Half-term break!!!
This friday was the beginning of half-term break in England (or at least my federation). As most of you already know I had plans to go see family in Liverpool followed by a trip to Ireland to visit an old friend from Trent- Theresa. Needless to say, with the excitement of the upcoming week I was out of the school by 3:30 on Friday and beginning my adventures.
On Friday, I found out my ferry to Ireland on Sunday was cancelled--there was a storm hitting Wales and the UK so the Irish Sea was going to be too rough for the small ferry to go across. Instead they transfered me to a larger ferry (and a much slower ferry) that was earlier in the day. Small change of plans, but not an issue. After a half-hour train to London (which was late and had me worried I was going to miss my pre-bought ticket train to Liverpool), I arrived in London with enough time to run through St.Pancras, tube to Euston and get on a train to Liverpool from Euston. I don't know if it was just the tiredness or restleness of a long school week but the train ride was brutal. I had my e-reader and i-pod to keep me preoccupied on the 2 hour train ride but I couldn't focus on anything. It was brutal. I finally arrived in Liverpool and after a dinner with my dad and step-mom, we went to the Cavern. (Pictures will come later). The Cavern is the place where the Beatles got started and such an amazing place to experience. Its underground, with old brick covering the walls/dim light and live music all the time. It was insanely hot and croweded so we moved onto the Cavern Club and John Lennon's pub (two pubs where Beatles magic also occured).
The following day, as my dad went off to a football game with my uncle and cousin, Donna and I hit the sites. Liverpool is beautiful and has so many different things to offer. We walked down by the docks, a cute chapel and garden and into the town centre with large street markets, buskers and pub-to-pub streets. We went back into the Cavern to see it when it was less busy but by the time we left it was insanely busy again...even though it was 1pm. That evening I had the best expereince of meeting up with relatives who I have not seen since I was four. My aunt Chris, uncle Dave and cousins Richard and Viki. It was so great to see them, almost as if we hadnt missed the last 19 years or so. As a child, we were so close with them and I definitely idolized Viki so it was great to meet her two young girls (both gorgeous with great personalities) and her husband. Hopefully, now that I am living in the UK I can keep in touch with them more often. :)
The impending storm did not cancel my ferry to Ireland on Sunday but it did make it an interesting journey. The ferry was huge---cruise ship size and it was still rocky. I immediately went to the bar once I got on figuring I could pass the 3 hours with a drink or two and lunch but after ordering my first drink I realized that drinking on that boat would be a disaster. I think most people agreed with me as water was being served more than anything. The whole ride felt like a roller coaster where my stomach was going from its original location to my throat. Although I was not sick, many people were and unfortunately not always in the toilet. I spent the first hour in the bar and then decided to walk around. As I was adventuring I discovered a cinema on the ferry and went inside...guess what they were playing--Despicable Me 2! If you know me, you know I love minions. Was I the only adult in that theatre without a kid? Yes. Did I care? No. Post-movie I went back to the bar and drank lots of water and took a nap waiting to arrive in Ireland. Half-an hour late, I arrived and was greeted by Theresa.
I'm now safe and sound in Ireland. Last night we drove from Dublin port to Wicklow, where she is living and went out to a pub at night. Today we plan on heading into Dublin and then adventuring south from there.
Photos and more blogs to come.
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