Uncategorized

/ Dav / Leave a comment

Ireland 2: Day 3

04.12.18 | Dublin Hostel | 20:46

This morning I met a girl named Shannon. I believe she told me she was from Michigan. I could be wrong about that, however. Over breakfast, she told me all about bullet journaling. This is kind of a easy way to record your goals, and daily events. I really can’t explain it, but I think I want to learn more about it and figure out whether or not it’s for me. I think that it could help me in organizing my thoughts.

Today turned out to be incredible! I decided to book a day trip with a company called Wild Rover (http://www.wildrovertours.com). We left Dublin at 08:10 for the first leg. This was a 63 mile ride down to the medieval city of Kilkenny. There were some buildings and parts of the town that have been preserved since the early 1300’s! It was so cool!

Kilkenny is where Alice Kyteler was born in the year 1263. Kyteler was the very first Irish woman who was ever accused of witchcraft. Lucky for her, she fled to England in 1324 before they could burn her to death on a stake. This was all happened because her own kids accused her of using poison and witchcraft to kill her first three husbands (she was married four times).

Next, I walked to the far end of this small city, to St. Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower. The tower was fun to climb, as the steep steps were almost like climbing ladders. The view from the top was the perfect 360 degree view of Kilkenny and the surrounding area.

Afterward it was amazing to walk around the cathedral, because there were so many graves! If this is our first meeting, you need to know that I love graveyards. They fascinate the hell out me!

The second leg of this tour was through the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough. When we arrived, we all hiked through the most beautiful valley to the upper lake. On my journey, I recorded some live video on Periscope, but it would take me way too much time to upload it onto this blog (the last video took way too long, and it was only a five minute recording! This recording was over 15 minutes!).

This is one of those parts of Ireland that is so beautiful! I probably saw 37 shades of green! Perhaps I’ll return to this valley at a future date. It was very touristy, but that understandable because of the views!

The third and final leg of the journey was to visit Richard Cullen, an Irish sheep farmer and watch him herd sheep with his border collies, Bruce and Jerry. This was really cool to watch! I’ve seen this on TV before, these dogs are so well trained and disciplined! After watching this, Richard brought us all over to the shed where the newborn lambs were kept. They brought four of them out and let us all cuddle and play with them. The twins were literally born yesterday! They were so cute!

As you can see, today was perfect! The travel has wiped me out, and I’m going to sleep well tonight! Tomorrow I’m off to my next destination.

/ Dav / Leave a comment

Ireland 2: Day 2

04.11.18 | Dublin Hostel | 20:24

Dublin is such a great city! After breakfast, I just went out and explored. I didn’t want to pull out a map or any directions, so I just left the hostel and wandered in the city. I walked through the temple bar area, but just kept walking. I love doing this- I always try to get lost. Then when I do, I’ll usually just pull up the directions on my phone to get found. That’s what I did this morning.

When I was searching for dinner, I walked into a restaurant and found some guys playing traditional Irish folk music. I stopped and recorded one of their songs on Periscope. They did such a great job!

(I will upload my Periscope video when I have a better internet connection.)

After the performance, I found a great restaurant for dinner. The one with the players was so full and they didn’t have any tables available. I had some lamb shanks… at least I think that’s what I was eating. At any rate, I know there was some part of a dead, cooked lamb on my plate. It was very good!

Scotland 6: Day 42

/ Dav / Leave a comment

04.09.18 | Edinburgh Flat | 13:29

So far, today has been excellent! I found the coolest little cafe for a snack. I wish I’d discovered this place years ago, I’ve probably walked past it at least a hundred times. I got a fruit tart thingy and some hot chocolate. It still amazing me that people take the time to make the little design on top of the hot drinks. I almost hate to drink it, because I don’t want to destroy their artwork.

I went back to see the street performer do his act again. I recorded the entire thing on Periscope, and so it’s about a 45 minute video. I’m not going to upload the entire thing here, but you can definitely check it out. The guy was pretty funny, but you could tell that he’d practiced the same jokes over and over again. Something about his delivery was off. Still, he’s a great performer! To see my Periscope feed (and follow me!) go to https://www.pscp.tv/DavTravels/follow. I’m going to start doing more live videos over there.

So, I’m not much into buying souvenirs, I’ve always looked at the pictures I take as my souvenirs, so I haven’t had to spend very much money on these trips. I decided a few years back that I love skulls. It’s not to the point of obsession or anything like that, but I just think they’re cool. At home, I’ve got a few ceramic skulls from Mexico, and I decided that I would build that collection. Today I bought a new one. To be honest, I wish it was legal to own a human skull.

19:23

Tonight I had dinner at The Witchery. This is my absolute favorite restaurant in Edinburgh. It’s overpriced, with small portions, but it’s all about the ambience! I don’t often eat at fancy restaurants, but it’s fun to get dressed up and go out. This would be the ultimate restaurant to take a date… I’ll have to do that some day.

First Course: Grilled Isle of Mull Scallop, Cauliflower Purée, Curry Sauce, Apple and Coriander
Second Course: Jambonette of Perthshire Guinea Fowl ‘en croute’, sweet corn, basil, potato purée
Third Course: Pear William tarts tatin, star anise, milk ice cream

It is with great sadness that the Edinburgh part of this journey is ending tomorrow morning. Tonight I’m packing up all my stuff, and getting everything ready so in the morning, all I’ll have to do is shower, grab my stuff, and head to the airport.

Even though I’m not quite ready to come home yet, It’s time to go somewhere that I haven’t been in 11 years…

Ireland 2: Day 1

/ Dav / 2 Comments

04.10.18 | Dublin Hostel | 18:28

Now it’s time for an unexpected turn. Back in October, I was perusing the internet, looking for a cheap ticket home (I’d already found a smoking’ deal on my one-way flight to Scotland). When I found a great deal, I quickly grabbed my credit card since I thought the deal wouldn’t be going on for long (it was THAT good!). It wasn’t until I received the confirmation email that I realized that I’d accidentally purchased the ticket from Belfast… yes- Belfast is in Ireland. No biggy- I just booked a flight from THE WRONG COUNTRY!

As luck would have it, I hadn’t yet booked the last part of my accommodations, so I decided that I’d spend the last part of this trip in Ireland. It’s been 11 years since I was last in Ireland, so it’s about time! Welcome to this next chapter of my journey. I am going to call it “Ireland 2”.

I managed to get a relatively cheap flight from Edinburgh got Dublin on Ryan Air. I can’t’ remember exactly how much it cost me, but I do remember it was a good deal. On future trips, I’m going to keep a better accounting of how much everything costs, that way I’ll know exactly if someone asks me.

Dublin is a great city! Since it’s been so many years since I was last here, it’s almost like I’m here for the first time. This is great because I plan on going out tomorrow and being a total tourist. It’s been raining today, and I had to go buy another umbrella because my last one was left at the flat in Edinburgh.

So far, I’ve had a chat one kid who is from Indiana. He is traveling internationally for the very first time, and he’s by himself. I think he’s a little bit overwhelmed because he’s decided to do the U.K., and parts of Western Europe as well. I told him to just relax and try to take one day at a time. I also told him he needs to start keeping a blog or at least record his experiences in a journal of some kind.

When I first got here, I was so hungry! The desk clerk told me that I needed to go eat at O’Neill’s Pub & Kitchen. This restaurant was a buffet style of service, but it wasn’t really a buffet at all. You walked to the line, and you could see all the food in front of you, and you just ordered. I had some shepherd’s pie and it was absolutely amazing!

21:08

Tonight I walked over to Temple Bar, which is not only a bar, but it’s a section of Dublin. I will admit that it’s a very tourist-packed area, especially if you like to drink. I don’t, but what I do love is the brick streets, and the lights at night, and the crowds that gather. People-watching is a whole different ballgame when the people you’re watching have had some alcohol.

Since I didn’t have any dinner (was still fine from O’Neill’s Pub & Kitchen), I thought the healthiest option would be to have a milkshake made with Kinder candy bars.

Scotland 6: Day 41

/ Dav / Leave a comment

04.08.18 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 22:28

I don’t have a whole lot to report today. Was a slow Sunday- I walked a lot, but didn’t really go anywhere in particular. I’ve been listening to General Conference, and have been thoroughly enjoying it. Dinner was at this little Italian restaurant that is actually right underneath my flat. It was probably the most amazing one I’ve ever eaten at in my life. Will definitely be back in the future!

Scotland 6: Day 40

/ Dav / Leave a comment

04.07.18 | Edinburgh Flat | 11:05

As per usual, today was a very rainy day. My hopes of headed back up Arthur’s Seat were soon washed away. I decided to declare today a laundry day. I spent most of the morning and afternoon reading or watching movies because the laundromat that I used to use, that was located close by, is now out of business. The next closest one I could find was a good 20-minute walk.

17:09

My legs were killing me, thanks to my hike up Arthur’s Seat yesterday. I was hurting so bad, but I managed to get a massage today, and I’m surprised they were able to get me in at the last moment, especially on the weekend.

21:06

Tonight I went to dinner at The Doric, which is the oldest Gastro-pub in Edinburgh, built in the 1700’s, according to the back of the menu. So- today I made history by simply eating there.

Scotland 6: Day 39

/ Dav / 1 Comment

04.06.18 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 12:20

This morning, I was finally able to hike up to Arthur’s Seat again. I wanted to do it at the beginning of the trip, but we were in that big snowstorm, if. you recall. Even today, there was a lot of mud because of the snow storm we had two days ago. Still, it was a great climb and the views are always so breathtaking! I imagine I’ll climb it at least once more before I leave Edinburgh.

For years now, I have come across Oink, which is a restaurant that has a large, dead hog in the window. In fact, that’s really the only thing the restaurant services, they carve off this hog all day. you can get it as a sandwich if you wish. I finally got an early lunch at the place! It was quite delicious, even though I’m pretty sure that P.E.T.A. wouldn’t approve of the meal- nor the window “decor”.

Scotland 6: Day 38

/ Dav / Leave a comment

04.05.18 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 09:10

I was a little worried that I wouldn’t get much sleep last night. I’m right on High Street, and Scottish people like to drink and be out all night. They were very loud when I was trying to fall asleep, but I put in earplugs and all is well! I slept like a baby!

I woke up to completely clear skies… it feels like springtime (again)! Maybe I still needed a light jacket, but that’s really all. Speaking of jackets, I had an incident where my zipper broke on the one I brought, and so I ended up going to H&M this morning to get a new one. When I get back to the states, I’ll ask my mom if it’s worth fixing, or if I should put it in the D.I. box.

I managed to get a Periscope video while I was outside, and seeing a street performer. He was a pretty funny guy. In the background, you may be able to hear a bagpiper, and then later in the day there was a preacher on a loudspeaker who kept singing the Christmas song, Go Tell It On The Mountain, over and over again. Good times!

Scotland 6: Day 37

/ Dav / Leave a comment

04.04.18 | Glasgow > Edinburgh | 10:52

After I get off of this plane in Edinburgh, it goes on and eventually goes all the way to Penzance, as in, The Pirates of Penzance! Does anyone remember any part of the “legacy” that I left behind at Eastern Arizona College? I wanna sing and dance, I wanna sing and dance, I wanna be a pirate in the Pirates of Penzance… Is this one of those full-circle moments? I think that perhaps it is.

It’s another rainy morning in Glasgow, but not as rainy as it was the last two days. It’s ok, however, because I’m on my way back to Edinburgh, and I’m sure that means it will be sunny and in the 70s. I kid- I checked the weather and it’s pretty much the same, for a couple of days, at least. Still, I’m excited about this Edinburgh round, because I’m doing the AirB&B thing. I have secured a lovely flat, that is right on High Street, up close to Edinburgh Castle. It should be lovely.

Edinburgh, Scotland | 12:24

I called it- the weather in Edinburgh is exactly the same as it was this morning in Glasgow, but colder. The snow has been coming down since I stepped off the train at Waverly Station. I’ll be hanging out in this Starbucks for the next 2 1/2 hours. I’m happy to keep on purchasing herbal teas or even hot chocolate if this is needed to extend my stay. I’m sharing a table with a young girl who is attending university in Cork, Ireland. She is, however, from Fort Worth, Texas. I showed her where my sister Melanie lives on the map and she says that’s not too far from her home. She knows the area well.

She asked me if I’d ever visited my sister, and when I told her that I had, she asked me if I hate Fort Worth- not how I feel about it, but if I hate it. I told her I had nothing against it, but I’m not that type of person who can sit still very long anyway. If I’m not traveling, there needs to at least be a plan for travel. Even a road trip somewhere works perfectly.

15:19

Ok- this apartment is the absolute best location! It’s very close to everything on the old side of the city. I wish I owned it! The first thing I did when I got here (other than using the restroom) was walked around and took some pictures! This place is truly lovely! It’s an older flat, but location, location, location!

Scotland 6: Day 36

/ Dav / Leave a comment

04.03.18 | Glasgow, Scotland | 21:00

Today was the return of the winter season. I kid you not! When I first went outside to find breakfast, it was a snowy/ wintry mix. Not sticking, of course, but definitely snowing! It was beautiful to look at. I walked around for a while and even visited The Apple Store. I’m not ready to make any new purchases, but it’s always nice to go inside and dream for a minute or two. Just like the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Apple store is true. Also like Jesus, Apple loves me.

After a haircut to “freshen up” (my dark burgundy hair is now a faded pink- I still love it), I swung by H&M because I have misplaced my scarf. On days like today, a scarf is necessary. It’s probably going to be rainy when I go to Edinburgh tomorrow. I next stopped by the grocery store and grabbed some snacks and decided that today I’d hang out inside. Reading and watching movies, seemed like the best option- it’s too cold outside!