Full circle or how to love a stopover

Before I get ahead of myself I want to back track and go over how Agra went before I talk of today (seeing as the last post was done as my flight was boarding). There are only a couple of trains a day to and from Agra, meaning that the one I was booked on left from New Delhi Station at 6:15 in the morning, which meant I had to get up at 5 (ahhhhh!). Made it to the station by auto (rickshaw) of which I had no idea where it was. Sidenote, none of the autos in Delhi use a meter (even though they have them in the rickshaw, they will tell you it doesn't work) meaning that you have to negotiate the price (beforehand). This can be hard when you have no idea how far your going (or how long it will take in Delhi time), and when you are as white as a chicken (actual quote from a shop woman I met) debating price can be difficult to say the least. Got on the train, had some breakfast (included in ticket price) and headed to Agra. Was awake the whole trip except for the last ten minutes and then worried that I had missed my stop (I didn't). Having gone to a bookstore the day before, I looked up tours in the bible there (way to cheat the system) and found one that left at 10:30. My train got there at 9:00 so I had an hour to kill and got some coffee to wait for the tour. Now, Agra is the place of the Taj Mahal, meaning that every tourist in the world has to go there while visiting India (at least for their first trip), which translates to tons of people harrassing you for everything: taxis, post cards, elephants (stone carvings not real elephants), chess boards, the list goes on. Barely made it to a coffee shop without taxi drivers ripping me apart for an all day fare. Got back to the tour office to find out that I was the only one so far that day to sign up and if they didn't get more people it would be cancelled. Long story even longer, two more people showed up and they ended up doing the tour (wipes sweat off brow). The tour was a little pricey, but in retrospect it was the best choice, not having to go and negotiate with taxis to get everywhere and having a guide for all three places rocks (I highly suggest for others going to Agra). Even on our way the to bus the taxi drivers tried to convince us that the bus was not going to go becuase there were only three of us (they will say anything to get you to agree). Did Agra fort (largest fort in India) and was the palace of Shah Jahan (the man who built the Taj Mahal) and you can see the space where he fell in love with Mumtaz Mahal (queen barried at the Taj). Then it was the Taj. It is corny to say, but it is breath taking the first time you see it. Much like stonehenge, it is hard to believe that you are really there. Took lots of pictures (the very touristy ones) and saw the tomb and all that good kind of stuff. Then it was off to Fatehpur Sikri (another fort that has the biggest gate not just in India, but in all of Asia). After this is was back to the train station to head home. Now, there are shoe shine men at almost every station trying to get you to have a shoe shine (which in India is pointless becuase two seconds later your shoes will just be dusty again). I hadn't done it all trip, and I do have leather shoes so I finally decided (got conned) into doing it. At the end he tried to charge me way over what I knew it was worth and I spent the rest of the time waiting for the train (only like five minutes) arguing over the price (with other shoes shiners trying to come in and redue the job) it was the most touristy event that happened in India (look what happens when Shawn is gone). Now the train station that the train goes back to is different then New Delhi Station and is closer in distance. So since it took me around 2 and a half hours to ge to Agra I figured it would be a little shorter on the way back (you know what happens when you assume). The train is called the Taj express, but express is a stretch . 3 and half hours later we finally get to the station, which again is somewhere where I don't know how far it is from my hotel and I get to negotiate another ride (fun). All in all it was an amazing, but long day (good last day in India). Today was a travel day and the meaning of the title of the blog. The plane was the plane of children (this one family had four all under like 5) so lots of crying (fun), but at least no one (including me) threw up. I landed in the same terminal, took the same train, am staying in the same hostel, room, and bed I did on the first day in London and of this trip. The whole trip has come (you guessed it) full circle and I am going to end it the way I began it, by getting a pint. Time to go before it gets too late as I only get a couple hours of sleep before going to the airport. There is still a little more to come.

Picture count: 1160 (could be the final count......or not)

Mr. Daniels

Now when I say this I know that most of you must be thinking that I am talking about Jack (but I'm not).  As hard as it is to believe, Nathaniel is a hard name for people to say.  Even in the US after people hear it the next question is usually "do you go by anything else?".  Here in India it is really hard for people to say, so I use Daniel sometimes with people I don't know.  The tour guide in Agra called me Mr. Daniels and thus the name was born.  I am at the airport right now using a free computer (yes!) and there are people lined up to use it so I have to make this short.  Agra was great, Taj amazing.  More to come when I have a second.  But break out the good China and chill the champagne because this boy is coming home!

Fish bowl

Getting to the airport in Mumbai (no problem), getting to the right flight (no problem), waiting in line on the airplane to take off (annoying), arriving 45min late when you were going to land at 10:15 (frustrating). The big question mark in my mind of coming back to Delhi was: am I going to be able to find my way to the hotel I'm staying at? India is a land of many things, but detailed maps is not one of them. Trying to explain to a driver where your hotel is when the roads in an area are not well marked and the city is huge can sometimes present a challenge. Thus my plan (having talked it over with Shawn) was to get a prepaid taxi at the airport and ask to be taken to CP (short hand for Connaught Place) and asked to be dropped off at Jantar Mantar (giant astronomical structures in this park) which is close to the hotel. Get into the cab, say CP, the driver asks where in CP, Jantar Mantar, he replies oh the YCA. I reply yes YWCA. Half-hour later we arrive at the YMCA in CP. Not exactly where I wanted to be, long story even longer my hotel was only around the block and now I'm back in Delhi. I was able to get another night at this hotel (where I thought I was going to have to switch hotels tomorrow meaning I would have to carry my bag all day) so that is a good thing. This is most likely going to be the last post from India as tomorrow I am going to be in Agra all day (that is where the Taj Mahal is) and then the next day I get up and go to the airport for my flight. I know all you die hard readers out there are going to go through withdrawal for a little while, but I will post when I get back to London on my stopover though I might try to get to this cybercafe on Thursday morning before my flight, it all depends on when I get up. Now, some might be wandering what the title of this blog means seeing as I have yet to mention anything about fish or bowls. It is a term I have thought about a lot while being in India and I think that it makes sense. In Mumbai, Shawn and I met up with another friend who is in India traveling around, Lucas (who is also a white guy, but he gets props because he can speak some Hindi). Shawn and he went out to shop a little one night and I stayed back at the hotel and Shawn noted that Lucas didn't get a second look while they were going to shop, but somehow I usually get stares (flat out staring). Shawn attributed this to the blond hair (for those who haven't herd when I was in Japan, the first day, we were in a mall and a woman came running up to me to ask what I had used to dye my hair, needless to say she was disappointed to find out it was natural), but it is something to be in a country in which you are (for 99% of the time) the only blond person in the city (which most of the time is over 14 million people). The staring brings me to the fish bowl effect. When in a country where you are most obviously a foreigner it can feel sometimes as if you are a fish in a fish bowl, people stop, stare at you, you can stare out at them (and some may even tap the glass a little with their fingers), but for the most part you are in the water and they are in the air and that is that. Coming to Delhi has put this fish out of water and for the first time in India I am truly interacting with others to get by as before I would let Shawn do all the talking and I would stand by like a mute boy. It is easier to get around here then in other countries because so many speak English, but to truly get into a country, a people, a culture you have to speak the language. Maybe one day (and the list of languages I want to learn increases by one). ttfn.

Picture count: not saying but will grow dramatically tomorrow I am sure.

Slumdog

Yesterday we took the train to south Mumbai. First off, trains in Mumbai go everywhere, but they are nothing like what you would think a train is like, well they are in the sense that it is a train, but the way you ride is like nothing I have ever experienced. Even before the train pulls up to the station people start to jump off and try to get on. Once it is at a stop everyone pushes and shoves to get on before it takes off again. Once your on you have just the space that your body takes up and that would be it (and Shawn tells me that the train wasn't very crowded on that day). We got to Churchgate (name of the station, also where the last dance scene in Slumdog Millionaire takes place). We went to a museum (nice) and then a famous cafe in the south. After this is was time to get out of the heat, so we ended up seeing Slumdog Millionaire (even though I already saw it is the states I was down to see it again). Following this we walked down to look at the gate of India (which is a giant arch that sits on the edge of the ocean) and the Taj hotel (which some of you may know since it was one of the spots in the most recent terrorist attack, which they are still fixing some parts). More walking led us to the Queen's necklace, the most famous view of Mumbai which is a bay on which a lot of the sky line sits and then there are road lights that go along the whole path that look like a pearl necklace at night. After we went to a really good fish restaurant and then off to the hotel for some R&R. Today is the last day in Mumbai and then Shawn and I go our separate ways as I go back to Delhi and he goes to Ahmedabad, the trip get interesting.

Picture count: 1060 (inching up there)

Without a plan

Days in which the whole plan made thus far is to meet up with friends that are coming always turn out interesting, in the sense that once you meet up, there is no more plan. Yesterday was one of those days. Shawn's friends took an overnight bus from Mumbai and got to Goa in the morning. After having some breakfast (one of them wanted tostop by a tattoo parlor to make an appointment for later in the week, don't worry I didn't get a tattoo...) Shawn asked about this famous church that is suposed to be famous. But driving around for a good 45min (on the other side of the road) we can upon some church (not the one Shawn talked of), but after all that riding (not as bad as the camel) we took a brake and walked around for a while. Some of the other guys went back to sleep, and then the rest of us went to a seaside market (reminds me of Santa Monica Pier), but has a great view of some beaches. This was followed by some good roadside food (mac it was a gyro that was almost as good as Germany) and then going to this fort to watch the sunset. All told we drove over 100km (no I'm not going to convert it) yesterday, but I loved riding on the scooter if you can imagine me driving with Shawn on the back. Following the sunset we went back to the hotel to freshen up (thier words not mine) and then met on the beach for some food and drinks, that ended up lasting till 2 in the morning. Today was already jam packed. The guys wanted to do water sports and so that is what we did in the couple of hours before Shawn and mines flight. For those who are confused by the term water sports, it is almost everything you can do in the ocean that is not swiming. We got a package deal where we did jet skiing, parasailing, bumper ride (kind of like when you pull an airmatress behind a boat), and banana boat ride and all before breakfast. The best was the bumper ride, I was cracking up the whole time (don't ask why). Once we were done it was shoving a breakfast down (along with a morning beer) and high tailing it to the airport (which was an hour away from our hotel) to catch a flight to Mumbai. Here now, going to get some food and then see where the night takes us.

Picture count: 1037 (finally broke the century mark!)

Life's a beach

Mornings in which you know the day will be spent on the beach enjoying the sun always start slow and end fast. True to the word of yesterday Shawn and I got a scooter to ride around on for today and tomorrow. Shawn immediately told me that it would be my job to navigate it (yes the dyslexic one) in a country that drives on the other (wrong) side of the road (Brits!). Needless to say, there were a few mishaps at the begining of the adventure, but no crashes thank goodness. We needed to get some petrol, as the scooter was on empty, and Shawn and I finally found someone to show us where to get some (as gas stations are few and far between and you buy gas from households who sell it out of liter bottles that once contained water). I go zooming off with the guy to get gas and Shawn stays behind (thankfully I put some money in my swimsuit pocket or else I would have had none), but when we got back a few minutes later Shawn was gone. Some minutes later (after a near crash on my part) I find Shawn and we go off to another part of Goa, less crowded (but later we find full of hippies). Once you get used to driving on the other side of the road, it is not bad and it almost becomes like a ride at Disneyland or a videogame only a gameover is death (haha). Got to the beach and it was beatuful. Swam around, drank some coconuts, had a margarita, and got hasseled by all the people trying to sell things. After some lunch it was back to the hotel and then off to the local fort. As Europe is with Cathedrals so is India with forts and palaces. The fort was nothing special, but the views of Goa and the bay were spectacular. Following this was another trip down to the beach by our hotel to watch the sunset and drink a couple of beers. I also got a crab dinner for $5 (just to rub it in). Tonight we are going to go look for some young people as Goa so far has been a little on the grey side (if you know what I mean) it's like Flordia here. Tomorrow some of Shawn's friends come from Bombay and the partying begins.

Picture count: 996 (it was a beach of a day)

The road to Goa

It was only a matter of time until it happened, but who knew it would be an American favorite. Since arriving in India, I have expected to have some stomach issues adjusting to the food. With that said, six days in and the old stomach was taking it like a champ, when behold the one lazy night we order Pizza Hut (yeah I know, most American thing you can do while in India) and the next day I have a tummy ache (who would have guessed). Spent most of yesterday just hanging out nursing the stomach and resting, but in the evening Shawn and I went to the fort in Jaipur (not as cool as in Jodhpur, but still nice) and they had converted one whole wing of it into the India version of Starbucks (hahah), much like the Starbcuks in the Forbidden Palace in China. After that we went to this place that Shawn's cousin (of all people) said was the best place to go in Jaipur. We didn't really know what it was till we got there and the best way to describe it would be a themed restraunt, the theme you ask, traditional Rajasthani (which is the state in which Jaipur is in). So there was lots of traditional dancing and singing. I of course participated in all of it making me look like the biggest tourist of all (not like I care). The food was good and I got to wear a turben and was adorned with a tikki (the red dot on the forehead). Shawn got a video on me dancing and the only way to describe it would be that it's like watching children cry. When we got back we watched Obama's inaugeration (yawn) and went to bed. Today was going to Goa (tropical state to the south). Most of the day was consumed with travel (yeah no flights crashing), but Shawn and I managed to get down to the beach and have a couple of $1 (yeah thats right, jealous Ray) beers before watching the sunset. It is nice and hot here, bought a bathing suit for tomorrow as Shawn and I are going to rent a scooter (motorized) and ride around the coast, maybe even some jetskiing. More to follow, wish you were here.

Picture count: 968 (almost to 1000!)

The pink city

For those non-Indian people reading this that would be Jaipur that I am speaking of. Shawn and I had to get up at 5:00 (yes you read that correctly) 5 this morning to get to the train that took us to Jaipur. Needless to say, I went right back to sleep once we got on the train and didn't wake up till we were almost there. The train was late (on don't know how that happened considering it is on a track) and so by the time we got to our hotel and had some lunch it was 2:00 (oh and Shawn took a half hour stroll to find an atm that was supposed to take five minutes and I almost that I was going to have to call the police and report a missing persons report). Shawn needed to do some house cleaning today with his job ( and seeing as he has been here before) I took off to see the city (yes by myself). I went to the city palace (very nice) where the ruler and one time had the idea for the pink city (and yes it really is pink). Then I went to the water palace, which is out on this lake, a very beautiful site. Now this is where the trip goes downhill. The rickshaw I took saw me coming from a mile away becuase I find myself in a textile factory (along with about ten other white people) being sold fabric at dicount prices and being asked if I want a suit or carpets or bed shams (the list goes on). Excusing myself ever so politely, I finally get back to the hotel and end up spending the most we have spent on a cad ride yet (which is still really cheap if you think in dollars). Today I find out what would happen to me if Shawn wasn't with me (thanks lucky stars and worries about the two days alone in Delhi). Tomorrow more fun and adventures await.

Picture count: 918 (travel day).

Nathaniel of India

Today we went to the fort here (bright and early) which was really cool. Lots of nice colored glass windows and you could see all of Jodhpur (blue city), which is really blue. After this Shawn and I went to go on a camel (no not like cigs) ride in the desert. That's right, ultimate tourist thing to do and I got Shawn to go along with me. Needless to say, I know that all of you may think that camels are the fastest form of transportation, but there not. They move quit slow actually (not seeing how Lawerence did anything in Arabia, hence the title). We had a hour and a half ride to this remote house, where we had lunch and chilled for a bit and then rode back. Now I'm not saying that the camel seat was uncomfertable, but after a couple of hours on the back of that animal and you bum hurts like nobodies business. Plus the saddle hits in your man parts and that seems to be sore as well (ah the prices you pay for tourism). The other funny thing of today was trying to find sunscreen (of which I forgot to bring). You see Indian people don't need sunscreen and thus they never buy it, so the only bottle we could find was like two years old (yes most likely useless), but its seemed to do the trick. Tomorrow it is off to a new city and more lovely forts.

Picture Count: 891 (moving up there)

Sleep Train

For the third day in Delhi Shawn and I went to India Gate (a giant arch in the middle of the city) and we walked there (which in Delhi is a feat in and of itself). After this we stumbeled around for a while trying to find the national museum (of which everyone told us different directions) but we finally found it and went inside. Needless to say it was a nicely run government museum (and list one thing that governments do well), but there we some nice exhibits and this really cool one on Faberche (I have no idea how to spell this but it's the Russian egg thing). Following this we went to this really cool market that has food from all over India and a bunch of stalls with craft wares. This was soon to be replaced by hookha smoking (oh yeah) where they run the hookha smoke through redbull instead of water (very interesting taste). Our train was not until 10:30 so we had time to kill and were gonig to see a movie, but no times worked so we ended up in the swanky mall kiloling time (much like everyday of high school). Finally it was time for the overnight train to Jodhpur. Never been on an overnight train before and it does take some time to get used to the constant moving back and forth but when I woke up we were in Jodhpur. Got to the hotel (no easy feat) and are staying in the Golden Hut room (interpret that as you will), there are mirrors on the cieling. Today we went to a local palace and then hung around a market (lazy day I know) but we are both trying to get over colds and have been going non-stop since I got to Delhi. Really exciting day tomorrow, but you will have to wait and find out on the next post. Goodnight , and good luck!

The whitest Indian

Sorry for not writing in a couple of days, but our hotel does not have internet and there is not really and internet cafe right around the corner. OK with that said lots of stuff to post and trying to condense it a bit. Last day of Ireland went to see St. Patrick cathedral (no there was no Irish car bombs there) and then went to an exhibit on yeats (most famous Irish poet), went to the national museum and then it was time to head back ot hostel and catch plane to London and then on to Delhi. The flight to Delhi was not crowded at all (and yet) I still got the gu who reclines his seat the whole time in front of me and a drunk guy behind me that snored the whole flight. Still got some sleep on the plane and then was served breakfast before the flight landed. Here is where the story takes a horrible turn for the worse. All thoes flights I have been on with people throwing up anf finally it was my turn (yes I know). In my defense it was not motion sickness it was food poisioning (at least I think it was) becuase I got sick right after I ate this egg dish (like immediately). The only saving grave was that I was able to make it to the bath room (though there was this grandma in there who had forgotten to lock the door) and had to wait a bit. Needless to say, threwup, did not stink up flight, felt better, going to sue Vrgin Atlantic for loads of money. Got to Inida, Shawn was there we got to our hotel, I took a shower and then we just went exploring around the hotel, me trying to get used to the hussle and bussle of India. That night we went over to his cousins house for a drink and ended up staying the night (glad we paid for a hotel). Yeah they are like hella rich so we got to drink nice wine and got this giant meal 9of which I am still full from). Plus they stay up until like 2 in the morning (with their baby) and with me not getting really much sleep on the plnae, Shawn and I both slept in. Yesterday, went to the red fort (really kind of more like a palace) and then to this market place before heading to Univeristy of Delhi and then to one of Shawn's friends houses (where we were again served a gaint meal). So far in India i haven't had to pay for dinner. Since this post is getting quit long I am going ot save today's activities for tomorrow, or in a day when I can next get to a computer or Shawn and I stay at a place with Wifi. For now I bid you goodbye.

Picture Count: 825
P.S. Mom I got your bengals.

Inida and other adventures

I am not going to do a long post today, but tomorrow I will fill all you in on whats been going on. I made it to India and found Shawn. All is right with the world.

Last hoorah

Dublin has been a great city (very happy I saved it till the end of the Ireland leg of this journey). Yesterday I got to go to one of my meccas (the Guinness Storehouse), which is a really good tour in my opinion. You end the tour up in the gravity bar (a 360 degree view of the city) and it was beautiful and sunny yesterday as well (also you get a "complementary" Guinness to help you enjoy the view). After this I took a stroll in Pheonix Park (at least three times bigger then Central park and the biggest city park in Europe). After this it was time to go to the Jameson distillery (which after the Guinness storehouse was kind of a let down), but I got a free Jameson so that smoothed things over a bit I guess. Following this was the Christ church (biggest cathedral in Ireland) and I tried to get into the National Museum and St. Cathedral (yeah like that St. Patrick), but sadly both were closed (boohoo). Got back to the hostel and everyone in my room (strangely enough we are all flying out of Dublin airport to London today, but all at different times) decided that we need to have a room party to celebrate us all leaving. We went to this Irish Bar that had a traditional band playing and then had Irish Dancing (yes like Lord of the Dance). Very good way to end the Ireland part of the trip. We ended the night by singing Wild Rover with the entire bar (which included a blow-up doll curtesy of a bachelor party). Deffinetly met the best people so far here in Dublin and it was nice to go out a drink with them. Today it is a little more site seeing and then off to the airport bound for India. Shawn you better be at the airport or I am going to die (not literally), but yes literally.

Picture Count: 760 (just as a gauge to put this in perspective I took 600 pictures in Europe (14 days), 450 pictures in Brazil (3 weeks), 700 pictures in New York (7 days). I just attribute that to the fact that New York is so iconic that everything you have to take pictures of.)

Knocking on wood list (doing as I write all these):
-Haven't been robbed
-Haven't been lost (horribly)
-Haven't not had a place to stay
-Haven't had to take a cab
-Haven't been rained on (like pouring rain)

Something like rain

Well the best thing about free tours is that they are free. It was a three hour tour that went around to all the sites in Dublin and the tour guide was very knowledable. Saw Dublin castle (not really a castle), the gardens, old Norman homes etc. I went with some people from my hostel, plus as I said the tour guide was really cool. So it started to rain half way through the tour and then got really bad near the end of it. So after we high tailed it over to the national gallery (to get out of the rain) and hung out there for a while (finally stopped raining). Then the next best thing to do when its getting dark is to go to a pub (with your tour guide) and have a couple of pints (plus Manchester United was playing Chelsea, MU won!). At the first pub I asked the bar tender what the best beer was and he said Beamish (so thats what I had) and the other thing is that it is made in the brewery I tried to tour and he said it isn't giving tours anymore becuase Heineken bought it and is closing it down and they are no longer to make Beamish (so I drank a dying beer). The other pub we went to had the biggest selection of beers you can imagine (with lots of Irish micro brews), very much up my alley (for Mac and the Brazil trip guys they had Brama and it was like $7 haha). After this went back to the hostel and just chilled. Today going to the Guinness store house and the old Jameson distillery. Only today and then tomorrow it is off to England and India (that just hit me). Look out Shawn, I'm on my way.

Picture Count: 692 (forgot to include this in original post)

Dublin

Contrary to popular belief I have not died, been mugged, or all the the other rumors that are going around. The reason that I did not post yesterday is that my hostels internet is not working and so I was to lazy to go out and look for internet (and it was Saturday night). Anyway yesterday got to see Kilkenny before I left for Dublin. While at the Cathedral there I had my favorite conversation (you know the one) with the lady that was there and then the guy (and old guy) came up to me later on in the Cathedral and asked if it was my first time in Ireland (I said yes) and he was like well you need to make sure that you go down to the pubs and get a pint or some whiskey (and we are in a church mind you) I assured him I would (and I have). Also got to see a medieval house and a castle in Kilkenny. The castle was nice, but I had been updated from its original form (so it was more house then castle) and that tour got out right when I need to run and catch the bus (luckily for me the bus was late) so I caught that and now I'm in Dublin (home of Guinness). Went out with people from my hostel last night and partied it up in the local pubs and clubs (woo) and now I'm going to go on a free tour of the city. It is threatening to rain here (has been for a couple of days) but I keep praying that it is not going to to (we will have to see). Off to the tour! More to come.

Picture count: 661 (going to grow fast now that I'm in Dublin)

Like a rolling stone

This was the song that was playing as I traveled from Cork to Waterford, so I thought it should be appropriate as the title of this blog. Now from what all of you have herd, the countless rumors, Waterford (wateverford) is not all that it is cracked up to be. So I went to the museum (the most hi-tech one in Ireland) did the do and then hit a train to Kilkenny. Now some (those who read my itenerary) say that Killkanny is not on it, this is true. After looking in books and talking to people, I found out that there is nothing in Dungravan. With that said, there is a castle and cool catherdral (second biggest in Ireland) in Kilkenny and lonely planet says it is on many an intenerary (as well as being on the way to Dublin). That brings me to the other reason for picking Kilkenny, which is that I want to be in Dublin on Saturday night. Yeah thats right, after being out in the kind of boontullies I want to be in the big city for the big night. Anyway, doing laundry and all that fun stuff, I chalk today up to travel and getting halfway up the coast to Dublin. Looking forward to tomorrow and Dublin!

Picture count: 630(not much to see on a travel day)

Uncorked

Yeah I have been waiting to use that as a title since I got to Cork, but thought it only appropriate once I had actually seen the town. Horrer once again struck today and I had another noooooo! moment when I reached the brewery and saw a sign stating in no uncertain terms "no tours" (noooooooo!). With that said I went to the nearest pub and drank my sarrows away (just kidding nana), I continued on with the rest of my day (a little more dead inside) which continued with a stop at another cathedral (woohoo). While I was going through this I thought it was probably best that I didn't get to go on the tour of the brewery since it ended with drinking then I would be going around the cathedral drunk (bad juju). This cathedral was cool becuase around the entire thing they had stained glass of the old and new testements, along with all of the zodiac signs (I got a free card with mine on it). After this it was time for coffee (seeing as I am not getting free breakfast here, boohoo) so I stopped by the local coffe station, which is right by the college (yes Cork College) so there were lots of students and it was nice to be back around mostly people your age. After this is was going to go to the public museum (having all of the history of Cork!) but got lost on the way and ended up on my way to the Cork city Gaol, which is a prison (no I did not get arrested I was going of my own free will). OK prisons are scary, and they are even scarier when they were made to look life castles but built in the 1800s. There were a couple of other visiters, but for the most part I was alone, in this giant prison (yeah). Although when I first entered I got to have one of my favorite conversations I have had many times since I have been in Ireland, it goes:
Me: Hello
Irishman: Hello, where might you be from? (seeing as they know I'm not Irish)
Me: California.
Irishman: Where in California?
Me: aournd SF.
Irishman: I know a fellow who lived in SF for a couple years. Lot colder around here then your used to I'm sure.
Me: yeah it doesn't get this cold there.
Irishman: colder now that it has been here for a long time. At least it is dry and not wet.
No joke, this is every conversation I have had so far to some varying level of degree. Cork reminds my of a small town (though I have never lived in one and can only imagine this is how it is). After the prison I went to the public museum (finally found it) where I would link it to a clip from Family Guy, but they don't let you go onto youtube here, so go to youtube and search something like family guy irish museum and it should come up with the clip of my experience at that museum. Following this was Cork College (really nice architecture) and this really cool modernist gallery (another nice building, but not crazy like the Tate Modern in London). Finally I wondered around to find some more abbeys and stuff. Going to go get some traditional Irish food soon and then an interesting pub.

Picture count: 625 (prision)

The gift of gab

Today I went to Blarney to see the castle that is there. According to the Ireland lonely planet, this is one of the biggest attractions in Ireland (on discovery channel's 99 things to do before you die list) and you need a stick to beat people away from the Blarney stone to get a chance to kiss it (this must not be referring to winter time). I basically had the castle to myself (with the exception of the couple of other crazy people out for a nice winter stroll) but it was nice to be in a place like that quit alone. So what is the Blarney stone? It is a stone at the top of the castle that if you lean over and kiss it it is supposed to grant you the gift of eloquence (or gift of gab) that you can speak well, but there is a difference between blarney and baloney and which I can tell you of later. Since I am alone, there was no one to take a picture of me kissing the stone, so I had to do the ultra touristy thing and buy the one they take for you (I know lame), but I really wanted proof and with that I believe that I now have the GofG to use as I see fit. Other then the castle there is a side garden that has the witch's stone and wishing steps along with a sort of out of place waterfall. I spent the rest of the day wondering around the grounds that have a house (the Blarney house), a lake, a fern garden (you have never seen them this big), and a horse graveyard (yeah creepy, thats what I thought). Planning on going to some more pubs tonight and then a tour of Cork the city tomorrow, which includes a brewery tour (I knew there was a reason for coming to Cork).

Picture count: 575 (Blarney the rugged shark, that is a rugged man reference)

Ireland (the blackout tour)

Today was a comedy of errors, starting with the fact that a signal went out and I was unable to take a train from Bath to Bristol. Not to worry, they ran buses there instead (they just took a little longer) and a few minutes later I was in Bristol. I wondered around this town, and finally ended up at the suspension bridge (this is the most famous part of this town) so after taking some pictures of this I continued on my journey. After Salisbury and Bath, Bristol is just not that exciting (no matter how much the guide books try to hype it up or how much you love suspension bridges) there are some cool buildings, but nothing comparing to other cities. I did get free admission into this Gregorian house (nice) and for being free I got what I paid for (no it was great actually). Lunch in the town square and then back to the train station to catch a bus to the airport. Bought my ticket and was on the bus with it starting to pull out when the cashier that had helped me flagged the bus down and run on. I had forgotten my debit card at the couter (or I think she didn't hand it back to me) either way a special prayer to the unknown cashier who flagged down the bus and got me my card (I wouldn't be very happy now without it) keeping double eyes on it now. Got to the airport (which was rather nice unlike one outside of Paris that was a barn with a landing stripe next to it, no joke) and got through security. Now I know that flights between Bristol and Cork are not many (many would be an exaggeration) but on the little tram ride over to the plane you start to realize that out of all the jets on the runway they are heading towards a biplane (yeah thats right). Now I have never flown one of these craft before and I must say it wasn't to bad. It is a small plane and just exhaling can send it of course (but luckily no turbulence). Got to Cork and realized that my water bottle (which I always check excpet this time) had leaked a little and my bag was kinda wet (no big deal). Got to hostel, going to take a shower and go get a pint (it's Ireland). Oh the title refers to the fact that this may be the blackout tour (seeing as the Irish love to drink) only time will tell. And my internet is free (doing a little jig) so I don't feel bad about spending time writting this blog.

picture count: 515 (Bristol is not the beautiful inspring landscpae you would think it is)

Note of the day: The reason crazy people like Hostels- there cheap (and we know crazy's don't have a lot of money). Rooms have lots of people in them, no tvs, mini-bars etc. so they have plenty of people to talk to. If they are not into talking the ears off other guests then they can complain to the staff about little things other people wouldn't notice or don't care about. And this is why crazy people love hostels.

Escaping bath

The best laid plans...I get to the bus station this morning ready to go to Straford-on-Avon (of which I remembered passing on the train on the way to Bath) only to realize that the city I had seen was Bradford-on-Avon (not Stratford), which is a long way up north (and by long way I mean Britain long way not US long way) so that plan was scratched. Luckily, I had planed to go there and come back in one day, so I got my hostel for one more night, and the other good thing was that before I found Stratford (Bradford) I had planed another day in Bath out, so that is what I did. I went to Victoria and Prior parks (England loves its parks, seeing as they are everywhere you go) and found a nie frozen pond to throw stones in. The snow fairy did come last night (only a slight dusting) and much of the parks lay in a light blanket (also to be noted that I got snowed on twice today, only lightly, but one snow flake did fall into my eye which is really cold I found out). Next I went to the Bath Abbey and climed to the top of thier steeple, which offered a nice view of all of Bath. Plus went into their museum and found that thier was a real skeleton down their that was a relic from the previous Saxon church that once stood where the Abbey is now (skeletons are freaky!). But the big find of today was the manga Bible (manga is Japanese comic for those of you who don't know) I of course had to buy this great book and am reading it now (pictures are great) I know you all want to borrow it when I get back but be careful with it I know it is going to be priceless soon. Following this was the Jane Austen center (kind of a bore to be truthful) followed by abother round in the Circus to try and see Mr. Cage (with no luck, noooooo!). I got to see where Jane Austen lived when she was in Bath and then wondered aournd Bath (which is quit beautiful in its own right) before having dinner and heading back to the hostel (which I don't think I have mentioned is an Itallian style mansion, oh the hostels in Britain). On a separate note, the micro fiber towel and underwear are amazing, best purchases for sure!
Some lesser known nuances of travel:
-waking up and not knowing where you are going to be staying that night
-washing your socks and underwear while you shower knowing that if you don't you wont have any to where the next day
-walking everywhere and enjoying it
-using trains
-sharing dorm rooms with 20 other people
-having to pay for water in a resturaunt
-paying to use the internet and seeing a sign that says "free WiFi" and being excited only to realize you don't have your laptop
-meeting strange and wonderful people

Picture count: 500

Then there was one

I will cut to the case as I know you are all in suspense (all four people that read this blog), there was no Nicholas Cage siting, though I did think that I saw his maid go into the apartment (exciting). Today started off with a free tour of the city (oh the things you learn from lonely planet and your hostel), which is a tradition that was started back like 70 years ago by the mayor of Bath who wanted to get more people to come to Bath so he started to give free tours to entice people to come. This tradition is carried on today by volunteers who give free tours of the city, and the best part is that the pay attractions have to give you access becuase it is part of the tour (for free). Anyway, the tour lasts about two hours (two and 3/4 hours later) we got back to the starting point with about as much knowledge (and no pics of Nick Cage) as you would want on Bath. But the tour guide was good and humerous so the time went by. After this Tal and I decided to do the manlyest thing you can do in the winter time, have afternoon tea in an upscale tearoom (finally got my teatime). Ok, so we make fun of the English for having teatime, but in the winter time when it is about to snow outside you need a snack/warm/caffeine break to get you ready for the rest of the day. The perfect place for this was Sally Lunn's, which is famous for thier buns (quit like me) and their great decor. Well both are true, Tal and I sat in the Jane Austen room and I had the Bath Cream Tea (bun with cinnamon butter and clotted curds oooh), which was sooo good. Oh yeah and there was some tea, but that bun was really good. So we got warm, and then went downstairs to the bakery "museum" (one room much like the pirate museum in Salem only smaller if you can imagine). Finally, Tal and I thought it was time to go to the baths (considering this is Bath). The Roman Baths are pretty amazing considering they built them so long ago. Lots of pictures and wanting to get into the water. Oh side note, the one real bath they have in bath is closed (that was the nooooooo part of today) so Tal and I couldn't get our naked, brokeback mountian selves on...men can dream. After the baths we walked the town, seeing this and that and then it was time for Tal to head back to the hostel to head back to London (the slacker hasn't seen any of it so he wants to go back early, yeah fine whatever I don't care). The fearsom twosome is once again a onesome (man my bed will be cold tonight), but tomorrow I think I am going off the beaten path (IE my itenerary) and going to Stratford-on-Avon (birthplace/resting place of Shakespeare) but only time will tell if I make it. Forcaste says snow, but I am hoping for sun, one never really knows.

Picture count: 450(no bath, noooooooooo!)

All those who wander...

Today was Shabbat (Jewish Sabbath) meaning that Tal could not travel by any means of modern convience, carry items on him and many other things that would have meant we could have gone anywhere out of Salisbury (much like being Amish for a day) so we walked around Salisbury. This was the plan all along as I knew that Tal wouldn't be able to much but walk today and the town of Salisbury(yes like the steak and no I didn't try to order one) is quit quaint, and when I say town I mean city becuase that is technically what it is, but only becuase it has a cathedral (true story). We started off with the Cathedral, which has the largest cloister in Britain (yeah big cloister, you know what that means) and also houses one of the four original documents of the Magna Carta (woo). After this we strolled through the town (city) and found a Sunday market with all kinds of stalls much like a flea market and stopped for a cup of hot chocolate (seeing as it is freezing) and were even told by the locals that this is a particularly cold winter (oh great). After this we decided to head off into the countryside just to wonder around. Hours later (hours...) we stumbeled unto the castle ruins I talked of yesterday, the name is old Sarum (you think I would have remembered becuase it has the word rum in it). This is where we thought would be a good place to break out a bottle of wine and fight the cold (and thats what we did). Interesting side note, while we were at old Sarum yesterday the staff told us that two days ago Nicholas Cage was there with his family and bought one of the replica swords they have in the guest shop (oh man Nick Cage, huge man crush). After this we went to the Haunch of Tourin for a pint and to see the mummified hand (not really mummified, but still a old hand) cut off by Butchers in a crazy card game. Finally the sun went down and Shabbat was over, you have to wait till you can see three stars in the sky (and thats no easy task in England, where it is foggy). Hopped a train to Bath (like wife of Bath and Roman Bath) and that is where we hang our hats tonight. Interesting side note, our room mate (well one of them) told us that Nicholas Cage has a house here (woot!) so there could be some stalking tomorrow along with the site seeing. Plus I am going to take a bath tomorrow (one way or another).

Picture Count: 400(working on it)

Rant for today: trains have lots of loud, crazy, annoying people that make it hard to sleep, plus there are some loud girls talking as I write this in the hostel right down the hall. Sometimes you just really hate people. Good night everybody!

Stonehenge

The first bus to Stonehenge leaves at 10:10, which meant that Tal and I could sleep in a little and catch up on sleep from the night/day before. Today was much better, no hicups like the day before and we got to see Stonehenge! It is one of those sites that you have seen pictures of all your life, but it is hard to believe that you are really seeing it when you're there. I got lots of pictures in and took several priceless films I will have to screen when I get back. The word of the day was hengey...(I'll leave it at that). The other part of the ticket addmission we got was a random place called...well I don't remember the name right now, but it is the ruins of this old castle on this hill where William the conquorer and Henry II lived untill it feel into disrepair. Very nice, it is flanked by beautiful English countryside (yes the kind you imagine when you think of England). Tal and I enjoyed this and ended up just roaming through the countryside for a while before realizing that we had not booked another night at this hostel and needed to get it before they filled up. Going out tonight to the pubs to drink becuase it is Friday!(woohoo) and there is this one pub that has a mummified hand (some cheatert that was playing poker) that we are going to checkout. Everyone have a good Friday and have a drink on me!

Picture count: 380 (hengey!)

Long day

Today is the day after New Year's Eve (profound I know). Tal and I did get to see the London Eye and the fireworks show, but it took us forever to get there and then it was a mad house afterward. They shut the tube down right after midnight becuase of all the people, which mean't that we were stuck downtown untill it reopened. I don't think I need to say how cold it is at night in England or how many drunk people there are on New Year's Eve. Anyway, didn't get back to the hostel till late and then an early morning with have to check out today. Everything in England kind of goes to a stand still on New Year's day so the bus we wanted to take to Windsor was on a Sunday schedule, which makes it stop infrequently (I know stop complainging blah blah blah). We got to Windsor around 12:30 and did the tour. Very cool castle and lots of history. Got back to London and the stop we needed to get off at was skiped bcuase of the afore mentioned Sunday service, which put us way out from out hostel. Then the tube station closest to this stop was not running trains in the direction of our hostel (when it rains it pours). Finally got out stuff, got to the train station, hoped the train and are now in Salisbury (close to Stonehendge). Tired now, going to bed, hopefully tomorrow is a little more error free (I blame the new found problems on Tal).

Picture count: 330 (slow day becuase of the mentioned travel delays)