Hey there peoples,
It seems that Brian has been far more vigilant than I as of late to keep you informed as to our recent exploits. Instead of fighting against this new development I have decided that I am happy to continue filling this lethargic role which will be appropriately reflected through the length of this posting.
After Ireland I spent a day in Paris where I met some wonderful people with whom I made a delicious and nutritious meal in our hostel's kitchen. I guess you would have to know me well to realize just how giddy it made me to cook for a group again. The experience made me realize just how much I miss my usual access to a full kitchen. After partaking in that culinary project we all went out for a few (note: few = less than 10. I think...) and had an overall spectacular time chatting and swapping backpacking stories. The next morning brought with it over 25 hours of uninterrupted traveling, bringing me from Paris to Dublin where I was grateful to see Brian awaiting me at the train station. Brian had already been here for a couple of days, and so after a few brief introductions to the people that he had met, I felt like I was part of the Dublin crew and ready to join the par-tay.
The rest of my time here has been described perfectly well by Brian and the only thing that I would add is further emphasis on just how much the Guinness brewery rocked. Not only was the tour fun, creative and informative (Not to mention effective. I think a huge internal struggle will precede any attempt to order a beer other than Guinness from now on.), but the free pint of the famous black ale that they give you at the end of it all was by far the best glass of beer I have ever had the pleasure of consuming. Not only was the beer exquisite, but we had the pleasure of enjoying it in the brewery's cylindrical Gravity Bar which is located at the top of the building and offers a spectacular view of Dublin. If you should ever find yourself in the city, I highly recommend it.
When I'm not involving myself in the torturous activity of consuming beer straight from the brewery, I find myself booking trains, planes and ferries for my travels in the near future. I'm planning to leave Dublin on monday for Glasgow, where I will stay for 2-3 days, and then I will work my way down to London where I will return back to the land of Hockey and Maple Syrup on the 5th of August. Reasons for my choice to come home early are listed in no particular order and include:
A - My severe longing to drive my car.
B - To drive away the curse that seems to have brought only chaos and disaster
to my family in Dryden since my departure.
C - To submerse myself utterly and completely in electronic entertainment.
Okay, okay. I'm also coming home because I miss all you wonderful people so much. Instead of joining in whenever I burst into spontaneous song, people here tend to stare and then shimmy away as though I were a poisonous snake coiled to strike. My random sound effects are also not very much appreciated here and generally my random silliness just doesn't seem to be as accepted. I guess, if nothing else, this trip has helped me to appreciate those people in my life who see my nonsensical and erratic side, but call me friend all the same.
So prepare yourselves people. The crazy German is coming home soon!
Take it easy,
Markus
Posted by Markus at July 26, 2003 05:37 PMYay crazy German coming home! And Markus, I must say, I am very insulted. I might be a harpy, but I am no curse!!! Do you really need to talk about me that way?? Do you need to come home early to drive me away? Not fair. Daniel might have idolized you up to this point in his life, but we'll see what he does when you call his girlfriend a curse! I'll sick your brother on you!!! (Whether it will get him badly bruised or not.) Besides, you won't find me that easy to get rid of. I'm already planning to come up at some point during the Christmas break, so there!
Posted by: Shannon at July 27, 2003 06:51 PMOh Shannon, I didn't mean you. I'm talking about Mikey, Sonja and Bernie all contracting injury and illness with enthusiasm that would make most masochists wince. I don't know if my family members have decided that life just isn't exciting unless they've got some painful obstacle to overcome, but I've decided that going home is the only way to stop this line of thought before I don't have a family to come home to. Apparently It's even worse than I thought, though, now that I've found out that Daniel is actually dating a harpy. Then again, a harpy that celebrates Christmas can't be all that bad, can she?
Posted by: Markus at July 28, 2003 11:35 AMActually, I knew that that was what you meant .... hehehehehehehehehhee. I just thought it was funny to pretend you meant me, and I seem to have tricked you, so yay! I probably find out about your family landed in the hospital before you do, and I did arrive in Dryden on the day Mikey had his appendix out, so ya, I'm up on the summer string of injuries up there. At least Sonja got to go to volleyball camp, we were worried she'd hurt herself at the summer camp before that and not get to go at all. So hopefully you coming home does stop the injuries, unless it just gets you in the hospital for something. Maybe dating a harpy is the answer, since Daniel has not yet been hospitalized this summer. (knock on wood)
Harpy, and proud of it,
Posted by: Shannon at July 28, 2003 05:51 PMAwww... that's a really nice thing to say about us, Markus. There definitely aren't any judgements around here, so I can see why you'd find it more relaxing around us. BTW Shannon, I'm glad you had such a great time in Dryden! Just don't get TOO up-to-speed on all of the events and customs down there -- you were one of the few I could relate to whenever a room full of Drydenites made the most obscure references, all of which involve video-tapes of teachers having intercourse with meese (what the plural of "moose" was always meant to be) on snowmobiles!
Posted by: Éric Gagnon at July 29, 2003 04:15 AMOh, and keep up the "harpy" discussions -- It's always good to be proud of who you truly are! Maybe people will think twice when they tell you "Be yourself!"
And Mark', consider your family's injuries added to the prayer list.
See ya soon,
Enrique
Friend? When did I ever call you friend? Dork... maybe, loser... definitely, but never friend!!! Just kidding! You know we appreciate you. Nobody around lonely little Dryden has a life when you're not around, so you can be sure we're all looking forward to seeing you soon! Enjoy your last week, and party a little just for me! :)
Christina
Posted by: Christina at July 29, 2003 10:09 PM