Random thoughts

Last day on this trip. Naturally, I want to stay here. Forever! Haha, but I must return and complete one more year of reading a million pages per week (*crosses eyes*), typing endless pages of what will hopefully be a published article (*nervously caresses fingers*), and working my tail off doing retail (*sarcastic grin*), promotions for the school (*widest grin possible*), and teaching children to speak good (*normal smile full of excitement*). Anyway, as I look back on the trip, I realize that this blog does not cover nearly half the adventures I fought, ran, and laughed through. That's okay, you should have joined me ;)

Here are some random things that I would like to share not really highlighted in other posts:

I about died of laughter when I saw this advertisement... EVERYTHING is being made into a musical

Everywhere you go, you see these bikes for rent. Even in smaller cities! Let's get with it, America!

NOT a condom machine, but rather a "gum" dispenser... You pick your condition (alcohol or smoke breath) and for only 2 euro, out pops the remedy... hilarious

Jasmine, a German gal from the pub crawl in Galway and loads of fun!

Lmao, so true... I noticed that Americans were worse than Japanese people when it came to taking photos! "OMG I gotta put a picture of my half-eaten meal (with a nasty retainer in a glass of water) on Instagram and Facebook and Twitter and YouTube and Google + and also email it to my mom and post it on my blog and send a mass text to everyone else who actually does NOT give a s***!"

At the British Museum. I watched a short video about how these pieces (originally from the Parthenon in Greece) may have been painted. They showed what the pieces may have looked like painted. To me, the color REALLY adds more intense emotions to the piece

I STILL cannot believe that I met these gals (Something and Channing...haha) in Cork and then saw them again in Galway... I swear, I have seen more people at different times and days in different areas and cities SO MANY TIMES! Such a small Island

The music over here is SO anti-commercial, meaning, they do not overplay the current pop hits like in America... American radio stations and DJs ruin all music...

No, I did not carve my initials in Blarney Castle... Someone who knew I was visiting already did ;)

What's Europe without a show... ;)

These drag performers were the best I have ever seen

Well, readers, I am all out of adventures. Watch, within the next 24 hours, I will have met Meryl Streep and joined her at the set of her latest movie, eaten dinner with a member of the mafia out of force, escaped the mafia just in time to catch Riverdance, and had breakfast with a homeless man who used to work for the Prime Minister of England. Haha, maybe... you never know. 

XOXO

The End is Near

And I am okay with that because I am sick of the UK! Haha, not really, but it is getting a bit boring due to the lack of funds for doing anything exciting and being back in Dublin where everyone and everything is loud, drunk, and expensive. Okay, maybe not everyone and everything... The next two days shall include further exploration and chilling at different bookstores and libraries. Currently, I am at Starbucks taking advantage of their wi-fi. The hostel I am staying at is a joke that no poor person laughs at.

http://generatorhostels.com/en/destinations/dublin/

The Generator Hostel is actually a chain with about six different locations. Apparently, the one in Dublin (where I am at) is the place to be. I would like to argue that is is not the place to be. ULESS you are in a large group with loads of COH. Although the hostel's website is hip and user-friendly and although they do reply quickly to emails, when I entered, I got the feeling of commercial, over-the-top, hipster hostel that only rich travelers ("pretending" to be on a budget) stay at. The interior is very modern, clean, and colorful, but the overall attitude is really stuck-up. However, the French guy in my room is surprisingly friendly! Anyway, at smaller, more intimate hostels, the reception is loads of help providing lots of information about the hostel facilities and the city. They also typically give you a map of the city and mention when and where breakfast is. When I arrived to check in, the receptionist looked really bored and disinterested. Again, probably because of its commercial feeling and probably because it is a large hostel with over 75 rooms (I think). Readers, I also cannot believe that I missed this on the website, but all of the drinks at the bar are over 4 euro (like, $6!) and breakfast is not free. Not even the continental! When I walked down to the cafe area, the seemingly annoyed receptionist looked shocked when I asked where the free coffee was (that most, if not, all hostels provide). Instead, she directed me to the expensive cafe where a small pastry cost 5 euro. Shut up.

All negatives aside, let us take a trip back to Edinburgh and chat about the Castle and Arthur's Seat.

Edinburgh Castle was truly one of the highlights of the trip. I decided to go there right when it opened and it is a good thing I did because the queue behind me stacked up quickly. Below is a picture (again) of the castle while I was in queue:

Not a dragon in the sky, but a gull... Did not see my dragon :(

Once I entered the Castle, I noticed people gathering for a guided tour. I heard the guide mention that the tour would be 4.5 hours and I opted not to join. I kind of wish I had joined but still got a lot out of the Castle in three hours. 

I did not realize that Scotland has played many roles in wars. There was so much information to take in that I actually do not recall most of it... however, I did find one thing extremely fascinating -- the recruiting posters. Check out the photos below:

"Finest job in the world"

"This is the life"

Pay and Advantages

Travel as a highlander!

Rugby or football incorporated

This one was hard to interpret

Please understand that I am not showcasing these posters in a condescending way, but rather out of inquiry. What do these posters mean and what did they mean to the young Scottish men, back then? Was most of the pressure to join the military from fathers, older brothers, mates, these posters, or something else? I did not read anything about the country desperately needing more highlanders. What kinds of messages did these posters truly communicate to the young men, their families, and other people viewing them? What did it mean to the women who may have wanted to fight? It would be very interesting to study the progression of these posters from whence they started and compare them to a progression of other countries, specifically, the US. During my Mass Media Comm seminar last semester, we briefly discussed how the Swastika symbol was originally a sign of good luck and incorporated in many different posters and even objects around Western Europe. Then, we talked about how it dramatically changed when Hitler used it for the Nazi flag. 

Anyway, I thought that perhaps you readers would enjoy this little bit from within the Castle. 

Haha, another funny thing I really enjoyed was viewing certain Mary Queen of Scotts artifacts. Below are some photos:

Part of her throne!

Inside one of her chambers

Her only son

I would love to learn more about Mary. I do not know much, but for some strange reason, I think she gets a bad rep for things we quite do not understand. Perhaps she was mental?

After the Castle, I took a nap and decided to climb the 250+ meter hike up to Arthur's Seat. I have no idea why it is called that but it was pretty awesome to hike up. Here are some pictures:

I have to climb what?!

Atop Arthur's Seat and some Scottish gals

Part of a church, I think?

Ah, a Chapel. Anthony's, actually

Well, readers, these were two of my favorite highlights of the trip. Now, I get to spend two more days in Dublin before I fly back to the US. If I could mention the most common thing Europeans view Americans as, that would simply be, "dumb." To most of the Europeans (and Australians) I came across, they almost always mentioned Americans as really naive and stupid about other cultures. Additionally, they think we are really prideful and arrogant. They think we do not understand anything but our own "American" ways and culture and feel that we are entitled to many things. For most rural Americans, I think naivety exists. But it also exists in rural areas within Ireland, Scotland, and England. And remember, this was coming from Europeans and Australians who have been backpacking for months around dozens of countries and cultures. These are my people. 

All the best. 

The world of Communication

Dear Readers,

This may be slightly vague, abstract, and probably annoying to read, but I must vent ;)

Although I may regret this post, I must mention several things about what I have learned through the people, interaction, and communication during my travels and not being so involved in social media such as Facebook and Twitter for the past two years. I will be honest: I wish that I could stomach Facebook. I truly admire the people who can manage the hundreds, even thousands of friends they have. I completely understand the great benefits of keeping in touch with the people from far away. Ideally, it would be wonderful to keep in touch with the people along my journey. Most, if not all, always ask, "Do you have Facebook!?" within the first moments of interacting. They pull out their phones and begin typing my name. I smile and calmly say, "I am sorry, I actually do not have Facebook." I honestly think that some of them wonder if I am lying to protect my identity or because I do not like them... really? Regardless, even though I chew on this feeling of regret for not being "with the modern times of communication," I feel more and more comfortable with not being so involved with social media. Here is why. I personally think that I would be exhausted if I had got more involved with these wonderful people. Because I am planning on traveling even more, it would be insane to be involved all the time with these people online. I would constantly want to interact with and update them on all of my travels. But when I was on and active on Facebook over two years ago, I did just that and frankly, it was so exhausting and I felt guilty for not keeping up with the Kardashians. This happens a lot with people and I am sure that some handle it differently by posting here and there. Great! I envy you. But with being an extrovert and social dragonfly (don't ask), I found it highly stressful even with the simple idea of being connected with my close peers. All the time, I would want to respond to one of their posts or put up a status that was catchy, clever, and full of poetic wit. I always wanted a reaction. It was like a drug that ate up loads of time. We all know this. We all have felt this. Why do we crave and continue? 

I guess what I am trying to communicate to you (and myself) is that I finally am being comfortable with not being so much online. It used to piss me off that I was not always connected and notified of all the "happs" around me. However, I do not have to worry about putting up the perfect picture, the wittiest post, or the longest chat message. During this trip, I will always cherish the live moments I spent with these wonderful people from Germany, Poland, Austria, Australia, the UK, Ireland, etc. And if they slip away, then so be it because I will have photos, physical journal entries, pub receipts, business cards, and more from these moments to remember and someday pass along to my children. *I just got chills at that  thought* I really hope that they do not think of these items and artifacts as junk or rubbish but rather relics of a grand time that I had. Yes, most of us probably realize this and collect items from our journeys throughout life but I had this thought the other day: What happens when we die and no one can access our Facebook accounts or blogs? What happens when my generation grows older, has children, and wants to share memories? Will we do it all on a screen or with things that we can feel the worn out paper from the journals with, smell the proud and slightly musty smell of the pages on, and see the crumpled richness of the covers on? 

I am still trying to figure out why I am writing this but getting it out really helps solidify my views and understandings. Thanks for listening to me vent ;) 

All the best.

Edinburgh

...the city of brilliance and cleanliness. *I am so sorry that I did not upload pictures, yesterday! I got a little distracted with the beauty of Edinburgh... I wish I had booked more time here. I did not realize that a festival called the Fringe was happening during my stay. Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world, and I believe it. The festival here is unlike any festival I have been to (which actually has not been many...). This is why my hostel was so expensive at $45 per night! But it has been so worth it. These are my people. Artsy fartsy. Let me show you:

Not a statue, but a street performer... hilarious and scared the bejeezus out of me!

A small band at an amazing pub called, "Lebowski's"

Here is a link to the festival: https://www.edfringe.com/about-us

Check it out and be inspired. 

I have so many more pictures on my other camera (better quality and shots). When I return to the States, I will post a link to a slideshow. I believe that I have a total of 1,200 photos! I am such a stinkin' American. Honestly, I purposefully chose not to take as many as I thought I would to savor the moments and sights. Also, I want to and will return so why see the UK through a bloody lens?! Haha, and if you object, then come with me, next time! I am hoping December or March. Think about it, readers. 

What should I talk about. Here is something that brought so many emotions. Yesterday morning, I got up at 7:15a and got ready to visit The Elephant House for breakfast. I was not sure if the place would be crowded. Thankfully, it was not, but when I walked by it in the afternoon, there was a queue about 50 feet outside the door! Win. This is where J.K. Rowling began to write the Harry Potter series. As an aspiring writer, I fully appreciated sitting in the corner and writing in my journal while enjoying the view of Edinburgh Castle and Stadium. I can totally see where she got her inspiration from. Not only from the Castle, but from this whole city. I am telling you, travel back here with me for the Fringe Festival, next year! Anyway, I ended up tearing up a bit as I sat in the corner (picture below).

Honestly, the place does not look like much. Just outside the large window, you can see the Hogwarts, I mean, the Castle. Spectacular. Here are a couple more shots:

Elephants everywhere! 

I am such a tourist... I regret taking this photo, haha

...and a bloody creeper for taking this photo but it was so cute!

After the touching moment at The Elephant House, I headed up to Edinburgh Castle. The cost was 16 pounds to enter but it was well worth it. This, folks, was a castle. Funny story... Before coming to Edinburgh, I had envisioned the city to be small, situated among tight hills, and crowded. I also thought that the castle would be dull, dark, and hidden behind other buildings and trees. When I got off the train and walked down the Main Street, I was enjoying looking at the shops and churches on my right and thought, "This is a pretty nice city!" Then, I looked to my left and noticed a lovely and long park paralleling the main street, larger cathedrals above the park, and castle-like buildings up top. Then, I saw it--Edinburgh Castle and about had a heart attack. The Castle is the main attraction and focal point in the city. Here are some shots:

William Wallace on the right (the original statue!)

Either tomorrow or the next day, I will post some pictures of the interior. I discovered some really interesting things about Scotland's role during times of war. Here's a small preview:

In my Media Studies seminar, we discussed the hidden meanings behind posters and how influential they are. I was actually shocked to see the light and airy content on the dozens of Scottish military recruiting posters... I would like to do more research on how they progressed throughout the years. More on that, later. 

After the castle, I decided to head back to the hostel for a lie down. Although the Caledonian Backpackers Hostel was not my favorite, I did appreciate the interior and clean facilities. Here are some shots:

Cheap drinks right in the hostel!

Damn bird would not shut up!

#ihateselfies

Lounge area

Lobby

Last night, I was trying to introduce myself to my fellow travelers in the hostel but had no luck with pleasant conversation because most of them were traveling in packs (solo travelers unite!) So I went back to my room (6-bed mixed dorm) and started rolling up my clothes to fit into my carry on. After succeeding and belting out Lady Gaga, in walks my roomie, Talia (another Australian!) We talked for a bit and decided to head down to the bar for a drink. I found out that she quit her job in Australia, applied for a 2-year visa, and moved to a wealthy area south of London to work at a pub. She is only 19. I truly admire her bravery! She got four days off and decided to head up to Edinburgh for the Fringe. I really enjoyed her company and after some convo, we met two more Australians! Finally, we decided to check out some more places. We had a blast. Here are some pictures:

Talia!

This guy at the pub we were at approached us and wrote this on our arms explaining that it would get us into a night club for free! We checked it out and actually had a grand time! However, come 1:30a, Talia and I decided to split because we were exhausted...

There you have it, readers. Edinburgh. Just kidding. Later, I will compose another post about two things: 1) the Castle's interior and some discussion about the military and 2) the hike up to Arthur's Seat (and the gorgeous views...!).

All the best and many hugs.

*wipes away a tear at the thought of leaving Edinburgh...*