5 days in Dublin...

Sorry to all our faithful followers back at home (DD) but we didn't have a computer at our last hostel. We travelled to Dublin by ferry and the whole time couldn't help but notice how similar the climate and boat was to our own B.C ferries. When we arrived on the other side we were met by wind and rain, again, not much unlike home. Dublin is not very large in comparison to London and so we were able to navigate withhout too much trouble. We found our hostel on the Aston QUAY or (kway) according to Lumpy. At first sight we were a little scepticle. What used to be a reception desk was now a giant ashtray littled with cigarette butts, some were even still smoldering when we walked in. Upstairs was alright though, the people were very friendly and the decor a little outdated but reasonably clean. Alana screwed up the first nights booking because she for some reason thought that booking for the 14th meant the 15th? Who knows. I slept alone the first night in a 6 person dorm and then the next night the girls were able to join me in the room that was originally booked. The only issue with the room was that the shower had no border to it and the curtain was hanging by only a few hooks so by the time I made it in there, after the 2 girls, I practically had to swim to the shower, toilet and sink. Our first real outing in Dublin was to the Wicklow mountains. The bus trip up was amazing. The Irish countryside seemed so perfect and there was lots of sheep, I like sheep. However, once we finally reached our destination, a hike through a graveyard and monastery called Glendalough, we were slightly disapointed. For some, the two lakes and semi-mountainous terrain would be impressive but for British Columbians it was like any other day. We had 4 hours before we could get back and needless to say we were bored and getting rained on. We went into the visitor center and met a guy named Dara. He told us some of the clubs and pubs that were good to go to and other tourist info and then offered us a ride back. We sped down the mountain in a fraction of the time and listened to him talk about Irish life, awesome guy, great stories, it was truly a pleasure meeting him. He even helped us figure out which tram to take into the city (he lived in the suburbs) and bought the tickets for us. That night we took his advice and went to Wheelans. Picture the Blarney stone but double it in size and then chop it up into rooms and sections with stairs leading to the most random of places, thats what this place was like. Live music and Guiness, it was a good night. We met a couple of Irishmen, John and Greg. Good guys, very generous and harmless except Greg wanted to take Lumpy as his wife. The next day we stayed in Dublin and checked out the monuments around the city. St. Patricks cathedral was pretty cool but I must say, so far, nobody builds a monument like the British so the Irish one's paled in comparison. That night we had such a good time at Wheelans we decided to go again. After a long nap we made our way there and literally spent the night crowd surfing, the place was packed, obviously there is no capacity laws there and god help them if there was ever a fire. The next day we were bunk. There is a feeling of guilt when you're in a foreign country but all you want to do is stay in a relax, plus we needed to save some money so we just hung out in the room, played card games and drank wine half of which I spilled all over the place. That night we went to YO!SUSHI. It's a franchise in the UK and now Ireland of conveyer belt sushi restaurants but longer than anything you've seen in Vancouver, in fact, they are the longest sushi conveyer belts in the world. Brandon Clark would eat until death or his visa was maxed out because the place was just so H and U. Bellies full, we went back to the room and went to bed early. Next day we met Jon, a new roomate. Again, great guy. We rode on his coat tails to some cliffs where he taught us how true backpackers are supposed to eat, baguette, cheese, some shaved hame and the cheapest wine we could find. It was so good we had it for dinner. That was our final day in Dublin, it was raining and it will continue to rain there everyday until the end of time. Today we flew to Paris via Ryanair for 5 euros plus 50 euros in tax so really not as good as it sounds but far better than home. First impressions of Paris are good, our first hostel is new and clean but not in a great area so we will be sure to book one more central in two days. We did some much needed laundry today. I have enough trouble with laundry but combine that with a language I'm fairly weak at, it was not a great experience. To bed early tonight, we were up at 3 30 this morning.

Until next time....
Jevon

London Day 3

Well we officially have experienced the London night life. We went to this place called "The Court" it was a place where alot of the University students went to kinda of let go it was cheap and very much a younger hang out. After that pub closed we went to a club called " The Roxy" just down the street. It was a blast it was 2 for 1 beers and Jevon was in heaven. It had really good music but the people in London dont dance the same as us, they dont grind they do things like the sprinkler, running man, mashed potatoe and they just kind of groove it hilarious and its more fun so much less pressure. Before the night life began had experienced a large part of LOndon by day. We did a walking tour which was 4 hours long but we saw things like Buckingham Palace, Changing of the gaurds, The Queens Parade, The Princess's houses,learned alot aboout Oliver Cromwell and Churchill, Trafalger square,and West minister Abbey. There was alot more but those are just some of the big points. After that we went to a little cafe for lunch and some cocktails and food and then managed to make our way to the British Museum. The British museum was really good but mmy favourite part was the Egyptian part it was crazy to think that all the mummies were once living and they were just so close ( kinda hard to take in). Anyways I am going to head out we managed to miss our walking tour this morning because of our escapades last night so we have to make our own walking tour today. WIsh us luck, hopefully we dont get lost :S
Talk to you soon.

London Day 1 and 2

What up people who care where we are,

This is our first blog of eurotrip 09. The flight was long and loud. No sleep was accomplished but we watched a lot of movies and pee'd a lot. Benjamin Buttons was long but good, yes man was terrible and alana cried watching marley and me. After the flight we walked for what seemed like forever through the massive Heathrow. We took the "tube" but obviously the wrong one because its confusing as hell. Don't call it the subway or skytrain, they lose it in London apparently. We walked for 2 and a half hours in circles asking anybody where the non existent hostel was or so we thought at the time. Caitlyn moaned about her stomach and how short her legs were while I chose to say nothing because I had nothing nice to say (we were all jet lagged and grumpy). We found our hostel after realizing that travel places are the best for directions (DUHHH). It's nice, private room, shower room it seems because everything gets wet. Bunk beds are alright, little small and hard but they do the trick. No bed bugs hopefully. We bought some cheap phones but have no idea how the numbers work here (super long with ridiculous intervals). Jet lag really set in but we are getting over it. I had a massive breakfast this morning, beans toast, bacon, sausage, egg, mush, a half cooked tomato (dd would hate the tomato). It's a tour day today. 2 hour walking tour and then British museum. It's alana's turn next so she can tell you all about it.

Over and out