Boy, was I in for a surprise!
For starters, we began the trip well. It was the only trip we've taken where we landed and left at normal hours. When you're flying cheap, you don't get to be choosy on your times. Though it wouldn't be a big deal for a trip or two, after a month of travelling, you become thankful for those small things. We could be on a normal eating schedule and sleeping schedule. It was great.
Beyond just that though, the city was great as well. Most of their museums are free, so during the morning, we went to the Tate Museum of Modern Art and a few other national museums. Then we grabbed lunch, the best fish and chips we've eaten here, and ate it under an awning of a store because it was pouring rain. Then we made our way to the Magical Mystery Beatles Bus Tour.
This was a big yellow and blue painted bus, which we had to call a coach, that was owned by two guys in their thirties. They knew lots about the city, but were also characters in their own right. Our bus driver had road rage I've never experienced before in a tour bus. There were a few times that he got mad at other cars and would curse at them, but what's better is he actually got out of the bus at one point to chase down a taxi driver. Even better yet, we sat directly behind the bus driver, having a front row seat to all the action.
He wasn't the only character though. The actual tour guide enjoyed bantering with the fifty year old ladies in the front of the bus, as well as making fun of every visitor not from Liverpool (all in good fun of course). He told us slightly inappropriate things and had a few choice curse words he liked to throw in occasionally. It was great and entertaining, plus we got to see tons of Beatles spots, our favorite of which became the Cavern Club.
The Cavern Club is where the Beatles played some of their first shows, and they played over 250 there. Not only have the Beatles played there though; lots of other well-known artists including Queen, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and many more, have played there as well. [For all you 'Across the Universe' fans, its the club in the beginning on the movie Jude and his girlfriend go to.]
It was the spot we chose for our evening amusement in Liverpool, and it was a blast! They have live music at all times and we stayed for two of the performers, both cover artists. They played some Beatles, requests, and more. I had 'Sweet Caroline' dedicated to me, followed by a song about Kentucky. [He asked where we were from... not just a lucky guess.] I danced with a forty-something drunk man to 'Imagine' and made best friends (supposedly) with two women from Liverpool who wanted to hang out again and have me go stay with their niece in London. We got the whole club on their feet to do the 'Twist & Shout' and got recorded singing and dancing by another tourist. Really, what more could you ask for from a night out?
It just goes to show you, don't judge a book by its cover (or rather, its description in a movie). It was clean; it was interesting; most of all, it was fun! [Although we were right on assuming it was rainy. Maybe we just caught the city on an off day for weather though.]
For now, our travels outside of Ireland are complete and Liverpool was a great end to it all. With a month and a half left, we've just got to finish up school and see the rest of Ireland!
Phillip and I at the Cavern Club, enjoying our only evening in Liverpool.
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