Whirlwind Half Term Break!

Sunday...
We didn't have a set wake up time for this morning which was nice! Last night, we planned out everything we wanted to see while in Ireland by cross checking the walking tour stops with the hop-on, hop-off bus tour stops to ensure we could maximize what we saw and not waste time. Once we were up and moving, we both showered, and dressed. We had planned to be god out of the house by 1:30pm but in the end we left at 1 just because we were ready. Between the two of us, we had one small carry-on suitcase, our purses, and a backpack between us! That's all we took to Ireland. I was pretty proud of our packing expertise! Never have I really gone through an airport with so little luggage, it was freeing! We caught the airport bus at the Town Quay (not far from my flat) and rode the 40 minute trip all the way to the airport. So convenient! Once we got there, we checked in using the automated machines (didn't have to chat with a real person unless we were checking luggage!). We had some time to kill so we walked around the duty free shop and then ended up getting some Ben and Jerry's ice cream from the vending machine. Once it had dispensed, we discovered that we didn't have spoons! We wandered up to the cafe in the airport and ended up hacking away at the ice cream using straws! I thought we were quite inventive! Our plane boarded later than the original time, but soon enough we were on our way! The flight to Ireland was short! Just a little over an hour-- I could get used to that! We landed, exchanged some money, bought our bus ticket into the city centre and then easily found the bus! Walking through the airport, it seemed rather empty and small! I couldn't believe it! It wasn't until we came through on the way back that we realized how large it was! The bus to Dublin city centre took about 40 minutes and it was nice to see everything lit up at night. We met Becky in the hostel, checked in and found our room-- a 10 bedroom with 4 beds upstairs and 6 down. Darc, Becky and I were on the bottom floor bunks. I've never stayed in a hostel before, but I can already tell it will be a learning experience. It's odd sharing a room with people one doesn't already know but what a great way to meet people. Becky, Darcie, and I walked around the street a little bit, we got some groceries and ended up sitting in the hall trying to charge our phones as there was only one outlet in the hostel room! Can you believe it, for 10 people!?!

Monday...
We'd planned a pretty laid back day today. The only "real" thing on the to do list was a walking tour starting at 11. We enjoyed the free breakfast offered by the hostel (toast, cereal, and a warm beverage)-- nothing too fancy. We left a little early for the city hall (where the tour was set to start) so we could walk around in the light of day for a bit. We checked out a nice store that had crests and family history info, Becky and Darcie looked up their information. We decided to go back before we left to take another look (mostly because I really had to pee!). Zoe and Ryan were also in Ireland the same time as we were. We could've started a television show, "The Canadians take Ireland"! They met us there for the tour as well. Our tour guide, James, was amazing! He was very personable, taught us some Gaelic phrases and kept us interested with various stories! By the way, it took me about an hour and a half to find a bathroom! We stopped in the Temple Bar district, by the Clarence Hotel (owned by U2!), for a bathroom break, and a warm beverage. The tour continued on stopping at places like the Dublin Castle, Trinity College, Christchurch Cathedral, etc. We had a great time walking around and learning various Irish facts. One that was memorable surrounded a plaque erected on the bridge going over the river Liffey. In preparation for the new millennium, the city had a countdown timer installed by the bridge. But once the millennium had changed, and the timer was removed, there was a blank spot in the bridge. One day, the city people discovered a plaque had been placed in the bridge in honour of Father Pat Noise who had died in 1919. The people put down flowers and paid their respects for this man. Noone thought too much of it, until someone began to investigate just who Father Pat Noise was. Turns out, he never existed! The plaque was a joke, erected by the HSTI (rearrange those letters...). It was mounted by 2 brothers just as a joke. And in true Irish fashion, it's a good story so it remains on the bridge!

Our tour ended at a pub where we enjoyed a meal (vegetarian lasagna! and Darcie got her fish and chips!). After, we walked around Dublin some more. At this point, it was about 4pm. Becky went to find a bookstore and Zoe and Ryan went to explore. Darc and I wandered upon a pub (imagine) and had our first Irish pint. As we had the map out planning for tomorrow, the bartender suggested we start at the pub with a pint in the morning and see where that would take us! ha! I don't think we'd get very far! As we walked back to the hostel, we noticed a crowd of people waiting for something. We waited a few minutes and discovered it was a parade for the Bram Stoker festival. We watched them go by and headed back to the hostel. Becky was already there and we ended up going out to another pub! What a good night. Once back, we sat in the stairwell and charged our electronics. I started getting pain in my chest once again we were ready for bed. Basically, I spent my night in fitful sleep or awake with the pain in my chest. I took two tylenol from Becky but they didn't do anything. I did get to chat with Laura late at night and she enjoyed that my messaged were "sent from Dublin".

Tuesday...
Very rainy today, and after a long night of little sleep, I was okay for a dreary day. However, it was much cooler than I anticipated and I didn't bring a jacket.. Stupid me! We met another Canadian (from North Bay, wanting to go to Thunder Bay for school-- small world). We had planned our bus tour for today and took it to the jail. I'm glad we went to the jail first as we had a short line up but nothing compared to what it was like when we left! Once at Killmainham Jail, we discovered that part of it was closed off and therefore the admission price was cheaper (I also used my student card and got in for 2 Euros-- awesome!) We did have to wait about half an hour for the tour to start but it was memorable! It was chilly though! Learned about some people who had spent time in the prison and it's history. Once we were through, we caught the bus again (after standing in the rain waiting for it for 15 minutes!). We rode it around back to the Temple Bar area. By this time, I was quite cold. We decided to walk back to the tourist centre we saw this morning (in the same area) and buy an Ireland sweater. The sweater was so warm and cozy! We went for some lunch at Ricky Bobbys (Just kidding, it was called Eddie Rocket's but I think Ricky Bobby's sounds better). It was a 1960s modelled restaurant with Juke boxes at each table. I put 20 cents in thinking I wanted to play Johnny Cash "Ring of Fire" which was K10 but instead I ended up playing "Wild Thing" which was K1... Turns out, there was a 10 button which I found out after I'd pressed the 1... It's okay, I enjoyed the song either way!!
By this time, it had stopped raining, so we walked around the the National Museum of Ireland both the Archaeology and the Natural History location. We enjoyed walking through and taking pictures! After we left, we found the most amazing thing: a Tim Horton's!!! I was SO excited at this as I haven't had a Tim Horton's Hot Chocolate since I left Canada in September. It wasn't as good as home, but it was a good way to tide myself over until Christmas. In the evening, back at the hostel, we made pasta and had a few drinks at the hostel with our new friend, Jon (the Canadian from North Bay). We ended up going out and doing our own mini pub crawl-- stopping at a few different places. We also met Zoe at the last pub which closed at 11:30...! We were shocked! Who knew it would close so early in Ireland! After, we ran to a McDonald's and all enjoyed some fast food. I thoroughly enjoyed mocking Jon was his morning "hair" routine which I witnessed this morning. We all became fast friends and enjoyed the company tonight!

Wednesday...
Today was our last day in Dublin! Darc and I said our goodbyes to Jon in the morning as we went off to do his own thing. Becky walked around with us for a while in the morning. We went back to the crest/name store and got a few things and also stopped at the Dublin Castle gift shop where I got Anne's Christmas present (well, part of it!). I'm pleased with the things I purchased on this trip (some for others and some for myself!) After saying goodbye to Becky (it was so good to see her after so long and in another country, none the less!) Darc and I made our way to catch the coach to the airport. We were there with some time to spare but it turned out to be a good thing as the airport from a departures point of view is much larger! Our flight back was just as short and we landed in Southampton at 5 and promptly caught the bus. The bus ended up taking an hour and we were stuck in traffic (rush hour and due to an accident). I was starting to get antsy and it was already dark by this point! After such a good trip, I missed Ireland and was feeling the after-vacation letdown. We got back to the old flat and discovered the girls had done a lot of the moving over to the new place for me! How wonderful! Darc and I called a cab and took a few more bags over. Only things left will be the food in the fridge and the last clean. We arrived to the new house with our bags and I felt very tried. I'd forgotten about the cleaning that needs to happen in the new room of mine (there's some mould on the walls). I felt overwhelmed with the unpacking and state of chaos I was currently in. Luckily, we had sheets, and a duvet so our bed was sleepable!

Thursday...
With no pillows to sleep on, the sleep was not the most restful one. But that's alright. Jesse invited us to go on a day trip to Winchester today. On the way into the city centre, Jesse and I both got haircuts. Mine didn't turn out quite as I'd hoped but I'm not too worried. It won't be too long until I'm back in Peterborough and Ann can cut my hair! We stopped at a coffee shop and then promptly caught the train to Winchester. It is such a quaint town and I loved walking around. I got a few more christmas presents at the downtown market and we also found a castle! The ruins were absolutely amazing to walk through! I got a few bits for my halloween costume and we also found the Knights of the Round Table from King Arthur! I, of course, had to send a picture of this to Andrew! Camelottttt! We ate a late lunch in the oldest bar in England (est. 1022). What a great afternoon! In the evening, the girls had planned on having a baking night to prepare for the halloween party tomorrow. I was originally going to go but Darcie and I decided we were worn out and it would be a good time to unpack from Ireland and put some things away in my new room. While I missed the girl time, I appreciated being able to unwind a little bit. To unpack, just a tad, put me in a better state of mind. Hard to believe it's already Thursday and Darcie will be leaving on Sunday morning. It's been so easy getting back into our groove. I'll miss having her here.

Friday...
Happy Halloween! Today, we went back to the old flat to do the last clean and clear out the remaining bits. It took us about an hour to go through and clean and I enjoyed having the company while I organized. Loaded up the backpack with food from the fridge and then met with the guys from my agency. It was good to chat with them in person and figure out a few details that had been on my mind. Darc and I walked up to the city centre where we braved the hoards of people who were lined up in the dollar stores. I was looking for some decorations for the house-- mainly some cobwebs but didn't find anything like that! We was quite the morning/ early afternoon and I was tired by the time we got back to the house. Tonight, we had a halloween party-- fancy dress, of course (which is what the Brits call a costume party). We had a great time with many teachers we met through the agency (Canadian, British, New Zealanders, etc). I met some new people and got to chat with some old-new friends! By the time everyone left, it was about 1:15 am! I was pooped but we really did have a fun time. What a memorable halloween!!

Saturday...
As Darcie's last full day here, we decided to take a day trip. It was tough choosing where our destination would be! In the end, we decided on Portsmouth and Zoe said she'd like to come along, too! We chose the 11:44 train but ended up just missing it. So, Darc and I caught the 12:05 train and Zoe met us there as she came on the next train. We wandered around and finally found somewhere to eat. We tried to make it up to the Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum but once there, we found out it was closed after September. Just our luck. We also wandered around the beautiful park where we saw a bird aviary and a bagpiper! We loved walking around the aviary and seeing the birds, as well as guinea pigs and rabbits! It was a lot of walking but I think worthwhile to be able to do these day trips.  On our way home, we stopped at the ASDA and I finally got some tea towels, a hand towel for the bathroom, and some oven mitts! Found out in the dollarstore here that they sell oven mitts by the single... Odd! After making dinner with Hannah and Liz (delish!), Darc packed up her bags while I updated the blog. It was a good reflection tool remembering some of the high points of our week together. I get sad to think of her leaving but am glad she gets to go home, see her family, and her dogs! I joked that she could fit me in her luggage (I'd only put her a few pounds overweight!). Just spending a relaxed night together before an early morning tomorrow getting her to the airport.