As my last entry left us, I was about to leave to visit my family Josh and Amy in Portugal. While I was a little nervous to travel by myself, the weekend could not have turned out more perfect!! Josh and Amy were the best tour guides as I visited this beautiful church on a hill in Porto, the beach, several small towns including Braga, and of course some of the most delicious restaurants I've ever been to. The country was so beautiful as I admired it while drinking Port and overlooking the water and small town. Plus, the bonus was getting to visit with their cats at their apartment. No I am not a crazy cat lady...but the question is, how many cats categorizes you as a crazy cat lady???
The next week was busy in London since I was able to visit Parliament and Brighton. The parliament building actually began as the home of the King and Queen, but was later converted to house Parliament. The House of Commons and House of Lords both do business here but are separated in two rooms, one red, one green. After learning about parliament and how the government is run in London, it was so interesting to actually see the space in which they work. On Wednesday, our class also ventured to the town of Brighton on the coast. Not only was I able to tour the Royal Pavilion of George IV, but I had fishcakes on the pier then went to the beach!!
Trip #2 outside London: Ireland!! While I was only there for 2 days, I was able to see so much. The first day, the group of 5 of us went on a 3 hour tour around Dublin, specifically the temble bar area and saw Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and other historic buildings. After our tour, we then headed to the Guinness Factory where we learned about the the process of making Guinness and of course participated in a little taste test. Interesting fact, in 1759 Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease for the brewery that is still located at St. Jame's Gate, Dublin. Then Saturday, although I spent around 10 hours on a bus, I finally made it to Cork and visited Blarney Castle where I kissed the Blarney Stone. Legend has it that the King saved a young woman who was drowning who ended up being a witch. She said that if he kissed what today is known as the Blarney stone, a stone that came from the holy land, he would receive the gift of eloquence, to cure him of his stutter. Well I kissed the Blarney Stone so TADA.....I now have the gift of eloquence!! In addition to myself, another infamous person who has kissed the Blarney Stone, Winston Churchill. While in Ireland I also had the privilege of staying in a Hostel for the first time. The mixed 10 girl dorm, shower that turned off after every 15 seconds, and resorting to use pillow cases as towels was definitely an experience I'll never forget.
Upon returning to London, I had a lovely Valentine's Day consisting of class, watching Bend It Like Beckham, and then watching the Chelsea v. Fulham match....what more could a girl ask for?? While I didn't come to London as a true football (soccer) fan, I may leave as one. It is definitely a beloved sport over here, and as they state in London, "Club over country" Yeah, they're hardcore here.
Another Wednesday field trip has come upon us, and this week it is Stonehenge and Bath!! It is so incredible after seeing so many pictures of Stonehenge, to actually have the privilege of visiting. The arrangement of the stones is so magnificent, not to mention the fact that about 1/3 of the stone is underneath the ground, which leaves to the imagination how tall this icon truly is. Afterward we ventured to Bath and visited the Roman Bath House that was said to have healing waters. People came to cure their ailments and even throw curses into the water, which blamed certain individuals of theft. Of course the signs displayed inside said that you could not touch the healing water, and of course I would never disobey those signs!! :)
I'm sure you are quite tired of reading, but I'm almost done, I promise. But I had to save the best for last, my spring break in Barcelona!!! I am currently writing this blog entry in my small apartment located directed on Las Ramblas in Barcelona, could life get any better? Instead of staying in a hostel for 9 nights, Amy suggested that we rent an apartment, which turned out to be the perfect idea. My time the last week has been taken up by sleeping in, eating tapas, visiting the beach, taking a boat cruise around Barcelona, riding a cable up a mountain, visiting the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Stadium, Park Guell, the aquarium, and shopping and walking through Las Ramblas. We have also been lucky that there is a market directly across the street from our apartment that sells fresh fruit, meat, and fish. This market came in very handy during our apartment cook in night with fresh loaves of bread, cheese, clams, mussels, and prawns. The weather, culture, and food has been so incredible in Barcelona, and I am sad that I only have 2 days left in this city, but am ready to make the most of it!
Basically, Barcelona tienes mi corazon.
Josh, Amy and I in Portugal
This is the view I experienced while drinking Port, and eating cheese in Portugal. Can't get much better than that!
Kissing the Blarney Stone in Cork, Ireland. You had to literally do a backbend, and hold the railings to kiss the stone. Luckily I had this nice random man working there to hold me so I didn't die.
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