Observations – Europe Journal Part 2

Hey, friends! This is part 2 of my Europe travel journal. If you want to start at the beginning, click here for part 1: “Here’s to Adventure.”

(The italicized text is quoted straight from my journal – the rest are thoughts I added later).

The day after we arrived in Belgium, we were up at 5:00am to head out on a flight to Ireland. Still deliriously jet-lagged, I recorded some observations in my hotel room in Dublin that night:

Thursday, June 15

The first thing that popped into my head when I saw a castle in Dublin:

“Have fun storming the castle!” – The Princess Bride

Jetlag thinks it’s my boss. I slept on the way to Belgium from the airport in Germany yesterday – was it really just yesterday?! – as we drove through part of the Netherlands. Slept again most of the way to the airport this morning and the entire flight to Dublin.

People told me flying into Ireland is beautiful. You’ve got the water and all of the green and everything. I even had an empty window seat next to me, so I could scoot over, take in the view, and snap a picture or two of this amazing view. But from the time we were told to fasten our seatbelts until the plane hit the runway in Dublin, I was asleep. So much for views.

But I felt a lot better after that nap, so maybe I’m evening out. Although, Belgium is 6 hours different from home, and Ireland is 5, so we’re all over the place.

(an old abbey and graveyard in Malahide)

There’s a trouser press in my hotel room. I tried it on my jeans, but Emily was afraid I’d burn the hotel down. Plus, it smelled bad. I don’t think it’s meant for denim. Fail.

I had to Google Fahrenheit to celsius conversions when I woke up freezing in the middle of the night. Turns out, 16 celsius is a little chilly.

Despite its interesting name, bangers and mash is all I ever dreamed it would be and more. Amazing. Ate it in an Irish Pub.

That’s the cool thing about pubs in Ireland – they’re a whole experience. And they’re places where you take the whole family for a burger, or fish and chips, or those glorious bangers and mash (sausage, mashed potatoes, and gravy). It’s a fun atmosphere.

Truly, all of Ireland is a fun atmosphere. From the trouser press I should’ve left alone, to Malahide Castle and all of the adventures we went on that week. It was incredible.

Next time I’ll share about my day in Dublin! You don’t want to miss St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a recreation of Jonathan Swift’s skull (I’m as confused as you), and more new food experiences.

~Anna