12-23
Home
I’m HOME!!!!!! What a crazy day. The plane ride was good – short because I slept so long. The car ride home was six hours! That was not so good. It’s great to be back. I missed it here so much.
Coming back there are defiantly some mixed emotions. I loved my time in Dublin completely. But being home is great. Living with Ann was fantastic. Working with Billy was the best I could ask for. School with everyone was fantastic. My hope is that we’ll all try and keep in contact but I know how unlikely that is.
Well Slante and goodnight.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Dublin
12-22
Dublin
Wow what a last day. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Cody and I woke up, both broke not knowing what to do. He had wanted to see the Dail and Billy had said he’ have something for me so we went in. Showing Cody around was a bit strange because no one was in as it’s suspended until after the Holidays. I showed him around best we could, we got lunch there and then headed up to Billy’s office where we found 100 EURO!!!!!! OH HAPPY DAY!!!! We were livin’ rich! Saying goodbye to the Dail was really sad. I loved my time there. It was strange to be leaving.
Then we headed back to the Hostel changed and met up with Lacey. She had never been to Kilmanhum Gaol before so I headed back to the prison. It was probably the best tour that I’d gotten (third times the charm I guess). Cody loved the history of it all. It meant a lot to lacey and I to be there after learning so much about all the revolutionaries and politicians who had spent time in its walls.
Then I decided I had to do something I’d never done before in Dublin before I left. So we all headed on the DART up to Howth, a little fishing village on the outskirts of Dublin. It was great. We walked along the harbor and watched the sky turn pink over the Irish Sea. It was really, really beautiful. As usual my camera wasn’t working, but Cody got some great shots. Billy Timmins bought us a half dozen oysters from the bay. OOOOOOHHH MY GAWD! SO GOOD.
We headed back down to Dublin and tried to go to the storehouse. It was closed, which was a blessing in disguise. We stumbled across the carol service at Christ Church Cathedral. When the Corries. Mom and Grace were here we heard the choir warming up. They were fantastic. The best. They sang a song in Gaelic, which took my breath away. One thing that was strange was that none of the carols had the same tune as they do in the states which was bizarre and a bit embarrassing. We actually didn’t have tickets but a priest snuck us some which was awesome.
After the carol service we met up with Lacey one last time at Gogherty’s for music. The band played my favorite traditional songs and then some. They actually were the first band that I heard at Gogherty’s which was great. As we were leaving they played Galway Girl and it made my night.
Dublin
Wow what a last day. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Cody and I woke up, both broke not knowing what to do. He had wanted to see the Dail and Billy had said he’ have something for me so we went in. Showing Cody around was a bit strange because no one was in as it’s suspended until after the Holidays. I showed him around best we could, we got lunch there and then headed up to Billy’s office where we found 100 EURO!!!!!! OH HAPPY DAY!!!! We were livin’ rich! Saying goodbye to the Dail was really sad. I loved my time there. It was strange to be leaving.
Then we headed back to the Hostel changed and met up with Lacey. She had never been to Kilmanhum Gaol before so I headed back to the prison. It was probably the best tour that I’d gotten (third times the charm I guess). Cody loved the history of it all. It meant a lot to lacey and I to be there after learning so much about all the revolutionaries and politicians who had spent time in its walls.
Then I decided I had to do something I’d never done before in Dublin before I left. So we all headed on the DART up to Howth, a little fishing village on the outskirts of Dublin. It was great. We walked along the harbor and watched the sky turn pink over the Irish Sea. It was really, really beautiful. As usual my camera wasn’t working, but Cody got some great shots. Billy Timmins bought us a half dozen oysters from the bay. OOOOOOHHH MY GAWD! SO GOOD.
We headed back down to Dublin and tried to go to the storehouse. It was closed, which was a blessing in disguise. We stumbled across the carol service at Christ Church Cathedral. When the Corries. Mom and Grace were here we heard the choir warming up. They were fantastic. The best. They sang a song in Gaelic, which took my breath away. One thing that was strange was that none of the carols had the same tune as they do in the states which was bizarre and a bit embarrassing. We actually didn’t have tickets but a priest snuck us some which was awesome.
After the carol service we met up with Lacey one last time at Gogherty’s for music. The band played my favorite traditional songs and then some. They actually were the first band that I heard at Gogherty’s which was great. As we were leaving they played Galway Girl and it made my night.
Galway - Dublin
12-21
Galway – Dublin
Today we headed out from Galway and made our way to Dublin. Our hostel is ok – cheap but try’s to get you for every penny. Went to Dublin Castle – for the 5th time. Cody thought it was really cool. Then to Christ Church but it was closed. We met my friend Lacey for diner, we ate at a grocery store lunch counter (very classy). The night took a downturn when the place didn’t accept American express and I was out of money. Thankfully Cody was able to help me out. We went to O’Dunnaghoes for one last night of music but, alas it was not to be. The place was so crowded that we ended up just going back to the hostel. Good night over all, great day once again
Galway – Dublin
Today we headed out from Galway and made our way to Dublin. Our hostel is ok – cheap but try’s to get you for every penny. Went to Dublin Castle – for the 5th time. Cody thought it was really cool. Then to Christ Church but it was closed. We met my friend Lacey for diner, we ate at a grocery store lunch counter (very classy). The night took a downturn when the place didn’t accept American express and I was out of money. Thankfully Cody was able to help me out. We went to O’Dunnaghoes for one last night of music but, alas it was not to be. The place was so crowded that we ended up just going back to the hostel. Good night over all, great day once again
Rome - Galway
12-20
Rome – Galway
Today was a crazy day of travel. We flew from Rome to Dublin (a flight packed with priests). There was a cat chilling at our gate which was really funny, especially when priests started coming over to take it’s picture. The flight seemed to take forever. I had finished my book and my IPOD was dead – bad news for a Ryan Air flight. Then we took a bus to Galway.
Galway was packed. Five day’s till Christmas on a Friday and its was out of control. Carolers filled the streets with music, shoppers bustled trough the streets. It was great. Cody loved it. We walked down to the bay to look out over the Ocean. That was awesome. Then we more or less just walked around watching the town go from shoppers delight to club central – a bizarre and rather abrupt shift. We spent the night in the search for music, failing because everyplace was so packed. We had a great time none the less.
Rome – Galway
Today was a crazy day of travel. We flew from Rome to Dublin (a flight packed with priests). There was a cat chilling at our gate which was really funny, especially when priests started coming over to take it’s picture. The flight seemed to take forever. I had finished my book and my IPOD was dead – bad news for a Ryan Air flight. Then we took a bus to Galway.
Galway was packed. Five day’s till Christmas on a Friday and its was out of control. Carolers filled the streets with music, shoppers bustled trough the streets. It was great. Cody loved it. We walked down to the bay to look out over the Ocean. That was awesome. Then we more or less just walked around watching the town go from shoppers delight to club central – a bizarre and rather abrupt shift. We spent the night in the search for music, failing because everyplace was so packed. We had a great time none the less.
Rome
12-19
Rome
Day two in Rome was epic. We destroyed the city. We started off with breakfast – bread and cheese – at the Vatican. Then up to Saint Angelo’s then to Piazza Novana for some fountains and a cool market, then to the massive Pantheon – a massive pre-Christian building that is today a church. Then to the Trevi fountain a massive Bernini fountain that is said to ensure a return trip to the city if you throw a coin in behind your back. Then over to the Tomb of the Unknown solider, the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine and the Coliseum. The forum and the Coliseum were amazing. To see these things that have been there for hundreds of years before Christ was crazy. The Coliseum was breathtaking. Then to the Piazza della Republica for more fountains and an amazing church (Santa Maria Degli Angeli). Then over to the Spanish Steps for sunset. Finally to Piazza del Popolo for more churches and fountains.
We stayed in that night – not wanting to get beaten up – and watched movies with some guys in our hostel. Good night over all. Amazing day. I’d always wanted to go to Rome but never thought I’d get the chance. My blog clearly doesn’t do it justice . But wow. Completely amazing.
Rome
Day two in Rome was epic. We destroyed the city. We started off with breakfast – bread and cheese – at the Vatican. Then up to Saint Angelo’s then to Piazza Novana for some fountains and a cool market, then to the massive Pantheon – a massive pre-Christian building that is today a church. Then to the Trevi fountain a massive Bernini fountain that is said to ensure a return trip to the city if you throw a coin in behind your back. Then over to the Tomb of the Unknown solider, the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine and the Coliseum. The forum and the Coliseum were amazing. To see these things that have been there for hundreds of years before Christ was crazy. The Coliseum was breathtaking. Then to the Piazza della Republica for more fountains and an amazing church (Santa Maria Degli Angeli). Then over to the Spanish Steps for sunset. Finally to Piazza del Popolo for more churches and fountains.
We stayed in that night – not wanting to get beaten up – and watched movies with some guys in our hostel. Good night over all. Amazing day. I’d always wanted to go to Rome but never thought I’d get the chance. My blog clearly doesn’t do it justice . But wow. Completely amazing.
Rome
12-18
Rome
Wow what a day. Woke up early and headed out before I was supposed to meet Cody at the bus station. Our hostel was right by the Vatican – yeah how cool – but a bit out of the way. It’s nice to come back to though.
I got up early headed out – something that seems to be a trend. I walked down the road and ran into St. Peters square. It was amazing. To stand in this place that I’d seen so many times in movies and on TV seemed fake. I really felt like there must be a screen up and that it wasn’t really there. Then I walked down the Tiber seeing St. Angelo’s Castle – the fotress of the Pope. It originally was a mausoleum but then the Vatican turned it into a fortress should the Vatican ever come under attack. Pretty cool. Then I made my way up to Piazza del Popolo. It’s an awesome square with two massive matching churches on one end and an amazing fountain in the middle.
Then it was time to meet Cody. I missed him, ran out of credit on my phone, and when I got credit my phone died. Ugh. No worries though I headed back to the Vatican and went into St. Peters. Beautiful. Really just amazing. It’s massive and doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. Then I made my way up the Copola which is a massive staircase that leads up to the top of the Dome of St. Peters basilica. Not only do you get to see inside the dome but the outside as well. Seeing the sun set over the city of Rome was breathtaking. I really just couldn’t have asked for more… but I got it.
The staircase leaves you inside the basilica itself. When I got down I realized that there was mass going on. I decided “hey how many times am I going to get this chance?” When I was going in I saw Cody! What luck. We celebrated mass together and then went back to the Hostel.
We got ourselves some food – pasta – and headed out. It was a good night until I got beat up by some crazy, very drunk, Italian. He started yelling at his friend and pointing at me. Cody and I threw up our arms and said “hey don’t point at me like that” and he launched himself at me. I – in a very manly gesture – curled up in a ball. His friend pulled him off of me and I ran away. Clearly my future in boxing is not very good.
Rome
Wow what a day. Woke up early and headed out before I was supposed to meet Cody at the bus station. Our hostel was right by the Vatican – yeah how cool – but a bit out of the way. It’s nice to come back to though.
I got up early headed out – something that seems to be a trend. I walked down the road and ran into St. Peters square. It was amazing. To stand in this place that I’d seen so many times in movies and on TV seemed fake. I really felt like there must be a screen up and that it wasn’t really there. Then I walked down the Tiber seeing St. Angelo’s Castle – the fotress of the Pope. It originally was a mausoleum but then the Vatican turned it into a fortress should the Vatican ever come under attack. Pretty cool. Then I made my way up to Piazza del Popolo. It’s an awesome square with two massive matching churches on one end and an amazing fountain in the middle.
Then it was time to meet Cody. I missed him, ran out of credit on my phone, and when I got credit my phone died. Ugh. No worries though I headed back to the Vatican and went into St. Peters. Beautiful. Really just amazing. It’s massive and doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. Then I made my way up the Copola which is a massive staircase that leads up to the top of the Dome of St. Peters basilica. Not only do you get to see inside the dome but the outside as well. Seeing the sun set over the city of Rome was breathtaking. I really just couldn’t have asked for more… but I got it.
The staircase leaves you inside the basilica itself. When I got down I realized that there was mass going on. I decided “hey how many times am I going to get this chance?” When I was going in I saw Cody! What luck. We celebrated mass together and then went back to the Hostel.
We got ourselves some food – pasta – and headed out. It was a good night until I got beat up by some crazy, very drunk, Italian. He started yelling at his friend and pointing at me. Cody and I threw up our arms and said “hey don’t point at me like that” and he launched himself at me. I – in a very manly gesture – curled up in a ball. His friend pulled him off of me and I ran away. Clearly my future in boxing is not very good.
Barcelona - Rome
12-17
Barcelona – Rome
Today I got up early and walked up the Ramblas one more time. Today was gorgeous to bad I had to spend it all on Ryan Air. The flight was good, short. When I got off the plane I tried to withdraw some money, that didn’t work. Little scary for a bit. Mom was able to get some to me by the time that I got to the hostel though. The hostel is great. Everyone here is really nice. The girl running the place use to be in finance on Wall st. but decided she should get out (good timing). There’s an American named Armondo who just got done hitch-hiking across America for a year and a half, and a party crazed Austrian named Greg, quite the crew. I got in really late again so I stayed in ad hug out at the hostel.
Barcelona – Rome
Today I got up early and walked up the Ramblas one more time. Today was gorgeous to bad I had to spend it all on Ryan Air. The flight was good, short. When I got off the plane I tried to withdraw some money, that didn’t work. Little scary for a bit. Mom was able to get some to me by the time that I got to the hostel though. The hostel is great. Everyone here is really nice. The girl running the place use to be in finance on Wall st. but decided she should get out (good timing). There’s an American named Armondo who just got done hitch-hiking across America for a year and a half, and a party crazed Austrian named Greg, quite the crew. I got in really late again so I stayed in ad hug out at the hostel.
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