Shamrock Bordered Shore…

…tis a little bit a heaven and I love it more and more.  Well I didn’t actually see that many real live shamrocks, but I do love them and Ireland too!

Forever and a year ago Courtney and I went to Ireland.  It was more like two weeks, but it feels like a long time ago. 

We left bright and early Friday morning from good ol’ Stansted.  We landed in Ireland a short 55 minutes later.  Practically the second we stepped off the plane we knew this was going to be a good experience.  Fast forward to customs and the nicest Irish man in the whole of, well, Ireland.  He was chatting with us endlessly about America and England and cracking jokes.  So far, so good Ireland.  We then bought bus tickets and hopped on a bus towards Dublin.  It was the easiest airport to city transfer so far.  The airport was so close to Dublin!  Bonus points Ireland. 

On the bus, Courtney and I were super hungry so we were eating a leftover Milka bar from Germany and talking about its merits versus Cadbury.  Then nice man #2 decides he needs to interject and ask us about Hershey.  It was so random, this stranger on the bus sitting behind us talking to us about chocolate.  He then proceeded to tell us everything to do in Dublin.  It was great!  I cannot stress enough; the people in Ireland are SO NICE. 

When we got into the city center we wandered around a little bit, went into an awesome souvenir store and grabbed some lunch.  After lunch, we decided it was about time to check into our hostel.  Issac’s was relatively easy to get to, just a short ten minute walk.  After we checked in, we headed up to our 12 bed dorm.  All female, thankfully.  Someone was sleeping, so we quietly crept out after locking our backpacks and hiding our bags as best we could.  Then we went shopping!

Sketchy alley leading to okay hostel!

We went to the Jarvis area.  There were sooooo many shops!  We spent all afternoon running in and out of stores.  We went to dinner at an Italian restaurant before heading back to the hostel early and taking advantage of the free wi-fi before bed!

Most overwhelming store in the world! Stores within a store.  Very confusing.

That night it was the Cardinals Wild Card game and we thought they had absolutely no chance of winning, but THEY DID!  We were so excited when we woke up at the crack of dawn to that news!  We got ready as quickly as possible, but we were running late and were minutes from missing our bus tour to the Cliffs of Moher.  Yikes. Thankfully we got a taxi right away!  The man dropped us off and we stood in a never-ending line to get on a bus.  The wrong bus.  We were pointed in the right direction and took off running, sure that we had been left.  Luckily, they waited for us.  But we were those people.  Oh well, at least we made it. 

The Extreme Ireland Bus Tour took us through 11 counties of Ireland that day.  We saw amazing countryside.  I was able to enjoy it, even with Nina NoseBlower sitting behind us and Yes, I Have to Lean My Seat Back in front of us.

Cliffs of Moher!

We then made it to THE CLIFFS!  They were breathtaking.  Exactly what I imagined Ireland to look like.  After we ran all over them snapping like 2948528 pictures, we left all too quickly and headed through more counties and back to Dublin.  On the way, we stopped for some lunch and I had the best ham and cheese on white.  Delicious. 

Me like 1037384 feet above water at the Mini Cliffs!

Back in Dublin, a full 12 hours after we left, we went to a pseudo Johnny Rockets called…Eddie Rockets for dinner.  It definitely wasn’t as good as Johnny’s, but nice try Ireland.  Repeat of the night before, back to the hostel and wi-fi time before bed!  Cue the obnoxious French girls talking and turning on the light.  You get what you pay for.  It’s fine. 

The next morning we got some Starbucks before heading out on our free walking tour of Dublin.  My friend here at Regent’s, Ally, told me about it, and free stuff- loving me, decided we must try it!  Its free…why not.  It rained.  It stopped.  We toured.  We went to Dublin Castle, Trinity College, etc.   It was nice to see some of Dublin. 

Dublin Castle!

Trinity College

We ended our day with another tour! This time of the Guinness Brewery at St. James Gate.  We learned about the ingredients of Guinness and its history, had a taste test, and learned how to pour the perfect pint!  If only they had taught me how to make the shamrock like they do in March at D’Arcy’s! 

Oh yeah, I poured a perfect pint. 

 We left bright and early as per usual Monday morning and made it back to London in time for classes! A+ students right here.

In Heaven There is No Beer…

…and that’s why we drink it here.  Well, I won’t be too sad if there isn’t any beer in heaven because I certainly don’t drink it here.

Our first trip out of England was a success! Courtney and I went to Germany to take in the spectacle that is Oktoberfest. 

We left London bright and early on separate buses towards Stansted Airport.  Once we had our passports checked, we breezed through security…is what I wish I could say.  There were some minor setbacks including a patdown of Ellie and Courtney’s “suspicious” liquids going through security twice.  Oh well, no worse for the wear. 

After a literally 50 minute flight, we landed in at Frankfurt-Hahn.  Sidebar:  Do you know how many songs you can listen to in such a flight? Six max.  I didn’t even make it through a playlist.  It was shorter than the flight from Springfield to Chicago!  Anyways, we met my Uncle Scott in the airport and he drove us all the way to his home in Heidelberg. 

That afternoon, we just chilled around his house and had American-ish food for lunch! Tostitos, Doritos, and dip!  And Scott made us super yummy chicken quesadillas.  Just what we needed after a month of icky London food.  Around 3:00 we picked my cousin Wojtus up from school and headed to Heidelberg Castle.

Heidelberg Castle was spectacular.  It was on a hill and was only accessible by tram.  I absolutely loved the views on the way up!  Once we reached the very top of the hill, we had a photo shoot, as per usual.  Then we headed down a little bit to the Castle.  It was different from anything I had seen before.  It was a castle in ruins, not one used by a present monarch like the ones I've seen here in England. 

on the way up!

at the top!

Heidelberg Castle!

After we finished at the castle, Ewelina and the kids headed home and Scott took Courtney and me to Old Town Heidelberg.  We got drinks in and sat in the quaint square before heading home ourselves.

Old Town Heidelberg

The next day we got up bright and early to head to Munich.  Three and a half hours on the Autobahn and some gorgeous countryside later, we were there!  Scott and Ewelina’s friends Meggie and Andrus?  graciously let us stay with their family.  Upon our arrival, Meggie served us a traditional Bavarian breakfast of veal sausage and soft pretzels.  Quite the combo.  The pretzels were awesome.  The sausage was drowned in ketchup.  Something I never need to eat again. 

Oktoberfest was next on the agenda.  Scott played tour guide and took us through the Munich’s city center and past where he used to work on the way there, so that we could see a little more of the city.  It was awesome.

Oktoberfest on the other hand was…an adventure.  It was so nice the day we went that everyone and their brother, literally everyone and their brother, was there.  Oktoberfest wasn’t at all what I expected.  The lederhosen, yes.  The carnival-like atmosphere, not so much.  It can best be equated to the Illinois State Fair times 10 million.  Minus the farm animals plus public intoxication.  There were more rides, GIANT beer tents, and of course thousands upon thousands of people.  It was difficult to get from point A to point B, so we didn’t even think about getting in a tent.  So, we went to Oktoberfest and had exactly zero beers.  Oh well, it was a been there, done that experience.  And my uncle almost got punched.  It makes for some great stories, y’all. 

OKTOBERFEST!

After we escaped the craziness of Oktoberfest, my uncle took us to dinner.  And thank goodness he did, we never would have figured out how to order or even what we were ordering.  We did know that we wanted the Schnitzel though.  Great choice.  It was absolutely delicious!

The next morning after we said goodbye to our hosts and Ewelina, Wojtus, and little cutie Alexandra, Scott played tour guide again and took us to Olympiapark!  I was really excited because I love love love the Olympics.  We immediately headed to Olympic Tower and went straight to the top.  Unfortunately it was overcast, so we couldn’t see very far, but I still enjoyed it!  No Alps sightings though.  Before heading back to the bottom, I forced everyone to go to the outside portion of the tower.  It was raining.  It was windy.  I was still having fun!  Before leaving, we peaked in at the Olympic Pool.  We saw a drunk man sleeping off his hangover on the bleachers.  No Michael Phelps,though. 

Munich!

Just a little windy!

Olympic Tower!

Oh Oktoberfest, you get the best of some people.

Soon after, Scott started the drive back to Heidelberg.  I wasn’t the best company.  I slept most of the ride.  Whoops!  We had a delicious Spaghetti dinner at the Brokaw House before heading once again to the airport. 

I had a fantastic weekend, and can never thank my family enough for chauffeuring us around and feeding us and letting us stay with them.  We are so so thankful! 

Do You Believe in Magic...

…in a young girl’s heart? Well, the day was certainly magical for this young girl!

Friday, Courtney and I ventured a little outside of London to go to the Harry Potter Studio Tour. 

We took a short little train ride to what can best be described as the middle of nowhere.  Then the Harry Potter themed bus took us to Warner Brothers Studios Leavesdon.  The second we stepped off the bus, every single person had this gigantic grin on their face.  Harry Potter will just do that to you!

the bus!

Jerome, out favorite worker, made us pose.

Once we got inside, we picked up our audio guides.  I wonder whose idea that was?  And headed towards the “massive line,” as some little girl said in her adorable British accent. 

The tour began with an explanation of how Warner Brothers decided to produce all of the Harry Potter movies.  Then we and 200 of our closest friends were ushered into a movie theater.  I was ready to sit there for 22 hours and watch all 8 movies, but no such luck.  It was just another introductory film, but this one happened to be in the comfiest seats of all time.  I contemplated ripping one out of there and taking it home with me.  I only decided against it because I’m not sure United Airlines would allow me to check it. 

All too soon, the movie screen lifted and there were the doors of the Great Hall. I about died and it was just the beginning. After the Great Hall we went into an area that was just chaotic. There was no flow, but I did get to see some awesome things!

The Great Hall entrance doors!

costumes!

The Gryffindor Boys' Dormitory

The Common Room!

The door to the Chamber of Secrets!

The Burrow

The Ministry of Magic!

We then went outside and had a glass of butterbeer!  These people in London need to take some lessons from the ones in Orlando.  The butterbeer at Harry Potter World was amazing. This, not so much.  I’m sure the rocks liked it though.  Between lots J and K were Privet Drive, the vehicles, and the bridge from Hogwarts! As we were playing paparazzi, it started to rain. Five minutes later it started to pour.  We decided we didn't care and sprinted out from under the awning to get our precious pictures anyways.  Totally worth it.

The Knight Bus

We're so cool.

The Hogwarts Bridge, which was closed because of the rain.

I love pawns!

Finally, we headed into lot K and we saw all of the models of creatures used in the films, like Dobby and Fawkes. Then it was time for Diagon Alley.  Gringotts, Ollivanders, Flourish and Blotts, Madame Malkin’s, it was all there! 

Fawkes!

Aragog!

Diagon Alley!

We then quickly walked through the white models.  Next up was the entire Hogwarts Castle.  It was miniature but so detailed and impressive! It was probably my favorite part.

Excuse the terrible lighting.

Finally, we walked through a room with thousands of wand boxes.  Each one had the name of a person who had worked on the films.  Crew members, costumers, make-up artists, they were all there.  It was such a creative tribute.  Kudos to whoever came up with that one. 

After some lunch, Courtney and I did some serious damage in the gift shop and headed back to good ol’ London!

On another front, yesterday Courtney and I booked nearly all of our trips.  It took 7 hours, but we are certainly headed to some amazing places! Edinburgh, Venice, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Prague, get ready.