So, guess where I was this weekend? That's right, the home of The Beatles! I was there from Friday afternoon until just after 4 p.m. on Sunday. Stayed with a lovely girl named Cynthia, who is originally from Mexico. Also staying with her until Sunday were two other girls, a German and an Italian. I will not even attempt to spell their names.

Unfortunately, since it was Easter holiday/weekend, I didn't get a chance to go to many of the Beatles' themed stuff ... way too crowded for my liking. I do however have an open invitation to go back at any time while I'm staying here, and I will because I really really want to go to The Beatles' Story. There is also a really cool church that's very tall and apparently you can go to the top. I may be afraid of heights, but I want to take pictures from the top of it. I fear nothing when a camera is in my hand (okay not necessarily true, but I do find myself more likely to go out and be social).

This was also the first time that I had taken the train in England. Kind of nerve wracking, because after I bought the ticket I wasn't sure which platform I should go to, but I do what I always do when I'm traveling and uncertain - I ask random strangers. I figure as long as I don't except candy from them, it's all good.

My main impression of Liverpool is that, while it does have some nice buildings, it is pretty much a dump. You would think that a city named the Culture Center of Europe would spend more money on fixing up the place, but not so much. Of course, the places that are more likely to attract tourists seem to be nicer such as the museums and shopping centers.

There are also a LOT of pubs/nightclubs. At least one or two on every street, it seemed. So yeah, I went bar-hopping because my host was a bartender who knew all the good spots, but as anyone who has ever gone out drinking with me would know, I tend to only have one or two drinks. Three or four is pushing it for me ... I like drinks but I'm not a "drinker." Partying isn't my style, I guess I'm a bit reserved. But it was a blast. I did have my first shot of tequila ... though it was flavored and thus really tasty. My favorite pub was one that was renovated out of an old church. A bit strange, I thought, but really awesome nonetheless.

Saturday was spent at art galleries such as the Tate and Walker, after consuming my first "English Breakfast" (which was gross, by the way). I'm sure my Dad would have had other priorities coming to Liverpool (Though, my big reason WAS the Cavern Club, and I did go there), but these were the highlights for me. I also discovered that the weather in Liverpool (at least for this day) is as strange as it is in Wisconsin. One minute it was sunny, then it was snowing, then it was sunny again, then it rained for about a minute, then there was a cross between snow and hail - and those buggers HURT.

Saturday night was going out to the pubs again, especially the one Cynthia was a bartender at. The awesome thing about having a friend who is a bartender is that when the pub closes, you still get to stay. An impromptu Mexican jam session commenced, and it was awesome. Also had some Mexican beer. Not a fan of beer, but it was free - a very, very drunk man decided to buy a round of drinks for those who stayed. Apparently he's a regular there and one of their best customers. He was very nice, but as I said, drunk.

Sunday was spent watching part of a football (soccer) match at a pub, but leaving when Liverpool started losing badly. Then the train home, and uploading my pictures and videos (I caught a bit of the Mexican jam on camera, though the quality isn't as good as I would like. Cynthia tried to sing La Bamba but kept forgetting parts of it).

Here's a link to the pictures, though there are only sixty of them: Liverpool!!! Trip One

I'm not sure how to link to the videos, as Facebook doesn't seem to have a link for sharing with people who don't have a facebook account. If you REALLY want to watch them, you could email me but they're only about a minute long each.