Traveling with my parents

So this past week has been quite the adventure. So much so that it's being split up into two posts: one of my time with my parents in Ireland and London, and one of me in Paris. This first one, obviously, will encompass the first of those.

My parents came to visit me last Sunday. Yay! Their flight got in 40 minutes early, which is normally exciting, except when the flight is originally scheduled to land at 5:45 am, which theirs was. So when I got up at 4:20 am to meet them, their flight was almost to Shannon, a 30 minute drive from Limerick. So I had to quickly get dressed in order to meet them at the airport. Which I did. Right as they walked out of the gate. What timing. After waiting in line forever to get their rental car, my dad had his first experience attempting to drive on the left side of the road. It was interesting. But aside from a few curb checks, he did ok. With me yelling "LEFT!!" at every intersection, but whatever.

Once we got to Limerick, my parents checked into their hotel, where we ate breakfast, and then we walked to campus. It was a really pretty morning, so we walked around and visited Brittany in Cappavilla before coming over to Kilmurry where they met my American housemates (it being the weekend so no Irish people around). Then my parents, Brittany, Katie and I went on the river walk along the Shannon River that runs right through campus, which was gorgeous!

In the afternoon, my parents and I went to Adare, which is this really small little town about 20 minutes south of Limerick. Here we walked around a little bit, shopped and ate lunch. We didn't spend much time there, but it was nice for me to actually get to stop in one of these small Irish towns instead of just driving on through it on a tour bus or in James' car. By the time we left it was almost 3 pm and my parents needed a rest. Understandable. So I went home and they went back to their hotel.

Monday was a busy day for us as we went to the Rock of Cashel and the castle at Cahir, all before 2 pm, since I had to be back for class at 4 pm. Both of them were absolutely amazingly beautiful, especially Cashel. It was more of a run down abbey than a castle, but it was originally built as one. It's high up on this hill, built there for it's strong defensive position originally I suppose. It was pretty windy up there, so it was kind of chilly, but the view from there was amazing. It would have been nicer had there not been an American high school band group there as well. Stupid Americans. And worse, high school band members. I know lots of my friends were in band in high school, and I respect them for that, but when traveling in packs, they're just annoying. Especially when you're trying to take in the peaceful scenery.

The view from here was amazing

The Rock of Cashel

Cahir was the stereotypical castle. And I loved it. There were turretts and walls to climb on, and a really cool view of the city and surrounding area (including the neighboring golf course). I can only imagine how many daydreams this visit would have inspired in me if I were 10 years younger when I'd visited. I had some anyways!

The castle at Cahir

The castle again

Tuesday was an even bigger day, in Ireland and London. It was St. Patrick's Day, but weird person I am, I went to London with my parents. It was worth it, since all people did in Eire was get drunk all day. I cultured myself instead. We flew out of Shannon at 6:30 am, so we had a pretty early jump on things. The airport into which we flew was 45 minutes away by train, so I managed to take multiple naps before actually entering the city. Where we had to figure out the complicated Underground system. Paris has it much better (but that will be covered in my next post!)

I honestly can't remember everything we did, we did sooo much. I know we started out with a view of the city from the London Eye ride (which was cool but totally overpriced). From there we walked past Big Ben and Parliament to Westminster Abbey. Then we walked somewhere else, I don't remember...Is that bad? I know we saw Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, St. James Park, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, and the Tower of London before heading back to the airport for our late flight home. The weather was amazing up until the sun went down when the wind no
longer felt good.

Big Ben and Parliament

Hyde Park

Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial

City Hall? I think. This is from the Tower of London Bridge at sunset.

But that's all for this post. I'll update my one on Paris hopefully soon. I kind of have lots of other more important things, like writing papers, that I should probably do this week. Since they're due this week and all....