Brave Little Taylor

I saw this on etsy and oh my goodness gracious - so cute!!!!

Returning Home

It was a fantastic time in Dublin, although I wasn't as brave as I'd have liked to have been. There's such a stigma attached to traveling alone on holiday/for vacation and especially if you are female. People just don't understand why anyone would spend ten days alone in a city. I know it's odd, but I like going at my own pace and doing all the stoopid and silly things that I like. I just wish I was more outgoing as far as hitting a pub and listening to some traditional Irish music or even feeling less self-conscious about taking pictures of things. Maybe next time I'll have the bullocks to get out there and kick back, Rick Steves' style. I'm glad I met Natalia and that she was such a spectacular travel BFF and Freddie Apple Bear had just as much fun as I did!

Last Day

To make the most of my last day in Dublin, I sat on my arse and relaxed. It was fantastic. I did eventually get showered and dressed so as to wander down to Kingfisher's on Parnell for a last chance to score yum-yum delicious chips with salt and vinegar. Delightful!!

                                                (^ huge dork - huge ^)

Credencial del Peregrino!

Guess who got her passport for the Camino de Santiago?? That's right, kiddies, this girl! Ironic as it is, I actually took a cab to the church where I would get my credencial for a walk that will stretch five hundred miles. BUT, I did walk all the way there on Wednesday only to have no one answer the bell at the Sacristy, so today, I decided to cab it. Anyways, I got my passport, my first stamp, and was wished Buen Camino! by a lovely woman that had stopped in for maps. I couldn't stop smiling the whole rest of the day.

(It felt so good to take the first step toward a life's goal on September 11th, a day that I always try to turn into something good on a day that once brought us all everlasting heart ache and fear.)

A Day in Antwerpen

Clearly I cannot be near the continent of Europe and not visit my favourite city, even if for only a few hours. So I threw down seventy seven Euros on a round trip flight to Belgium and wandered the lovely side streets and thoroughfares of beautiful Antwerp. Oh, and of course I picked up chocolates, some Belgian films (I scored Plan Bart with that hot, hot, hottie McHotterson Wouter Hendrickx!!) and a TV series and even some Lush products sold by Danielle, the absolute sweetest woman in the entire city!

 

 

 

 

 

St. James Church

So I walked for nearly an hour across the Liffey and up a San Francisco-esque hill to reach the St. James' Sacristy by noon, which I did, only to have no one answer the bell. I was super heartbroken and dragged myself back to the apartment like Charlie Brown or a scolded pup with her tail between her legs. I'll try again on Friday and somebody better be there!!

 

The Cliffs No More

I wisely cancelled the trip to the Cliffs of Moher - just the thought of it was causing sleepless nights, panic and major anxiety. For what? To maybe see a chunk of land if the mist doesn't completely shroud it? Forget it. With my extra day in Dublin I walked around, mailed some postcards, stopped in to Lush and got some beauty treats while gabbing with the sweet ladies that worked there, then to Tesco for more grub and to Kingfisher's for chips! Why spend a vacation day with oodles of stress when I can go for a walk in a beautiful city on a clear 57° afternoon and finish the day by stuffing my face with hot, delicious chips?