I don’t have access to Internet here, so I didn’t get a chance to update the blog for a few days…so I’m blocking yesterday and today together as my “Dublin days”. Alex and I woke up bright and early on Thursday (yesterday) morning and made it to the airport in good time for our flight with Ryanair from Edinburgh to Dublin.
I’ve heard things about Ryanair and was a bit iffy about flying with them, but I must say that it was a very enjoyable journey! We had to be 100% sure that we were within baggage restrictions because they were different than usual, and if you are any amount overweight or oversized, the excess baggage fees are insanely extortionate. But anyway, we were all good – and Alex was making me laugh all the way through the airport (I don’t think she meant to, though…) It was just so funny, because she was going on saying things like “something has to go wrong…I mean, we made it through security fine and our baggage was checked alright, and everything…something has to go wrong, it’s going too perfectly”. Oh dearrrr, my dear, dear Alex. I think she travels enough, maybe not as much as me…but I think I’m more comfortable with going through security and everything because I’ve never had any major problems. Anyway, everything was smooth, and we made it to Dublin safe and sound and on time (I think we arrived around 9:30ish?). We took a cab ride to Alex’s grandma’s house in a subdivision in Dublin, which was so, so cute! She is probably one of the funniest old ladies I’ve ever met! Her little Irish accent, from the second I met/saw her, was enough for me to like her already. She welcomed us into her home with open arms, and as she sat and had her cigarette and chatted to us about everything and anything, Alex and I had a cup of tea and a(nother?) later breakfast.
Then the adventure began. Agnes (aka Alex’s grandma) had an appointment at the clinic and drove us there with her so we’d have something to do until later in the day when we were scheduled to meet her auntie Connie. So we climb into the car, and as we set off, I’m keeping in mind the advice that Alex had given me earlier in the day : ‘When grandma is driving, don’t make conversation with her. She won’t hesitate to turn around, take her eyes off the road, and just totally forget that she’s driving at all.’. I soon found out where the warning came from, when grandma took a good 30 seconds backing out of the driveway, and then proceeded to drive pretty much ON the middle line. We did eventually make it to the appointment, which actually ended up being cancelled, out of the car park, to lunch, and back home again, but not without a bunch of driving mishaps:
1) windshield wipers left on for a good 3-4 minutes before she realized they were on (and no, it wasn’t raining…),
2) a 14-point turn (which I’m convinced we only got out of because I helped direct/steer), and during which at one point we were facing a brick wall and she was revving the engine like mad; and
3) and a close encounter of a third kind; ...and by ‘of a third kind’ I mean ‘with another vehicle’…Agnes kind of maybe sort of drove over the centre line and got honked at/had to steer away…And the funniest part was, the explanation she gave for it all was “it’s their job to look out for me!”. Bahahahah! Oh Grandmas. Too funny, aren’t they? After a giant meal at a local pub (another carvery meal! We had bacon and cabbage, a traditional Irish meal), we were soooo tired, and Alex and I zonked out on 2 beds in her grandma’s house for an hour and a half. When we woke up around 4pm, we caught the Dart, which is like an above ground subway.
Oh, and we went to the movies, saw a film called “Remember Me” starring Twilight boy Robert Pattinson…who I honestly couldn’t care less for outside his role as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter…so needless to say, I went in with low expectations. And it blew my mind. It was, surprisingly, actually really good! The last 15 minutes I spent pretty much bawling my eyes out, something I VERRRRRY rarely do at all during films, and never in public!! I won’t ruin it for anyone that hasn’t seen it and plans to, but let me just say that…there's a moment where the entire theatre goes silent, and it hits you like a brick wall. I can’t get it out of my head, not even until now, 24 hours later…and I get shivers every time I think about it.
Anyway, we came home, washed up, and then went to bed. We were fortunately granted a ‘enjoy a lie-in for free’ card, and slept away the night, not waking up until around 11am this morning.
We got ready, then were out the door by 12:30 or 1, headed into the city centre. Katie goes to Trinity College, so she came with us and showed Alex and I around a little bit before heading off to her lectures.
We walked around the town a little bit, went into a few little shops, and then decided to jump on one of the city tour open-roof busses, which took us all around the city. We only got off 2 or 3 times, at cathedrals, interesting-looking places, and then, of course, the Guinness factory.
Because we didn’t have a lot of the day to spend in the city centre, we only had about an hour at the factory…where you probably could have spent an entire day! But anyway, we sped through the factory, took a few quick shots, and then got our free pint at the top of the world’s largest pint glass (the entire storehouse was 8 stories high with glass windows, shaped like a pint glass). Well, Alex didn’t get a pint, she copped out and went for diet coke instead…but there was no way I was passing up a pint of Guinness at the Guinness factory. No way, jose!! So I enjoyed a smooth, filling, delicious pint of the dark beer, while looking out a glass window at a 360 degree view of the city! Best of all, enjoying the view beside Alex It was so nice to be there…it was all so surreal. Then, we spent an uncanny amount of money at the gift shop, and soon were on our way back to meet Katie, who had finished her classes, to head back to her home.
We arrived back home, ordered in some pizza and chicken kickers from Dominos, and then wasted the night away eating pizza and watching tv/movies.
I had so many moments today that were just like “wow…I’m in DUBLIN. Seirously…I’m in IRELAND!” It was so amazing! The city was so clean and so friendly, and I will explain more later, but its 1:15 am and Alex is laying beside me saying “good gosh, woman, hurry up!” because she’s trying to sleep and I’m apparently a loud typer…so I better go! Night night for now, world!
Off we go tomorrow on a late morning train to the west coast – and I couldn’t be more exited. The Collins family have been great hosts to us, and I’m so thankful that we had the opportunity to see Dublin – I’ve wanted to come to Ireland for so long! But at the same time, I simply cannot wait for the Irish countryside!
Night night!
Until next time,
Beckers
Xxx
Then the adventure began. Agnes (aka Alex’s grandma) had an appointment at the clinic and drove us there with her so we’d have something to do until later in the day when we were scheduled to meet her auntie Connie. So we climb into the car, and as we set off, I’m keeping in mind the advice that Alex had given me earlier in the day : ‘When grandma is driving, don’t make conversation with her. She won’t hesitate to turn around, take her eyes off the road, and just totally forget that she’s driving at all.’. I soon found out where the warning came from, when grandma took a good 30 seconds backing out of the driveway, and then proceeded to drive pretty much ON the middle line. We did eventually make it to the appointment, which actually ended up being cancelled, out of the car park, to lunch, and back home again, but not without a bunch of driving mishaps:
1) windshield wipers left on for a good 3-4 minutes before she realized they were on (and no, it wasn’t raining…),
2) a 14-point turn (which I’m convinced we only got out of because I helped direct/steer), and during which at one point we were facing a brick wall and she was revving the engine like mad; and
3) and a close encounter of a third kind; ...and by ‘of a third kind’ I mean ‘with another vehicle’…Agnes kind of maybe sort of drove over the centre line and got honked at/had to steer away…And the funniest part was, the explanation she gave for it all was “it’s their job to look out for me!”. Bahahahah! Oh Grandmas. Too funny, aren’t they? After a giant meal at a local pub (another carvery meal! We had bacon and cabbage, a traditional Irish meal), we were soooo tired, and Alex and I zonked out on 2 beds in her grandma’s house for an hour and a half. When we woke up around 4pm, we caught the Dart, which is like an above ground subway.
Agnes and Alex, just before we left on the Dart
We rode the Dart all the way to the other end of the city, where Alex’s aunt Connie and cousin Katie met us. They were also so funny and very welcoming. They brought us back to their home, where we had (another!) big meal, this time spaghetti bolognaise, and then we spent the evening shopping at what I think I heard titled as the biggest shopping centre in the UK or something? 
It was so pretty all lit up at night!
Katie, Alex and I in front of some random, green-lit decorative
tree just outside the shopping centre
Oh, and we went to the movies, saw a film called “Remember Me” starring Twilight boy Robert Pattinson…who I honestly couldn’t care less for outside his role as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter…so needless to say, I went in with low expectations. And it blew my mind. It was, surprisingly, actually really good! The last 15 minutes I spent pretty much bawling my eyes out, something I VERRRRRY rarely do at all during films, and never in public!! I won’t ruin it for anyone that hasn’t seen it and plans to, but let me just say that…there's a moment where the entire theatre goes silent, and it hits you like a brick wall. I can’t get it out of my head, not even until now, 24 hours later…and I get shivers every time I think about it.
Anyway, we came home, washed up, and then went to bed. We were fortunately granted a ‘enjoy a lie-in for free’ card, and slept away the night, not waking up until around 11am this morning.
We got ready, then were out the door by 12:30 or 1, headed into the city centre. Katie goes to Trinity College, so she came with us and showed Alex and I around a little bit before heading off to her lectures.
Waiting for the bus
We walked around the town a little bit, went into a few little shops, and then decided to jump on one of the city tour open-roof busses, which took us all around the city. We only got off 2 or 3 times, at cathedrals, interesting-looking places, and then, of course, the Guinness factory.
A freaky-ass leprauchan who Katie insisted we get a picture with. He was on the
phone when we approached him. And he wasn't too friendly...If the mascot is giving that
pathetic of a grin, I can't imagine what the guy inside it was thinking...
Trinity College (Katie's school!)
Taytos, Ireland's favourite (and best!) potato chips!
Quite possibly the highlight of my day...WE FOUND A TIM HORTONS!!!!
It was just one of those self-service places, like what would be in a
gas station or something...but STILL! I was SO HAPPPPYYYYY!!!
My new favourite cafe/bar...
Our tour bus! wheeey!
Some shots of Dublin as we bussed around waiting for an interesting place to get off :
Because we didn’t have a lot of the day to spend in the city centre, we only had about an hour at the factory…where you probably could have spent an entire day! But anyway, we sped through the factory, took a few quick shots, and then got our free pint at the top of the world’s largest pint glass (the entire storehouse was 8 stories high with glass windows, shaped like a pint glass). Well, Alex didn’t get a pint, she copped out and went for diet coke instead…but there was no way I was passing up a pint of Guinness at the Guinness factory. No way, jose!! So I enjoyed a smooth, filling, delicious pint of the dark beer, while looking out a glass window at a 360 degree view of the city! Best of all, enjoying the view beside Alex It was so nice to be there…it was all so surreal. Then, we spent an uncanny amount of money at the gift shop, and soon were on our way back to meet Katie, who had finished her classes, to head back to her home.
The Advertising part of the storehouse...it was so cool! They had all the labels that
used to be used, and their advertising billboards and tv commercials and everything!
My (failed) attempt to capture how the place is structured like a giant pint
glass (this is form the bottom looking up 7 levels)
My face pretty much sums up how I feel about Guinness.
Enjoying my pint and excellent view of the city!
The upper deck of the building -- it was 10x busier than the rest of the
museum...I guess people really just wanted their beer!! :)
Again, a horrible picture....but this is (most of) the Spire, which is
affectionately known by some locals as "the erection in the intersection". Nobs to Dani
for that (at least I'm assuming that's what she was talking about....?)
We arrived back home, ordered in some pizza and chicken kickers from Dominos, and then wasted the night away eating pizza and watching tv/movies.
I had so many moments today that were just like “wow…I’m in DUBLIN. Seirously…I’m in IRELAND!” It was so amazing! The city was so clean and so friendly, and I will explain more later, but its 1:15 am and Alex is laying beside me saying “good gosh, woman, hurry up!” because she’s trying to sleep and I’m apparently a loud typer…so I better go! Night night for now, world!
Off we go tomorrow on a late morning train to the west coast – and I couldn’t be more exited. The Collins family have been great hosts to us, and I’m so thankful that we had the opportunity to see Dublin – I’ve wanted to come to Ireland for so long! But at the same time, I simply cannot wait for the Irish countryside!
Night night!
Until next time,
Beckers
Xxx
1 comment:
A bunch of us girls went to see "Remember Me" about a month ago. If you want the full details you should ask Katryna or Michelle, but basically I was crying so much that I was hyperventilating. Sooooo sad! However, I think being able to show emotions and sensitivity will make us good teachers!! :)
And I am so glad that you found a timmies! It's too bad that you missed the rrrrrroll up the rrrrim to win season. What kind of donut did you get?!?!??!
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