Dancing with Men in Kilts

Alright, so first off I am going to have to abstain from my usual rant about the horrible weather, since spring has finally arrived in Londontown! It is gorgeous. Although, I am told it is equally as gorgeous, if not more so, back home... I am less than thrilled about such news

Anyway, much to discuss, so little time. Seeing as I currently have a million things to do- yes I actually have homework while studying abroad- this blog will be the abridge version of all of my adventures.

First let me discuss the three plays that I have seen since my last entry. All three were great. The first two were very weird, but extremely well done. The subject matters were a little intense, but great performances. The last was a play called Ghost Stories, which was meant to be a scary night at the theatre. Yes, I was skeptical as well. However, let me just tell you that it too was extremely well done and successfully scared the shit out of me! I was more scared at this play than any movie I've ever seen. In fact, I'm still a little freaked out.

Now on to the real interesting part... Ireland! Yes lads and lassies I visited the land of the gingers... although, disappointedly saw very few gingers. I went with one other girl and we had a great, relaxing time. Two nights in Dublin, where we not only met some Brits there for a bachelor party (the guy getting married was hitting on us with intensity, and ironically enough had the words TRUST and LOYALTY tattooed on his arms- classy) and we also danced with men in kilts! The Ireland and Scotland rugby match was that weekend and Dublin was packed! Luckily, I did not embarrass myself in yet another country- be proud. Saturday morning we flew to the little town of Cork and visited the Blarney Castle and I kissed the famous Blarney Stone! Apparently I will now have the gift of gab. It was a difficult task, considering my phobia of germs, but I overcame my fears and bent over backwards (literally) for the experience. As a reward, I am now sick. Fuck germs. I'm done. Make me a bubble. But, the weather was beautiful and I had a great time so I am going to stop complaining now.

Alright, so that is the brief overview of what I have been doing. Writing this blog is becoming harder and harder now that time is running out. I still have so much I want to see and do, while now having tons of papers and work to do, and wanting to spend some more quality time with my flatmates.

This weekend we are visiting Bath and I am doing homework. Should be 50% exciting.

Eurotrip

I'm back in the UK after a long 10 day spring break to continental Europe! Feels so good to be back in London and... wait for it... it hasn't rained yet!! I know, I just jinxed it. Damnit. Oh well. I will now try to sum up my adventure...

So this journey for me started with Amsterdam. If you've never been, I highly suggest going. I will accompany you. My hostel was called the Flying Pig Uptown and it was amazing. The most perfect location, in my opinion. My two friends and I stayed in a ten bed room, which at the time i thought was a lot of people, however, part two of my journey proved otherwise. Anyway, the city is beautiful, the weather sucked! It was worse there than in London! I'm like fucking Charlie Brown. There were some breaks in the rain though, and there was always a lovely little coffeeshop to get dry in... and high in. For those who didn't know, coffeeshops are where you can purchase and smoke marijuana and cafes are like bars. We went to 8 different shops while we were there... assume what you would like.

The Heinekin Factory tour was probably my favorite part of this trip. It was like when I went to Robot World in second grade, except I got a better treat at the end. Throughout the whole tour there are all sorts of interactive little stations and a little ride... and then you get two drinks. Except some nice gentleman and his family had two extra bracelets so I actually have four drinks at 11 in the morning. It was a tremendous way to start the first full day!

I also went to the Van Gogh museum and the Anne Frank house. The museum was very cool, but huge and by the third floor I was definitely ready to leave. The Anne Frank house was just terribly sad and depressing, but very interesting to see. I couldn't believe how big and small it was at the same time. Hard to explain, but see it. After I left I felt bad that I hated that book.

Amsterdam went off without a hitch and we were off to meet three more friends in Barcelona! That is where shit hit the fan. Well, not really. Nothing bad happened to me. In fact, I had a great time! We ate paella (so good, but the shrimp still had heads and legs and was gross looking, which I easily could have gotten past but it was just so damn difficult to get out of the shell and I don't like having to work that hard for my food), and saw a flamenco show, I embarrassed myself at a club, but that is pretty standard.

Oh, we went to this cool shots bar (only served shots) and became great friends with the bartender Yolanda. She gave us way too many free shots. Haha.. there was a shot called Elena so of course I had three and then forced the guys from our program (who also happened to be in Barcelona) to take one as well. I may or may not have said things referring to how delicious I am. Surprised? I told you, embarrassing. They were really good though. Anyway, the bad things that happened. Well for starters we are pretty sure that the night of the shots bar one of the girls with us got so drunk she pissed on the floor of our hostel and my other friends stepped in it and some of their clothes were soaked. However, we didn't have time to ask her since she woke up the next day and booked a flight home. Crazy? Yes. Luckily, I was on the top bunk (there were 24 beds in our room by the way, it reaked of Europeans most of the time) and could see that the floor was wet and stayed pee-free. We went to the Picasso museum which was awesome! Way better than VanGogh actually, and I really liked VanGoh. We also wandered by the marina and the beach took in some sights. The cathedral was amazing and I took the lift up to the roof and saw the whole city. Best 2.50 euro I could have spent!

And then... the very next day, my friend got her purse stolen. It was a dumb mistake. It also sufficiently put an end to all things fun. Luckily this was the day before we left. The day we actually left was worse, for me anyway. First, we were idiots and walked all over the city trying to find this bus station to take us to the airport. I must have asked 10 different people, all giving me different answers. My Spanish is not good, but was better than anyone elses so I was forced to talk to people. I don't like people. Anyway, we were told we can take a train so we ventured to the train station. Then the little man told me there was no train to the airport, we would have to take a bus. UGH! Well, I asked him where it was and then asked if he could point it out on the map. He takes my map, unfolds one of the flaps, that we failed to unfold, and circles this big icon that says Bus Station to Girona Airport. We are idiots. I know. So we ran to catch a bus, since we were pretty sure we would miss our flight at this point. On the way, some guys throw stuff on my friends in attempt to distract them and steal their stuff, but luckily we knew that trick from talking to some club promoters who became our friends the night before (this is right after my friend almost started a fight with some junkies. Yes, it happened. Luckily we didn't throw down, although I was pretty sure we were going to have to). Anyway.. ADD sorry, we make it to the bus station. We make it to the airport. We get on our flight. We take off. We turn around for an emergency landing because something is wrong with the plane!!!!! Terrifying experience. After a lot of sitting and almost taking off again we deboard and got on a new plane, thank God. We got back to London four hours later than we were supposed to, but I was just happy to be back and alive.

And now... back to my terribly tough academics in London. Damn, my life is rough.