Who names their kid PEETA?

While on the topic of super-fan-crazed-book-series-that-become-huge-box-office-hits...I broke down and bought/read The Hunger Games. It's not that I didn't think it was going to be good, I just really had no interest in the story (sounds verrrrry similar to HP and the Goblet of Fire if you ask me). Well, my friends and I planned on going to the movie tomorrow and the true nerd in me knew I couldn't go see the movie without reading the book first. So, I bought it Monday afternoon. Finished it last night. I definitely understand the hype. I HAD to finish it ASAP 50 pages in. This was semi-bad timing seeing as I have a paper due tomorrow...Regardless, a few hours and 450 pages later, I liked it. I mean it didn't blow me out of the water plot wise or anything, but it was realllly difficult to put down. A lot of books are like that though - this world needs to read more.

I've heard the movie is pretty good, too. Hopefully it will stay close to the book!

Guster - Two At A Time

April 2, 2012
EDIT: The movie was pretty good. I disagree with a lot of the stuff the author/screenwriter focused on or left out but apparently it's setting up for the other movies. Overall, it was some good stuff!

You're a wizard, Harry

After all of my previous Harry Potter talk...
I have never really been a HUGE Harry Potter fan. I mean, I do like the series a fairly good amount. I read the books pretty much the day they came out (in fear they would be ruined by the internet), and I've seen all of the movies - but putting that in super-fan perspective really doesn't notch me too high on the HP totem pole.


If you didn't know, right here in the heart of Edinburgh, the Harry Potter series originated.  Apparently this was common knowledge for a lot of people. I, on the other hand, had no idea before coming here. Whoops. I guess I should've done my homework. Anyway, J.K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter books in the small cafe, The Elephant House, which overlooks Greyfriar's Cemetery and the Edinburgh Castle. It is also said that she wrote a lot in Spoon Cafe & Bistro. But at the time it was under a different name - but who cares about Spoon, the focus is clearly on the Elephant House here...and let's be honest, a cafe filled with nothing but hundreds ELEPHANTS???? It does not get any better.

Right behind Greyfriar's is George Heriots School *AKA* Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This was once a school dedicated solely to the education of orphans (both Harry and Voldemort were orphans and were sent away to school. Coincidence? I think not). George Heriots School is now one of the most expensive schools in Scotland but as the Scots love tradition, they still hold open two spots for orphans. And if you were still doubting this was Hogwarts, the school has four towers (Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Jigglypuff anyone?). The school is set just behind Greyfriar’s Cemetery and south of Edinburgh Castle. In fact, you can see all three from the back window of the Elephant House. (I actually ate at the restaurant last weekend. Superb. Although I could've just been on an elephant high...)

Elephant Chair!!!

Perhaps the best part of HP history one can find in Edinburgh is actually within Greyfriars itself. Apparently, on her breaks from writing, would walk around the cemetery. You will find at least SIX namesakes that lent their names to the Harry Potter series. I already mentioned the worst poet in Scotland, William McGonagall. You can also find Moodie (Moody), Potter, Black, Grainger (Granger). 

The most famous grave although, and coincidentally the most difficult to find is that of Tom Riddle Senior and Tom Riddle Junior – Actually, it’s Thomas Riddell Esq. and his son, Thomas Riddell Esq. Spooky.

I also found this on another blog while looking for details around the HP significance in Greyfriar's, 

"If you’ve seen JK’s drawing of the Hogwarts grounds, it’s quite clear that Hogwarts was based off of Edinburgh castle with the one side that sweeps down gently away from the castle, which turns into the Royal Mile (aka High Street in Hogsmeade), and the other three sides where the Cliffside is as steep as when the iceberg first came along and ran right into Castle Rock. On the north side of the castle is what was once Norloch, or North lake, also known (to my tour guide anyway) as the Great Lake of Poo. It was once where all the bodily waste of the city collected, and the site of witch trials. It’s now the Princes Garden where you can walk where the witches were once drowned."

They also go on to say,

"The Royal Mile (which is actually a mile and 107 yards long) is clearly where Hogsmeade is derived from. A street lined with bricks, stocked with cheesy tourist fare and plenty of tartan, it winds downhill away from the castle and ends with Holyrood palace (which is clearly the inspiration for all Disney movies ever)."

^The Disney comment made me laugh. So true.

This one goes out to the kids in the trees..

Last week I made my first (and not last) trip to Glasgow to see the band Dispatch play at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut. A cheap, less than 1 hour train ride away, Glasgow surprised me. I really wish I had spent the day there before the concert! Everyone in Edinburgh (and the rest of Scotland in general) talks about Glasgow as if it is this dirty dungeon of a city. Personally, I thought, if Edinburgh is the Boston of Scotland, Glasgow was just the New York...and a more friendly, CLEAN New York at that! I am definitely taking a day trip there once classes are over.

Anyway, Conor told me about this concert when it was announced back in December. At the time I was pretty nervous about this semester in general, so I was a little weary about buying a SINGLE ticket for it - having no idea if I could get someone to come with me. The prospect of just "finding someone when I was here" was pretty intimidating at the time. Regardless, Conor INSISTED that I buy a ticket knowing that the first show of their first ever European tour was a MUST-GO, alone or not! I was further convinced when he informed me that the venue that they were playing at had the capacity for only 300 people! Seriously this place was practically smaller than my bedroom.

He sold me on that. The first time I saw Dispatch was at Madison Square Garden in the summer of 2007 - so, what's that? sold out 30,000 people? This past summer I saw them again at Boston Garden, and again, 30,000 people??? All compared to THREE HUNDRED.  (Let's not forget their 110,000 person show at the Hatchshell in 2004, either) There was no way I couldn't go!

Coincidentally, one of my first few days of Arcadia orientation I found that this girl Emily had also bought a single ticket! At the time I had no idea that we would become best friends! And since we were both going - a few of our other friends bought tickets before they sold out. Golden.

The day had finally come and it was nothing short of AMAZING. I really wish I had the perfect words to describe it. We managed to get front row!!! FRONT ROW! I have never had front row for a show I didn't have a seat for (I think). And there was no struggle whatsoever...where we were standing didn't even have a barrier in front of it. Of course, there is always at least one person that annoys the crap out of you at a show - and miraculously the drunk idiot got herself kicked out before it started. Perfection. I thought I was dreaming. 

The set was fantastic, as expected. But being so close to the band in general (2 feet!?) it was even more amazing to watch them interact. Each had this nervous excited expression of almost disbelief almost the whole night. Not only was their first European show ever, but it was also in Scotland. I mean, I love it here, but I would probably feel the same way too. The next night they were playing in London in a venue of I think 3000 people, and London is well, London...they said they were unsure if anyone would show up to Glasgow. Despite this, it turns out they absolutely LOVE Scotland. I think a lot of it is from Braveheart (which is dangerous to say actually in Scotland due to the idiocy of Mel Gibson's interpretation). I guess in their taxi from the airport their driver told them, in response to their attempted Scottish accents, to lay off the Mel Gibson. HAHAHA. Anyway, being so close, although I loved the music, I think I almost liked watching them interact with each other, and the crowd, a little better.

And Chad's wife had a baby two weeks before, and she was there! Awww

I'm going to post the set list for my own future reference. But they played all good stuff! Unfortunately we missed the last two songs of the encore because we had to absolutely sprint to the train in order to make it back to Edinburgh that night. I can't complain - it was a beyond amazing night and I still got to see Elias.

1. Melon Bend
2. Time Served
3. Here We Go
4. Bang Bang
5. Lightning
6. Valentine
7. Two Coins
8. Open Up
9. Passerby
10. Past the Falls
11. Prince of Spades
12. Bullet Holes
13. Outloud
14. The General
15. Elias (encore)
16. Flying Horses (encore)
17. Bats in the Belfry (encore)

Greyfriar's Bobby

In addition to Harry Potter and the hauntings, Greyfriar's other claim to media fame is BOBBY! A DOG! And if you are actually reading my blog, there's a good chance you know how I feel about dogs. One of my top three favorite things in this world! (Of which I have been unfairly deprived of the last 20 years of my life - but this blog isn't for one of my everlong dog rants - be happy for that MOM). And this is not just any dog, probably the most loyal dog EVER. So loyal that many movies have been made about him - the most recent/famous from 2006.

Bobby belonged to John Gray, who worked for the Edinburgh City Police as a night watchman, and the two were inseparable for the surprisingly short period of two years. In 1858, Gray died of tuberculosis. He was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard. Bobby, who survived Gray by FOURTEEN years, is said to have spent the rest of his life sitting on his master's grave. Other accounts have said that he spent a great deal of time at Gray's grave, but that he left regularly for meals at a restaurant beside the graveyard (which is appropriately called Greyfriar Bobby's Bar now) , and may have spent colder winters in nearby houses. 

Bobby died in 1872 and could not be buried within the cemetery itself, since it was and remains consecrated ground. He was buried instead just inside the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard, not far from John Gray's grave. 

There's gotta be something about Scottish dogs. They really are unbelievably trained and loyal. Probably 80% of the dogs you see here (and there are oh so many) are never on leashes - partly because I don't think there are leash laws - but also because they are SO loyal to their owners. They never stray away! Ugh. It's not fair. I need one. NEED!

Alexi Murdoch - All My Days

Who Ya Gonna Call?

Greyfriars Cemetery (Hey Dad!) and Kirkyard have become pretty well known through the media over the past few decades – many can relate to the story of Greyfriar’s Bobby, and of course Harry Potter (more detailed Harry Potter/JK Rowling post to follow soon).

According to Wikipedia:

“The Greyfriars Cemetery is reputedly haunted. One such haunt is attributed to the restless spirit of the infamous 'Bloody' George Mackenzie buried there in 1691. The 'Mackenzie Poltergeist' is said to cause bruising, bites and cuts on those who come into contact with it and many visitors have reported feeling strange sensations. A schoolboy, hiding in the vault to escape a beating from a master at George Heriot's School, supposedly got trapped here and lost his mind on being confronted by the ghost. Visitors who take a ghost tour, which has access to the Covenanters' Prison, have reportedly emerged with injuries they have no recollection of sustaining. Even more interestingly, a number of deaths have taken place in the Kirkyard itself. The television show Scariest Places on Earth featured Greyfriars Cemetery.”

Let me just say, that while I knew it was supposedly “very haunted” I did not know any of that information about the actual hauntings until just now after looking that up. Wow. Next time I go back, I don’t think it will be a night. Anyway, a few nights ago Audrey and I were looking for something to do after class one night and decided to walk over there to find some of the Harry Potter graves (like I said, more detailed Harry Potter post will be added soon!). We didn’t really think about the time/sun and ended up getting there when it was virtually dark. So, we didn’t see any Harry Potter grave stones, but we did decided to stay and walk around. It was pretty creepy but I definitely was nervous or scared to be there. And I got home virtually unscathed – no mysterious bites or scratches. But upon uploading Audrey’s pictures later, it proved that we otherwise maybe SHOULD have been. I can’t really say I previously had an opinion of the existence of ghosts nor do I still, but DAMN! CHECK OUT THESE ORBS!

Pretty frightening! But at least they’re just a few strange photos and not the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. But just in case, Bill Murray, where are you?!

I still plan on going back. I need to find Tom Riddle! Greyfriars is also home to the worst poet in Scotland: William McGonagall (I know, more Harry Potter).

Stereophonics - Dakota

St. Paddy's Day: Slainte! Erin go Bragh! Ceid mile failte!

I know, I know – I really haven’t updated this in awhile. I’m trying to squeeze the time in, and I just keep losing it. I have been so, SO busy this month. In fact, I’m a little hesitant in consciously believing the past few weeks have happened. Is it really almost April? Are my classes really OVER next Friday??  Anyway, I have been keeping a mental list of different things I wanted to write about in here. I must start before I lose them forever!

While I realize that this isn’t exactly THAT relevant because I am in Scotland and not Ireland, I still need to talk about it for a few reasons other than the fact that I just love the Irish and it is one of the most Americanized holidays, ever. ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

#1. Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day. Clearly!

#2. I saw B*Witched. Live. For free. At an Irish bar (Three Sisters!). Anyone between the ages of 16 and 25 should have at least the slightest but of appreciation for this, stemmed from some good old ‘90s nostalgia. Described as “the most successful Irish pop-girl band,” any American should know them from their Disney-ified hit C’EST LA VIE! Good stuff. No, GREAT stuff! Being that they’re from the UK area, they were a little more popular here – in fact, some people knew every word to all of the songs they played. Clearly I only knew C’est La Vie…which they played twice…first and last. Being that they’re probably 35 now (and I guess called The Barbarellas?) and still only known for a ridiculous song that was released in 1998 says something sad, but hey! Who am I to judge?? And I cannot lie, IT WAS SO FUN. Not that I didn’t think it would be, but there is no way I was going to pay for it if I had initially thought I had to.  If only I had been prepared with a DENIM TUX (which they’ve unfortunately moved on from)…

#3. Traditional Irish Breakfast – COMPLETE with a pint of Guinness. B*Witched was technically on the 16^th, so the next morning, on the actual St. Patrick’s Day, my friends and I got up nice and early for some traditional Irish breakfast at Biddy Mulligan’s Pub. It was here that at we all (for the most part) braved a pint of Guinness with a surprisingly (it was 10AM!!) drunken crowd of Irish and Irish enthusiasts! Other than the Guinness breakfast involved toast, egg, potato scone, hash brown, tomato, mushroom, beans, sausage, bacon, blood pudding, and HAGGIS (I know, the Haggis is not Irish, but you’ve gotta cut Scotland a little slack). While I’ve found here that the traditional Irish/Scottish breakfast (virtually the same thing) isn’t really my thing, I knew I had to get it. Not only did I get it, but I also TRIED THE HAGGIS. And honestly, it’s really not bad. It’s pretty stereotyped so I feel like that’s why a lot of people are afraid of it – while it’s hard NOT to do that because of the stereotype, I feel that if everyone knew EXACTLY what they were eating all the time, stereotyped or not, there would be a lot of “normal” food that would start to be looked at prettttty weirdly.

 Guinness & Claddaugh

Audrey & I

Blood pudding on the other hand is NEVER happening. EVER. I’d like to think I’m pretty open to trying all kinds of food but I need  to draw the line somewhere – and that somewhere is MILES behind blood pudding. Ew.

The day itself was also SO BEAUTIFUL! Here’s a lovely photo of Shelby, Meredith, Audrey, Kelly, and I on the National Monument – an afternoon of sunshine and cupcakes on Calton Hill.

Blueberry Cheesecake...MMMMM

ps: POG MO THOIN! (:

Meet Me In the Morning – Bob Dylan

Talihina Sky – Kings of Leon

Things I Miss: Volume 1

This Saturday marks the two month point of my arrival in Edinburgh. Every time someone asks me, from home or otherwise, how my semester is and how I like Scotland, my usual reply is, "Do you even need to ask? I never want to leave!"While that still remains true, haha, there are a few things I DO miss.

• ICED COFFEE: This is a big one. I had no prior idea coming here that my addiction would be forced into sobriety. I would also like add, before I go any further, that I enjoy REAL coffee -- none of that "French Vanilla XX" garbage. Thanks to taste tests from my dad when I was a lot younger, I have never been a sugared coffee offender. Additionally, I am not just referring to Dunkin' Donuts. There are Starbucks and other coffee shops all over the place - just without the iced option. While I still drink hot coffee here though only occaisonally, and actually A LOT of tea, I still miss the iced. It's not like I need one everyday or anything, but sometimes, I'd like a little caffeinated refreshment. Mmmmm. Mom and Dad, I expect to have one waiting for me on May 26th. You know what they say: once an addict, always an addict.

• WORKING DRYERS: I know a lot of people hate doing laundry, but for me, other than the folding, it really doesn't bother me. What does bother me although, is the lack of working dryers in my flat. I had heard through other students that they "didn't really work" but I still figured I give it a try anyway. My first attempt, they provided a 40% dry. My second, 10%. And today, my third, I think they came out more wet than I put them in. Not a BIG deal, but the fact that I not only paid a few pounds for this, but also that I will now have half of my wardrobe hanging around the limited space my room provides for the next 3 days is pretty annoying.

• WORKING INTERNET: The unbelievable incapability of the internet anywhere, other than the Uni campus, in addition to the complete lack of care or help from the Accommodations office and the actual Network "providing"it is probably the most unnerving thing I have encountered here so far. I can't even get into it.

• LAKE CHAMPLAIN SUNSETS: On a lighter note, haha, while I am NOT missing UVM Spring Semester weather, I do, like anyone who has spent any time in Burlington should, miss the amazing sunsets on Lake Champlain.

• PANDORA: While anyone with slightly above the curve internet knowledge can make up for the lack of Hulu access outside of the US (I'm saying it's really easy to find TV shows streaming online), finding an alternative to Pandora is a little more difficult. Spotify, although popular, isn't really doing it for me, nor is it really what I'm looking for. I use Pandora to study/do homework virtually everyday at home. Maybe that's why I haven't really been "into" school? (: Just kidding Mom.....a little. 

• TALKING ROOMMATES: I know I only briefly mentioned my roommates in one of my first few entries, but since then, nothing has changed. One guy, who was another study abroad student, I'm pretty sure moved out. I only saw him once. The only two other girls in the flat...I've also only seen once. No exaggeration. That leaves Jonathan and Max - while I awkwardly encounter them in the kitchen a few times a week, if not daily, they've probably said 30 words to me, cumulatively. Yeah. I've given up on them! It's nice to have my own space, but I wish it wasn't so weird when I do see them.

• FRIENDS & FAMILY: Yeah...I GUESS I had to add this one in. Emphasis on the "guess." I'm actually kidding this time. I, OF COURSE miss my friends and family a ton! I really wish sometimes that everyone I love could be here with me, experiencing what I am so lucky to be living in.

Hopefully I'll make a Volume 2 soon. Stay tuned!

No song today, instead Creating Scotland class, haha. Coincidentally the topic today is Gaelic Poetry/Song. Sounds interesting right? Not so much. 

The beginning of the end?

While it is only the beginning of March - it is also time to plan my spring break, and as EXCITING as that is, it also made me realize that March is my last "real" month in Edinburgh -- WHERE IS THE TIME GOING?! Classes end April 6, and from April 6th to the 30th is our Spring/Easter break. Although it will not be all fun and games for me, as I have two finals due the 30th, it is shaping up to be pretty great.

Leaving the first two-ish weeks to get my work done, the latter half is tentatively going to fall this way:
April 13/14: Headed up to the Highlands to my Scottish friend Brodie's house
April 15: Leaving from Brodie's to Glasgow Airport to Barcelona, Spain
April 16/17: Spending a day or two in Barcelona before going to Malgrat del Mar
April 19: Heading back to Barcelona to fly to Budapest, Hungary
April 21: Flying from Budapest to Krakow, Poland
April 23: Training from Krakow to Prague, Czech Republic
April 26: Flying from Prague back to Edinburgh!

I get back just in time for the arrival of Conor and Kayla on April 27th, who stay 'til May 1st. And during that time my parents will arrive on April 29th and stay until May 7th. Sometime between May 1st and the 25th I'll have my last final (not announced, yet). And as much as I hate to admit it -- I will be leaving a little more than two weeks after that to return home on May 25th!!! Now that my spring break plans are settled, for the most part, the reality of my inevitable departure from this amazing semester is upon me! But right now, all I can really focus on is how lucky I am to be here in general. 

(I would reallllly like to get to Paris before I leave, too. We'll have to see how my bank account is holding up by May though)

Swan Lake

Went on another adventure this afternoon to the gardens behind Hollyrood Palace. SO MANY HUGE SWANS (owned by the Queen, haha). Seriously, massive! And there were so many small children feeding them. That did not look very safe to me. Those suckers are NOT nice. But the lighting on the water and surroundings looked so nice, so I had to stay and explore.

They were so nonchalant about it. Yeah, my kids would NOT be doing this.

I then found that CRUNCHIE MCFLURRIES exist in UK McDonald's. How happy am I?!

Lana Del Ray - Summertime Sadness

Oh Captain, My Captain!

Enjoy your retirement Tek - #33 forever!

Minor UK drawback: No one likes, cares, or understands baseball

Dispatch - Beto

Forty Shades of Green: Ireland

Ohhhhh Ireland, how I missed you so! I was obviously a little biased going into the second half of the trip since I am SO lucky to have been to the beautiful Emerald Isle before (best grandparents ever! (: ), yet it still surprised me! I managed to have a better time than I ever thought - almost so much that I felt a little teeny tiny twinge of regret for not studying abroad there. But only a little! I LOVE EDINBURGH, and am oh so happy here! Regardless, four days in Ireland was NOT enough. I need to go back ASAP.

Arrival in Dublin was a little rough due to timing and lack of sleep, but getting to our LUXURY hostel changed everything. It was unbelievably nice. Practically a hotel. If anyone is traveling I highly recommend Generator hostels. I know there are a bunch of other locations around Europe.

(appropriate chandelier in the hostel, haha)

The first day was a lot of just wandering and planning. We had to obviously budget tours in Dublin and day trips around - figuring what was free, and how much everything cost. For the four days planned we did two day trips. The first trip was a MacCoole family Cliffs of Moher and Burren tour, the second a Wicklow and Glendalough tour. After scheduling we walked around Dublin sight-seeing various places like Christ Church Cathedral, and St. Patrick's Cathedral and gardens. We explored Camden Street, Temple Bar, St, Stephen's Green park, etc. etc. Found ahhhhmazing gelato (in Ireland? weird right?) - but seriously. SO. GOOD. We had a pretty early night in preparation for our early trip the next morning!

Upon meeting one of our guides at the tourist office the next morning we hopped on a bus to Galway (about a 2.5 hour ride) for our MacCoole family Burren tour. The brochure had talked a lot about how personal the tour is, and they did not disappoint! The company is run by cousins Caroline and John MacCoole - they take you on a tour of their personal family farm on the Burren in Oughtmama. I super highly recommend this to everyone and anyone!!! The weather was absolute shit, yet still so much fun! We transfered buses in Galway and were brought to the farm. Greeted by brother/cousin/person? Daragh and king-of-the-castle-Abe-Lincoln-look-alike Uncle John and his dogs! Like I said, the weather was disgusting so they suited the fifteen people or so up in wellies and rain gear to trek through their cow and calf filled farm, and up the small mountain behind them. There was a lot of slipping, a lot of sliding, and a lot of almost dying - but everyone made it out alive! I have to say if this was in the US, we probably would have had to sign 1000 waivers, haha. Despite already knowing a lot about what they were telling us (thanks Nana!), I loved every second of it! So informative and entertaining - filled with Irish pride, limestone, and fairy trees. After we couldn't stand the cold any longer they brought everyone into their "Grannie's House" for tea and cake. There were family pictures all over the walls, and a fire burning. I was in love. I LOVE IRELAND.

We continued on our way down Galway Bay, past the Arran Island, through Ballyvaughan (deja vu, Caldwells!!) and on to the Cliffs of Moher. This, I must admit, did illicit a bit of disappointment from me - I think I am bad luck! It was my third attempt to see them, and ultimately the third time I have been hit with nothing but thick fog and wind - I JUST CAN'T WIN. They do have a new visitor center that was interesting to poke around in, but I was NOT satisfied. Such a bummer. Maybe next time! (Never thought I'd have to say that, AGAIN). Still waiting to see a Puffin.

We stopped in Doolin for lunch and I got this heavenly seafood chowder - it really made me miss RI seafood though, mmmmmm! Headed back to Galway we stopped along the way at a few castle ruins and of course the Poulnabrone Portal Tomb - definitely had some flashbacks from a few years ago. By the time we made it to Galway it was 5 or 6 (and still raining) so we just walked around for an hour or so until it was time to get the bus back to Dublin. Although the rain really hindered a lot of the tour, I still had SUCH an amazing time. I can only imagine what it would've been like with cooperating weather!

Lovely view of the cliffs

Back in Dublin, Thursday was devoted primarily to many Irishmen's favorite past time: alcohol. The Old Jameson Distillery was conveniently located right next to my hostel - and while I had heard mixed reviews about their tours, it did not disappoint. While a lot of what the tour consisted of I had previously learned at the Heineken Brewery and Scottish Whisky Tour - it had a nice Irish twist! Apparently the "Dublin way" to drink Jameson is with cranberry and lime. I definitely thought that was a little strange, especially finding out that Jameson and ginger is the ENGLISH way - but upon trying it, I was pleasantly surprised! I guess you should trust the Irish when it comes to knowing about Jameson.

After Jameson we headed over the Guinness Storehouse. As thoroughly impressed with the Heineken Brewery as I was, Guinness may have topped them by a little bit! Firstly, the building is 8 floors, IN THE SHAPE OF A PINT - now, THAT is hard to compete with. In addition, it contains the 9000 year lease originally signed by Arthur Guinness in 1759. 9000 YEARS! The whole thing was self-guided, which is nice for pace - and as I said before, although I knew a lot of it already - the tour did not disappoint (I feel like I say that a lot - Either I'm an easy critic, or just lucky! Hopefully the latter). I have always been a fan of their advertising (the toucan!) so there was a TON of that to look at too. They teach you the "proper" way to drink it in a taste test, and the tour ends on top of the Storehouse in the gravity bar with some complimentary shamrocked Guinness and amazing panoramic views of Dublin. I never really expected myself to semi-enjoy the taste - but it was coffeelike so of courseee I liked it.

Gravity Bar

They make a shamrock with the tap

Our last day, and second day trip in Ireland was Friday. Now, I don't mean to play favorites, but the last day could have been it - and I almost DIDN'T go. Less driving and more interactive, this tour was even smaller than the first! Of course it was initially raining, but luckily, it cleared up by mid-afternoon. The absolute most wonderful tour guide ever TOMMY DANDY led us in his little bus through and around the Wicklow Mountains and into Glendalough. This, too, I had virtually done in the past - but it was pretty far back, making most of it a new experience all over. And I cannot emphasize enough how fantastic our guide Tommy was and how amazing the day was in total. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone and everyone. While we didn't drive all that far we made lots of stops - if I went into too much detail this entry would be double the obnoxious length it already is. In short: Loch Bray, Oscar Wilde's childhood summer home, alllll through and around Wicklow National Park, the bridge in PS I Love You (Tommy played Galway Girl on the way...adorable), Loch Tay - "Guinness Lake", we stopped for tea and biscuits provided by the lovely Tommy and watched the beautiful sun come out, and had lunch in Glendalough Village - Lynham's of Lara. 

"Guinness Lake"

Tommy then gave us a guided tour of the St. Kevin's Monastery. While it has been TEN YEARS since the first time being there, I remembered so much of it vividly! And I couldn't help but take some "christmas card" photos - as similar as I could get to the originals of me and Conor - and of course, with one of my friends instead of him (sorry, Con!). We then had a few hours to explore the breathtaking upper and lower lakes and trails. All were color-coded depending on how long you wanted to hike for. I think the longest was up to six hours - and I honestly wish I had the time. I feel bad typing this because honestly no word or picture can really describe it. I LOVE IRELAND. I WANT TO LIVE THERE! The eventual drive back ( </3 ) was along the coast of Killiney Bay - unbelievably beautiful, of course. We even drove by Bono and Enya's houses, as well as a house once owned by both Van Morrison and Sean Penn. After saying our dreaded goodbyes and thank yous to the amazing Tommy Dandy we ended our trip at The Brazen Head - the oldest Pub in Ireland -- dating back to 1198!

Monastery 

Ten years later - thanks to Audrey for being my Conor stand-in

Tommy Dandy!

 Killiney Bay

Our flight back to Edinburgh was at 550, leaving not much time for sleep, but so worth it for the amazing week I had. I wish I could do it all over again! Somehow, someway it is already March (where does the time go?!?!?) and my spring break is swiftly approaching - I have no set plans yet, but who knows what will be in store!