NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST...: Dublin!!

Well, last week I went to Dublin. It was quite an adventure, let me tell you. I left late on Wednesday night, and took a train to Cardiff, where I missed my conjunction train to Bristol. No big deal though I just hopped on the next one, but then it turned out b/c I was delayed in my train arrivals, I had missed the last airport shuttle from the Bristol train station to the airport. Bumsville. But then the sweetest old man bus-driver went against the rules of bus-driving, made an extra route, and dropped me off at the airport. He was the nicest person, so willing to help me. After we arrived at the airport, we sat and talked about politics in the U.S. and the U.K., youth, how Europe has changed since he grew up, why on earth I would want to live in the U.K. ("You must be in love with someone because I don't know why else you would want to stay here." Don't worry family, I'm not). At the end of the conversation, he proclaimed that I should be in politics because it is clear I like to learn, am aware of what needs changing in the world, get along with people, and I am pretty. Like I said, he was a sweet old man. So I finally got to the airport, and set up camp in a subway cushy chair and slept for a few hours. I got on the plane at 8am and was in Dublin by 8:55 am, where I met Jensina and Chelsea outside of our hostel.

Our hostel was decent. It was 8 beds and had linens included so that was nice. We adventured around all day, exploring the city and not really site seeing too much. We were all exhausted from being up all night in the airport. Highlights of this day were basically just looking at all the neat buildings around the city, and enjoying being in Dublin. At the end of the night we met up with the rest of the group who took a later flight into Dublin.

The next day, Friday, we broke up into different groups. I really wanted to see EVERYTHING....and that we did. Mom you would have been so proud of me I just busted out the map of Dublin and off we went. The rest of the group were troopers, and certainly put up with my extreme tourist sight seeing behaviors. The list of things we saw includes (but is not limited to...)

-Trinity College, where you can see the book of Kells (I guess its some super old book that's worth a lot...we did not see it).

-The Bank of Ireland....
Bank of Ireland’s biggest branch, facing Trinity College, was founded in 1729 as the Parliament of Independent Ireland. With the passing of the Act of Union in 1801, this massive building was sold to the Bank of Ireland and still adheres to tradition by having a guard in a top hat and tailcoat, and a coal fire in the lobby. Hosteldublin.com (we didn't go inside).

-Dublin Castle...yeah...we spent a good hour looking for it

-Merrion Square- a gorgeous park which reminded some of Central Park. It was full of red, orange, and yellow leaves, and the water and bridges were simply pristine.

-St. Stephen's Green- another pretty park with fountains and loveliness.

-St. Patrick's Cathedral- Absolutely breathtaking. It was almost like a museum....except not because the organist was practicing. I bought a tour guide brochure which explains all of the statues, the stained glass windows, the war memorials, and the different sanctuaries of the church. It was built over 2,000 years ago. St. Patrick came to Ireland to spread Christianity against the Druids' wishes.

-The Oscar Wilde monument

-The Guinness Brewery, St. James' Gate- The Guinness in Dublin is AMAZING. It takes over 2 minutes for one pint to completely settle. Yum. The factory had so many floors of interesting facts, and fun things to look at and do. It was certainly the highlight of Dublin.

-Lots of rich architecture and interesting surroundings

Last week, I booked a ticket to fly to Barcelona the 7th-10th of November. I am so excited! I also am going to be going to Paris in about a month and a half. After term, I might extend my flight for a few weeks longer and go see Ashely in Athens, Greece. Oh the Adventures!

Here are pictures. Enjoy!