Monday, May 9, 2011

Dublin and London

This past weekend Danielle and I made our last european adventure, traveling to Dublin on Wednesday for one night and then onto London from Thursday to Sunday. Although it was the weekend before final exams (finals in italy? now thats not fair..) we decided that our 4 months in Europe just wouldn't be complete without going across the pond. 


Our one and only night in Dublin was fantastic. Dublin is a beautiful place and has loads of character. We hopped around from one local pub to the next enjoying all of the celtic music being performed.  We even met a leprechaun (AKA a severely over-served irishmen) named "Pauly" who showed us an irish jig. In the morning we visited St. Patricks Cathedral and the Dublin Castle. We also walked around the campus of Trinity College, Dublin's oldest University. 


Thursday afternoon we headed to LONDON, one of my all time favorite places! Only a week after the Royal Wedding, London was still gushing with Will+Kate mania... i loved it! It was hard to find a store anywhere in London that didnt have at least 10 items with Will and Kate's faces plastered on them. We even got to visit Westminster Abby (where the royal wedding took place) and walk to isle JUST like Kate did! (I was practicing for when Harry and I do the same). 


This was Danielle's first time to London and so we had kept ourselves busy with all the touristy things London has to offer. We did the London eye to see  fabulous views of the entire city. We watched the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, the most wonderful place on earth. We saw the spectacular Crown Jewels, the most wonderful things on earth, at the tower of London. And saw two musical s in London's West End. We saw Billy Elliot, a personnel favorite, and Legally Blonde, perfect for a good laugh and some much missed sorority action. 


Being around all the wonderful ENGLISH in Dublin and London made me miss home SO much! I am so so ready for the simple convinces of America. I cant wait to.... rely on my car instead of my feet. Eat chips and salsa instead of bread and spaghetti. Blue Bell instead of gelato. DIET coke instead of Coca Lite.  Go to TCU instead of LdM. Margaritas (period) instead of Margarita Pizzas. Tahoes and trucks instead of motorbikes and smart cars. Know my way around town (debatable) instead of always feeling lost. See boys in Wranglers and cowboy boots instead of Leather Jackets and tight jeans. Understand what people say to me instead of responding with 'clueless American' face. Have temperatures in the high Fahrenheit's instead of the low Celsius's.  Curling iron curls instead of the natural kind. Dryers instead of a rope and some close pins. 


Cathedral in Dublin 

Trinity College, Dublin's oldest University  
Buckingham Palace !!!


Changing of the Guard 

Big Ben and the London Eye 

Westminster Abby, Hello Kate and William! 

Me and Danielle on the London Eye 

The Famous Tower Bridge in London
Of course, above all, I am also SO anxious to see both my family and friends.  You all have no idea how much I have missed being a part of your everyday lives! It is so true that you never know how good you have it until you have to live without it. I have realized just how blessed I am to have the most amazing friends and family, and I never want to leave you all ever again! 




Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure. You’ve got to find the treasure, so that everything you have learned along the way can make sense. 

--THE ALCHEMIST