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)