When we landed, the air itself just smelled fresher, cleaner. We got off good old Ryanair and walked into the airport, where signs were written in English as well as Gaelic. We got the bus and got off at the Spire to go to our hostel. The four of us were able to get into a five person room, thinking we were the only ones that would be staying in it. We burst into our room extremely excited and, being typical Americans, were screaming and were extremely loud. Meg continued to squeal, "You guys, there is a fireplace!!! and a sweater....." Once we turn on the light, who do we find but a 40-year-old French man sleeping. Not awkward at all. So we try as hard as we can to be quiet and get to bed since it was so late.
The next morning, we got on a Dublin bus tour to see the city. It's really nice to take these types of bus tours because they run on a hop-on and hop-off system, where anyone can get off at a stop they want to check out more and can get back on a different bus when they are done and want to continue the tour.
A tomb in Christ Church.
This is also from Christ Church. The cat chased the rat into the organ in 1850s and they were both mummified. Someone stole the real rat, so the one in the display is a replacement.
One of my favorite stops was the Guinness Storehouse, where we took a tour. It is set up to show the process of making a Guinness. It also discusses the history where it began in 1759. We also got a free Guinness at the top of the Storehouse, with views that overlooked Dublin.
Meg riding up the escalator to one of the floors in the storehouse.
The introduction to all of the areas where the ingredients were explained as well as how they are used.
My favorite of the Guinness memorabilia: the toucan.
Getting served our free Guinness after getting to the top!
The view from the top while enjoying a free Guinness.
After the Guiness Storehouse, we went back to our hostel to get ready for the pub crawl that we signed up to go on. We went to different pubs that provided either a free shot or drink specials to the group. We ended at a club near the Temple Bar area. We met a couple of students from Atlanta who were also staying in our hostel as well as a brother and sister from California backpacking through Europe.
The next morning we woke up extremely early, with some difficulty, and made it to our tour of the countryside. We went with a group of about 12 or 15 people, and had a wonderful tour guide who knew so much about his country. This tour was by far my favorite part of Ireland. We drove through the countryside listening to songs such as the Swallow Tail Jig. There was just nothing quite like it.
Meg frolicking through the fields with Meara.
Beautiful view of Ireland. If you look far enough you can see the coast.
Pictures just can't do it justice.
Me on the bridge where P.S. I Love You was filmed.
The bridge from a different angle.
Loch Tay, also known as Guinness Lake for the shape of the lake and beach on the right, which looks like foam. To the far right not in the photo there is an excluded manison where celebrities such as Elton John and Michael Jackson have stayed in as a getaway.
Monastery
It is said if one can wrap their arms around this Celtic cross and are able to touch their hands together, three things are true: One of their wishes will come true, they will return to the same spot one day, and finally, they have really long arms. This is Meg's attempt, while Meara actually accomplished it. Guess she will be lucky enough to return at some point, and hopefully I will be with her too.
After the tour, we went out to the Arlington Hotel, where we indulged in an amazing three course meal while listening to Irish classics from a live band. Suprisingly, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver was a hit there as well, and this will sound cheesy, but a moment I will always remember in Ireland is singing to that song with a glass of wine in my hand surrounded by the friendliest people in the world. The band was followed by Irish dancing, which was unbelievable. They also took participants from the audience, where Meg and Meara joined them on stage as well to show their skills and even recieved certificates for their accomplishment. The following photos are courtesy of Meara, Meg and Chelsey.
All four of us with the band from Arlington Hotel. Notice Meg with her Irish dancing certificate in hand.
So proud of my little Irish dancers!
After our amazing three course meal we went to Temple Bar, where all of the pubs are. Our flight left extremely early in the morning, so we decided it would be best to just stay out all night until our flight.
Only in Temple Bar can you find a chicken in hay on the street.
A friend that we found that had some great dance moves.
After getting late night munchies we went to bed for an hour and then got on our plane back to London. We returned to rainy skies and cold weather that pretty much matched the attitude of the people we ran into on the way back to our flat. It only made me miss Dublin even more. I can only hope that this isn't the last time that I will experience that wonderful country.
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