It is 5:00am and you still haven't packed - Welcome to my world.

We all know that the worst part about going on holiday is having to pack. It is not only time consuming, terrifying and soul crushing I'm pretty sure it's one of Dantes' circles of hell.

Do I need sunglasses?

Will it rain? Should I bring the jacket?
Did I pack my toothbrush? Where the hell is it?
I hope it's not over 10 kilos!
How the hell is there a Walrus in here?!

I pretty sure we all identify with these.

So here are some fool proof ways of making sure that you have everything you need before venturing off on the trip of your life. 

1) Passport - You think this would be an obvious one. But, unfortunately there have been a few times I have left the house not knowing where it is. (90% of the time actually) Keep it in the same place every time! Trust me it will save you a lot of "OMG OMG OMG" crazy panic dances on your stairs before sunrise.

2) Money - Again, another obvious one. Never change your money at airports no matter how convenient it may appear. They will take your money faster than Kanye Wests' Goldigger! (I'm referencing the song, not Kim K.. because there is a huge difference..) It's best to change some before you leave, and then search for a reliable place over to change the rest. So at least in the unfortunate case you were to robbed at least you won't have lost too much!

3) Phone - Super useful for sending your friends envious whatsapp messages telling them how fantastic a time you are having/letting your parents know that yes you are still alive, and no Mom you haven't started drinking yet. Apart from these reason, phones are a great idea because of a wonderful interface you may know of. Google. Google makes everything so much easier. Read reviews of restaurants, use Google maps in case you get lost, and every language students best friend, Google translate.

4) All your documentation - Boarding passes, flight number, hotel/hostel numbers. You need these. No getting around it. Especially the boarding passes depending on the air line that you are flying with. I'm not going to lie, certain air lines are a bit of a pain in the nether-regions with regard of having to have your passes with you. (I would print multiple copies if possible, and keep them in different places. But, then again I get lost in my own house)

5) A good attitude- Okay, traveling in general sucks.(The actual getting there). Don't be a d*ck. Airports, train stations, bus stations, hover craft platforms are stressful. Nobody wants to be there, nobody wants to wait, and everyone is anxious. So, relax, smile, you will get there. And you will love it when you are there. Unless of course you go to Africa and end up with some sort of weird strain of malaria which makes you cry crickets out of your eyeballs or something. #badbuzz

6) House keys - I generally bring them with me because I don't know if my housemates are going to be there. But, if at all possible. Leave them with a person you trust (not someone who is going to spray paint turtles on your walls when you leave. Or go all Walter White and turn it into a meth lab. Unless they are willing to share the profits!) If you need to bring them, choose a safe place in your backpack. Not your pockets!

7) Camera - 'Cause we all do the same damn thing we do in class. Instead of taking notes we tell ourselves, "I'll remember it". This doesn't cut it. TAKE. LOADS. OF. PHOTOS. You will be delighted that you have them later, and they are perfect for printing and shoving them in your friends/families/weird next door neighbours face to fully describe how amazing it was*. (* up to a period of three months, after this you just look like a pretentious, annoying, self-centered mollusk).

I generally view these as the essentials. If I have these leaving the house, then I'm on the right track. Some other things you may decide to bring with you, which may be important, are here:

- Clothes - extra points if you actually check the weather in the country of your choice. (I never do).
Socks/Shoes/T-Shirts/Pants/Underwear/Shorts/Rain Jacket/Swim Suit/Lady Gaga style meat dress.
- Suncream - Rain, snow, hail or shine. Protect your face. Or it may start to look like a sofa I saw on the internet... Or was that Mick Jagger?
- Toiletries - Toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant are not only crucial but will also be a definer on whether people will want to talk to you or not. You may have a stellar personality, but you smell like a college dorm.
- Stuff to keep you occupied - Books, magazines, mp3 player, ear plugs. I don't really care what it is, as long as it keeps you from wanting to commit genocide on the plane I am all for it!
- Adapters - Okay, so here in Ireland we are still beta testing Europe. Which means that we have different plugs to everyone else. So don't forget to bring an adapter! Otherwise kiss goodbye to all electrical devices!
- First aid kit - Antiseptic cream, bandages, blister pads, collapsible statue of Zeus. Whatever you think will get you out of a sticky situation, bring it!

I shall update as I think of it! :)

Ciao! x 

Jailbreak 14 - Part One - Germany.

This year I was so lucky to be able to participate in an Irish charity event called Jailbreak 14. Basically, we had to raise money for charities like Saint Vincent De Paul, Amnesty International and NUI Galways' own fantastic charity called Draoicht. Oh, I forgot to mention the teeny weeny part where we had to leave the country in teams of two and get as far away from Ireland as we could without spending any of our own money. * runs for a paper bag -deep breath*

Yeah, so that happened!

I went with my divinely patient, (and gorgeous), friend Alessandra! (Who I am surprised did not slit my throat with a spoon during the journey because I annoyed the crap out of her!)

(Both our faces can actually be located here along with an interview we gave for the Irish Independent on the jailbreak extravaganza http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/its-back-irish-jailbreakers-get-ready-to-beg-borrow-and-blag-for-charity-travel-stunt-30030697.html)

D-Day came and we were to meet all the other teams from the 4 different Irish Universities. We met outside Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin (Jailbreak - gettit? ) And were terrified because everyone seemed to have flights booked or plans and we didn't have anything sorted. So, harnessing the power of Micheal D. himself we plucked up the courage to buy the cheapest tickets we could, one way flights to Munich, Germany, while standing in the queue to register! To say I was nervous would be an understatement because that was literally the only plan that we had, and there was no return. But that was the least of my worries. Getting stranded in Europe, grand. Not knowing any German at all, grand. Having the organizational skills of a mollusk, grand. But it was Saturday, and I had an assignment due the next Tuesday. And I didn't know when I would be getting a flight home. Crap.

Anyway, inside the jail we made friends with a wonderful team from UCD (the beautiful Mac and Sophia) who also speak Italian so with our combined potenza (power) We ventured on forth to the airport! (We also hung around the airport until 4pm giving out free hugs and meeting famous people. Namely some dude name Gaz from Geordie Shore or something, I dunno! Then we met some more teams and went for pints. Sure what else would you be doing?!)

Eventually we arrived in Munich (which I think 12 other teams went to because it was the cheapest flight out of) and to our surprise we made a small Irish colony over in the airport! Which was lovely! I learned a few things about myself being stuck in that airport.
1) I am actually much more brave than I previously thought I was.
2) I have literally fudge all German to my name. - I thought Munchen meant exit, it is actually the German for Munich-
3) I fudging love making pointless lists.

Anyhoo - I forgot t

Terrific Trento!

As some of you may know the absolutely stunning region of Trentino-Alto Adige will be my home in September. So in preparation for that, last week, thanks to one of my beautful friends Giulia, I was able to go and visit!

Things you need to know about Trento:

1) OHMYGODITISBEAUTIFUL - Sorry, I mean, to one of distinguished taste and elegance it may be deemed as aesthetically pleasing. It is located in a valley completely surrounded by snow covered mountains. You never see the sun set, but trust me that does not detract from the sheer breathtaking beauty of the place.

2) The people are so friendly! - I am supposed to be getting a degree in Italian, but I'm afraid even ordering ice-cream can be difficult for me. So even though I sounded like an absolute cretin asking for a *jews-stoh* instead of a *goo-stow*. (Gusto - flavour)  They still tried to help me along and teach me new words as I went along. What I've noticed anywhere I've traveled, even if you absolutely Texas chainsaw massacre their language, as long as you try your best they will appreciate it.

3) Ice- Cream.- In Italian it is called gelato, I personally think it should be called the frozen tears of seraphic angels. (There is an amazing ice-cream restaurant called Seraphini near Lavis a town just outside Trento. It is one of the five best in Italy. And the perfect place to die from an over expanded stomach!) If you can't venture out of town I highly recommend "Grom" near the fountain. They serve organic ice-cream that is only created using seasonal products, so the flavours always change! One of the best though is called Crema di Grom - which is their house specialty!

4) History Everywhere! - Trento has no shortage of interesting historical places to visit. There is the Castello di Buonconsiglio - which at the moment has a fantastic Egyptian exhibition- The museums, libraries, frescoes on the buildings and the little hidden treasures that leave behind traces of the control of fascism. -hint, look at the manhole covers- There is also a statue of Dante Alighieri in Piazza Dante which has a hilarious joke attached to it. At the bottom of the statue there is a Devil. One day the Devil looks up at Dante and asks him a question:
"Dante, how much shit is in Trento?"
Dante replies by outstretching his arm.

"About this high"


5) Suncream. - You, unlike me, will not be lured into the false sense of security the snow covered mountains provide. Trento. Gets. Hot. Like really hot. I visited the University building for Arts subjects and I can tell you it is just one big glass box. I was like an Irish rotisserie chicken inside it.

6) Nightlife. - I'm not going to lie, it is different to Ireland. There is no sneaky sips of Buckie in the bushes or anything like that. But you won't miss it! I should note that when we say nightclub here that is equivalent to the European discoteca. If you were to ask to go to a nightclub in Europe you will end up in a Stringfellows type shindig. (But maybe that was what you wanted in the first place?) I went to one of the most common places to go out in Trento and it's only newly opened. (I unfortunately cannot remember the name!) The great thing about it was the atmosphere, unbelievably relaxed and fun. If you have ever been to the Roisin Dubh in Galway it has a similar vibe. Something I think was so cool about it, (apart from the fact it was downstairs in an old stone cellar), was that you could play board games! *childish grin* (A good place for pre-drinking is called Simposium!)

7) Transport. - You can literally walk everywhere you need to get to. The center itself is very small and the furthest point you would probably need would be about 20 minutes away. So ka-ching for saving bus fares! But for those of us who have a sloth as our spirit animal, fret not as there is a very comprehensive bus system. And, if you want to get out of Trento, (because you are just too taken aback by how amazing it is), located in Piazza Dante is the train station. For just 40 minutes of your time and a measly 12 yo'yo's you can travel to Bolzano/Bozen which is just equally as impressive!

I think that is about it! Unfortunately I didn't get to spend as long in the city as I would have liked to but I will be back soon!

One of the most hilarious things though about having pale skin and blue eyes in Italy is that people think you are German. Had a very awkward/endearing moment with a cashier in Bolzano/Bozen, which is a bilingual Italian/German city, as she tried to speak to me in German and thought I had some sort of intellectual disability. #eurolols

Italian words/phrases to know!

When ordering ice-cream:

Due gusti per favore - Two flavours please.
Sì, voglio sempre di più - Yes, I always want more.


When you're out for the night:

Un'altra birra per favore - Another beer please.
Posso avere il conto? - Can I have the bill?
Mi può consigliare un buon bar? - Can you recommend a good bar to me?
Cosa vuol dire che ho avuto abbastanza? - What do you mean I've had enough?

Any questions, comments, suggestions, critiques or weird dreams leave them below!

Ciao! x

Well Hello There!

Buongiorno i miei amici! (The Italian version of Hi-diddly ho friends!)

Welcome to my page which I hope will enlighten you to the wonderful world of traveling! In particular will guide you through my Italian adventures as I will be moving there soon! *happy dance*

Basically I want this to be a fun space where I can tell you about some of the cool things I've discovered in the cities that I've been to, recount some of the most stupid/funny things I've somehow (against the laws of physics) have managed to achieve and also teach you a little bit of the beautiful Italian language along the way! There will be some jokes, some of the strange and wonderful people that I've met, photographs and a few videos!

Something I want to clear up first, finally an answer to a comment I get frequently:

Wow! You travel so much, you must be super organized!

"No, my God no. I usually pack an hour before I leave. I am NEVER able to find my passport until it magically appears before I leave the door (there was this one time, as in this week, that I only found my passport in my pocket on the way to the bus station), and on more than one occasion I have forgotten to print my boarding passes. Also, I have like 7 toothbrushes in my house because I keep forgetting them and having to rebuy them!"


Sooooooooo... any questions, comments, or suggestions leave them below and I figure out how the hell to answer them! <3.
(Haven't quite figured out how this works yet!)