Ireland

Ireland is like that magical fairy tale that you believed in as a kid, but it's real life. Everything is so beautiful, so green and so pure. Dublin is not the best but it was a lot nicer than from what I was expecting.

When I first got to Dublin, I got to meet up with Tobi. I haven't seen Tobi in about 6 years. He was a German exchange student to my high school when I was a freshman. We even went to New York City together. Me, Tobi and Trevor. That feels like ages ago. It was so nice to meet up with him, catch up and see a familiar face in a country I never even thought I'd go to.

Since we didn't sleep the night before (took a 6:30am flight because it was a lot cheaper…oh the struggle) we were exhausted by the time we got to Dublin. But, per usual, we stuck it out. We did the Guinness tour and thanks to being my mother's daughter, I HIGHLY enjoyed it.

The next day we went to Cliffs of Moher and other insignificant places in Ireland, but it was amazing seeing the green countryside since we were on a bus ride to the cliffs for 3 hours. We even stopped and had the most amazing seafood chowder (it has its own website, thats when you know). 

The Cliffs of Moher are obviously breathtaking. They put up a 4 foot wall because about 12 years ago or so (at least that's when they put the wall up), a few boys were playing around and all 3 fell off and died. What nationality were they you ask? Italian. For some odd reason the bus driver got a kick out of that one l o l. 

We found the infamous Temple Bar and of course, we went in. Live Irish music was playing, not to mention we saw Irish step dancers in the bar before, and cups were filled with Guinness. 

I had my real moment in Howth though. This adorable little fish town about 30 minutes from Dublin. We passed castles, cows and golf courses (Charlie was on my mind that whole time). The hike up to the top was awesome in itself. I felt like I was in a hobbits land. When we got to the top it was all rocks and yellow flowers overlooking green grass and the ocean. Unbelievable. I put in my headphones and just let it all soak in.

Gonna miss the luck of the Irish, as well as the Temple Bar in Dublin. Great vibe, great people, great time.

There still is good in the world

My friends say I am constantly smiling and this time was no different when I say I had a smile on my face the whole way home on the bus this evening. Now bear with me because this may get confusing. 

As the bus was pulling up there was this group of about five 17 year old boys and an old lady behind me. As the old lady reached out to one of the boys, he gave her a confused look. His other friend then shouted at him "help her!" So he grabbed her hand and helped her down from the curb to the street. Literally all five boys were either holding her hand or surrounding her making sure she wasn't going to fall. It was the most sincere thing I have witnessed in awhile, especially because we all know how immature that age can be, especially for boys (you know it's true). After that, a lady got up for the lady the boys were helping out and offered her her seat AND THEN when an elderly man got on, ANOTHER lady got up for him. Literally made me the happiest girl ever. There still is good in the world.

"Free Family Traveller Magazine!"

I now have absolute 100% let-me-hug-you-all-day sympathy for the people who hand out free flyers on the street. I was supposed to work from home today for my internship but I got a not so pleasant email asking me to come in to hand out magazines around Covent Garden.
"Hand out magazines" they said. "It will be fun" they said.
I got there around noon, which makes me seem like a princess that I'm even complaining in the slightest bit, but I was looking forward to relaxing in my pjs all day while writing. Turns out I was walking all around Covent Garden handing out free Family Traveller Magazines to most people who couldn't care less. I know the feeling of going a different route or not making eye contact in order to avoid getting one of those useless flyers that just makes everything more cumbersome.
But now, being on the other side, I FEEL YOU FREE FLYER GIVER OUTERS. People look at you like you have two heads or don't look at you at all like you're invisible. It's a weird feeling.
Thankfully, Grace (finance intern) and I were smart enough to relocate to the Leicester Square underground. Loads of people are constantly going in and out and that is where they actually have time to read while sitting on the tube. Our moods of discouragement and embarrassment quickly left as we were now going through four boxes of magazines within 30 minutes. One woman even said "Oh this is my favorite magazine!"
After six trips through Covent Garden, going up two flights of stairs every time to the office and 16 boxes later, we felt accomplished. On that note, next time you see someone handing out a flyer: take it. Even if you're going to throw it away, they don't need to know that.
"Free magazine" and "Free Family Traveller Magazine" will forever be embedded into my brain after today.

Berlin, Germany

I shouldn't even be saying this because knowing me when I travel to Ireland next weekend that will become my favorite place, but as of right now Berlin, Germany may even beat London as my favorite city in Europe. But don't hold me to it.
Berlin is just such a cool city. Immediately, I saw hundreds of people with trendy clothes and full beards looking as if they don't have a care in the world. It's a young, hip city and nothing like I expected at all. Right away I fell in love (with the city that is, not another random guy although that did happen half way into my first day there). Everyone there was beautiful. Everyone there looked happy. Everyone there seemed laid back.
Other than the Berlin Wall, this city is definitely known more for its nightlife. We went to Watergate and the Weekend and they were BOMB. People typically don't get home until 10am or so. Watergate was opened until 11am for gods sake. We didn't make it that late though, maybe 530am or so was all we could handle.
We ate schnitzel, currywurst….and that's about it for the German food. Oops. Besides that was cheesecake, mozzarella and tomato on a bagel and of course, Mcdonald's (lol always).
The Mcdonald's there is literally a mini mansion. It had a library and a dining area nicer than my dining room at home. You walk in thinking you are about to eat escargot and drink dom perignon. Close, but no cigar.
We took a bus tour that stopped at 19 different monuments or buildings throughout Berlin. That was a huge help considering no one knew of sightseeing places other than the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate.
Basically, Berlin is a wonderful city that I highly recommend to everyone. I didn't want to leave. Except when we were sleeping in the Berlin airport at 2am so we didn't have to pay for another night at the hostel. Talk about exhausting. But other than that, I had the time of my life and I sure hope you'll get the opportunity to experience Berlin as well.

Please read some captions below about Abby's drunken escapades and Rachael's chances.

She fell several times the night before. Three days later…still limping.

CHANCED TO HUG THIS WAX FIGURE FOR A MINUTE

 Room 6 buddies

 THESE PICS ARE IN A MCDONALDS CAN I MOVE HERE ALREADY

Checkpoint Charlie

Finally…goodnight from the Berlin airport.