The pride of ones heritage

I’m a proud woman of Hispanic and American decent. My dad is from Honduras and my mom is American or mostly that is. As we all know, America is a wide open melting pot of nationalities. For years I have heard stories of a long gone relative who was Native American though we did not know any details. My grandfather (on my mothers side) always loved Scotish bagpipes and a it was thought somewhere in family was Scotish blood.

My brother has been researching the family on my mothers side for a while now. A few months back he discovered some relatives from Scotland but lost the information when his computer went kaput. I had asked him to try to recover the information when he was able. I find ancestry and history in general fascinating. He found some information concerning our Native American roots and other branches as well.

I continue to learn Spanish and love to hear my dad speak of his father, who was from Northern Spain (Basque country he thinks or recalls). I enjoy watching Spanish channels with dad and hearing about his country. I have traveled to Mexico (on cruise ships) and enjoyed learning the history and culture of the land.

When I first began to entertain the idea of traveling in 2009, I was certain I would make my first European trip to London, as most first time oversea travelers do. So, when the discussion with my friend Stefanie (who had already been to England, Ireland and Italy) turned to a mother-daughter trip to Spain I was happy. Things fell together and we planned what I thought at the time would be a once in a life time trip. Amazingly enough, just four years later, I won a trip from a local high school fundraiser and returned to Spain in March of 2013. I return in March of 2015 with the same school only this time I was invited by the teachers and am actively helping with fundraisers to help the students.

The old world culture of Europe is fascinating. My love of culture is in my blood. I feel as though, sometimes, I am in the wrong country. Ireland is gorgeous and just as fascinating. When I went to Ireland in 2012 with my mother and niece, the plan was to take a side trip to Edinburgh. Sadly I was not able to. I’ve always wanted to see Scotland. The rich culture and history.

My brother finally rediscovered the research and is going to prepare it. As it turns out, my grandmothers, mothers, mother is a Foster and somewhere in that line, the relation goes to Mary Queen of Scotland. I cannot wait to read and discover that information. So, not only am I Hispanic but I am part Scotish also. Some combination.

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Ireland – Dublin – 2012 – Day 7

Today was my last full day in Ireland. 😦
Nothing special today. We did some packing and cleaning of the room. Chelsea flat ironed her hair and we had our breakfast and we out to wander a bit around the streets and St. Stephen’s Green. We didn’t stay out too long really.

When we came back to the hotel we had a surprise. As usual, Chelsea had the key and opened the door. When she hesitated at the door and stepped back out mom and I was like, what’s wrong?” to our great surprise the was someone in me and moms bed. Mom freaked out of course and Chelsea was quiet and didn’t say or do much. Finally I went down the hall to get the maid we saw. She got someone immediately. It was a young boy no older than 17 maybe? He was tired or drunk one or the other. Calls were made, he was escorted out and we went back down to the lobby. We were given tea and scones. Apparently the boy was confused or drunk and thought our room was his. He told the maid who was cleaning it was his and his party was still out, so they let him stay. They didn’t think to ask for ID. So, the room was re-cleaned, a fresh mattress provided and the room was free for the day. The staff was so nice and so sorry for all the inconvienence. I think they were mortified over it all. Mom was upset at the time but soon calmed down and we had a good laugh. They told us to come down to the resturant this evening and have dinner on them. So we did. We had fish n’ chips and mom and I had a Guinness. Chelsea had the same and Sprite. The boy and his family wass down there too and he came over and apologized profusely to us. We told him it was ok and that all was forgiven and we wished each other well. It was quite funny looking back over the day’s event’s. LMAO.

So, we had our dinner and turned in early, mostly to get up early tomorrow.

Ireland – Dublin – 2012 – Day 6

Today was another lounge day. Though we got up early and had breakfast and started wandering about 10:30. We went to St. Stephens Green. We went there the other day but just briefly. I wanted mom to give me some suggestions as to where to go. Nothing major but just a simple left or right, something but she makes too much of it and refused then got upset at me. So I ended up making all the decisions once again. 😦

We ended up back at the Temple Bar area looking in places and back to the bar itself. Then we sat in the green awhile and just relaxed. We ate at an out of the way place in Temple Bar (O’Shea’s Irish Resturant). Well, correction Chelsea ate while mom brooded and I enjoyed the resturant decode (Titanic & soccer) . Mom and I shared some food at Sinnotts at the shopping center on Grafton St. 

Afterwards we went back to the hotel, watched tv, surfed the Internet and chatted

Ireland – Dublin – 2012 – Day 5

Today we slept in. We ate late and there barely any bread left in the dining room. Mom did not like today’s waitress. She was a bit older and rather abrupt. She messed up mom’s order and acted a bit odd. Since we had nothing in particular to do we just sat in the lobby and relaxed. I know Chelsea wasn’t fond of this idea but we did an awful lot of walking yesterday and it was nice to just relax and not have an agenda. After a while we went up and they took showers and I napped. Mom keeps me awake most nights so i have to get some rest when I can. Around 1:30 I took a shower and Chelsea was content for the most part since she had Internet. We finally left the hotel and just meandered the streets which I love to do. We ended up grabbing a bit to eat at a deli not too far from the hotel off Nassau St. Fr. There we decided to go find the Hard Rock Cafe and The Temple Bar. Both are in the same vicinity. The Hard Rock wasn’t hard to find really. It wasn’t packed at all,which sorta shocked me, normally they are busy. It was somewhat busy upstairs though we went down stairs since we weren’t eating. We chose a booth and I got mom and I a hurricane glass ($38). Chelsea didn’t want one. We took pics and sat there for a bit and the. Took pictures outside of it and moved on down the street to find the Temple Bar. 
We stopped outside a little plaza where the people were packed into the bar. Ireland’s own Katie Taylor, a light weight boxer was boxing for the gold. I stopped videoed that and shared in the unique moment. The crowd was so thrilled when she won. We then continued down the street and found the famous Temple Bar. Red façade and gold lettering with baskets of pretty flowers outside. You could hear the music I side. We went in and stood for awhile and enjoyed the place. As to be expected it was quite busy. After that we walked to the Liffery River and the bridges that cross it. We wandered a bit more then headed back to the hotel.

So, this evening or rather late lat night I discovered pictures were issuing from the camera. I saw them as I took them and reviewed them even but ow they are gone! All of this pics from this smaller Nikon camera I brought are gone. I took some outside of Titanic Belfast but mostly inside I took with the smaller one. Some on the iPhone and chelsea took hardly any. So I’ve been pissed about that all day. 😦
We are watching the Olympics so adios. Lol

Ireland – Belfast, UK – 2012 – Day 4

6:40 am: Up early and our breakfast a little rushed. We should have gotten up eariler. We walked to O’Connell Street today which is in downtown on the other side of the river. It took us like 1/2 to walk there. We weren’t exactly sure where the bus stop was it just said, “City Centre” but we eventually found the right Aircoach bus. There is this very tall “thing” in the center. It’s almost like a tower that goes very high into the sky.

The bus has rounds so we rode to the airport and then picked up a few people from there and from there we headed to Belfast. It was a little confusing since I asked about it at first and he told me something about it in a very thick accent but then later he denied he told me anything.  A little odd. lol

Chelsea enjoyed the trip and took many pictures outside the windows. We could see the countryside and the green hills of rural Ireland. Very beautiful! As we got closer to Belfast we started seeing the “Union Jack” flags which is to say the British flag since Belfast is part of The United Kingdom. I got a “Welcome to Belfast, UK” text. 🙂

Titanic Belfast
We were dropped off at the bus stop and asked some general questions. We simply followed the signs for The Titanic Quarter. It wasn’t too hard really. One of the first things we saw was the Belfast Opera House. I took pictures of that for dad. It is a beautiful place. They have a broadway type show going in honor of The Titanic. Titanic Boys it’s called and about the steerage workers I think. It’s a bit of a long walk out to the ship yards/Titanic Quarter but again very easy to find with the good signs all around the city. We walked over The Queen Elizabeth Bridge (there is a walking side of the bridge) that crosses the Lagen River in Belfast. From there we passed left over to The Queen’s Quay and walk along the sidewalk near the river’s edge and under the Lagen Bridge. Queen’s Quay goes around a large theater where concerts and lots of events are held. I think it was called the Orephum. Continuing down to Queen’s Road, you come around the corner and you see the truly amazing structure that is now known as Titanic Belfast, a museum and tribute to The R.M.S Titanic.Once I got over the initial giddyness of seeing it, snapping a few pictures, I noticed another structure being built. They are constructing a similar facility dedicated to The Nomadic.

We walked up to the front of the building. I was in awe really. Chelsea took some pictures of mom and I in front of the large metal sign that spells out TITANIC in front of the building. I asked Chelsea why wasn’t she taking pictures of the place. She wouldn’t really give me a proper answer just said she didn’t want to. I can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to take picture of an amazing building. She’ll never be here again I imagine and it’s a sight to see. It made no sense to me at all. Anyways, we went in and I took it all in. There is a coffee shop to the left and the gift shop to the right. We stayed away from the gift shop until after the tour. So, I went to a kiosk and printed our tickets. I had a little difficulties but got it resolved with no problems. the tickets are for a specific time and we had about 30 minutes so we just hung around and looked at things. Finally our time came and we got in line and started up the escalators to the upper decks to start our tour. The tour goes from concept, building, launch, voyage, tradgety, and the legacy. Along the way we saw mock accomdations, furnishings, workers, the skematics/blue prints (digitally done so you could get a close look with details, notes and pictures of each section of the ship.

Exhibits: (via Titanic Belfast APP)
1: Welcome
2: Boomtown Belfast – History of Belfast
3: Linenopolis – Textiles in Belfast
4: Industrial Belfast
5: Shipbuilding
6: The Street
7: Travel and Communications – Interactive Telegraph
8: Olympic Class Ships
9: The Arrol Gantry
10: RIDE – ski lift type car takes you inside the building of the ship
11: Titanic’s Construction
12: The Launch
13:  CABINS & STATEROOM recreations & holographic elements
14: The Mechanical Fit Out – Interactive floor & blueprint sections
15: The Inner Fit Out –
16: The Maiden Voyage – I think this section has ineractive window that shows the Titanic in the slipway and then today’s view
17: The Passengers
18: The Iceberg
19: Voices from the Titanic
20: The Rescue
21: The Aftermath
22: Public Inquiries
23: Myths and Legends – Movie references etc. . .
24: Titanic Beneath
25: INTERACTIVE Theater – Floor shows the wreck  and computer terminals allow you to see details of ocean floor debris
26: Titanic Belfast

I took pictures, interacted with the exhibits. I think Chelsea enjoyed the exhibit. It was sad of course, all of it but important to learn about it and keep it in our lives today.  You can wander around as you like and interact in all of it. After we were done we went to the resturant called Andrew’s Gallery which is overlooking The Harland & Wolf Draft room buildings. They had all sorts of desserts and coffee/tea. I only had Euro’s but they use British Pounds so the guy did the conversion and gave me pounds back so now I have British Pounds in my Money collection! 🙂 On our way down there was a machine where you scan you flimsey ticket and in return it printed a nice souvenir Titanic ticket. So, we went to the gift shop after the tour itself. I spent $94.00. I got myself a Belfast Home of Titanic t-shirt, a money coin purse, a Titanic Belfast book, a magnet for Kim, another magnet, and a bookmark for mom. I could have gotten so much more!

From there we wandered a bit and then decided to go outside so I could take pics of the structure more and some of the surrounding buildings and sections. There was an old time British Cab out front. Sorta cool 🙂
I didn’t want to leave really but we wandered back towards the city center. Along the outer walkway, different from the one we took to walk there was another section of th Titanic Quarter. There was a metal art of the ship hanging vertical though it looked like a model piece. There were also plaques on the bricked streets of famous ships, including Titanic, made in Belfast. It’s a section that is still undergoing the revitalization and includes shops, apartment buildings and resturants. We sat on some benchs and enjoyed the breeze from the ocean. We made our way back to the bridge and discovered a sole pedestrian bridge and took that back. There was a large blue fish done by local artists and we sat for a bit deciding what or where to go. So, we walked in downtown Belfast and found the Titanic Memorial Statue and Titanic Memorial Gardens at City Hall. Which wasn’t too hard to find (again great signage in Belfast). The City Hall building had a large screen and people were gathered on the lawn watching the Olympics. Also, besides that there were large life size cows on the lawn. Sort of like the flying pigs Cincinnati has now and then. All different in design, color and artisically done. Very interesting. Around 4pm we wandered the streets and went to Subway for lack of any other places we could readily find. Mom wasn’t too happy about that but it was a place to sit indoors and rest. Around 5:30pm or 6 pm we made our way back to the bus stop and decided to just go back to Dublin. We arrived back in Dublin and walked back across O’Connell Bridge and to the hotel. I was pretty well pooped at this point. We skyped with family and then watched some TV, I read a little bit and wrote some things down.

 

Ireland – Dublin – 2012 – Day 3

I had a hard time getting mom up this morning. She kept me up alot of the night snoring. Everytime I nudge her she gets mad at me. It was after before we got up. Breakfast is only until 10 I think. So, we got up ate our breakfast and started our walking journey to The Guinness Store House over to the west of the main city center. Let me tell you, it’s a walk. haha but why pay a cab when we are perfectly able to walk and see more sights? On our way we saw Dublin Castle which is part of a Church or something. If you wanted to go inside of it you had to pay so we didn’t do that no need really. The area or parking lot ajacent to it was under construction. We looked in the gift shop and the mini museum they had there and then moved on. We stopped here and there for an interesting building or to rest for mom. We made it to the Storehouse and took pictures in front of the large double wooden doors with the logo and then around to the entrance for the tour we had tickets for. We saw the original contract that Sir Arthur Guinness signed for the property the plant/factory. A contract which was signed in 1759 for 9,000 years for the brewery located at St. James Gate.

 

It costs him an initial £100 with an annual rent of £45 – this crucially
includes water rights. The brewery covers four acres and consists of a
copper, a kieve, a mill, two malthouses, stabling for 12 horses and a
loft to hold 200 tons of hay. Arthur begins brewing porter and ale.

You start the tour at the contract which is literally in the floor. You wander around the different aspects of how to make beer and learn the history of Guiness. You get a 1/2 pint in one section Chelsea tasted it (had to show id, it’s 18 in Europe) and she tasted it and handed it to me. Not sure she liked it but she can say she had a Guinness in Dublin and at the Guiness Storehouse. 🙂
We made it up to the famous Gravity Bar at the top of the Storehouse. Free pint of Guinness 🙂 It has a panoramic view of Dublin. It was pretty busy but cleared out a bit after a while. We sat next to a couple from MA. Very friendly people. Chelsea took lots of pictures of the mountains and terrain around Dublin from here. We wandered back down from the bar and out to the street once again taking some pictures and started back towards our hotel to the east. On our way I figured we’d attempt to locate the famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Some how we got turned around and I thought we found it but wasn’t sure the sign was or is on a side street and it so happened there was a group of buses with school kids just arriving and I got stuck in the middle of them. I took some pictures and walked into the entrance a bit but didn’t want to go in just look around.

We made our way back to the hotel. Mom and I napped, Chelsea did a little on her phone and watched some TV. Eventually we went to dinner on Grafton Street.

Ireland – Dublin – 2012 – Day 2

We got up fairly early today. About 8:15. We dressed and went down for breakfast. We weren’t really sure if the buffet wasa the included breakfast of what. We only oredered tea/coffee at first. There wasn’t anyone around at first to verify. We ordered some food from the kitchen but not sure if the tea/cofee was included or not. But we ate and then went up to shower and  intended on locating a pharmacy or some place to get a flat iron and ended up on Grafton St. again. LOL. We hit The Disney Store, some local shops. and ended up finding a pharmacy but it doesn’t have flat irons. The lady said trying the mall at the end of Grafton St.

From there we found a bard down one of the side streets that turns out was near the Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre. Which of course is near St. Stephen’s Green  (the main entrance) The Sinnott Bar. It’s a bar that hs an outside patio and then you go inside and go downstairs to the actual bar. Very nice place. Lots of dark wood, beautiful. Mom and I shared a Fish ‘n Chips (24,50/$31.00). The fish pieces were good sized and over a bed of peas. Mom ate those. haha. Chelsea just had fries. rather than water we had Orange Fanta. They had widescreen TV’s showing the Olympics. Mom took one of the Fanta bottles haha.
Afterwards we headed back to the Shopping Centre. We watched a street performer. Chelsea loved it! He put himself in a straigh jacket wrapped by chains and got himself out. I gave him a few Euro’s as was the point of it all of course. It was very interesting and entertaining. We found a place in the mall with flat iron’s. It was only like 17,99 euros. There is a Claire’s in the mall. some lady (worker) in there nearly had a coronary because we took a picture in the store. Very odd. Anyways it’s a nice mall, multilevel one with lots of different places. The sun was out in abundance today. The sky was blue and beautiful!

After returning to the room for a while and resting a bit we went back down to the resturant to eat. Chelsea was startving. I told her she should have ate more at the Sinnott Bar. She had a sandwhich and mom and I had some scones. Moma and I had some coffee. The cream for the coffee is like cream cheese. haha. We sat there for a long time just eating, talking and relaxing. They don’t rush you in Ireland.you ask for your check when you are ready.

Well off to watch more of the Olympics and some local Irish late night TV.

 

 

Ireland – Dublin – 2012 – Day 1

Our journey started on 8/3 but today was our full day in Ireland, since we traveled overnight. We had some flight troubles in Charlotte, NC (CLT) with the plane but all was resolved relatively quickly and we were on our way soon enough.

We got into Dublin about 8 am. It’s Sunday and a bit cloudy with some light mist.

The airport is really nice and modern. There is a really nice walkway from the terminals to the Customs area. It has pictures of famous people from Ireland. the line was long too. But it moved fast so it wasn’t a big deal.

We took the Aircoach but from the airport to the city center. The Aircoach is a nice, comfortable bus that we will also take to Belfast on August 8, my birthday. It’s about 8 Euro ($9.91). We took it to the Trinity College stop and walked along Grafton Street. It was the closest stop to our hotel, Buswells.

The stores were mostly closed as it is a Sunday morning and the store hours are later. We started across Grafton Street, after some directions from the bus driver. I was using my phone turn by turn but it’s sometimes hard to see/tell if we go left or right. So, we turned right and went down one of th side streets and happened apon a Irish gentleman sitting on a bench. He offered to help us and told us it was the other way (left haha) and we were back on our way to the hotel. We found it with little trouble after that. It’s on a corner and across from museums and such.

The hotel is very nice. Georgian style. Wrought Iron in the front and inviting door. the froyer is big and with chairs and tables next to the windows. To the left was the bar and dining room. The front desk was to the right in the froyer. to our surprise the rooms were ready. Initially we took the elevator since we had the bags. It’s a tight fit but we made it. We joked and said we are on the second and 1/2 floor since at the end of the corridor we have to go up about 5 steps to get to the door. Room number 218. We have a traditional key not a credit card. There is a trick to the door that I had trouble with. Haha. So, Chelsea has became the door opener. 🙂

Our room is nice. It appears comfy and over looks the street. Some may not like it but I think it’s nice. We’ve already seen horse drawn carriages and The Viking Splash Tour Bus, which is some sort of old boat thing. Chelsea saw it and was like what the heck?
The windows are lower so we have to lean down to look out and I’ve hit my head a few times on the window coverings lol. We tried to get the TV on and it wouldn’t come on. We called down and they sent a manager up to help. It came right on. lol so I don’t know, it just takes a little work haha. Chelsea has a twin bed and mom and I have the double. Very comfortable and the pillows rock 🙂

So, now we are going to go grab a bite to eat in the downstairs resturant.

 

Original Post on LiveJournal

Ireland – Dublin – Day 1 – 2012 – Part 2

Part 2, with more details and such. 

So, we at a very enjoyable brunch I’ll say, in the hotel resturant.
I had a huge panini with coleslaw, potato chips, and a small salad. Chelsea just had water and a crossant. I don’t recall what mom had. We spent about 24,50 euro ($30.35).

2:00 pm: The receiptionist, mentioned to us that there was free admission to the National Museum on Sunday’s so we went to check that out. They have a board up right next to the desk with Rick Steves suggested things. Appropriate since I found the hotel in his guide book :). So, we went to the National Museum. Nothing specail but interesting to see the animals native to Ireland and the area. Lots of kids there with their families. 

4:30 pm: Surpisingly enough we’ve heard a lot of segulls. We are a “bit” inlet but there is a river near by. After wandering around a little while we came back and used Skype on my iPad to talk to Dad and Lahny. Chelsea acted indifferent and would barely say anything. Of course that ticked mom off. she can’t ever seem to just let it go and allow her to be herself. Granted I think she should have acted better but we can’t change her character so why make a big deal about it and cause more trouble?

5:52 pm: So, moving on we went out to wander and scope out the surrounding places to eat etc. . .
From the hotel we went left down Molesworth St. and walked to the end of the street and just to the left there is a bar named Cafe Seine. It looked old and very Irish so we went in and grabbed a seat at the back. It was made up like Grecian on the side we sat in. Large pillars and had sky lights with glass lamps hanging from the ceiling. I had my first Guinness of our trip. We talked (well Chelsea didn’t talk much lol but looked around) I think she was bored but this is how trips are you emmerse yourself in the local community and do as the locals do and that means talking, socializing, eating/drinking and sometimes sitting. Before we left we checked out the other room where there was a small band. Very nice 🙂

From there we went back around to Grafton Stree and wandered around the side streets etc. . .
We found some souvenir places. I found a Guinness hat for dad,a umbrella and a few other odds and ends. We wandered around some more. By this time it had started to rain and a bit more heavier than the light mist as before. Good think I got the umbrella. We needed it on the way back to the hotel. Chelsea and I walked in puddles and our jeans were all wet.  We stopped for a few minutes under a business that had an over hang or what ever it’s called. Not a “porch” but just I don’t know. lol.

Once back here in the hotel we watched some of the Olympics on TV. Track and Field. I think Chelsea is going to stay up haha.

 

Original Post on my LiveJournal