed his bear was missing. And there was a note:
"If you ever want to see
your fuzzy friend again,
go see the bartender."
And that's when the scavenger hunt started.
The girls from California had taken the bear. They were just going to hold it hostage and return it tomorrow. But then they turned it into a clever, well-thought, and even fun scavenger hunt.
So awake right now. More of Dublin tomorrow.
06-23-2004
This morning we started our day off with breakfast. I had half a piece of toast and then went back to the room to lay down for a while. I actually called my mom (it was about 3:30 a.m. back home) and talked/cried on the phone with her. I was so upset about last night. Talked to Mrs. J a little and then finally calmed down.
We had our tour around Dublin today. Went into St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was absolutely amazing. It was just so big and beautiful inside. I got a candle for Meggie, a deck of cards for Jen, and 2 rosaries: one for me and one for Mother Marija.
Then we went to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. It was neat and all, but I'm kind of wondering what the big deal is. Just didn't tickle me fancy.
After the tour we were free until the meeting time for dinner. Andrew, Amanda, Kira, Danielle and I went for some lunch. But we soon got split up, so Danielle and I just roamed the streets of Dublin. We hit up some of the shops, went to the gallery and the museum. Even got to see the Tara Brooch.
Around 4 we ran into Mrs. J, Mrs. R, Bridget and Amanda. Bridget got her Claddagh ring, and Mrs. R and Mrs. J spent a bit of money at the same jeweler as well. Bridget took me back and I found exactly the Claddagh ring I've been wanting for a while.
I didn't by it. It was 40 Euros, and I just felt bad spending that kind of money unless I know it was OK with mom. Well, I came across a pay phone, so I called my mom to ask. She like half ordered me to go get the ring. So, all giggly and happy, Bridget and I went back and I got my ring. Sterling silver, real emerald. Came out to about $45.
We had dinner and then went back to the hotel to get ready for the show tonight. This kids from Maine were told to dress nicely. So some of the other girls decided to jump on the bandwagon. Melanie loaned me this awesome skirt and I wore my blue Old Navy shirt and my flip-flops. I even put on eye shadow and had my hair down. I felt so pretty!
The show was absolutely amazing. The band, The Merry Ploughboys, were great. And the dancers were so good. One of the dancers hurt his ankle at one point so that sucked. The 5 of us who went up to the mountain in Wales agreed that that was the only thing that beat the experience tonight.
We got back to the hotel with every intention of going to bed. But, upon Bridget's asking, Mrs. J let the 3 of us girls go up on the roof of the hotel with Zack. It was a pretty neat view. The only downside was me losing my footing, falling, and smashing my left knee. Kinda hurt, but OK now.
Killarney and the rest of the trip tomorrow.
Quotes of the Moment:
"I feel like a girl" ~ Me
Me: What did you get?
Zack: *Laughs/Spits out his drink* What did you just say?!
Me: I asked what you got. Why? What do you think I said?
Zack: I thought you asked me how tiny is my dick!
06-24-2004
To Killarney! We stopped at Cashel along the way. But it was 5 Euros to get to the castle. So I just took pictures from down in the streets.
After Cashel was Blarney Castle. I hung out with Melanie, Ashley, Elan, Hillary, and Kendra. Those girls are awesome. I kissed the Blarney Stone, too. Maybe now I'll have some sort of luck, lol. I got my dad a Pubs of Ireland t-shirt and Mrs. J a magnet, and this paperweight thing for KT.
After Blarney we mad it to Killarney. It's a really neat little town. A group of us went to this little carnival thing and rode the rides for a while. It was silly.
We had to be back in the hotel by 11 and in rooms by 11:30. It sucks.
Nothing really more to say. My night has kind of sucked, but I think Melanie and I got a little bit closer.
Last real day tomorrow and then home. :(
Oh yeah, and Sean finally got my name right! He didn't call me Melanie! And I was so hyped to correct him, too.
Quote of the Moment:
"Wakey, wakey!" ~ Sean
06-26-2004
So yesterday was our last day all together. We did this Ring of Kerry tour which I found to be rather dull because we spent pretty much the whole day on the bus. We did get to see this guy do a demonstration of sheephearding with his dogs, which was pretty fun to watch.
Once we got back to the hotel, we had about an hour and fifteen minutes to kill before dinner. So Danielle, Bridget, Jill and I walked around Killarney checking out the shops and whatnot. I got my Irish hat and my Shillelagh (I'm really bad at spelling... but at least you get the ides).
We all got our faces painted with shamrocks (Bridget got the Irish flag) with "Kiss Me!" written under it. So we started a contest to see who could get the most kisses, lol. I wound up with 14.
Then back to the hotel for dinner. Sean called the PA crew over to discuss arrangements for today. We could either come, super early, to the airport with the Indiana people to the airport. Or we could go to this one place with the Maine and California people but risk not getting here in time for our flight.
So we woke up at 5:15 this morning to leave early. Kaleb, Melanie, Ashley, and Elan all came to say goodbye to us.
Then we hopped the coach for the 2-hour ride to to Shannon. For the first hour everyone was just a bit more lively.
As we got to the airport and got inside, we said our sad good-byes to each other because the Indiana people had to check their luggage for their flight. I started crying so bad. In fact, I still am. I don't think I have ever felt sadder to say goodbye to a group of people I've only known for a week. We started and ended Europe with the crew from Indiana.
A few days ago I told my mom and Chris that I would love nothing more than to just go home. Now I would give anything just to stay with these people. To have one more hike up that mountain in Wales... To have one more burst of "Ooooooh... aie dee di dee di dee di dee di dee di dee di!" (Irish Drinking Song from Whose Line is it Anyway?)
The trip had its ups and downs. But I really truly am sorry it's over. We all exchanged addresses, screen names, emails, and phone numbers in the hopes of keeping in touch. Not only do I hope we stay in touch, but I hope we meet again someday soon.
06-26-2004
So our flight from Shannon was delayed because when we were supposed to board... the plane... kinda... wasn't there.
We finally boarded our Aer Lingus puddlejumper to Heathrow. Which is where us PA girls are now. We missed our plane to JFK.
The plane from Shannon arrive so late that ran all through Heathrow trying to get to the plane. When we got to our gate, the plane was just pulling away from the building. It was just sitting there. But they wouldn't let us board!
After about an hour of tears and high nerves, we got put on a flight tomorrow morning.
But we still had nowhere to go, nothing to eat, and no change of clothes.
Well, we still have no change of clothes (we don't know what happened to our baggage with Aer Lingus). But we're at the Renaissance Hotel now. Swissport, a completely different airline than the one we have to deal with, took pity on us. We got one night there, dinner, breakfast, taxi to the hotel, and bus passes to the airport tomorrow morning.
What a nightmare! Bridget and I decided we wanted to call Zack and his family because they'd get a good laugh out of it, being that Mrs. Spencer got lost trying to get to the hotel one night in London because she got left behind on the Underground. And then Miss Green got forgotten at Oxford. No one answered when I called before, so Bridget and I are going back down i about 10 minutes to try again.
Home tomorrow!!
...Hopefully.
06-27-2004
So we hopped the bus to Heathrow for our flight at 8:40 this morning.
We were late leaving, but all went well... sort of. We got into JFK around 11:30 and went through customs, etc. But we had no luggage. British Airways didn't quite know where our luggage was... but they did know. They said it was all going to be shipped on other British Airways flights today and it would be FedExed to us. But now we pretty much all have no clothes. Quel dommage.
Three hour ride home in the Tahoe. I got the middle seat so I could stretch my long legs, lol.
Get back to the school where I'm met by my parents, sister, and Shadow!!
I finally get back to my house, start unpacking my backpack that I had with me, showered (since I was wearing the same clothes for 2 days) and then got ready for softball.
We played Ed-Lark tonight. I don't remember the final score, but I know we won. I had a single, a double, 2 RBIs and a score tonight. I was excited.
And now I'm completely exhausted because my body thinks it's now 3:45 in the morning.
Good night all, I hope you enjoyed your reading.