2.15.14
Yesterday we left for our cork trip. We had to be there at 815 AM. That meant
getting up at 705...ugh. Well, getting out of bed at 730. Anyway, Karolina
messaged me and was like make sure you’re not late because they will leave
without us. So, I got there at like 750 to her apt and texted her and she didn’t
get it and I waited for like 10 minutes. So much for that. Well, we went to the
bus where we waited for some girl for an hour for and at 900ish we decided we
should leave without her and then here she can and we were off in the rain,
driving. I couldn’t see much but I talked to john about my internships I’m
nervous about and how I’m not sure what I should do. Then, tried to take a nap.
No one realized to come to the back so I sat in the middle of the 5 seats...I
had all 5 seats to myself and most of the front was occupado. I literally lay
down like a bed. The first stop was for lunchish. I got a fruit salad and they
had unwrapped bananas and apples so I took one and put them in my pocket, I don’t
think they were meant to be sold and didn’t know what to eat unless I wants a
sandwich or crepe or bacon. I was basically screwed. Our next rest stop was at
a castle. It was the most still together in Europe I think. That’s a bad way to
say it but I can’t remember the exact phrase. Anyways, there was not much to
see but we watched a lame video I almost fell asleep through. And, surprisingly,
they had working toilets in the castle. Hah. Back on the bus to the blarney
castle. Once we got here, we walked together to get our tickets etc. etc. I
talked to Leigh a little about our spring break trip. It started raining so I
broke out the emergency rain poncho. I already got a compliment on it. What
what. We continued and got to the blarney castle part where we had to walk up
to the top. These stairs were so steep and ad in a circle. Just up and up till
you hit air. Then it was pretty pretty. We were all in a line waiting and Karolina's
and john were more behind but I hate waiting. I took my picture while kissing
the blarney stone, which is supposed to be like lucky or something what you do
is lie on you back stretch and kiss the brick wall. While I did that, my
favorite purple headband fell off to the ground. It was actually kind of funny
because it’s almost like a horror story, that something would fall that far.
Well, turns out, it’s easy to grab. Once you kiss it, you're supposed to head
down I, didn’t. I jumped the not so gated chain and met up with Karolina and
john to try the blarney stone again and get some pics just in case. Now, we
actually headed down. We were walking and talking and the entire farm looking
thing was all misty like a scary movie. It was like the botanical gardens. I
was over it quite fast, though because the one in Chicago is so much better. Now,
I wanted to check out the biggest wool store in Ireland which was not that big,
I wanted to get some wool stuff, but it was either really expensive or pretty
lame. I went so interested, so I went to Supervalu to get some tuna and
bananas. We came back to eat at the blarney cafe. I had 3 cans of tuna, perhaps
not something to eat before going on to a bus. Once we arrived at the hotel, we
were split into rooms of 14, 16, and 18. That’s kind of a lot. Me, john, and Karolina
had like a little side off of 4 and only took up 3 spots. Our own little nook.
We set all of our stuff down and decided to go exploring in the city. I was
excited about this but when I explore, I do it the Sher way. When I explore
with other people, they do it a different way. Like Karolina was into taking
pictures everywhere and I definitely joined in, but once she saw what she
thought was everything, she didn’t want to go any farther and it was just
annoying. She’s not a good explorererer. Around 730, there was a pub crawl but
it was 10 euro and I definitely did not have that kind of money. I decided not
to go, also because it wasn’t something I could handle at the moment, Karolina didn’t
want to go and I don’t think john really cared, he’s so lenient and easy going
its great and funny. He simply just says yes, and doesn’t think about it more
than that. I asked more people if they were going, like Leigh, and they wanted
to but didn’t want to pay the 10 euro. I talked to her the next day and she
said that she ended up going and just not paying. Now, I was jealous. That would’ve
been perfecto. Karolina and john wanted to eat somewhere cheap. Karolina was
thinking like pizza, but I feel like even in a restaurant compared to a carry
out, it’s relatively the same price. Well, we ended up at Uncle Pete’s which
was a tiny sit down, maybe Italian, restaurant. Karolina got a classic baguette
and john a bowl of spaghetti. The place was really cute and a nice place to
spend Halloween. It was about 8 and I passed some pub earlier and it was
playing live music at 10 and I wanted to go see that. We went into a pub with a
bunch of old men, so it quickly got too small. So onto the live music. Me not
liking beer, I wanted to try the beer, Murphy’s that was made at the pub. The
bar tender, a cute little dindly looking guy with a lot of energy, said I wouldn’t
like it and let me try a different drink, rebel red, I got that with the last
3.10 euro I had left, it was really good. We sat there for about 2 hours watching
a rugby math and talking. I got pretty tired pretty quick; I also got pretty
tired of Karolina pretty quick. She started saying something, which is always
and its loud and never stops, and I wanted say something small and chime in and
she’s like no...Let me finish and I was like you’re ridiculous. It hurt my
feelings because anything she says is the only thing that matters and nothing
else. I let it slide but on the way home she did it to me so I did it to her,
and I think it made things awkward but I was over it so fast. We got home
around 1030 while everyone was still pub crawling, and I changed and put in
headphones to try to fall asleep because I had a feeling that was not going to
work out well, especially when everyone else came back. I ended up staying up
till 12 because I as messaging Adam and Karolina wouldn’t shut the freak up.
But it’s like if you have OCD and have to sleep and wake up at such a strict
schedule, then go to sleep. And you’re not the only person in the room, just because
you’re not sleeping doesn’t mean everyone is awake
2.16.2014
This
morning we were allowed to sleep in until 1030 in the morning...is that what
they call sleeping in? Well, I decided, instead of following Karolina, who
probably was going to take pictures and walk around the normal city like a
terrorist, I would make my own adventure and get to know the city on a run. But
unfortunately, I passed the kitchen first. Breakfast was included and it was
bread. I thought it’d be something like that but most of the people I was with
said at the last hostel they cooked beans and eggs and bacon for them. Then I
realized, I think we were a little scammed. Well, I hadn’t had bread as a meal
in like 5 years, so I decided perhaps I try it. I felt so dumb after. It was
kind of nice in the way that I really like the strawberry jam but I really didn’t
feel like it made a dent in my stomach. I am kind of happy, because I will
continue to not eat bread and this will make me feel better later with feeling
bad now haha. Oh, there were the Belgium girls, Selene, one I already met, that
together had like an entire loaf! It was like a joke, or a movie, but quite ridiculous!
Well, because it barely affected me, I decided to continue with that
determination to run. Last night I asked where I should go running and the guys
at the front desk said there was some place about a 15 minute walk, a park. And
I thought that’d be cute but I need something farther. I don’t know why but I
went the wrong way, kind of. I guess there really isn’t any wrong way, but you’ll
find out later. O, here I continued down the river to the harbor and where most
of the transportation happened in cork. I passed the ford general motors Europe
division. Ford was Irish. There was a lot I passed but it was a little
industrial and I like more grass. So I had to run all the way back the same way
but whatevaaaa. I ran into a woman with a collie and a husky, I missed husky Lilly
a little bit, well mostly just doggies loving. I talked to her and asked where
to go and she said the city, but that’d not that fun haha which made me feel
better and then go to the park and up to university college cork. Just like the
other guy recommended, so I ran back, then went up this hill near our hostel
and looked out. It was so cool. This hill was huge and above almost the entire
city. So when I got up there, I smiled and that’s when I reaized I can go
abroad by myself and enjoy myself. All I have to remember is do stuff the Sher
way, adventurous and daring. Not like anyone else. I looked down and noticed
the beautiful city I would’ve never seen. I decided to run down and try to make
it to where the people recommended or at least attempt. I only had 20 minutes
and was told they would leave without us at 1030. But again, we are Sher's.
People wait for us, we don’t wait for people. So I kept running and up a hill through
some weird alleys and ultimately back to our hostel. I grabbed my purse and a
jacket and at 1030 I was out but needed to get to the bus still. I ended up
being 3 minutes late; according to Karolina...when we got on, I was so excited about
my exploration. But then there was 1 more girl, Ellie we were waiting for.
Ellie wasn’t picking up her phone and no one knew where she was. We gave her 10
extra minutes. So he started pulling away and as we did someone saw her and she
was running and we kept going because he couldn’t stop on the narrow streets
and I felt so bad because she kept chasing us every time we stopped and ya ta
ta. He circled and came back and we got her...adventurous right? I loved it!
But Karolina absolutely did not. "If I am here on time, she better be too.
I don’t feel fucking bad at all". She was so pissed and didn’t give half
an ass because she has OCD. Whatever, I like Ellie so I tried to be positive.
So, as we kept going, I had, again my 5 seats in the back row, and Ellie came
back by me thinking she wanted to join me and because she wasn’t an Indian or
an Asian, why not? Nope, realized why she was back here with me. She needed to
puke. Yup, there she went. Disgusting....there went 5 perfectly comfortable
seats all to me. But I met these other girls from BU and they were all really
freaking chill! And they were also all in a sorority so they were excited I was
too. We bonded and they’re going to Italy the second week of break and missing St
Paddys day eeeeeeee. Anyways, the girl I was sitting next to, Laura, very nice,
also started feeling sick. I was getting lucky today. At least I didn’t care
much. It was actually pretty funny how this all worked out. Anyways, our first
place we stopped was Kinsley. This place was a cute little town on a harbor.
There were some boats on sand because it seemed like there was not enough water
running. I went to the tourist office and she said the only thing to do was go
see he fort. So that’s exactly what I did. Karolina was OCDing hat we wouldn’t
be back in time so decided not to go. Well, the day just got better because I
still did. I went on this road that I don’t think anyone else did and just kept
walking to find the fort, ruins. The houses here were so beautiful and each one
was called something else. It was hard to capture through photographs but I was
able to see the entire town where everyone went and did the norm, and then I
saw a big fancy bridge, another island across, and the fort was huge, not to
mention the sun and sky were just about perfect! The way everything was hitting
watch other was just altogether perfect. I walked into people’s backyards and
took some photos also. I couldn’t make it to the fort though because it was too
far. I had to head back. I had 10 minutes to spare, so I went to buy food at a
place called spar. It’s a huge chain of food stores. I bought some mushrooms
and bananas and walked back with a huge smile on my face :) next stop, FOTA.
This was the biggest outdoor zoo in Ireland. There was a big open field for
zebras to roam and another for buffalo. This place was just really exciting. I’ve
seen most of all the animals but it looked so much better here, there was a
small little bear looking thing called the red panda I thought was really cute.
We finished kind of early so Karolina, OCD, wanted to head back on the bus but
I went on and got off again. Didn’t need to be on the bus any longer than
necessary. I walked off and went to get some more hot water and roam around
like usual. It was so nice out. Then, finally the stupid smelly (like barf)
bus.
At this point, I was starting to get
really cold but we had another stop. The Jameson distillery. I was really
excited about this one. I learned that every drink of Jameson has to go through
this distillery. We started off watching a video, which I think I fell asleep
during. We went through each room, but most were kind of outside. I talked a
lot to Ellie, the girl that threw up on the bus. She is such a sweet heart but
can go hard. It was nice to get to know other people other than hanging with Karolina
and John, the typical. Then, the last place we were chosen to be the certified
Jameson taste testers. I and 7 other people were chosen. We sat down at a
table, while everyone else got their free mixed drink of Jameson, and we were
given 3 shots of Jameson: scotch, smoked whisky, and Irish whisky I think. And
then, a mixed drink. These were so legit. I felt so official, especially after
they brought out the certified preprint Jameson credentials. This is where I
met Jen, who is friends with a girl in my sorority. She goes to BU and she is
so nice. I don’t know why but she actually like contacts me and asks me to do
things. It is kind of nice. Well, we took our shots, which were not the
greatest, and then took the Jameson glasses, and then headed to the gift shop. I
didn’t need the gift shop no mo because I got myself a girt fo free!
I was ready to peace out and go
home. At this point, my feet had been wet all day and I was sitting in the
front of the bus because I couldn’t handle the stench of the barf(is). I talked
to Chels, and then got off the bus. At this point, I lost my headphones and don’t
know why…I am still freaking out about this. I was ready to run to Dunnes
Stores, get me some parsnips for dinner and go home. I was freezing and hungry.
Ready to go home and not spend money and then go out. Instead, after telling
Karolina and John about the top of the hill in the city and how it overlooked a
beautiful view of the city during my run, they wanted to see it. Almost perfect
timing because it was dusk. Then, we headed to Dunnes, which was closed. And
then trying to find Tesco! Tesco is saving my butt here. It is like Jewel. I
love Tesco. Cheap food and has all the essentials. We walked in and I really
wanted beets and I don’t know why. The first thing Karolina saw was a baguette
for 1 euro. Snatch. She was game. It was like 2 ft. long. Then she got a small
package of ham and cheese. John did the same. This ended up being around 3
euros and was good for 2 meals for her haha. I got myself the beets and
parsnips I wanted and carrots, because they were a euro. I think we did really
well. I felt like my mouth was blue and I was ready to head back. So, we
finally got back and all I had been saying was how much I wanted to shower.
Well, I ate dinner, which took a lot longer than planned, but I loved it. I
missed that food. It was absolutely perfect. John stayed with me and talked. He
is so casual and such a nice guy. Goes with the flow. He was probably amazed at
how much and what I ate. OMG such a good dinner. Then, we noticed I had like 20
minutes until we were supposed to meet up again to go out with the group. I
still had to shower but ew who wants that. So, I ran into the shower. It was lukewarm,
had only 2 of the 3 parts of the door, and you had to hit the knob to get the
shower going and then it would only stay on for like 10 seconds, literally.
Well, what are you going to do? Just shower and peace out if you can. So, I did
that, got ready and off we went to Old Oak Pub in Cork. The ESN people taking
us had no idea where it was but that was fine because Karolina and John did,
but no one really listened to them either. From the outside, it looked a lot
smaller but then after walking in, we found out they had like 5 rooms and even
an upstairs! The night went on. I didn’t want to talk to just John and Karolina
all night so I talked with the girls I met from Belgium (one of them, Selene, I
ran with on Monday with running club and some other girls). They were all very
nice and I had a good time getting to know all the others. Then, I wanted to
get an Irish coffee but didn’t want to pay 5 euro for it so decided against it.
But while I was waiting at the bar with the other girls, I met a girl from
Indiana that goes to Purdue and she let me try hers, again, people here are so
nice.
We went back and I still was there
chilling out. We were able to go upstairs if we wanted and it was more dancing
and like a club but no one was really going. Then, we met a French guy who was
actually really funny and nice! Actually, I met the French guy and invited John
over and then Karolina came. This guy was hilarious and really funny. One joke
I remember, “What is the difference between a zit and a priest?” At least one
of them waits until the kid turns 12 to squirt white stuff all over their face.
I didn’t think it was that funny, but everyone else did. But ya, this guy was
really funny. His name was Remi and the first French guy not a really annoying
or mean person. Around 12 we started to head home because we were tired and
nothing was really happening. John, Karolina and I went home and Karolina
talked again for a while, but this time I didn’t have head phones to tune her
out. Luckily, she didn’t really talk as much as last night, the hour and a
half. But I did talk to Adam, like always, I like talking to him before bed. It
is nice.
