August 7th, 2010

-It is currently the mornign of the 8th-

So I made it to England!! Up here in the north, it is nearly impossible to understand a conversation between two Brits. It is easier to understand the women when they talk directly to you. Adam is the worst. Even the locals have a hard time understanding his thick accent. It is a lot different from a London accent, and much harder to understand than the Irish. It is odd because they have no problem understanding me but said they can't understand the Irish.

The rest of the ferry ride went well. I was able to sleep a bit after my new little Irish friend, Nicola (Nick-lah) settled down. You will see pictures of her soon enough. She is soo cute. I was also able to sleep the majority of the bus ride into Bradford. The back rom of seats opened up after the first stop. There were 5 seats across the back, which made it nice and easy to stretch out and get comfortable. I woke up again 5 hours later at 5:00 in the morning, in Leeds. There, I contacted Adam and let him know I would be taking the connecting bus to Bradford for 2.20 quid (pounds, £). During the time I was waiting for Adam, I made my way to the neighboring train station and looked into train rides downn to London on Monday. A 3 hour trip to london cost me about £45. Adams mother later told me that seemed expensive and that she would look for flights when she got home. I would rather avoid airports at all costs, at this point. Plus, it don't have to arrive so early and there is no pressure to making it to the airport on time because if you miss your train, you simply hop on the next. The women at the train station told me that I should have no problem just coming in the day of my departure to book my ticket.

The first car ride in Adam's car was quite the experience. I have a video of it, but I am having a lot of trouble uploading them. When I play them back it is choppy. I hope it is just the player and not getting that way during the upload. Adam told me I can drive his van if I wish. I am not sure about it, even though it would be legal. He drives a stick as well. It would be quite the challenge, but I don't have any extra money to be spending on the damages of a car. After the 20 min ride through the country with the scenery of rolling green hills, cattle, castles and short stone walls that appear to go on forever, we arrived at Adam's house. After watching a TV show of Wayne Rooney we went to get a proper good English breakfast. Eggs, Bacon (real bacon than is thick and very very good), sausage, tomato, and baked beans. lol. I have no idea why there is baked beans or tomatoes, but it was very good. From there we went to the super market to get Adam some orange juice before heading over to one of his really good friends Emma and Matt's house. There house is 110 years old and is very big for over here. After hanging out for a bit here and hacing lunch we went to watch Adam's brother, Dan and Matt play in their semi final Rugby League match for the Old Victorians. It is a team in the open age rugby leage. When we got to the visitors club house, we went upstairs to get a pint of Carling. During half time of the match, Adam and I walked across the street and got a 8 pack of Carling and enjoyed them on the side line. Everyone on the side line got a kick out of me throwing the rugby ball like a football. They were cracking jokes about how every american can throw a football far. I taught Adam how to throw the Rugby ball and we played a little catch, American football style. He was done after about 3 passes. I was impressed though because one of those throws had a tight spiral and actually made it to me. After the game, we went back to the away club house and drank beer while everyone was cracking jokes and telling stories. I could only understand a few words and most of the time could't understand the joke. The coach was trying to get me to move over and play league for him. I had so many questions about Rugby League to ask him and he asked me all about Rugby Union. Rugby league doesn't have rucks and mauls, soafter your tackled you stand back up and roll the ball between your legs. Each team announced their players of the match for the apposing
team followed by a good ol' traditional rugby boat race. The rugby match may determine who moves on and keeps playing, but the boat race determines the true winner. A team composed of the 5 fastest beer drinkers from each side. Even though Matt and Dan's rugby team lost, their boat team won and are seen as the winners in my eyes. Following the boat race and after everyone left, we headed back to the ol' Vic's club house to finish a couple more pints over story telling and meet some more old time Vic lads. We then decided to stop by the local shop and grab a couple of cases of beer to bring over to Matt and Emma's house where they were hosting some friends before going out on the town. After a couple hours of drinking and not getting much sleep the night before and being up since 6 in the morning, I decided to take a little nap on the livingroom couch. If I wasn't convinced before that i was in good company, I was when I woke up covered by a blanket with the lights turned off and door shut. I went into the kitchen to meet the rest of the group: Ella-handro (like the lady gaga song), Cottinglay, gay James, and little Lee (Adam's Protege). I caught the tail end of the froggs drinking game before we all headed out to our first club/pub. The first pub was more like the traditional bar in the states with a lounge, bar, and dance floor. Everywhere here in Europe plays good music. After enjoying some dancing socializing we went to a traditional European club. The place was HUGE and had 3 different dance floors, each on its own level. There were some 5 or six sepperate bars distributed throughout the club. On the second floor was the main dance area that had lazers going everywhere and a huge raised dance floor in the middle that was packed with people. At around 2am we left the club to get some curry next door. I had some chicken dish and experienced the world's largest piece of bread. Then call it naan and it is like flat pitta break that litterally was the size of teh table. I could have wrapped it around me like a blanked. We did not finish it. There will be pictures of it on FaceBook. After dinner we all got a taxi home. I slept in Dan's room and he stayed at his girlfriends place. A very good first day in England.

P.S. I learned that Cheers means thank you here, so it makes no sence to end my bloggs in Cheers. lol

Some English terms I have picked up while being here:
-Rougher than a badgers nager
-Rubbish, That top your wearing is rubbish
-Proper, She was proper upset about the situation or it was proper funny
-Telly, rather than TV
-Fit, she it quite fit (Good looking rather than the body type)
-Floozy

Last nights pub crawl was so much fun. I was with the Italians all night. They are great and too much fun. I was learning Italian phrases all night. They even told me I have a good accent. I think they were being generous. We went to 4 pubs, 1dance club. The first pub had free beer from 7:30 till 8, which was amazing!!! The second, free shot with any beer. I had some cherry shot and raspberry beer. The third had beer pong!! I was so stoked!! All the Italians had no idea what it was. I explained and Enrique was my partner. We had two cups left to make and Enrique sank the front cup and I won it with making it in the same cup. Everyone went crazy and one of our French buddies lifter Enrique up in the air and we all tossed him up and down. It was sloop awesome!!! I have video of the game, but not the end unfortunately. The 4th pub had two DJ brothers and a small dance floor up stairs. They played great music. -it is so weird seeing black or Asians with an Irish accent- The last place was a dance club we got into for free and they had lasers and fog going everywhere. My first taste of a "real" European dance club. One of the guys that Enrique and I beat in beer pong bought me 2 Jäger bombs. It was pretty cool. Great sportsmanship. Lol

I had to have heard sirens 20 times today because the Dublin Fire Brigade and Garda station are right across the street from the hostel.

Everyone wears sweat suites. I thought that was a 90s thing. I guess not.
Wake up in time for breakfast and check out. Skype call. Set out to get my haircut. I remembered seeing a small little shop on the street I walked 3 times when I first got here, but there is also one the door next to the hostel. It was packed and cost 25E, so I walked down the street to the first one I saw. I walked into an empty shop. A middle aged man walked out from the back and greeted me well. He keeps a very modern and clean shop and was super nice. I joked with him and told him I was questioning his competence because I was the only one in there. He honestly replied that it's that way due to the location and that he has been cutting hair since he was 15 and took over his dads business. He was very friendly. His name is Karl. Second Irishmen named Karl in 3 days. Karl gave me one hell of a hack. He did a great job and used only scissors. Def more of a 50E haircut, not 15. Oh, and no one tips here. It is awesome. Not even in the pubs. I do think tips are expected in the restaurant though.
Bus to airport. Waited in security line. Out of line to put Toiletries in plastic bag that cost me 1E and I already had a bunch of bags. Back through line. Ticket wouldn't scan to enter security. To desk. Told to go to other desk. At that desk told to go to another desk. A different desk again. There she noticed that the ticket is booked for 6 days later. Can't change it, can't cancel it, even though I bought cancelations insurance for 5E through the booking web site, just to be told on the next page that the airlines does not accept cancelations. The next flight tomorrow is 250E. Bus ride back to hostel. Walk to travel-bus station to book a 12 hour bus/ferry ride. Walk back to hostel and grab a Supermac's burger and "chips" on the way. It was 2 shops down from McDonalds. Lol. I literally had to use the toilet minutes after devouring that crispy bacon double cheese burger like a fat American. I was walking across the street while taking a huge bite and leaning forward as to avoid getting any if its oozing super sauce on me. I can only imagine what those right seated, right side of the road drivers were thinking. Ha ha. Back to station an hour early for check in. Almost pick pocketed. Saw the old guy crouched down by by bag/pocket. Stood straight up when I turned around. Ironic part is, there was a warning announcement to be weary of pick pocketing operations. Went out to the gate area and saw a girl my age crying because her wallet got stolen. There is not a more uncomfortable feeling than looking around and thinking to yourself that anyone around me could be looking to steel my stuff. I only have my iPod and 5E in my pockets. Everything else is strapped to my crotch in my money pouch. I have it under my pants where it can't be touched ...... Or seen. I am writing this on my iPod, so I apologize for the poor writing, although it is not any better on my computer. Started it off as a list using the Notes application. I am now sitting on a bus ready to embark on a journey to continue this very unpleasant day. My worst day of the trip so far. But I have all my belongings, I am well, and have a fresh new hair cut, although it itches like crazy because I was checked out and couldn't wash my hair. Might have to sink it. Lol. But I am in Europe enjoying the adventure!!!! Til tomorrow,

Cheers!!

August 4, 2010

Yesterday was amazing. I didn't have the opportunity to write last night (the 4th) because I had no time in the evening.

I started off the day with a great little sandwich for only 3 Euro and a phone call back home. From there I got ready to head out to tour Trinity College (tour and book of Kells), Grafton st/shopping district, lunch at Havana, and the Guinness brewery tour. When I arrived at Trinity I bought my ticket for the tour, which included a ticket into the museum of the Book of Kells. Then tour was short, although gave me good little overview of the college. Unfortunately, the whole tour group went under the bell. I was a little nervous, but when I asked the guide if I will get my degree, he told me that the bell has to be ringing, but almost every undergrad avoids it if at all possible. lol. When the tour was over I headed into the Book of Kells exhibit. It was simply AMAZING! Just unfathomable. It was really hard to put into perspective what 12,000 years ago really is. This manuscript is suspected to be written in 800 A.D. by the Catholic monks of Ireland. From the exhibit I went on to "the long room" of the old library. It too was amazing and a spectacular site. It is some 400 meters in length and all the old books are arranged not by alphabetic order, but size of the book. All the big books on the bottom of the shelves, and all the small ones on top, only accessible by skinny ladders. At the end of the tour I got some post cards, which some of you may be getting :) and a Trinity Rugby ball.

From Trinity I headed south on Grafton st., window shopping and people watching. I took some photos but didn't buy anything. I heard that Dublin just got their first Starbucks. It was very cool to see it. Cool to know that Starbucks started in my home town. At the end of my walk and closer to the Hostel, I had a couple tapas at Havana. Had a great cup of tomato soup and a ham quesadilla. I made it back to the Hostel with little time to make a few phone calls. I was exhausted after being on my feet all day. I really wanted to take a nap, but I had already paid for the Guinness brewery tour. i am glad I had, because it was totally worth the 2 Euro Redbull to keep me awake through it. The view from the top of the warehouse at Gravity Bar was so spectacular! It is one of the tallest buildings in Dublin. -there are a bunch of Spanish kids cooking lunch right now and it smells sooooooo good!!- I bought a souvenir Guinness t-shirt and we were on our way back. So I thought. After we got off the bus, the person that took us on the trip, who works at the hostel, took us across the Liffy River to some bar that was connected to a hotel. This bar is known for their free Irish dance and music show. We had two tables waiting for the group when we got there. We just needed to buy a pint if we wanted to watch the show . .. . . . .NO problem, serve me up a Guinness! haha. The dancing was great and the women were beautiful ;) Not one of them had red hair though. Well one guy did. Reminded me of a tall David. haha.
I met 2 Italian couples who loved that I am from Seattle because they love live music and know Seattle's great music scene. I told them to come visit any time. They live on the eastern coast of the Heel of the boot of Italy. I forget what the region is called. They were telling me all about the beautiful views and refreshing ocean. I was talked to one of the couples and the guy told me that his family owns a corporation of Hotels in Italy and that if I come to their home town I can stay for free of charge. All this time he was telling me this the guy from the other couple was not paying attention and later in conversation, he started telling me about his friends hotel. He told me (thick Italian accent), "This guy owns the most Beautiful hotel in my entire region in Italy!! It is soooo Beautiful!" When he was done telling me this he exchanged a look with his friend, looking for affirmation to tell me I could stay there. lol. Little did he know. I looked at him and told him, "That's what I heard. He told me I could stay there for free."
his response while throwing his hands into the air was, "OOHHHH MYYY, Are you serious!? . . . it is the best hotel in all of my region...you are sooooo lucky!! It is so beautiful."
This got me really excited and I told them I will try and make it down there. Maybe skip Florence and hit Rome then over there, instead.

After the show I headed back to the hostel quick to change and then meet up with my new Italian friends at 12:30am at Temple Bar in Temple Bar district. Kaycee and I headed out there to meet up with them, but were a little late getting there and could not find them. After walking around for a bit and checking out different spots and getting stuck in a bunch of random different conversations, we stumbled into a loud and crowded pub. The majority of the population was retired old men. lol But these guys loved the music that was playing. Old American Music with some Irish tunes as well. It was so cool to see the whole pub with glasses in the air chanting the words to a familiar song. I had a few beers, but was too busy enjoying the crowd and talking to some Brits that were over from Manchester to watch their football team slaughter the local Irish team. Kaycee all the while is making conversation with all the old men. lol. When she was tired of getting hit on and violated by all the old men, we headed home.

Today I have loaded my pictures and I need to figure out my itinerary for tomorrow so I can make it over to England. I plan on taking a foot tour around town or maybe finding something else to do. Head into a pub for lunch and a beer before hitting it hard tonight. Thursday night is the night the Hostel takes whoever wants to go on a Pub Crawl. It only costs 10Euro and from 7:30-8 at the first pub, it is all you can drink. Then crawl to 3 other pubs and end at a night club surrounded by people who are all heading home to the same place, which apparently is a good thing at the end of this night. lol. I am looking forward to it. I am loving Ireland and Dublin thus far. I am having a great time. All the people and staff here are so friendly! Talk to you all soon.

Check out my Dublin Photos here at http://picasaweb.google.com/kurthaisch

Cheers

August 3, 2010

Hey Hey Hey Hey Hey,

First day in Dublin has been interesting. The weather is overcast and a little rainy. Feels just like home. I have no idea how much sleep I have gotten. I rode the bus in from the airport for 2.20 Euro and when I got off had no idea where I was. I was told directions 4 different times and walked the same stretch of street i don't know how many times. I literally just needed to cross the street from where I got off the bus and would have walked to the front door of my Hostel. When I got in I checked my backpack into a locked room, and waited til 2 to check in. In the mean time I read about Irish history and passed out on the table. Once 2 o'clock rolled around I headed to my room to claim a bed and take a "quick" nap. 3 hours later I woke up and took a shower before eating some free pasta and a free drink compliments of the hostel.

My dorm room has 8 beds/4bunks and each bunk has 2 cages to lock up luggage. I am on the top bunk. There is a nice bathroom and shower. I met one of my roommates, Kaycee who is a med student working over here. She met some Brazilians last night who we might go out with tonight. At dinner, I also met 7 dudes who tossed me my first Guinness and who are from the Seattle area. They will be here for the next week. I guess the bars close at 11:30 and there are a few others that open then and run till 2. It is getting later around here and I am wide awake and ready to go out. I hope I can sleep tonight.

My plan for tomorrow is to take a tour of Trinity College, avoiding walking under the bell. Rumor has it, you will not graduate if you walk under it. From there I am going to check out a museum and then walk Grafton st., which is the main shopping street here in Dublin. I am looking forward to picking up a few souvenirs.

Now it is time to figure out where everyone is going and hit the town. Everything is within walking distance, which is very nice and cheap. I hope all is well back home.

Cheers

August 2, 2010

Hey everyone. Nothing really exciting today, just a plane ride. I had a hard time saying bye to Ellie this morning, but we have skype. Lol. I am about to board the plane for Dublin and arrive 9am local time 6 hours ahead of PST. I will write again tomorrow evening. Well just wanted to keep on the one post a day schedule. If anyone has any suggestions of what to see in Dublin, please let me know.

Cheers

Europe 2010

The Night Before

It is 10:30pm here in Sumner. I am getting more and more excited by the minute, but nervous as well. I feel like I am going to forget something. My plane leaves at 11:35 am tomorrow morning of August 2nd. Ellie is here helping me things get all in a row and going through my checklist with me. She has gone over it with me more than once. Tomorrow I am starting off the morning having breakfast with Craig and Ellie at the Berry Land Cafe, then it is off to the airport. I will be gone till September 17th with no cell phone, so don't call. lol. I will try and write once a day where I am at and I think there is a map on here where I can indicate where I am. Back to packing.

Cheers

http://picasaweb.google.com/kurthaisch/Europe2010#