Militantly Optimistic: 21.04.2013

The morning began like many others before it – I had been struggling to pack as motivation eluded me and though I was dead tired I couldn’t sleep. But I woke up at 5am and was quite chipper when the cabbie came at 10 to 6. The kindly driver took us through the city to the airport assuring us that we would have a pleasant journey.

I am forever grateful that I have a friend like Rosie for it seems that where I lack she compensates and vice versa. While the Ranga was none to pleased to wake up and get to the car she made sure that we got our tickets validated prior to departure so that they would actually let us on the plane! After a bit of waiting and some delicious croissants we boarded the flight directly from the tarmac (while not a big deal at all and most likely due to cost effective reasons it still made us feel cool – waaaaay better than boarding via tarmac at the D.R. – that was scary).

Anyway, we boarded, flew like we were in a constant infomercial (ohhhh RyanAir)and landed in London-Stanstead. One thing we did not know was that as a “citizen” of Ireland we got “special” privileges that meant that we didn’t get a stamp in our passports! Still haven’t gotten one and I’m in Wales (as I am writing this) but I jump ahead. So we made it through security, secured funds and successfully made it to our train with our validated BritRail passes! This is when things started to fall apart :).

We made it to Liverpool Station but find that we needed to go to Paddington Station to make our connection to Cardiff. To do this we had to take the London Underground – not that bad just pounds I didn’t plan on spending. So, we get to Paddington and make it to our train – even have some PRIME seats picked out when we hear that we have a delay – fatality on the tracks – 60+ minutes til the train would depart. While saddened by the news I was also a bit peeved due to the lack of sleep. I just wanted to be enjoying Cardiff! We made such awesome and well thought out plans but it didn’t matter because it all got shot when the tracks were obstructed. (Oh well – better keep militantly optimistic!!!)

Four hours after our initial train was set to depart and after several set backs including being denied entry on the first train up and running again, we were on the loooong road to Wales. We did happen to secure nice seats for this trip – had tvs in the seats – it was still grueling and a train seat can never replace a bed. We ended up in Cardiff right about when everything closed. Checked into the hostel (which I apparently had double booked and had to pay for 2 spots but no matter) and decided to try to make the most of the remaining daylight.

our hostel

our room!

We walked around the city centre, saw churches and castles and made plans to see other highlights of the city before we would leave the next day. After 3 attempts we finally found a place open for dinner and then hit up a pub for some after dinner pints – we tried a local brew called BRAINS – made me feel like a zombie!!!

in the city

castle type structure

dinner!

where we had after dinner drinks

where we had after dinner drinks

fantastic cardiff city brew

After a drink it was shower and bed, so here I am, sitting in the top bunk of a hostel. The people outside chat, heels click on the pavement and bass booms from within the hostel, even though its not even half 10 on a Sunday night. I hope I can sleep with all of these lights on and though the fire of adventure burns in my imagination I long for when I can yet again snuggle into my own bed…. or at least find some friggin’ ear plugs!

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Looking back on it I don’t particularly remember getting to sleep in the hostel, only changing beds to move further from the light and sound – I’m a weird sleeper who does the best in quiet and dark. I do remember being very tired of Paddington Station and wanting nothing more than to get on the first train to ANYWHERE ELSE except for the fact that we had hostels booked I think we might have done it!

This was the first time I heard Rosie apologize during the trip. Which I did not accept because who knew our train would be delayed due to a fatality. We had everything planned – to a T, thanks to Rosie – but real life seems to get in the way of proper planning most of the time. Though we were tired, hungry and fed up we tried to keep a sunny disposition – not sure how well we did but I remember being mighty glad to see a bed when we made it to the hostel.

Militantly Optimistic

When I figured out that I was going to go to the UK and France I wanted to take a travel journal with me so as to remember the trip. I am notorious for forgetting what I did the day before, nevermind all of the adventures that went on during the ten days we were gone. So in Paddington Station, on our way to our first destination, I picked up a pink star notebook for about 2 pounds. The first page is titled:

Militantly Optimistic:

A Travel Journal

– C. Murray

You know just in case someone managed to find it I didn’t want to give my whole identity away! (says the girl who writes a blog with all of her information on it!) I can’t take all of the credit for the snazzy title, that goes to Rick Steves and the boys. One thing that Rick Steves mentions in his travel guides is that things may not turn out how you expect. In other words, the rest of the world isn’t a mini America, things aren’t going to be like home, they will be different and different can be good and fun and brilliant! As I have been living abroad for a while I already knew this but I still think it’s a good motto to live by. Trains may be late, you may mess up a hostel reservation or overpay on tickets, the sun might be blazing hot or may not come out for a week. To me militantly optimistic is more about making the best of the time you have. Things may not work out Things won’t work out! It’s true, you can’t plan for everything! But its how we deal with the rest of the day or night or train ride that makes all of the difference!

Back to the point. My little notebook and I have been to a couple of places by this point and I’ve written in it on bumpy trains and dim hostels and most of my journey and my thoughts during it are nestled in those little 3×5 pages. In order to make things go a bit faster I figured, why not just copy my travel journal?! I’ve already written it in the style of a blog (which was more necessity, since I find it uncomfortable to write with no audience in mind) so that is what the next couple of blogs will be like. They will chronicle the crazy adventure I went on with my friend Rosie. The hours spent on trains, the late nights, and sunburns, the random thoughts and embarrassing moments that mark some of my first international travels.

I’ll warn you right now, I probably did some things wrong, spent more money than I needed to and made a fool of myself in front of plenty of other people, but hey, I’m new at this. There’s something exciting about being an unseasoned traveler. The thrill of the trains and metros was still that – a thrill. I welcomed advice from tonnes of strangers, strangers who saw us for the travelers we were and offered us help! I’ve learned some things, and I already miss some places, but if anything the adventure I went on did nothing to squash my travel bug. I’d welcome the 5am mornings again if it meant a decent cuppa, a beignet creme and a day in a vibrant new place!

So here it is, my tiny European Trip. While it may not have been as big or as extravagant as some it was all mine and its something I’m not likely to forget for some time to come.

My Week with Maryland

Before I go off on a tangent about my adventures out of the country I thought that I should start at the beginning, the glorious week when Tim and Mike came to visit me!!! It was awesome getting to see people from home if only for a short while. It was a really cool feeling being able to show them my little city and the college because, believe it or not, Cork has become home for me. Not that I won’t be thrilled to see everyone once I’m back on Maryland soil but Cork may be a little harder to leave than I thought.

Before the boys came I had a vision of what their trip would be like, having seen all of my friends parents come to visit I imagined chock full days of nonstop buses and informational sessions. A real whirlwind tour of the place! While the boys were renting a car (thank you!) I still wasn’t sure how the trip would go.

Saturday

I decided to meet them at the airport, if only to be able to point them in the direction of the city. Once they arrived, and I gave them crazy hugs, we set off to find the car and exchange some money. I have to say driving with the boys was one of my favourite things! I had already gotten used to everything being on the left from public transport and just how people move throughout the city but watching both of them figure out how to drive was hilarious. Not only did they have to consider the roads, but everything was in km/h (instead of miles) and the road signs have both English and Irish on them!

After they were settled in their hotel room, which was across the river in the North side of the city, we stopped off for some fish and chips and tried to sort out some kind of plan.  Once they were full we ended up parting ways, they were being old and jetlagged ( 😉 ) so they went back to the hotel and I went back to my place. The beginning kind of set the tone for the week, which I was not mad at in the slightest, the goal was a much more relaxing adventure. Ireland has a lot to offer but you don’t need to go too far to experience the beauty! I was excited for what was to come!

Sunday

We decided on a later start so that they could sleep in a bit, I took the boys to the Coffee Station for brunch and more planning. Coffee Station, while not the small, hipstery place I imagined I would call my home, has become my cafe (Aileen, I am addicted to this place!) Since it was Sunday our options were limited but we decided to drive out to Midleton to the Jameson Experience and you know what that means!!!! Whiskey tasting!

beautiful!

class

First we all went on a tour of the factory, it took us from malt to final product.

sweet delivery truck

mill

where its all stored

random sign in mph

Seeing how much went into the whiskey making and how they made it work before modern technology was quite cool. Tim, Mike and I were all chosen to have a complementary whiskey tasting at the end of the tour where we tried Scotch whiskey, Irish whiskey and American whiskey (Black Label, Jameson and Jack Daniels for any curious souls!). I think we were all quite chuffed about it, the complementary drink afterwards and the certificate that says I am a master whiskey taster were also quite nice!

happy!

After the tasting we did dinner in Cork, parted ways and went to bed.

Monday

designated driver!

trusty sidekick

We decided to make it an early start the next day! We were spending the day in Dingle, taking a driving tour of the peninsula. It was on this trip that the boys not only got a taste for the twisty turny cliff roads closer to the coasts but also some great Irish weather. The wind was churning and the rain was beating down, but we took it all in stride and ended up having a great day! The drive to Dingle was just as pretty as the tour itself!

right near inch beach

the dock at dingletown

town

more town

We fueled up on seafood (the crab cake sandwich I had here was divine!!!!!!) and snacks (the boys love jaffa cakes!) and headed out. There were tonnes of gorgeous sights, their beauty unhindered by the weather, and I’ve put some of the highlights below.

a beach near the beginning of the tour

the fort!

low clearance

looking back to the mountain

the cliffs

statue by the road

the end of the peninsula

our trusty car

cute little monastery structure in which he hid in from the rain

After a chilly tour of the area we headed back to Cork city to retire for the night!

Tuesday and Wednesday

The boys did a romantic  trip to Galway and made it an overnight. I was quite jealous that they got to meet up with the Galway section of ZeniMax but I spent my days in Cork, planning my own journey abroad.

Thursday

We decided to spend the day like children and head to the zoo! As many of you know I love the zoo, I’ve worked at a zoo, had my birthday (my 20th) at a zoo. I would love a career at a zoo!!!! So getting the chance to see an Irish one in the form of FOTA wildlife park was a stunning opportunity. We ran around like children, taking pictures and talking to the animals. We hid under trees during random rain showers and marveled at the enclosures. It may seem a little weird but FOTA has been a highlight for me!

enterance

beautiful black swan

little fellows!

oryx

stunning place to sit

beautiful cheetahs!

unbelievable enclosures!!!!

these little guys were a hoot!

just eating

it was a little chilly when it was raining

most adorable mara ever! they ran free around the park, I was able to get really close to him!

After our romp at the zoo we headed down to Cobh for a while to see the cathedral and the port. It was gorgeous there and as always I loved being near the water. Since the boys both celebrated their birthdays while visiting me I threw them a birthday dinner that night! We had a roast chicken with mashed potatoes, broccoli, brown bread and wine. Of course we had plenty of desserts and tea to celebrate. The boys went home a bit later (after a round of zombie dice) and we promised to meet up the next morning.

Friday

Friday was the last day that the boys were in town so we tried to make the most of it. I started off with a small tour of campus, after we had a scrumptious breakfast at the gallery. They got a pretty good look at main campus and some of the further buildings, we didn’t make it over to the greenhouses but they are pretty much just greenhouses. We spent the rest of the afternoon in Kinsale, a cute coastal town about 30 minutes from Cork. We walked around outside of the fort and through downtown fairly quickly. It was hard to pick where to eat dinner as there are so many restaurants in the area but we settled on a nice pub to dine in. A quick drive and we were back in Cork and I was bidding them a fond farewell!

Saturday

The boys left in the morning and I started packing for my adventure and thus ended My Week with Maryland!!!!