Its 2am and a finish to a good night/stay in Dublin...stayed at Temple Bar and yet again met some incredible people. Tell more tomorrow..maybe...traveling to Florence, Italy so might not have time. Another leg to an incredible journey. If you haven't done anything of the sort then get off your butt and do it! Once in a life time experience to say the least and you will create stories and experiences that will last a lifetime!
h
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Dublin!
My 'no plans' trip just allowed me to purchase a last minute ticket to Ireland tomorrow morning! Another country under my belt. Tomorrow is the European Cup Finals in Rugby...invited to Lorcan's house party for the game! Sorry Caleb don't be Jealous. After 2.5 weeks of exploring countries where I do not speak the native language frustration has set in. I will never complain about the visa machines in the States asking me to chose English or Spanish again! Those of you who do complain need to spend an extended period of time in another country and you too will be ever so grateful when the visa machine has an English option, subway ticket dispenser has one (in France they don't have an English option...not fun), and menus have English written by the selections.
h
h
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Toulouse
A hurried drive from Bordeaux to Toulouse exposed some more culture that was enjoyable as well as stomach turning. I am now at the home of my new friends Franck and Sandra. They have welcomed us in with open arms and the stay has been as if we were part of the family (my preferred way of exploring other cultures). After trekking around the city of Toulouse 3 times and driving and extra 100km I finally found their home. Navigating around European countries has proven to be quite difficult as their maps and road signs are very different, and in my opinion terrible. The tolls that have been paid so far for the privilege to drive on the highways of Europe have summed up to approximately 50 Euro! I must say my tiny Peugeot is very economical on Diesel, but why wouldn't a car of 500lbs wet. So upon arrival a bottle of fine Champagne from the region of Champagne in France was opened welcoming Americans into their home. After the children were put down for the evening we went to the most authentic restaurant in Toulouse to enjoy some fine French cuisine. I have been craving some real food after the intestines, blood pudding, pig snout and brain that I have had set before me. Appetizers were ordered while we waited to be seated so I indulged in some.....well...who knows. By the shape I thought it was pig ears...after much teasing and laughter by Franck, Sandra and some French bystanders I found out I just just eaten Duck Heart!! Ugh..what is it with these Europeans and what they eat?? I struggled through another piece and quickly covered it up with some bread. We then had the most amazing dinner so far in my trek around Europe! Duck and 2 different lamb dishes...outstanding! This was followed by some incredible dessert and washed down with Armagnac from '79 then later '78. Wow!! incredible meal considering it started with duck heart lol. Today we divulged in another wonderful lunch prepared by Franck and shared with the entire family. I have been entertaining the children by trying to converse with them. None of us have any idea with each other is saying...I have decided I must learn French and Spanish! This evening the agenda is to join in a traditional birthday celebration for a cousin.
A hurried drive from Bordeaux to Toulouse exposed some more culture that was enjoyable as well as stomach turning. I am now at the home of my new friends Franck and Sandra. They have welcomed us in with open arms and the stay has been as if we were part of the family (my preferred way of exploring other cultures). After trekking around the city of Toulouse 3 times and driving and extra 100km I finally found their home. Navigating around European countries has proven to be quite difficult as their maps and road signs are very different, and in my opinion terrible. The tolls that have been paid so far for the privilege to drive on the highways of Europe have summed up to approximately 50 Euro! I must say my tiny Peugeot is very economical on Diesel, but why wouldn't a car of 500lbs wet. So upon arrival a bottle of fine Champagne from the region of Champagne in France was opened welcoming Americans into their home. After the children were put down for the evening we went to the most authentic restaurant in Toulouse to enjoy some fine French cuisine. I have been craving some real food after the intestines, blood pudding, pig snout and brain that I have had set before me. Appetizers were ordered while we waited to be seated so I indulged in some.....well...who knows. By the shape I thought it was pig ears...after much teasing and laughter by Franck, Sandra and some French bystanders I found out I just just eaten Duck Heart!! Ugh..what is it with these Europeans and what they eat?? I struggled through another piece and quickly covered it up with some bread. We then had the most amazing dinner so far in my trek around Europe! Duck and 2 different lamb dishes...outstanding! This was followed by some incredible dessert and washed down with Armagnac from '79 then later '78. Wow!! incredible meal considering it started with duck heart lol. Today we divulged in another wonderful lunch prepared by Franck and shared with the entire family. I have been entertaining the children by trying to converse with them. None of us have any idea with each other is saying...I have decided I must learn French and Spanish! This evening the agenda is to join in a traditional birthday celebration for a cousin.
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