"You have bereft me of all words, lady."

Well good afternoon. Sorry it's been a few days, London has been a bit busy. So i guess lets go from the beginning.

Dad and I left Dublin early to catch the ferry. We originally thought it was going to be SUPER expensive to take the ferry and then all the trains into London (about 5 train changes). But for everything it was just 44E Per person. We couldn't believe it. The ferry was SO NICE, and pretty quick. We got to wales in about two hours. Now, considering we were in a new country, dad and i were prepared for customs. The Republic of Ireland is not part of the UK...but...nope, nothing we just waltzed right in and onto the train. And thus began our epic train journey across the Uk.

Wales was gorgeous, i didn't get it in time, but while we were flying across the country side we saw a golf course covered in sheep. Seriously, people were playing and there were sheep scattered across the fairway. It was great.

All the train rides were beautiful. It was a VERY long trip: left dublin Radisson at 7:15AM and arrived in London at 7PM. But it was totally worth it. On our last train we sat with this lovely couple and just had a wonderful chat until we reached london. It was really interesting hearing the British prospective on all different topics from the recession to 911 to American Idol (The x Factor)...Even sports and such. It was so great, and wonderful way to end our travels. But it was a heavenly feeling finally arriving at the hotel. I barely got a glimpse of london traveling through the taxi, but what i did see was glorious. Although i was a bit exhausted and really just wanted a place to rest for a bit.

The hotel room is silly. I couldn't believe it when i walked in. We have a staircase for pete's sake.

It's crazy. But awesome. We had dinner at the hotel and just lounged for the rest of the evening. I must admit was a little overwhelming at first, but really having two days of getting used to everything has been very helpful.

Sunday we spent most of the day walking around, seeing where LDA was and where I'm living. See the neighbourhoods and such. Everything is lovely, and even though i couldn't get into my flat yet...it looks great and the surrounding area is fantastic!

Apprently, this is home.

Moving in tomorrow, which is exciting...i'll finally get to meet everyone :D

The best part of sunday (yesterday) was going to the Globe. We took the tube, which is SUPER EASY. It's amazing. The T here is very clean, and simple to figure out where to go. And an all day pass is only 5.60 pounds. It's great. But anyway, we took the tube and walked across the millennium bridge...which was gorgeous and we had such a great view!

(View from Bridge)

(The actual Bridge)

(1000pts to anyone who recognizes this bridge from a recent film...)

And then we got to the Globe to see Troilus and Cressida. I cannot explain to you how brilliant it was. It was so so good. I loved it. Ulysses and Troilus were SO good. Cressida...got better by the third and fourth acts, where things got very emotional for her, but i didn't really agree with choices she made in the first acts but OH WELL. It was still so beautiful. The show was so creative, and the globe is...amazing. It's hard to describe the feeling seeing a show at the globe, but it really was perfect. And i loved the show. I've never really read it and seeing was so wonderful...i honestly think it might be my new favorite. It was brilliant.

So far this has been my favorite adventure. :D

We got out a little late, and i was starving...so i popped into the nearest burger king and snagged some chicken fingers ;)

Another wonderfulful moment was while we were hopping T's i ran by and saw an old Spring Awakening poster, which of COURSE i had to get a picture of. It made me think maybe for a moment it was still showing...even though i know its not :P

Alright, well i've rambled on for some time now...so i'll just say London so far as been very lovely and i'm already so happy i'm going to be living here. The city is beautiful and starting to feel comfortable, which i think is important. Now i've just got to start figuring out military time and what the weather girl means when she says it's going to be 20 degrees out...and i'll be tip top ;)

Cheers!
--T

PANDARUS: Is this the generation of love?

ps. DJ wins 1000pts. :D And bragging rights!

'ello Gov

In London!

You won't believe our Hotel room.

More to come later tonight,

Cheers,
T

Yeats, Kells, and Cupcakes!

Hello all,

Before i head off to bed i just wanted tell you about our last day in Ireland :D We walked down to the Irish National Library to see the W.B. Yeats exhibit. It was wonderful, and very informative. I know that sounds kinda silly, but it seriously was. I didn't know that Yeats was also an artist, and had lots and lots of affairs. And also created his own religion that was SUPER complex. They had loads of his hand written poetry, and it was all set up very creatively. Some of his paintings were very beautiful. All in all it was lots of fun, and then we popped into the shop and got a few postcards and i got this great james joyce poster for 1 euro.  Finally i'll have something to hang on my bare walls in London. Sadly, no photographs were allowed (and the exhibit was FREE, which was great for us...)

Then we walked over to Trinity and got to walk across the big green we had missed the day before. And eventually got to the Library. Inside we went to see the Book of Kells exhibit, where we also were prohibited to take photographs :( But, i'll have you know it was interesting, but as dad said...a little anti-climatic. I mean, it was beautiful...and very exciting to see a book literally 1000 years old...but...well...it's just you walk through two rooms full of facts and information and then finally reach this small glass table with four books, open to one page...two of which are the book of kells.  BUT the best part for me was going upstairs into the long room. It was the most beautiful library i've ever seen (sorry Vassar). It was heartbreaking that i couldn't take any photos, because you should see it...well here is a picture i found online. It was breathtaking.

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Anyway, it was wonderful. I just wanted to sit down and start reading...but...alas there were ropes everywhere. So we just walked right through, but it was still so cool. Then we headed to the shop where i of course snagged a few Trinity Dublin Shirts ;) And maybe a pen...

Lastly, after some hotel time we headed out for dinner. We were both tired of being surrounded by lots and lots of tourists...which is very difficult on a friday night... but after lots of walking around we found a great little pub where we snagged a pint (well i got a coke). Actually, if i may go on a tangent: One thing i love here is that every time i order a coke they bring me a glass bottle. I LOVE cokes in glass bottles, i think that's the best. Thanks Ireland.

...right so back to dinner. So we decided to eat somewhere else, and i had been craving a cupcake ever since i saw one that morning in this little shop in the Market...so...i ran into this place and got the CUTEST little vanilla cupcake. With stars for sprinkles.

Yeah, it was super yummy. We ended up just eating back at the hotel because it was quiet. And another thing i'll miss about Ireland is the soda bread. Seriously, most delicious thing in the world...could eat a loaf myself. Hopefully i'll be able to snag some in London too. The food here is perfect for me. That traditional irish stew is just perfect :)

Alright, i've been keeping Dad up with my typing and we've got lots to do to get ready for London tomorrow. It's going to be a crazy day so better get some sleep.

Hope alls well back in the states!

Love, T

Sunshine?

Good morning, well...good morning for you, it's 11:20 here. Dad and i woke up a bit late, and missed getting ready for the tour we wanted...but it just means we can do some of the other stuff we wanted to do (and late means 10 not 11 thank you).

But i just quickly wanted to show some pictures of St. Patrick's we got yesterday. It's right down the way from the us and it is so beautiful. There is a garden that runs along it's side, and its just right in the middle of the city. You're just walking along and then there is a lovely street and you can slip down the stairs and into this garden.

This is my favorite picture of Dad so far :D We had taken a break after the Guinness tour and then decided to come visit the church. When we stepped outside of the hotel it was so bright, i couldn't believe it. SUNSHINE?! It's been cloudy most of our time here, this was literaly the first time the sun had really snuck out.

And after the beautiful St. Patrick's we headed off to find some food. We went to this huge pub called O'Neils and had a very funny time attempting to get food. We couldn't figure out how...concidering there seemed to be NO waiters or waitresses...and every time one appeared they just went about their buisnness. After some time we realized it was serve yourself. But it was downstairs (we went upstairs). It was pretty funny, and we ended up at the Quay (another restaurant down by temple bar). Which was delicious and not too busy, which was nice.

Egads, now i should be off! We're going to the library to see Yeats and then Trinity again for the book of Kells!

Cheers! ;)
--T

Guinness is GOOD for you!

Actually. It is. As i learned today on the Guinness tour. But first some of my favorite signs we've found just walking around the city:

Dad and I liked the flashing "why go bald?" sign. His bald spot flashes on and off.

Last night we also went out to eat at this great restaurant dad found called Gallaghers. It was small with fantastic food and not touristy, which was perfect for me. And here is some proof that i am indeed here ;)

Today we decided it would be a good day to head over to the Guinness factory and take the tour which was so fun! :) We walked there by the river Liffey...

So we got to Guinness and learned lots about the 4 ingredients of Guinness: Barley, Hops, Yeast and Water. I couldn't help laughing because whenever i think of hops i just think of McLovin' trying to buy beer in Superbad and awkwardly mentioning something about hops...





This is dad and i learning about how important the ingredient water is to the making of Guinness!

My favorite part was all the old adverts.

Anyway, so we walked all around and learned about how they make Guiness, got to "test" some fresh Draught and then we walked up to the Gravity bar (which is this glass bar at the top of the building) where you can see 360 degrees around...so basically you can see the ENTIRE city. It was brilliant.

Along the glass walls were different phrases, but it looks like its written in the sky. It's pretty great.

And last of course was a stop at the bar to pick up our complementary pints ;)

Of course i finished mine in half a minute ;)

Just kidding, but i did drink about half, which I'm sure a few of you will be proud to hear. But dad did have to finish the rest. 

And now we're back figuring out what to do next, i think we're going to St. Patrick's and then dinner? I think we're going to Temple Bar for the more touristy route...but i also really want to check out the Library for the Yeats exhibit...but we might save that for tomorrow...

We shall see :)
Love, T

Good Morning Ireland!

So we're here. The Hotel is gorgeous, Dublin is gorgeous and everything went very well. The customs was hilarious, we just walked up and it took 30 seconds. They were so kind, and dad and i couldn't believe how painless it was. We first stopped in Shannon (5AM our time, Midnight your time) and it was so rainy. And then flew to Dublin in 25 minutes. SERIOUSLY. i couldn't believe it.

We took a taxi from the airport, and i only mention this because it wasn't as weird as i thought it would be, driving on the wrong side of the road. And it's so interesting coming into Dublin because it's a very gradual change. The city just slowly grows, the neighborhoods getting bigger and more city like until you're in the heart of the city. It's beautiful.

Of course because we got into Ireland early this morning our hotel room wasn't ready...so dad and i decided to have breakfast there. Their dining room is beautiful, it was all very fancy...and in my new resolution to be more healthy i had a peach (or nectarine...i never know) and some breakfast tea (in attempts to wake up). Then we headed off to Trinity College Dublin!

We got a little lost but eventually found our way, the college is so beautiful and i can't wait to go back and actually spend some time there.


It sort of reminds me of Trin at home, but its a lot larger and more grand. Another thing i love is that all the signs are in both English and Gaelic. Which i knew were in some of the smaller irish towns, but i didn't realize it was everywhere in the city too. Although dad and i did wonder where all the street signs were (they happen to be on the buildings instead of...like back home where they have signs on street corners...hence us getting lost for the first leg of the trip).



And then eventually we trudged home. Now we're finally in the hotel, which we got into much earlier than we thought. Sorry this isn't too exciting yet...just wanted to let you all know that we're alive and having a lovely time adjusting :D Although dad's already asleep...i'm too awake (Thanks English Breakfast Tea).

Most of my shots arn't very...artistic, but thats because i keep secretly shooting them so as not to appear to touristy. A fact dad has continuously made fun of me for. :P

Love, T

ps. please forgive the writing...i have been up for 24 hours :P

Goodbye America!

I'll see you in December!