Retrospect

I'm finally taking a moment to review the last two days. The last time I saw the guys before we all got separated I took this picture:

The reason for this picture was to be a reliable location marker so I could find them when I came back from the head. I actually forgot I took this picture and I never used it. The thought was good but the execution was sub par. I never saw Ryan and Rob again this night. Somehow in trying to find my way back to the hotel I found Dan sitting on a stump with food. He wasn't moving in my perception so I thought hmmm that statue sure looks like Dan. 

Dan statue came to life when he saw me and he jumped up and I think he spoke to me in a combination of

German and Finnish because I didn't comprehend a word he said. I wanted to say to Dan wait here while I get the other two and we can go. I don't know what I actually said to Dan. We never saw each other again thy night. In retrospect I should have stayed with Dan and gone home to the hotel. I can't say why I didn't. 

In walkin around alone some guy snatched my phone out of my hand and I was not angry just kind of confused like what are you doing? He said you have to meet some nice Bavarian girls for pictures. I said ok where? He said I will find them for you and he began stopping every woman passing and talking to them. He found these girls from Norway and we took a picture together:

My plan was to take the pic get my phone back and go to bed. The girls wanted to have a beer and they had just arrived. I had wanted to go to lowenbrau but I couldn't get the guys to go there earlier. I thought ok I will have a beer with these girls and then go home. One beer led to two beers and the girls were knocking them back. We had good

Conversation and became friends. They were putting there number in my phone a so had to run to the head. They said go ahead we will be here and not steal your phone. I trusted them and left my iPhone with them. At first I couldn't find them but it was because I went back to the wrong place. They were still there with my phone thankfully. 

We then went to some after party and had food and more drinks and dancing. We ended the night at about 3am. They were staying at the Fleming right off central station. I then had to get to the hotel. 

I went to central station and waited 30 mins for the train that never came. I could have fallen asleep in the central station but I really wanted to get to my bed. I walked out of the station and found a cab. 10 Euros later I was home and in bed. Got a text from Dan that he and Rob were home and Gummer was passed out in bed. We all had a great time! The girls from Norway Alice and Caroline invited me to go sight seeing and have lunch with them the next day. More on that in the next novel. ;)

A Sea of Germanity...

So we broke a cardinal rule last night...we separated from each other in a foreign country while under the punishing affects of German beer. 

I was drunk and completely lost last night. Truly and literally lost. I had no idea which way to go to get to the hotel. I could not even remember what hotel we were staying in. I did not know what train to get on....what station to get off at...I just was walking and walking. I did at one point join in a group of about 40-50 drunk singing Germans. Can't remember the songs, but I do know that they were American tunes. 

Things are clearer today as I realize that I could have just looked at my room key and seen the word Hilton...Or carried with me written information regarding what train and what station. But that would make for no story and would be pretty boring. 

My back hurts because I fell down probably four or five times. Not entirely my fault, but never the less, I hit the deck a few times. Some nice people helped me up...and others laughed at me. I laughed too...because it was really funny.  I walked into a hotel (not ours) at almost 2:00 and ask the man if he could help me. He not only called the Hilton to make sure it was the one we were staying in, but he walked me out and got me a cab. I am sure I am not the first drunk lost American to wander into a Five-star castle-like hotel and ask for help. Thank you sir, whoever you are. 

At 2:00 a.m. I am walking streets of Munich looking for a place to sleep like a bench or something. I wish I would have had Strava up and running to see where all I walked. But that would mean that my phone would have been charged and I would not have been lost in the first place. It was surreal walking around last night. Eventually there were no people, no cars...and it was just me. It was like a movie set on a studio back-lot somewhere and shooting was done for the day....as if from The Dirty Dozen...I half expected to see Lee Marvin or Charles Bronson waking the set.  

Glad I got lost...Amazing experience. 

Well that escalated quickly

Not even sure where to start.  

Last night was absolutely awesome.  Until it wasn't. 

Getting seperated is always a mess, doubly so on the other side of the world where you don't share a common language.  I'm not sure who left first, may have been me, but here is what I know. 

I left somewhere around 845pm, +/- 5 Maß later I was in need of my bed.  This was compounded by the fact all I ate all day was two slices of bread from Gummer's breakfast on the flight in.  I departed the Hofbrau tent and headed in the direction of the U-bahn - don't ask how I remember where the U was lol.  I stopped for food and sat down in a corner near the exit to the Weisen to eat my sausage and fries when low and behold I see Jon!  He's stumbling back and forth with a bunch of people (none of our people) and I jump up to catch up (simultaneously dropping my food) to him.  We hugged it out for a second and i urged him to return with me, but he wanted to journey on forward, so I left him to his own and set out for the hotel. 

I'm not really sure how I got back so easily.  I never made a wrong turn, never had to turn around.  100% retraced my steps back to the hotel. 

The others have better stories.  Lol

The way to München

So about now TRRY Is landing in Germany.  I'm pretty sure he's feeling a combination of exhaustion and excitement.  

This is the most comfortable plane seat I've had in a while, I wish my flight back to the states had this much legroom.  Even Gummer looks comfy.  

Ireland was really cool, a beautiful country, but I'm ready for München.  Big fan of that city, Oktoberfest is just a huge bonus. 

Robb tracking

We look up and wave to our weary traveler friend as he passes over us to the south east.  

Welcome to the EU! 

See you in Deutschland! 

Munich bound!

Headed for Dublin international airport.  Getting up at 4am isn't so hard when your body doesn't know what time it is anymore.  

See you soon Robb! 

Aluminum tube of hell...

Well...there it is. My home of confinement and aloneness for many many hours. 

I have a window seat, which is great for propping my head for sleep. But will be hell on my seat partner as they will suffer everytime I have to hit the head. 

Next stop...the Old World. 

Knees...Get a Room!!

So...a benefit of being 5'8" and scrawny is this...a decent amount is knee room. 

Sorry Dan and Gummer. 

Heading to Philadelphia. 

Time to sleep!

It's about time for us to head to Germany after several great days in Ireland. We need to sleep now but even though it's 1010pm here it's 510pm at home and my body knows it's not time to sleep. We will be getting up at 430am here aka 1130pm at home to start our day. 

Goodnight and cya in Germany!

Irish girls

Having a good chat with some Irish lasses in Knox pub! Maaaaark and most of Ireland hated my hat, but this girl liked it and she borrowed it.

Airport drinking....nothing better to prepare for a quick stop in Philadelphia.

It looks something like this. 

And we all know what this is. 

Ennis

Ennis...

I'm really short on words here, so I may babble to convey my thoughts. 

The Irish love to drink.  They really love to do it.  Having never been to Ireland I didn't know what to expect here, but it's almost exactly what you think.  They drink a lot of Guiness, followed by a pretty tasty cider on ice called Bulmer's. After that, I think they drink Coor's Light...? Weird #3, but the stuff is everywhere.  

They really hate hats.  Don't ever wear a hat in Ireland, they'll make all kinds of comments about you. 

This picture is a synopsis of of a drinking Irish man, and Jon wearing a hat, which everyone made fun of.  

The spoken word here isn't too hard to understand, unless the person is older or they're country.  Then what you hear is some cross between English and Gaelic that sounds more like Gummer hocking up a loogie than someone actually trying to communicate.  

Anyway... Back to Ennis.  Quaint little town which our drunken friend Maaaaaark (pictured above) said had a population somewhere between 20,000 and 300,000 people is really pretty cool. On my morning stroll the town was pretty bustling with people getting along in their daily lives.  I'm sure I stick out but people were still nice enough.  Everything here is old, that's common in Europe, but coming from the States you never really gain a great appreciation for old stuff until

You realize that most of the buildings have been here since before my country was even a country of its own.  

One other thing... People here are seriously well versed on recent events. Even the drunks in the bar, like Maaaaark could have a mostly intelligent (and studdery and repetitive) conversation about any recent world events.  That said, holy crap do they hate ISIS. Everyone had a comment about ISIS and the beheadings, and they were pissed. 

Time to go, but happy birthday MAAAAAARK! (He's 43)

As "The Old Man" says when the Leg Lamp arrives..."It is here"...

It's 5:39 am here in Atlanta and there is no point in trying to sleep any longer.

I leave for Germany today to join my friends for several days of Oktoberfest celebration. After more than a year of planning and talking about it, today the trip begins for me. More posts to come for sure, but as this is my first trip to Europe, I can confirm that I have packed the two most important things, besides a healthy liver, for such a trip.

Robb

Durty Nellys

A trip to Ireland wouldn't be complete without visiting the original Durty Nelly's built in 1620 next to the Bunratty Castle.  

We stopped for a pint of Guiness and some lovely fish and chips.  

The weather today has been brilliant!  65 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.  The locals said today was the best of 3 weeks. 

Living on the edge...

We visited the Cliffs of Moher this afternoon.  What an amazing site. 

I'm always impressed by the lack of guard rails & safety items when visiting parks in Europe.  You are free to wander about, climb around and if you wanted to jump off those cliffs, nobody would stop you.  

 Everything in the States is so controlled, guarded and lawyers have turned our freedom into opportunities to sue.  

It's refreshing to use common sense and to see others doing the same.  

Enough ranting. Pub time! 

Souths Pub

We had our first pint in Ireland at South's pub in Limerick where author Frank McCourt had his first pint at age 16. Guiness in Ireland is fresh and tasty and quite different than in the US. 

Sleeping until 1pm

Good morning! or...  Afternoon. :)

We pub crawled until after midnight around downtown Ennis.  We stopped into 6 or 7 different pubs, had some of the best fish & chips I've ever had at Brogans pub / restaurant and listened to some authentic Irish music.

Then we slept.  

For 11 hours.  

Time to get motivated!  We have a big day ahead of us.

43 hours awake.

 Sleep.  Now. 

So tired.  

Good night. 

NOAS says hello from Ennis, County Clare Ireland!

After navigating some crazy narrow 1 way streets we made it to our hotel in Ennis.  

NOAS was getting restless in my bag, so I brought him out to say hello.  

Been awake now for 33 hours.  

Feed Your People!

So... This is my first Irish meal in Irish land. 

Sooooo gooooood

Barack Obama Plaza!

The Renault Fluence.

Standard transmission, steering wheel on the right, driving on left side of the road after a sleepless night.  

Sounds like an awesome adventure.  I'm glad Dan is driving. :)

Limerick bound!

Awake for 29 hours now.  Ugh. 

We have acquired Jon!

Customs cleared, cell phone reset & working, USD converted to EURO and we're headed for Avis.  

Coffee...

So, it's 230AM, and we land in 45 or so, and no coffee.  Do the irish not believe in coffee?

It was a short night, but a very pretty morning.   One of those times I'd love to have a seat with a window looking forward.

Slowly waking up, but... Coffee

There is a theme here.  

That first day in Europe always sucks.  That's because the night before didn't really happen.

Coffee. 

Aer Lingus Food

Post beer debacle...

Dinner was awesome. Bakery there were no pre-food pics, but the cheesecake was derishous.  Steak. Was pretty decent and the wine was tasty.  Off to sleep land for a few hours. 

Heineken? really?

So, there was no Guiness on the flight, Creams SUPERIOR Lager.  Gummer got the last of them on the plane ... Go figure.  It was pretty damn tasty.

Current time 1026pm FL time

So there is land out there still

Written at 945 Florida Time

Climbing to altitude for the trip, there is already a lady near me snoring.  I'm beat, but there is a steak dinner in my near future, combined with either or beer or wine.  I'm holding out - wouldn't you?

So, this is where we are.

Short Night...

Well....  Good morning.  

This red eye flight stuff is rubbish! 

We are 45 minutes from landing and almost to the west side of Ireland's border.  Sleep wasn't much of an option. Was highly uncomfortable, but a very smooth flight.  I'm definitely ready to take a break from flying for a few days. 

THA = 24.5

My first Irish beer.

Hello from Halifax, Canada where I was served my first Irish beer of the trip.  

4.5 hours remain.  If all goes as planned we should land @ 8:02am.  

So far, I really can't complain.  This Aer Lingus jet is modern, quiet and has a great AC vent blowing at me.  It's rare that I'm actually cool on any flight.

Our pre-ordered steak dinners should be served in the next 30.  Looking forward to something other than pretzels to eat. 

(THA = 20 "now adjusted for Ireland time zone)

Just in time!

We made it to JFK just in time.  Walked off the JetBlue flight and right onto the Aer Lingus flight.  

See you in the morning!  Cheers! 

(THA 13.5 hours) 

JFK

Short post, because we're boarding.  Goodnight peeps!

We're holding.... For Air Force One.

Captain has informed us that we're going to fly circles over New Jersey for 25 minutes while we wait for permission to land.  

Leaving on a jet plane....

Good bye Orlando airport.  Next stop is New York City. 

I've decided to start tagging my blogs with a "THA" status or "Total Hours Awake".  Since sleeping on a jet is next to impossible when you're 6'6 & high strung, I think it will be interesting and potentially comical to document our next day and a half of travel.

(THA 11.5 hours)

This guy is going to Dublin!

This is my ride there are many like it but this one is mine. 

I left Dan a text message saying to text me when he lands in NY but I just realized he and Ryan land at 747 in NY and I take off from Atlanta at 748 to Dublin. Most likely I won't hear from Dan and Ryan till Dublin. It's 655 pm and we are pre boarding for Dublin in Atlanta. As George carlin would say what is pre boarding? Do you get on before you get on? Hmmm??? 

Pre-Vacation Relaxation

Took advantage of a back & shoulder massage while killing time at MCO prior to our flight to JFK.  In vacation mode now! 

Tallahassee to Atlanta

I'm on the plane first stop Atlanta. Must go now flight attendants are telling me to shut this off.

And then there were 2!

Orlando airport bound with Mr. White!  NO SLEEP TIL' IRELAND! 

Lederhosen Fail

Bavarian Lederhosen

My first attempt to wear the Bavarian Lederhosen is a gigantic failure! There are so many buttons, straps, and snaps it is a truly a unique item of clothing. There should have been a tag that says some assembly required. Wow! Enjoy!

Ich bin ein Oktoberfester!

Ich bin ein Oktoberfester!

(I'm an Oktoberfester!)

With Euro-Expedition 2014 right around the corner, I thought it was only right that we properly document the transatlantic journey through Blogger.  

Just 2 and half more days my friends!