Great Britain Ch. 01: Ireland
Now, there is a reason they call the British Isles, Great Britain; they are FāN GREAT! Now this story is not all true, nor is it all fiction. I like to think of it as a nice mix of reality and those dreams that were running through my head the whole time I was away. Also, this is not my first time in Europe, nor my first sexual experience, but it is my first few times having sex in another countryā¦experiences that can make a trip glow in your memory bank until that glorious day you go senile. I hope you enjoy my trip as much as I did.
The first time I went to Europe I was in high school. Now, my family was not rich, but most of my friends were. They convinced me to go to the interest meeting, and boy was I interested. I held in my desires for a few days, thinking, strike that, knowing the answer of my parents would be a resounding āNo!ā It was the early 90ās and Bush Sr. had made most of America poor. But I really wanted this, so I asked. To my surprise they said yesā¦on one condition. I had to pay half of it. No freakinā problem there. I was a little more responsible that I should have been at that age. While my friends were all saving for cars, I horded my money for a trip to Europe and a drum-set. I knew the value of a dollar, and I could always hitch rides, but a trip to Europeā¦once in a lifetime, or so I thought.
I was too young the first time I went. I enjoyed it, but it was a whirlwind tour of seven countries. I couldnāt fully appreciate what a gift I was really receiving.
So, now itās 2002 and another opportunity drops in my lap. After graduation from college my plans were to move to London and get a job in the recording industryā¦business, not playing. Then my roommate tells me about a study abroad program that puts me in London for three months, going to school and doing what I want to do. But once again I think, no way in hell my parents will send me to Europe again. My first few years in college were a waste, and I have been in for too long for my parents to reward me with such a gift for mediocrity. But once again, they said yes. Dad was in the Air Force when he was younger. He had travel in his blood. He has been all over the worldā¦like father like son.
So once again I scrimped and saved, and now it is June of 2003, and I am sitting in the Nashville airport, scared out of my mind, yet too excited to sit still. Not only was I going to be out of the country for three months (total excitement) but also it was only a few months since George W. had re-entered Iraq, and the first time for me on a plane after 9-11. (Itās funny how both trips were around that father and son duo.) I digressā¦
As I sit in my nervousness, I start to look around my section of the airport, nothing but women. I think, āThis canāt be my flight,ā and go about my business. Later still, I look around and more women, not all beautiful, but a good chuck of them I could fall for. My nervousness faded and my mind drifted to the wonderful times ahead, thinking āLuck Me!ā
The flight was fine, and school was great. We were in a rich part of London, and life was grand. But where the real action started was on the little trips we could take. The U.K. transportation system was amazing. In four hours I could be in Scotland, or on a ferry to Ireland, or some other wonderful location in England. For my first trip, I just had to go to Ireland. (I know, Ireland is not really part of Great Britain, but I really couldnāt see myself going to N. Ireland for a nice getaway, and for the purpose of the title, weāll pretend. If you are from the U.K., DONāT GET PISSED OFF!!!)
IRELAND:
I took the train from Kings Cross in London to Holyhead in Wales. It was my first outbound of the trip. I had no plans, no real destination, and the only reservation was for a flight back from Dublin to London a few days after departure. I wanted an adventure. I had been at the school for about two weeks and I loved the people and class and everything I was doing, but I needed to be alone and experience my Irish heritageā¦not just drinking, but my heritageā¦or so I thought.
I was fortunate enough to get to Holyhead in time to catch a ferry at a decent time. So I got my ticket and hopped on board. I was so excited. The ship was nice and large and I felt safe on it. It was mid June, but while in Ireland that is nice weather, when a ship starts trekking across the Irish sea, the wind can bite through the warmest of clothing. So, I was shivering and taking pictures of the approaching Irish shore when a hand grabās my shoulder. Being alone on this journey I immediately froze in horror. As I was spun around I was shocked at the gleaming face of a lovely female from one of my classes. Standing behind her was another girl we had met from some of her classes, and behind her an Irish stranger; named William, whom they had met on the train from London.
Although I had wanted to be a loaner; i.e. stay in a youth hostel and get lost in the land, I was thrilled to see people I knew, especially Sarah, the one who grabbed me. The four of us went inside the ship and got acquainted. William was from Ireland, but lived in Londonā¦he worked as a Viagra salesmanā¦I shit you not, a Viagra salesman. So, after a while, the girls, Sarah and Mason, go to the bathroom in a pair, as women often do, and William gets a grin on his face and says, I think you are going to really enjoy Ireland, and hands me a bottle of Viagra. I am shocked. He tells me only to use half a pill at a time, or I would regret having a hard on for eight hours, but other than that, he told me to enjoy them in good health.