Sara Hammerzmith

Today started fairly early for all of us, as we had decided to head for an early viewing of the Guinness museum. We decided to walk, as it was only about 20 minutes away, but I’m going to admit it wasn’t exactly the most pleasant walk we’ve ever had, as the bad weather had just hit Ireland, at least since we arrived.

We finally arrived at the storehouse, and it was pretty cool! As you guys might now, I’m not much of a drinker, but it was very very interesting to see how they make this famous brew. We got to witness Nathan pour his own pint of Guinness, and my favorite part was the advertise part where they had a singing oyster and a fish on a bicycle. It absolutely made my day. We made our way up to the Gravity bar, and the view over the town was absolutely mesmerizing!

After this, we headed down to Arthurs Pub close by for some delicious lunch with nice catching up and shelter from the rain. Straight after, we headed toward Dublinia, the viking and medieval museum, which was VERY, VERY interesting and fun. It was an interactive kind of exhibition where you got to parttake a bit, and I just love those. It gets more interesting.

After Dublinia we headed straight home through the pouring rain, warming and drying up a bit at the hotel before heading down to the VAT house Pub for a last drink before our last day here in Dublin. It was a nice evening with the same musician as last night, remembering about the great times and of course, a lot of excitement for tomorrows show.

// Sara

Today has been a bit of an eventful day. We started our day with what was supposed to be a “continental breakfast” but turned out to have nothing but cereal and bread. After breakfast we went off to the Leprechaun musem, and stopped in some of the stores on the way. As we got to the museum, we learned we would get on the 1’o clock tour, so in the meantime, we went off to check out the Saint Michan Church.

It’s a beautiful building, but also very very old. It was built already in 1095, so imagine. After this, back to the museum we went and got to discover the world and tale of the Leprechaun. It was a very interesting to learn the real tale about it, and not just the glorified version of it. The funniest room were the room of the Giants, where we actually got to feel like Leprechauns.

Funnily enough, we met a Swedish guy at the exhibit who had been at Sweden Rock, who so happened to think Lordi was the best show. What are the odds!

After this, we went to have some lunch at T. P. Smiths bar, and it was heavenly! All the food we’ve been eating here so far has been nothing but delicious. Once done, we headed towards some smaller monuments, like the Garden of Remembrance, before we headed off toward the Museum of Wax.

That, my friends was an experience of it’s own. We got to learn a lot about Irish history, and also get scared to death in the Horror Chamber. To be honest, we didn’t actually dare to go all the way into Dracula in case he’d sit up for something.  But we really, really enjoyed it.

After this, we headed home at to the hotel, waited for Sophie to come back and to go and have some dinner. Nathan decided to sit out on this one, and after a long looking around we decided on a pub and it was the best choice ever. Not only was it cheap in comparison to dishes, it was the coziest place, and they had live musician there, which, I guess, most pubs DO have, but what I liked about this one is that he talked to all of us, interacted, entertained, made jokes about where we were from. The dinner became very very pleasant because of him.

Back in the hotelroom we’ve been catching up, talking, planning and enjoying the fact that we are living on the pubstreet and have constant Irish folkmusic 24/7 right outside our window. It’s so fantastic and cozy. Tomorrow, it’s the Guinness musem.

// Sara

Today was my last day in Paris, and you know, while it’s actually kind of nice to settle down in a city and catch many shows in a row, it also sucks. A lot. Because after a while you get used to it. Life here. You get your metrostation and all of a sudden you turn into a stressed and pissed off Parisian.

For the day I felt like I was running around literally everywhere, trying to catch as much as possible on this last day. I started off at the Pont Neuf, and then walked my way over to Place du Concorde and the Obelisque.

And yes, walked. I do prefer walking – if it’s up to an hour walk, I’ll happily do it. It allows you to see more of the city you are in, in my opinion.

After this, I made my way over to the Bastille, which I sadly didn’t get any good photos off. I walked over to Maison de Victor Hugo, but decided that I’ll save the museum for some other time. After this, I went off to Jardin Du Luxembourg, and on my way I passed a few things, amongst those, Pantheon.

I realize that this blog entry might sound very, very uninspired and quick, but it’s because at this very moment, my mind is sort of scattered because the day went so fast that I barely remember what I actually went to. Perhaps it’ll be better later.

After being in the parc, I went to McDonalds (classic!) for dinner before heading off to the Eiffel tower to catch it in the dark. Like I mentioned before, there’s nothing I like more than lit up buildings and neon lights in the dark, and I just knew I had to see this magnificent building in the dark as well. And I was not disappointed. AT ALL.

After this, it was time for me to get home and get ready for Kissin’ Dynamite, the last show of the stay here in Paris.

// Sara

So! First thing in the morning after getting up and slowly eating one slice of bread was to calculate costs. Yaaay, right? Not really. Or well, it’s fun in one way, but it also gives one a headache sometime putting it all together. But I also reckon that, the more often I do it, perhaps once a day, the better it is for me later on when trying to put all costs together.

Once done, Florian very fittingly wrote to me and said he was outside Elysée Montmarte, so I jumped down to keep him some company in the wait for Laura, whom arrived shortly thereafter. We made our way to McDonalds where we had some late breakfast or early lunch before going back to the venue and there, we parted ways. I myself, headed off to the Eiffel Tower which would be today’s first stop.

Funnily enough, on my way there, which included a trainchange, I wound up at the Arc de Triomph, so I figured, why not? It was actually my second destination so.

It’s seriously so stunning up close. Last time I saw it, was from a bus and we circulated twice. And this was 11 years ago, so. After a quick look at the maps, I realized the Eiffel Tower was a mere 30 minute walk from the bow, so I decided to walk and discover the neighbourhood a bit.

It’s so interesting in a way, how different French architecture and standards are compared to Swedish. The buildings are really romantic and more… I don’t know how to even explain it in English, but there’s something extraordinary beautiful about it. After a while though, I reached the majestic Eiffeltower.

It’s a very very grand building in all it’s might and it… All of the things I’ve been seeing here in Paris is just hard to grasp. You have heard about them, and seen them on pictures, but when you stand there, right in front of them, it’s hard to grasp they are really THERE.

I headed back toward Notre Dame shortly after to pick up a small medalion, but also to catch Notre Dame in the dark and you know, it was the most dreamlike moment.

As I approached the Cathedral, the bells started ringing. I had goosebumps all over, and my mind went completely blank. It just threw me all the way back into 1482, right into Victor Hugo’s novel. And once inside again, I wound up in a mass. It was just… I can’t really explain the feeling to you, but it was an extraordinary and divine situation to be in.

Right after, I headed off toward the Palace of Justice, Frollo’s home in the Disney adaption, and seriously, when I saw the building, recognizing it instantly from the movie. All these places, once seen in a cartoon movie are all of a sudden real. Very, very real. Sadly, I didn’t catch any good pictures of it.

After this, I headed straight home, and as I write this, I’m just about to leave for Delain, who are playing across the street from where my hotel is. See you later!

// Sara

Today started fairly early actually. In an attempt to get the most out of my Paris stay, I’ve decided to do something I rarely do, but will get better at: Touristing. To check out the places a bit. As you know, I already started a bit yesterday when I walked up to Sacre Caeur and around the neighbourhood, but today we were picking it up a bit.

By we, I mean Sophie. The sweetest little angel offered to meet up with me in Paris to spend the day together, and seriously – I haven’t seen this girl since Tuska and I found myself running towards her because I was so happy to see her again. We headed off toward the Catacombs of Paris, or as I’d call them – the Court of Miracles.

It was a long walk down, making one very very dizzy, but it was quite magnificent to be down there among everything. It was quite a morbid feeling, on the verge of unbelievable to think that these are actual skulls. That once belonged to people much like you and me.

Once done at the catacombs, and walking the one million stairs, we found ourselves a McDonalds for a classic Lordi-fan-kind-of-lunch. Sitting down for a good hour talking about everything and nothing and fangirling over the fact that we are going to see Lordi soon… After this, we headed off to Notre Dame de Paris, finally. You see, this is my FOURTH trip to Paris, FOURTH, and I have never in my life before seen the Notre Dame Cathedral, so it was about to become very monumental for a Hunchback of Notre Dame fan like me.

And it’s absolutely magical. It’s majestic. We went inside and took a tour, and seriously… This cathedral is beyond beautiful. I have no words, and sadly, not a lot of picture either.

After spending some time in this masterpieces of a building, we headed back towards Montmarte, with the idea of Sophie showing me where Kissin’ Dynamite is going to play so I don’t go to the wrong venue accidently, and this is where we met up with Elodia, another Lordifriend of ours. We went to the venue, and after that headed off towards the Paris Opera house, and late on the Louvre.

After this, our paths sadly split. Sophie had to go home to Lyon, Elodia to hers and I had to go and get ready for Amaranthe. Sophie followed me to the hotel, and it was something extraordinary weird about saying “I’ll see you in Ireland on Sunday” to a French friend in Paris. But you know what? That is our life. That is tourlife.

And this has just been another perfect day.

// Sara

It’s striking sometimes, what songs simply fits in as good roadmusic. I’m currently on the bus toward Oslo central, right now somewhere on a Norwegian highway listening to Maná’s song “Como Dueles en Los Labios” gazing out over the Norwegian landscape which is, despite the time of the year, bathing in sun with little clouds in the sky. And instantly, a sense of belonging. That, now, once that I’m on the road I know for sure I’m doing the right thing, that it wasn’t a bad decision to get on this trip.

It was a long annoying wait in Oslo though – sure, I don’t mind actually being on time, and have space in case something happens, but I want it to flow. So that, it’s enough time, but it’s not a lot of holes. But today… Arriving in Oslo at 11.30 and plane leaving at 17.25… that’s an annoying wait. I killed the time off at Burger King and a little bit of Pokéhunting before getting on the train and FINALLY feeling that flow, when you arrive in time to fix everything at a good pace, but not too long wait time. I finally started “Divergent”, by the way.

Finally time for boarding, and getting back to this “music on the road” thing… You see, whenever I fly I choose window seats. Maybe I could say it’s because I get motion ill, or that I’m antisocial and like to be on the inside… but the truth is, the real reason I wanna be there, especially at evening flights, is because of all the lights. When you come closer to the countries, and you start seeing the citylines, building, cars, spotlights – it’s like neonsigns of life. I find mysel glued to the window when we approach, and I always have Bon Jovi’s “Runaway” on repeat in my mind whenever I gaze.

“You know she likes the lights
At night on the neon Broadway signs”

Finally landing in Paris, struggling a little bit to figure out how the hell to actually get into Paris, but, with a few ifs and buts I found it, and you know… Isn’t it sort of ironic in a way… how easy it is? Like… It doesn’t matter what country you land in. It doesn’t matter if you speak or read the language or not, when you’ve traveled a lot to various countries, you just simply learn. I’m here, in Paris, all alone, and just… going there.

On the train toward Sacre Caeur I ran into the sweetest of gentlemen from the United States. We chatted a while on our way toward our destination, and parted ways once there.

I made it to the hotel, checked in, and after a quick shower I decided to, despite the time being close to midnight, get out and explore the place a little, after noticing how this place is drowning in Pokéstops. I know, I know, but it all comes down to how you play it. But seriously…

I think I’ve wrote it before, that I prefer the darkness over the light, and wandering around on Paris street night time… there was something mesmerizing and soothing about it, and it felt like my eyes were about to pop, everywhere I looked. It’s just… so different from Sweden. I came around one of the pubs street and I had to restrain every little inch of me to not go into one of them. Maybe one day I’ll have the courage to do that, but not tonight. I kept walking around narrow streets until I came toward the cathedral, and also what felt like the longest staircase in the world.

It was the workout routine for the day, but trust me, the pay off was worth it. Standing before this majesty of a building took my breathe away. It’s absolutely stunning.

And when you turned around…

I remained at this spot for several minutes. Gazing out over the city… These kind of views people… I live and breathe them.

Eventually I started making my way home, and on my way I found some interesting streetart on the buildings.

I love these random pieces of art that simply… exist. And appears.

So now I’m back here in my room, lazily eating some sort of dinner and about to hit the bed. Tomorrow I’ll meet up with Sophie for some quality time and a lot of sightseeing. Can’t wait.

// Sara

These past couple of days has been intense days of planning and booking the part France, part Ireland tour, and trust me on this fellow readers – there is no more satisfying then that point when you see how things are starting to come together, when you start to cross of things in your list to book, and getting one step closer to the trip, one step closer to getting there, which is amazing.

So, what is left now is figuring out things to do in Ireland. We planned to go to Boda Borg, so conquer that borg as well, but of course, Murphy’s Law and everything, Boda Borg is closed on the days we are in Ireland. Bummer, huh? Well, at least that gives us an extra day for other things so I guess we shouldn’t complain too much.

I have a list of things I’d like to do – like visiting the Guiness museum, the Phil Lynott statue being two of the things I really want to do. I want to walk around and explore a bit, explore the city. I guess I’ll see what my partners are up for once we get there. And speaking of seeing things – I have three days in Paris to kill as well, and I’ve already looked on the maps about the area where I live – Sacre Caeur, and while I have some things I really want to see, the plan is as well to walk around and explore the area a bit. After all, it feels like I have all the time in the world – but truth is, I have shows every single day of my stay in France, so my time is a little bit more limited than in Ireland.

All we have left to book now are the trains, or transportations between Galway and Dublin, as well as the concerttickets. I can’t wait for this tour to begin!

// Sara