This past weekend was the first time that I actually looked around and was like holy crap…I'm travelling around Europe every weekend and visiting places I never thought I would get to go to! Paris one weekend, Ireland the next…it's surreal, yet the most amazing experience I have ever had. It's funny how every weekend I travel, I always end up being "homesick" for Sevilla. At the end of the trip, it's always so comforting to sleep in "my own" bed and get back to "my family". Sevilla has really become a home for me in more ways than one. I've grown so accustomed to my daily routine here; walking a mile to school, speaking Spanish all day, Spanish food, euromania at cien montaditos every Wednesday, no school Fridays, and travelling every weekend. I wouldn't have it any other way.

So my most recent adventure in Europe was travelling to Ireland with my roommate Megan. It took a lot of busses and an airplane to get there, but it was definitely worth it! Our adventure started Thursday morning. We left our house at around 9:30 to catch a 10:30 bus from the station. Six hours later, we arrived in Madrid to catch our flight to Dublin. Once in Dublin, we had to stay the night at a hotel because the next bus to Cork wasn't until the next day. The next morning got off to a great start. I woke up at 5:30 (so I thought), took a shower, and woke Megan to ask her if she wanted to go get breakfast. She asked me what time it was and I looked at my watch which said 4:30. Odd. I looked at my cell phone; 6:30. Very odd. So I called the front desk to find out the real time. Much to my dismay it was 4:30. I had woken up 2 hours early because I had changed the time incorrectly on my cell phone. Welcome to Ireland, Amanda. After sleeping for another 2 hours, we had breakfast, and went to catch the bus to Cork. Finally after 28 hours of travelling, we had made it to our destination! We walked off the bus and met up with Kate! It was so good to see a familiar face!! We had a quick lunch at a sandwich shop, and then went to Kate's apartment to drop off our stuff. After meeting some other Boston College folk, we set off on Kate's tour of Cork! She was a great tour guide and really made me fall in love with the city! We saw St Anne's church where one is supposed to be able to ring the Shandon bells…however they decided to close up about 20 minutes early. Nonetheless it was a very pretty church! We had a really nice walk around the city, including walking down St Patrick's Street which is the main shopping street in Cork. I discovered my new favorite store (Penney's—no relation to JC Penney's) that has AMAZING bargains J. After walking around, we stopped at a fish and chips place and brought it back to Kate's place. It was really good! I don't know if it was just being in Ireland that made it taste better, or what. I had my chips with salt and vinegar just like the natives, and even tried the curry sauce with it. I have to say the Irish definitely have the fish and chips thing down. After dinner, we went out for a traditional (in my opinion) Irish night on the town. We went to Preacher's (a pub), and had ourselves some Bulmer's cider, and Murphy's stout! It was such a pleasant change from the normal over-stuffed clubs and bars of Sevilla. It was a really chill evening with great company—a very welcomed change. They were playing British music including some Keane and the Killers and I was in HEAVEN!!! Preacher's had the best playlist of the night!

The next day, Megan and I went on a field trip with Kate and her archeology class. We went to the biggest wedge tomb in Ireland…ask an archeologist what that means. It was still pretty interesting! Then we went to a tower house (is that right Kate?) and learned a lot about those kinds of buildings. The highlight of the day was going to the Rock of Cashel which as it would turn out is NOT a rock—it's a castle! It was so beautiful and so much different than the castles Megan and I are used to seeing in Portugal and Spain! We got back from the field trip at around 5ish and were POOPED! Not too pooped to head to the supermarket for dinner supplies! Dunnes (name of the supermarket) was an experience! They have some funny foods in Ireland! My personal favorite, although I would never eat it, was egg mayonnaise soup. I'm not sure what it is, but I really hope it's not hot mayonnaise that people just eat with a spoon. The thought makes me gag! It wouldn't shock me though…I've heard Britsh and Irish food is less than desirable! After cooking and eating dinner, we were way too tired from a long day to head to the pubs again, so we decided to have some wine and watch Grey's Anatomy instead! A perfect night in my book!

The next morning, Megan and I had to wake up super early to catch the 7am bus back to Dublin for our flight to Madrid. We said goodbye (and see you later!) to Kate who is coming to Sevilla in April! I definitely cannot wait to have some more visitors to show around my city! We got to Madrid without a hitch, but of course, there truly is never a dull moment in the life of Amanda Nicole. This is unfortunately my new motto, and I'm really beginning to despise the Madrid airport. At around 9, Megan and I split up because she had to catch the bus from the bus stop in downtown Madrid for various and sundry reasons. At quarter of 9pm (half hour before my bus) I began to head to the bus stop. I was instructed to go outside to the clearly labeled bus park. So I sat, and I waited. At approximately 9:15, I saw my bus…as it sailed past the departures gate that was across the street—and two levels above where I was. I sprinted into the airport in a panic hoping that maybe the bus would wait up on the second level. When I arrived at the departures gate (where apparently MY bus stop was…stupid information counter lady) I saw the bus heading out of the airport. My panic quickly grew. I found a few police officers in the airport who were extremely helpful. I told them (repeatedly) I missed my bus, and had no idea what to do. I kept asking if anyone spoke English because although my Spanish is decent, in a panic…not so much. However, one of the police officers turned to another and said (in Spanish), "I don't know why she keeps asking for someone who speaks English…her Spanish is just fine". Anyways, Megan was waiting at the bus stop for a 10 o'clock bus, but the officers told me there was no way I could make it to downtown Madrid by 10. More panicking. We found out the first train out was at 6:30 the next morning. I was extremely uncomfortable staying in the Madrid airport alone, so I asked if there were any flights to Sevilla that night. Apparently there was, so I headed to the Iberia counter in terminal 4. I called my Dad so that he could begin looking at prices for plan a, (and also at plans b, c, d, and probably e the way my night was going). By the time he had done some research online, (and contacted the ISA office in Texas; I'll admit, a VERY good idea that I never would have thought of!) Megan had contacted me saying there was an 11 o'clock bus out of the bus station that she had to take because the 10 o'clock was full. It was only quarter of 10, so this ended up being the best (and cheapest) option. I took a cab to the bus station, made it with plenty of time, and was able to get a spot on the 11 o'clock bus. As it would turn out, everything happens for a reason; if I had made my bus, Megan wouldn't have been able to get on it, and if she got on the 10 o'clock, I wouldn't have been there! At 11(ish) we boarded the bus, and my 5:30 (IN THE MORNING) we were happily and exhaustedly back in Sevilla. I truly hope next weekend doesn't have any adventures like the past two have! I also hope to avoid the Madrid airport for a while! It seems to be bad luck!

Next stop on Amanda's adventures through Europe: Granada and Córdoba, Spain!

¡Besitos!