i just got back from travelling europe and boy is my but tired..

So I had this witty recap post that somehow got deleted. Nevertheless here is what I can remember from it:

Thousands of miles crossed, eight cities, seven different airports, six countries, five beaches, four national transit lines, three languages “learned”, two seas, two battlefields, one channel, one ocean, one French beauty, and an empty bank account.

Overall, it was amazing. I’m going to write about each consecutive week in a separate post, although the week in Ireland may take a bit because I am waiting for the photos from Chris. But here is a list to recap what went down.

Best Country: Ireland
Everyone needs to visit this place. Doesn’t really matter where you go as there is so much there. Just stay away from Dublin.

Best City: Galway
An Irish college town! Why wouldn’t it be the best?

Most Touristy Spot: Venice
Although it was really beautiful and interesting, the amount of tourists was appalling. No wonder the city is losing population in droves. That, and its sinking into the sea.

Biggest Disappointment: Dublin
Speaking of touristy spots, Dublin was way too crowded to be enjoyable. It was like some simulacra of Irish Culture. Yuck.

Best Pub: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, London.
The BEST eating and drinking establishment I have ever been to. If you're ever in London, visit this place. You wont regret it.

Best Scenery: Dingle
Okay, the whole of Western Ireland could fit into this category with the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, the Ring of Kerry, and the entire northwestern part (which we didn’t have time to explore). But with the quietness and isolation of Dingle, and the view from our hostel, it was the best.

Best Hostel: the Ballintaggart Hostel, Dingle
The murdered wife of the Earl of Cork allegedly haunts this old manor house. But unfortunately, she did not visit Chris and I. Instead, we paid a bargain 15 euro a night for our own private room with shower. (We should have had roommates, but late October isn’t necessarily tourist season). And the view in the morning was simply amazing.

I want to add an appendix to this title, as the hostel in Belfast is well worth mentioning. If ever there, stay at Arnie’s Backpackers as they had wonderful people, a great vibe, and the kindest hostess ever. This place is what being a hostel is all about.

Best Beach: Nice
And it wasn’t because it was topless (which Mariah and I discovered to our chagrin). The weather was 21.5˚ Celsius, which is about 70+ degrees Fahrenheit, and the Mediterranean Sea was this bright blue, almost turquoise. Best beach picnic ever too.

Most Powerful Sight: The Murals in Belfast.
The American Cemetery at Normandy should normally be #1. But I think because I hardly knew anything about the intense, crazed conflict that occurred in Northern Ireland that it takes the top spot. To learn how there was an actual war going on thirty years ago, to view how each side commemorated their involvement with hauntingly beautiful murals, and see the walls that still exist to segregate the Loyalist and Republican neighborhoods was probably the highlight of the entire trip. I wish we had more time and money to take a tour of the battlegrounds and learn more contexts. Everyone needs to learn about this clash, as it’s a shame that my generation (myself included) only know of it as some conflict between Catholics and Protestants, which is a gross inaccuracy.

Worst Bank: Bank of America.
When I get Stateside, I am switching banks. No more outrageous user and conversion fees for Timmy!