So my travels have come to and end and I am back in the US, Kansas City to be exact. It actually feels pretty good to be home for a bit after all the traveling. I think my body is really confused because I am still exhausted and on top of that I have a sinus infection. Everyone I've talked to has told me just to stay up and then I'll get over the whole jet lag thing but apparently they're wrong, I've stayed up late every night I've been back and yet I still wake up at 8 or 9 and am still tired the next day. I think living in a different country for a few months effects your body differently than visiting for a week so I am guessing I have a few more days before I feel normal again.
Last time I left off I think I was in Madrid, after which I went to Barcelona and stayed with Veronica and her husband Jao. I've known Vern since I was 7 when she was my Aunt and Uncle's foreign exchange student and I haven't seen her for about 5 or 6 years so it was great to stay with her. Plus she is pregnant which was really wild because her being pregnant is like my brother or cousin having a child. I think there is still some debate over the first name but the middle name is going to be Morrissey, after the singer who was also in The Smiths, obviously they're big fans. But not only is that a cool name but I also enjoy the man whom their soon to be boy is going to be named after.
Anyhoo, it rained again in Barcelona but that didn't bother me and I had a amazing time. I would have liked to have stayed longer but the time I did spend there was relaxing. Since it was the weekend Vern and Jao were able to show me around. They showed me the Olympic stadium and the castle and lots of beautiful buildings but the best part was sleeping in and taking breakfast to the beach.
After Barcelona I returned to Dublin for a few days before I trekked back to the US. But before that I randomly ran into a fellow Chicagoin, Pat Doran in Topshop and found out that we were on the same flight to Chicago. The poor kid, I think I scared him a bit or at least left a colorful impression on him on the morning of our flight. After running into him again in the airport, at about 9 AM, I told him to meet me in the bar for a final pint. He very politely reminded me of the time and how early in the morning it was and I very politely repeated my invite to the bar. I don't know exactly why, but after passing the bar once, I felt the urge to go in and have my last pint. I think it was a mixture of needing a good drink before my flight so that I could sleep better, just kind of wanting a drink, and using it as a kind of final hoorah to my time in Ireland.
The past five or so months have been amazing. After having time to think about it, I don't think I would have done my trip any other way, nor do I wish I had traveled around Europe before this. If I was any younger I don't think I would have appreciated it as much as I have so I think I've been very lucky to experience it the way I did. If you didn't notice, that's my really awkward way of saying 'thank you' to mom and dad for letting me spend their hard earned money this past semester. Plus they were actually pretty cool the whole time I was away, rarely giving me grief for all the money I spent, which if you know Mel and Larry, is hard for them to do. (That's a joke mom!)
Last time I left off I think I was in Madrid, after which I went to Barcelona and stayed with Veronica and her husband Jao. I've known Vern since I was 7 when she was my Aunt and Uncle's foreign exchange student and I haven't seen her for about 5 or 6 years so it was great to stay with her. Plus she is pregnant which was really wild because her being pregnant is like my brother or cousin having a child. I think there is still some debate over the first name but the middle name is going to be Morrissey, after the singer who was also in The Smiths, obviously they're big fans. But not only is that a cool name but I also enjoy the man whom their soon to be boy is going to be named after.
Anyhoo, it rained again in Barcelona but that didn't bother me and I had a amazing time. I would have liked to have stayed longer but the time I did spend there was relaxing. Since it was the weekend Vern and Jao were able to show me around. They showed me the Olympic stadium and the castle and lots of beautiful buildings but the best part was sleeping in and taking breakfast to the beach.
After Barcelona I returned to Dublin for a few days before I trekked back to the US. But before that I randomly ran into a fellow Chicagoin, Pat Doran in Topshop and found out that we were on the same flight to Chicago. The poor kid, I think I scared him a bit or at least left a colorful impression on him on the morning of our flight. After running into him again in the airport, at about 9 AM, I told him to meet me in the bar for a final pint. He very politely reminded me of the time and how early in the morning it was and I very politely repeated my invite to the bar. I don't know exactly why, but after passing the bar once, I felt the urge to go in and have my last pint. I think it was a mixture of needing a good drink before my flight so that I could sleep better, just kind of wanting a drink, and using it as a kind of final hoorah to my time in Ireland.
The past five or so months have been amazing. After having time to think about it, I don't think I would have done my trip any other way, nor do I wish I had traveled around Europe before this. If I was any younger I don't think I would have appreciated it as much as I have so I think I've been very lucky to experience it the way I did. If you didn't notice, that's my really awkward way of saying 'thank you' to mom and dad for letting me spend their hard earned money this past semester. Plus they were actually pretty cool the whole time I was away, rarely giving me grief for all the money I spent, which if you know Mel and Larry, is hard for them to do. (That's a joke mom!)
But now I am back in Kansas City for a week. Its really hot and humid and I keep waking up in the middle of the night wondering where I am and of course, I am still kind of living out of my bags. I go back to Chicago in a week which is pretty exciting. Until then here are a few pictures of the end of my travels. Oh and I am going to keep up with the blog. While my life may be a bit less exciting without the exotic traveling, I think my life is still interesting, or at least humorous enough to write about.
The Lourve in Paris. I tried going the day before but it was closed but my second attempt was successful and sunnier.
This was one of the exhibits of the Lourve. I want this couch.
Jardin du Luxenburg in Paris. This was the best park I've been to. Not only was it gorgeous but there were kids riding ponies, you could rent toy sailboats and sail them with a stick, and plenty of places to sit down and relax. I almost missed my train to Madrid by hanging out in this park.
Madrid hostel.
Bon Jovi was playing at the Olympic stadium the next day. There were like three fans camped outside and it was raining all day. Sucks for them.
Castle in Barcelona. It was on top of a mountain and we were in a cloud. We couldn't see the city but it was kind of cool and eerie at the same time.
View from Vern's apartment.
Vern and Jao on our beach breakfast.
Final days in Ireland..Ariella and I decided to take a day trip to Howth which is like twenty minutes outside of Dublin.
Goodbye Dublin!
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