So, you may be surprised that I am ALREADY writing about yet another trip, since it seems like I just got back from Mallorca and since Alaina was just visiting last weekend. Well, I do indeed have another trip to write about- Christina, Cassandra, and I had found a good deal on flights to Dublin a few months ago for this past weekend, so we decided to go! I think we would all agree that this was a great decision! None of us had ever been to Ireland before, so this was a a new and unique trip for all of us.
Some general observations about Dublin: there was an enormous concentration of both churches and pubs...take from that information what you may, not sure if that is ironic or if it makes perfect sense ;) Either way, we enjoyed both types of sites!! Also, we found many Irish people to be extremely friendly (with the exception of a few rude bartenders or people working in bus/train stations); people were quite interesting and welcoming. Also- one must carry an umbrella at all times when walking around Dublin. Although it doesn't always rain, you never know when it may start drizzling. We actually were relatively lucky with the weather- it was a bit chilly and drizzled at times, but most of the time it was relatively clear and we were able to spend lots of time outside, exploring the city.
We arrived on Thursday night, checked into our hostel (located across from the Custom House and just a few minutes walk from the hopping Temple Bar district), and found a pub where we had some dinner and beer (to celebrate our arrival in Dublin!) Even though I'm not a big beer fan, I ordered one anyway, just because i figured...when in Dublin, right? Cassandra ordered a Guinness, so I tried that (I must say, I didn't like it at all), but I at least I completed by duty of having Guinness in Ireland! We were a little nervous when we first arrived, because several people told as that where we were staying wasn't a very safe area (there were apparently drug problems), but it turned out to be just fine. We saw a little bit of sketchy activity that first night, but after that..no problems at all!
Friday we had a VERY full day....started out with breakfast at the hostel, and then began to explore the city. We walked around and saw some of the MANY beautiful and famous churches (including Christ Church and St. Patricks Cathedral). We also wandered around a pretty park and took some pictures. We then ended up at a restaurant called The Queen of Tarts, which was highly recommended by friends, as well as every tour book imaginable. It was sooo good that we even went back on Saturday. They had amazing, creative desserts, but also some great lunch dishes as well. (for example- a crab, goat cheese, and spinach quiche; a sweet potato soup; Bailey's chocolate chip cheescake...etc etc). We also went to the National Museum, where we learned about Ireland's archeological history (from as far back as 2000 BC), and some of the history of the Vikings in Ireland. We also walked around the campus of Trinity College, which reminded me a bit of Duke, and made me a little nostalgic for college (a coincidence that Duke's original name was Trinity?) Then, we went back to the hostel and met some other travellers, from Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands. Next, we went out for some traditional fish and chips, and went to an Irish pub where we heard live Irish music ;)
On Saturday, we went to one of the oldest churches in Ireland (St Michan's), where they have a crypt with mummies dating back to the 11th century. We had a tour of the crypt with a very eccentric tour guide, which made the experience very memorable. Then, we went to the Dublin Writers Museum, which displayed the history of all of the famous Irish authors (Joyce, Yeats, Beckett, Wilde etc etc). It was really interesting and made us all really want to read some of these books! Then, we wandered a bit more and went back to Queen of Tarts for some more delicious food. That afternoon, we took a short train to Howth, a town right along the water, outside the city. We wandered along the boardwalk, past lots of boats and seafood restaurants. We saw some seals in the water, as well as beautiful views of the mountains and the water. We really enjoyed seeing some countryside, without having to travel too far. We even went to a bar and enjoyed some Irish coffee/ Coffee with Baileys (another drink we felt we needed to try during our short stay), and chatted with an older Irish couple, who were extremely friendly. We headed back to Dublin in time for dinner (we wanted to eat in a traditional, well-known pub and most of those places stop serving food at nine or ten...very different from the Spanish schedule we are used to!) We then went to another fun pub with live music...ended the night on a high note! At the pub, we tried some Jameson whiskey, which for me seemed particulalry appropriate, since my mom's maiden name is Jameson, and since the Jameson whiskey brand is so famous and present in Dublin. This was actually kind of funny because a few people in Dublin toldl me that I kind of looked Irish...which is ironic since I don't actually have any Irish blood, but my mom's side of the family does have an Irish-sounding name!
On Sunday, we had breakfast at the hotel and walked around for about an hour, seeing a few other sites that we still wanted to visit. Then, we headed back to the airport and said bye to Dublin....we arrived back in Madrid, ready to have some warm, sunny weather again!!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Semana Santa, la visita de Alaina, y mi cumple!
After a very busy two weeks, I am finally getting around to updating my blog. First of all, over Semana Santa (Holy Week..when i had over a week of vacation from school), Kelly, Noel, and I had a lovely, relaxing vacation in Mallorca. We had a great time- exactly what we needed! We left early Saturday morning, all of us with our sun hats in hand (because of course, we didn't want to smush them into our suitcases!) We got to the airport in Palma, where we rented our car, and began our adventure. We were staying in a small, isolated, but beautiful area in the southwestern part of the island, called Cala Pi. This was about a 25-30 min drive from Palma, the capital and biggest city in the island. We arrived to our hotel Saturday afternoon and got lunch at a nearby pizzeria. Then, we spent the rest of the afternoon settiling in, picking up groceries, exploring a bit, and sitting and relaxing by the pool. That evening, we cooked some fajitas and drank some wine, and had a tranquil evening in Cala Pi :)
The next day, we drove to a beach about 20 minutes away and spent the day there. It was a very beuatiful and peaceful location..not too commercial or developed and not too crowded either. Although, we were some of the only visitors with bathing suits on (apparently this was a nude beach)...but we were all at least prepared for that. That night, we ate paella at the restaurant by our hotel and relaxed. The next day, we took a long drive to the northeast part of the island to visit the Cuevas del Drach, some famous caves that we were all told we should go visit. The caves were really cool; we all enjoyed the tour. Then, we went to a nearby beach, Cala Millor, which was much more touristy and bigger than the other beach, but equally beautiful. After a long day, we headed back to Cala Pi, ate dinner at the apartment, and relaxed there. On Tuesday, we visited yet another beach, and then spent the evening in Palma. We walked around the city, which we really enjoyed, and went to a great, highly-recommended tapas restaurant called Tast. We then ended up, by chance, seeing a huge Semana Santa procession, which seemed like a requirement for a Semana Santa spent in Spain...so we were glad about that. We liked Palma so much that we went back the next day for lunch and to walk around. For dinner, we cooked pasta at our apartment and watched the Real Madrid-Barcelona game (which RM won, woo!).
My last day in Mallorca, we stayed around Cala Pi and actually took a little hike around the cove and got some great views (and great pictures) of the surrounding area. Then, I headed to the airport Thursday night (because my friend Alaina was coming to Madrid Fri am to visit), and Kelly and Noel stayed in Mallorca for another day and a half.
The next morning, Alaina arrived bright and early, and we began our whirlwind weekend in Madrid. When she first arrived, she was tired and needed a nap, as is to be expected. But then, we walked around the Bilbao-Quevedo area, got some lunch, and caught up a bit. Afterwards, we came back to my apartment for a coffee-second nap break, and then went out again during the evening. We took the walk from my apartment towards Gran Via and Sol, and I showed her all the sites on the way. We ended up at a restaurant called Lateral in Plaza Santa Ana, which is one of my favorites. We hung out for a bit in the area and then headed back to my apartment.
Saturday, Alaina got a very complete tour of Central Madrid. We went to the Thyssen museum and walked along the Paseo de Prado. We went to Huertas, a really cool neighborhood, and walked around a bit. We ate in Huertas at another one of my favorite restaurants, Maceiras, which has amazing Galician food! Then, we walked to Banco de Espana/Cibeles and then continued to Retiro, where we walked around and rented a row boat for 45 mins, rowing around the lake. We came back home afterwards and cooked a pasta dinner for the two of us and Ruth, and then the three of us, along with another friend, went out and showed Alaina what Spanish nightlife is like. She had fun, but certainly wasn't used to the late-night schedule! Sunday, after sleeping in and recovering from our late night, we walked around Serrano and the Castellana for awhile. Then we went back to Plaza de Espana, and I showed Alaina the Templo de Debod and the Parque del Oeste. Later, we went with Ruth and Aitor to La Latina for tapas, which we decided we had to do with Alaina, as it is the typical Sunday night activity here in Madrid. Monday, Ruth, Alaina, and I spent the day touring Toledo, and then came back home and cooked tortirlla de patatas!! So, needless to say, Alaina had quite the complete visit!!
The next morning, Alaina was off to Sevilla and Granada and I was back to work for a short week. Thursday night, we had a get-together at Christina's house, and as I was there at midnight, my friends all sang to me and wished me happy birthday, which was sweet :) Friday, my bday, Alaina returned happily from her trip, and we had a nice lunch together. I was really excited because even the ATM wished me a happy birthday, which for whatever reason, made me happy :) That night, I had a bunch of friends over for dinner, to celebrate my bday. Alaina and I cooked some yummy pintxos and everyone else also brought food/dessert. We had a lot of fun and I got some really cute gifts! Then we all went out together and had a great time.
Saturday, Alaina's last day in Madrid, we slept in, ate leftovers from our party, and then went to the Palacio Real. We took the tour, which Alaina really enjoyed, and then did some souveneir shopping. Finally, we ended the night at Casa Mingo, a very authentic, yummy sidreria that Alaina had gone to her last trip in Madrid, which we enjoyed a lot. This morning, she left for the airport, as we are both preparing to return to our normal lives! We had a great time-it was so great to catch up and spend all that time together!! Of course, though, we really missed Rebecca, who was supposed to visit at the same time, but who had to cancel her trip last minute due to a torn ACL/meniscus. At least, we were able to skype with her on Friday. Anywayy, I think I have finally finished my update!! It was a great two weeks!! I cant believe its already May...time really does fly!
The next day, we drove to a beach about 20 minutes away and spent the day there. It was a very beuatiful and peaceful location..not too commercial or developed and not too crowded either. Although, we were some of the only visitors with bathing suits on (apparently this was a nude beach)...but we were all at least prepared for that. That night, we ate paella at the restaurant by our hotel and relaxed. The next day, we took a long drive to the northeast part of the island to visit the Cuevas del Drach, some famous caves that we were all told we should go visit. The caves were really cool; we all enjoyed the tour. Then, we went to a nearby beach, Cala Millor, which was much more touristy and bigger than the other beach, but equally beautiful. After a long day, we headed back to Cala Pi, ate dinner at the apartment, and relaxed there. On Tuesday, we visited yet another beach, and then spent the evening in Palma. We walked around the city, which we really enjoyed, and went to a great, highly-recommended tapas restaurant called Tast. We then ended up, by chance, seeing a huge Semana Santa procession, which seemed like a requirement for a Semana Santa spent in Spain...so we were glad about that. We liked Palma so much that we went back the next day for lunch and to walk around. For dinner, we cooked pasta at our apartment and watched the Real Madrid-Barcelona game (which RM won, woo!).
My last day in Mallorca, we stayed around Cala Pi and actually took a little hike around the cove and got some great views (and great pictures) of the surrounding area. Then, I headed to the airport Thursday night (because my friend Alaina was coming to Madrid Fri am to visit), and Kelly and Noel stayed in Mallorca for another day and a half.
The next morning, Alaina arrived bright and early, and we began our whirlwind weekend in Madrid. When she first arrived, she was tired and needed a nap, as is to be expected. But then, we walked around the Bilbao-Quevedo area, got some lunch, and caught up a bit. Afterwards, we came back to my apartment for a coffee-second nap break, and then went out again during the evening. We took the walk from my apartment towards Gran Via and Sol, and I showed her all the sites on the way. We ended up at a restaurant called Lateral in Plaza Santa Ana, which is one of my favorites. We hung out for a bit in the area and then headed back to my apartment.
Saturday, Alaina got a very complete tour of Central Madrid. We went to the Thyssen museum and walked along the Paseo de Prado. We went to Huertas, a really cool neighborhood, and walked around a bit. We ate in Huertas at another one of my favorite restaurants, Maceiras, which has amazing Galician food! Then, we walked to Banco de Espana/Cibeles and then continued to Retiro, where we walked around and rented a row boat for 45 mins, rowing around the lake. We came back home afterwards and cooked a pasta dinner for the two of us and Ruth, and then the three of us, along with another friend, went out and showed Alaina what Spanish nightlife is like. She had fun, but certainly wasn't used to the late-night schedule! Sunday, after sleeping in and recovering from our late night, we walked around Serrano and the Castellana for awhile. Then we went back to Plaza de Espana, and I showed Alaina the Templo de Debod and the Parque del Oeste. Later, we went with Ruth and Aitor to La Latina for tapas, which we decided we had to do with Alaina, as it is the typical Sunday night activity here in Madrid. Monday, Ruth, Alaina, and I spent the day touring Toledo, and then came back home and cooked tortirlla de patatas!! So, needless to say, Alaina had quite the complete visit!!
The next morning, Alaina was off to Sevilla and Granada and I was back to work for a short week. Thursday night, we had a get-together at Christina's house, and as I was there at midnight, my friends all sang to me and wished me happy birthday, which was sweet :) Friday, my bday, Alaina returned happily from her trip, and we had a nice lunch together. I was really excited because even the ATM wished me a happy birthday, which for whatever reason, made me happy :) That night, I had a bunch of friends over for dinner, to celebrate my bday. Alaina and I cooked some yummy pintxos and everyone else also brought food/dessert. We had a lot of fun and I got some really cute gifts! Then we all went out together and had a great time.
Saturday, Alaina's last day in Madrid, we slept in, ate leftovers from our party, and then went to the Palacio Real. We took the tour, which Alaina really enjoyed, and then did some souveneir shopping. Finally, we ended the night at Casa Mingo, a very authentic, yummy sidreria that Alaina had gone to her last trip in Madrid, which we enjoyed a lot. This morning, she left for the airport, as we are both preparing to return to our normal lives! We had a great time-it was so great to catch up and spend all that time together!! Of course, though, we really missed Rebecca, who was supposed to visit at the same time, but who had to cancel her trip last minute due to a torn ACL/meniscus. At least, we were able to skype with her on Friday. Anywayy, I think I have finally finished my update!! It was a great two weeks!! I cant believe its already May...time really does fly!
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