Monday, September 5, 2011
Day 9-Sunday-Dublin
Hilary had to fly home today so it was quick breakfast and stroll along the River Liffey before her taxi came. We always try to make for quick goodbyes to we don't cry! But we are already planning our next meeting so it wasn't too bad. After many hugs and waves Rob and I headed to Dublin Castle and then the National Archaeology Museum to see the Bog Bodies and some amazing treasures they have found here in Ireland. There was a Gaelic Football game in Dublin today and there were 81,000 people at the match. Could not believe the team spirit these people have! They seriously put us to shame in that category. The pubs were filled with those who couldn't get tickets and we did watch part of it. It's hard to explain but it is a combination of rugby and hurling played by some large, tough Irishmen! Tried to do some souvenir shopping but all the shakers & shufflers (old people on tour buses) were out in the late afternoon. Spent the evening strolling Temple Bar listening to the buskers performing great music before the pubs filled up.
United Nations - Dublin Style
After dinner Saturday we went to Turk's Head Pub in Temple Bar for a nightcap only to spend the rest of the night with a wild group. While sitting outside the people next to us just started chatting with us right away and introduced themselves as Jenny (Holland) and Jeffrey (Ireland) and Pontus(Sweden). Then Steig (Norway) joined us when Jeffrey found him at the bar alone because he didn't want to go see the riverdance performance with his friends. Over MANY beers and Irish whiskeys we covered many topics including Obama(they LOVE him!), Catholic Church, crash of the Celtic Tiger, Gaelic Football, the bombing/shooting in Norway, divorce in Ireland and many others subjects I will not list here!! We even covered the starving children in Africa which I am not making up!!!!! By 1:30 am (we got there at 8!) we were all hungry and the only thing open was a Iranian Doner Kabob place so that is what we had (not a shish kabob!). With full bellies and warm hearts we adjourned our United Nations gathering and all had a group hug.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Day 8-Saturday-Dublin
Did the whole tourist thing today by going on the top of a double decker bus and going around the city while seeing what we would like to go back and explore later. After one go-round we picked out our favorites and went around again. First stop at Guinness OF COURSE!!!! Back on the bus to Kilmainham Gaol (jail) frequently used as a political prison. Touring the cells and places of execution was one stop I think we could have done without because we were all so depressed by the place. Back on the bus to Jameson's Distillery and shopping for gifts Hilary needed to get. By the end of the day I swear we could have given the damn bus tour ourselves! We had a two day pass for the tour bus and all agreed we were NOT getting back on that bus. Dinner was at The Porterhouse Brewing Company (www.theporterhouse.ie) which had the longest beer list I have ever seen!!! I kinda "borrowed" one of their beer menus :-)
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