25.06 ork/bhd/lhr

ireland never disappoints and continues to remind me of hawaii. the warmth of the people (even ten years later!) was so refreshing and it was also nice to have some warm weather. i stayed in this beautiful boutique hotel that was a bit further from the venue than i would have liked, but it was good to get some hilly steps in. i was shocked to find a science exhibit in a beautiful church, but i looked at it like a good omen. i didn't find too much architecture to fall in love with, but the views from the hotel were beautiful.

left a piece of my heart here and i feel like i haven't even scratched the surface of this city. i had been sweating how i would get to belfast from cork, since there were no flights (which i still find strange). i took a bus to dublin and transferred to a train up to belfast, which wasn't as unpleasant as it might sound. met some folks on the train and ended up grabbing drinks with them (i still stand by the principle that islanders are the friendliest people you will ever meet) after the train. explored the city and the architecture downtown was stunning, i found an art deco bank that i would have loved to go inside of (but didn't get a chance to). they had fun murals, old buildings, and i didn't get to spend nearly enough time here.

snow patrol announced that they were recording the belsonic concert for their first ever live album (!!!) and not that i'll be recognized anywhere on the album, it was really cool to know that i was there. i met this wonderful group of concert friends that reminds me of my own group of concert friends (except they have the benefit of all living in the same area) and hope to see them again at another gig. the whole experience was surreal and such a wonderful leadup to my (over-planned) birthday.

got to catch up with an old la friend while exploring the taste of london (i love when i get to see old friends in new cities!) and do some exploring of my own (london is such a huge city, there are still so many neighborhoods i've not made it around to). main highlight was finding jasmine, i didn't realize that it grew here (and even more disappointed that dc doesn't have any except my porch). everything was looking green and beautiful and i only mildly missed aircon. i used some miles to fly home business class (this is a rookie mistake as the flight home is always during the day and it doesn't make a lot of sense to sleep during the flight while the flight eastward is almost always a redeye and would make for a better leg to splurge on-lesson learned) but as you may see, you cannot buy class (why are those bare feet on the plane!?) i will say, big fan of foreign airlines, if not for the reliance on airbus over boeing, but for the spacious bathrooms. definitely going to miss this on my next trip flying in with the cattle.