Early last summer, a group of West Perry students ventured to Great Britain and Ireland to explore Europe’s grand countrysides and bustling cities. I was fortunate enough to go along on this adventure, and tell my tale to you.
For me, the adventure began when I stepped through the security check at the airport and waved goodbye to my parents for my first ever flying experience. We took off from Harrisburg and traveled through airports and in planes for nearly twenty hours before taking our first steps on European soil. Instead of talking for hours about everything, I would like to share with you the highlights of the trip. Some of the highlights for me include the Blarney Castle, Dublin, Brexit, singing with old men, Edinburgh Castle, London, Windsor Castle, and exploring the countryside. Every moment of this trip was memorable, and I would go back in a heartbeat to experience it all over again.
Blarney Castle in Ireland displays breathtaking beauty through its age and surrounding gardens. Blarney Castle was not merely a castle as I thought it would be, but a whole property that was filled with opportunities for adventure and picture-taking. There was a waterfall that you could walk behind, a stairwell known as the “wishing steps” that were carved out of massive rock, immense trees that were shaped funny, glimpses of unusual art, a wide, picturesque walkway that featured overhanging flowers, and grass that was kept better than the grass on Trump’s own golf courses in Scotland. On top of that, the castle contained the Blarney Stone, which is said to bestow the gift of gab onto anyone who kisses it. Unfortunately, you must bend backwards over a forty-foot drop in order to kiss it as an older gentleman holds onto you. It’s weird to consider that we got to kiss the same stone that millions of others from across the Earth have kissed. I suppose it's a good thing we did not get sick. However, the Blarney Castle was an incredible place that I will never forget.
Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, was the next great adventure to take place on the trip. We got to explore the various tourist attractions such as the Book of Kells and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Government buildings are always immense and incredible to look at. Some of the streets were beautiful and bustling with people. As you start to wander those streets, you begin to realize something different about the Irish culture. There are pubs on every block. Drinking is viewed differently in Europe than it is here.
We woke up on our last day in Ireland to historical news. Britain had voted to leave the European Union. Our tour guide was heart-broken because he said that it would take away thousands of pounds on his pension and he would need to start looking for a new job. It turns out that a degree from Cambridge cannot even guarantee a secure financial income. The worth of the pound had also dropped lower than it had ever been in the past three decades. This was not pleasing news to anyone living there, but sadly, it was a guaranteed a bonus to any American tourist. When we would arrive there later that day, we would be able to take out more pounds for less dollars. We also found out later that day that the Prime Minister was resigning and Scotland was considering a second referendum of independence because of the vote, which would have split up the United Kingdom. It was a true once-in-a-lifetime honor to be present during that historical mile-marker for the country.
That first night in Wales, we stayed in a Hotel which had a pub on the first floor. There were older men and women who lived in that town that were drinking and singing songs. A man would play the electric organ as they sang a song, and then they would go back to drinking. It was about time for bed when this was going on, but they wanted some of “the Americans” to sing a song. Mr. Rahn and I sang “An American Trilogy” by Elvis Presley as the man played the organ. Then, they wanted all the teachers to sing, so Mr. Rahn, Mr. and Mrs.Grippin, Miss Miller, Mrs. Ewing, and I all sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” by request. This was a moment in my life that I consider priceless. After we sang, a cute older lady asked me to dance, but I kindly declined and said it was past my bedtime. She was disappointed, but she gave me a key-chain that said “I ♡ Wales” and I was thankful.
There is too much to talk about, so I will try to be brief. Edinburgh, the Capital of Scotland, was really fun. On our bus tour, we saw the school where Alexander Graham Bell went, Parliament Halls, J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley, the Lister House, the First Minister’s House, the Scott Monument, and much more. We explored the Edinburgh Castle, which has huge historical significance. Some of the things that stood out to me included the fact that King James III was born there, the second oldest known crown jewels existed there, prisoner’s of war were kept there from the American Revolution, and they built the walkway that we had walked on. If you are wondering about the significance of King James III, he was the first to translate the Bible into English. In the free time we had in Edinburgh, I got to see the Restaurant where J.K. Rowling wrote most of her Harry Potter books and Tom Riddle's real grave.
From Edinburgh, we took a train to King’s Cross Station in London. In this city, we got to see Parliament buildings, Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, London’s School for rich boys (including Daniel Radcliffe), and much more. We took a ride on the London Eye, which is a colossal luxury Ferris Wheel. We were able to see miles across the city and have that moment to take it all in. We watched some street performers do unusual acts and ate some gelato. I had a frightening experience with an automated bathroom that I never wish to go through again. We saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on London’s Broadway equivalent, and took a Jack the Ripper tour. By the way, public bathrooms are not typically free to use in Europe. There are typically service fees of about twenty to thirty pence.
One day, we took an expedition to the beautiful Windsor Castle which is where the Queen likes to stay. Overall, it was another gorgeous castle that I wish to never forget.
Before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye to our new Californian friends and the British Isles. We climbed aboard our plane and headed home. I was sad to say goodbye, but I hope I will get to go back one day and explore some more. It was an honor and a thrill to be a part of this trip. I hope that future trips will be organized so that underclassmen may also get to enjoy the experience. I must give a shout out to Mr. Grippin for being the one to make it all happen and the District’s board for allowing us to go. It was a jolly ole trip, it was. Pip, pip, cheerio.
(All Images Provided by Wyatt Richard)
For me, the adventure began when I stepped through the security check at the airport and waved goodbye to my parents for my first ever flying experience. We took off from Harrisburg and traveled through airports and in planes for nearly twenty hours before taking our first steps on European soil. Instead of talking for hours about everything, I would like to share with you the highlights of the trip. Some of the highlights for me include the Blarney Castle, Dublin, Brexit, singing with old men, Edinburgh Castle, London, Windsor Castle, and exploring the countryside. Every moment of this trip was memorable, and I would go back in a heartbeat to experience it all over again.
Blarney Castle in Ireland displays breathtaking beauty through its age and surrounding gardens. Blarney Castle was not merely a castle as I thought it would be, but a whole property that was filled with opportunities for adventure and picture-taking. There was a waterfall that you could walk behind, a stairwell known as the “wishing steps” that were carved out of massive rock, immense trees that were shaped funny, glimpses of unusual art, a wide, picturesque walkway that featured overhanging flowers, and grass that was kept better than the grass on Trump’s own golf courses in Scotland. On top of that, the castle contained the Blarney Stone, which is said to bestow the gift of gab onto anyone who kisses it. Unfortunately, you must bend backwards over a forty-foot drop in order to kiss it as an older gentleman holds onto you. It’s weird to consider that we got to kiss the same stone that millions of others from across the Earth have kissed. I suppose it's a good thing we did not get sick. However, the Blarney Castle was an incredible place that I will never forget.
Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, was the next great adventure to take place on the trip. We got to explore the various tourist attractions such as the Book of Kells and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Government buildings are always immense and incredible to look at. Some of the streets were beautiful and bustling with people. As you start to wander those streets, you begin to realize something different about the Irish culture. There are pubs on every block. Drinking is viewed differently in Europe than it is here.
We woke up on our last day in Ireland to historical news. Britain had voted to leave the European Union. Our tour guide was heart-broken because he said that it would take away thousands of pounds on his pension and he would need to start looking for a new job. It turns out that a degree from Cambridge cannot even guarantee a secure financial income. The worth of the pound had also dropped lower than it had ever been in the past three decades. This was not pleasing news to anyone living there, but sadly, it was a guaranteed a bonus to any American tourist. When we would arrive there later that day, we would be able to take out more pounds for less dollars. We also found out later that day that the Prime Minister was resigning and Scotland was considering a second referendum of independence because of the vote, which would have split up the United Kingdom. It was a true once-in-a-lifetime honor to be present during that historical mile-marker for the country.
That first night in Wales, we stayed in a Hotel which had a pub on the first floor. There were older men and women who lived in that town that were drinking and singing songs. A man would play the electric organ as they sang a song, and then they would go back to drinking. It was about time for bed when this was going on, but they wanted some of “the Americans” to sing a song. Mr. Rahn and I sang “An American Trilogy” by Elvis Presley as the man played the organ. Then, they wanted all the teachers to sing, so Mr. Rahn, Mr. and Mrs.Grippin, Miss Miller, Mrs. Ewing, and I all sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” by request. This was a moment in my life that I consider priceless. After we sang, a cute older lady asked me to dance, but I kindly declined and said it was past my bedtime. She was disappointed, but she gave me a key-chain that said “I ♡ Wales” and I was thankful.
There is too much to talk about, so I will try to be brief. Edinburgh, the Capital of Scotland, was really fun. On our bus tour, we saw the school where Alexander Graham Bell went, Parliament Halls, J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley, the Lister House, the First Minister’s House, the Scott Monument, and much more. We explored the Edinburgh Castle, which has huge historical significance. Some of the things that stood out to me included the fact that King James III was born there, the second oldest known crown jewels existed there, prisoner’s of war were kept there from the American Revolution, and they built the walkway that we had walked on. If you are wondering about the significance of King James III, he was the first to translate the Bible into English. In the free time we had in Edinburgh, I got to see the Restaurant where J.K. Rowling wrote most of her Harry Potter books and Tom Riddle's real grave.
From Edinburgh, we took a train to King’s Cross Station in London. In this city, we got to see Parliament buildings, Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, London’s School for rich boys (including Daniel Radcliffe), and much more. We took a ride on the London Eye, which is a colossal luxury Ferris Wheel. We were able to see miles across the city and have that moment to take it all in. We watched some street performers do unusual acts and ate some gelato. I had a frightening experience with an automated bathroom that I never wish to go through again. We saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on London’s Broadway equivalent, and took a Jack the Ripper tour. By the way, public bathrooms are not typically free to use in Europe. There are typically service fees of about twenty to thirty pence.
One day, we took an expedition to the beautiful Windsor Castle which is where the Queen likes to stay. Overall, it was another gorgeous castle that I wish to never forget.
Before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye to our new Californian friends and the British Isles. We climbed aboard our plane and headed home. I was sad to say goodbye, but I hope I will get to go back one day and explore some more. It was an honor and a thrill to be a part of this trip. I hope that future trips will be organized so that underclassmen may also get to enjoy the experience. I must give a shout out to Mr. Grippin for being the one to make it all happen and the District’s board for allowing us to go. It was a jolly ole trip, it was. Pip, pip, cheerio.
(All Images Provided by Wyatt Richard)