It was only recently that I realized that I am an extrovert. All my life I believed myself to be an introvert. When I was young, I loved to play by myself. I played teacher with make-believe students, I wrote stories alone in my room, and I always ended up playing Barbies by myself because my older sister would quit after we set up the whole city. (I won't let you live it down, Allie!) I always figured that I was shy and preferred solitude over company. I don't know if this changed because I moved to Penn State and was thrown into a new place without knowing anyone or if I have always been this way and never noticed. I love people. I love to be around them, I love meeting new ones, I love sharing things with them. One of my fears about traveling abroad was simply the fact that I was doing it ALONE and would have no one to share the experience with. Of course, I can share with people through a blog and other updates, but I wouldn't have anyone to actually experience this with me. This leads me to the next part of my journey.
From London Euston, I had a longgg trip ahead of me. I took a train from London to Holyhead, which I learned while on the train is in Wales. I really should keep a map with me. This trip was very long because of the many stops, but I enjoyed looking at the scenery (lots of green and lots of sheep) and catching up on my reading (The Hunger Games- I finally have time to read leisure books!). By the time the train arrived in Holyhead station, there was only another man and me left in the car. After almost getting trapped in train, we got off and even said goodbye to each other. He was greeted by his wife, and I was greeted by a taxi driver who told me I was going the wrong way to the port station. It was 9 o'clock at night, and on the train there I realized that my ferry wouldn't leave until 2:30 in the morning. I figured I'd find a nice cafe in the station where I could do some more sipping, reading, blogging, and journaling while I waited. No problem. Silly me, all I found was a tiny station with a closed cafe, a snoring man in a sleeping bag, and some local teenagers hanging out by the vending machines. If only I were traveling WITH someone- we would have talked, played a game, took turns napping, listened to music together, something! But instead, I decided to devote myself to finishing my book while I waited, and thank goodness it was an amazing read. Every now and then, I would glance back at the cafe to see if the closed doors were just an illusion, but I always returned to my book disappointed. It's not even the caffeine I was craving, just the comfort that a warm beverage would give me at the time. Finally, the station began to fill and it was time to board. Line, waiting room, line, bus, line, FERRY! Or I should say cruise ship. We literally boarded the lounge deck of a cruise ship and spread out among the lounge chairs and couches to sleep. I finished the book (so good!) and actually forced myself not to get a beverage from the cafe so I could try to get some sleep. A long and chilly 3 hours later, the ferry/cruise arrived in Dublin. After only snippets of sleep, I was feeling delirious, but thankful that I made it and had all my luggage with me. I went to the first taxi I saw, showed him the hostel address, and was on my way. At this point, those high spirits that you read about in the last entry had dropped very low. Partially from the waiting, partially from the loneliness, and partially from the lack of coffee. Well, God sent me a wonderful cab driver- this man became an instant friend (he said I reminded him of his daughter) and he was quick to ask me questions, share about his life, explain parts of the city we were passing, and give helpful advice for my stay. I really enjoyed sharing that conversation with him and he gave me such a nice welcome into Dublin at 6 in the morning.
Today was spent with 3 of my friends from Penn State (Elizabeth, Courtney, and Beka)- walking around the city centre, eating in a cafe, going through shops, watching a movie (The Hunger Games!) in an enormous theater, enjoying lamb stew and a Guinness, and hanging out in the hostel lounge. I can't even tell you how much I have loved sharing this day with them; even sharing about our love for Peeta (in the book).
I am thankful that I am able to travel by myself, but I am also certain that I do not prefer it. There is just something so incredible about sharing experiences with others. I am excited to travel with these ladies for the rest of the week, and to face the challenge of staying in London by myself. Please pray that I meet lovely people to share my time with, and thank YOU for sharing it all with me as well!
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| Train ride! |
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| My travel care package: Hunger Games and Of Monsters and Men! |
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| First cafe in Dublin! |
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| Our first dinner all together. =) |
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| Our hostel! |
"Rock of Ages, 'It is done!' You cried.
The curtain's torn and I see justice satisfied.
Now, write Your mercy on my heart and hands,
Rock of Ages, in faith I stand."
Happy Easter! You know, the most important thing that we can all experience together is the grace given to us through Jesus- the cross and His resurrection. <3
Erika I am so proud of you. I have a little movie in my head of your adventures and your blogging is so detailed and interesting that it almost begins to fill the Erika-shaped hole in me.
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