June 3, 2017

Four Years Later

Back in 2013 I went to Ireland to visit my dad's side of the family for a month. But for four years I decided to take a break from flying. One of the reasons why I hate flying is because my ears get clogged and remain clogged for a couple of days after the flight. After talking to my therapist and saving up my money, I decided to go back to Ireland but for only two weeks. I really haven't seen my Irish family in a really long time plus I wanted to have a better relationship with my little cousin Eimear. She's going to be twelve in October. On February 23rd, 2017, I took the six hour plane trip with my dad to Ireland.

Early Friday morning at the crack of dawn, I landed in Dublin Internation Airport. My family lives an hour from the airport in a little town called Dundalk. Keep in mind the time difference between New York and Ireland is five hours. They're five hours ahead of us. While we waited for my Aunt Lorraine to pick us up, I got a packet of Cadbury Chocolate Buttons at the shop. My ears were still clogged at the time. Finally when I got "home" to my Aunt's house, I was introduced to my cousin's dog Sasha. She's a barker but really cuddley. I took a much needed nap after meeting Sasha. After my nap, I went for a walk down with Sasha, my dad and Eimear.

At noon my dad, Eimear, Granny and I drove up to town to have lunch at this restaurant called the Cooper Kettle. While we were there I got to see my Aunt Blonde. She’s a sweetheart as always. As we left my granny with Blonde, the three of us went for a walk. We went to this store called Deals. Great prices for snacks and other things. We also exchanged our money.
Early in the morning, Eimear, Dad and I drove up to three difference areas in Ireland. Gyles Quay, O’Meath and Carlingford. At the Quay a big wave attacked Eimear and I as we walked along the wall. We both got soaked but it was a lot of fun. In the afternoon my Uncle Philip came over. He’s one of the best lads you’ll ever meet. Dad and I went to Kehoe’s Bar to watch Manchester United play against South Hampton. At the pub I saw my two cousins Neil and Gareth, Neil’s Fiancé Rachel, their friend Ricey, my uncle Philip and my Aunt Ann. Apparently I’m a good luck charm, cause Manchester United won. It was a lot of fun. 

Dad and I got up at 3:45 am so we could catch the 4:30am bus to Dublin. After we got off the bus, we got on another one which took us to the Irish Ferry. The Ferry was HUGE! Looked so beautiful almost like a cruise. It took three hours to get to Holyhead, Wales. Then we transferred to the Virgin train which took us to London, England. Four hour train ride but it was worth it.
First we went on a Hop On Hop Off bus tour. Got to see a lot of London. After the bus tour, we hopped on a train to Buckingham Palace and saw how massive the Queens house is. Actually we got to see the changing of the guards as well. Timing was perfect. We got to eat at Nandos where Niall Horan from the band One Direction loves. It was delicious. 

We took a train to the Tower Bridge and waited in the windy cold day for it to open up for tours. Finally after waiting what seemed like forever. We hiked up the stairs to the top of the bridge. The top was amazing. Some of the floor was glass so you could see through down to the highway below. After the bridge we got to see this 4D short film of London. It was really awesome. My favorite part of all arrived, the trip to the London Eye. A 445 foot tall wheel that takes you on a slow thirty minute rotation. The view blew me away. Nothing you would ever see in New York City.

On our last day, we took a bus to tour London. Got to understand the meaning of certian historic buildings and train stations. It was very cold that day. The wind blue on the back of my neck through my hat as we sat on the bus. After the bus tour, dad and I toured this huge chuch called Westmister Abbey. That's where Kate and William got married. No photography was permitted inside but it was amazing to see. After dinner, we road the train to Piccadilly Circus to get a couple of souvenirs. By the way I found this beautiful white bag with the British flag printed all over it. For only fifteen pound. This bag looked like it was worth a hundred or more pounds. We enjoyed sitting by the fountain in Trafalgar Square on a beautiful night.

March 4th 2017, Dad and I took the bus to Euston Station to catch the Virgin train to Holyhead Wales. In Wales, we caught the Irish Ferry back to Dublin. It was a fast ride. For our late dinner we got Chips (French Fries) and chicken from Mullen's Chip Shop. It was delicious.

Sunday was a lazy day, On Monday Aunt Lorraine, Eimear, Dad, Granny and I drove up to Dublin. My granny had a doctors appointment. While she was there, Eimear, Dad and I went for a walk that's where I bought this beautiful pink dress. On the way back from Dublin, the five of us stopped at Burger King for a late lunch. I got my chicken fries and chips. Despite how long it was, it ended up being a really fun type of day.

Tuesday we didn't do that much. But on Wednesday, while my dad and Aunt were in Dublin, Eimear and I finished watching The Game Plan. One of my favorite movies. Then a surprise happened, my cousin Neil and his girl friend Rachel came over with their Border Collie dog Cooper. Eimer and I got invited to take Cooper for a walk. I'm out of shape and was out of breath as I held the leash to walk Him. But that was alot of fun. My Uncle David ordered us a pizza pie from Dominos. Talk about delicous. We ate that while we watched Inside Out. That was what I like to call a fantanstic day!

On Thursday dad and I got the last minute items to bring home to New York. We got two chocolate egg sets for my little cousins Henry and William. For the first time, I got to go to the library. Eimear got her first library card and I got to help her pick out books to read. Apparently I'm great at helping because she picked out five. This day was really interesting and fun.

On our last and final day in Ireland, we said our last goodbyes to my family. I had my last most delicous chicken curry and chips for dinner. It was from this resturant called the Roma. It was a bitter sweet moment that day. Goodbyes are never easy but to be honest this was the best memorable vacation ever! 


Me, Granny and Eimear

Eimear and I

Eimear, Sasha and I

Me eating toast on the Irish Ferry

Uncle Philip and I

Gareth and I at the pub


Neil, Cooper and I

Tower Bridge

The Big Ben

A church in London

British and Welsh Flags

What the London Eye looks like from up high

Dad on the London Eye