  
June 27 - July 3...ah no wait...8, 2003
|
The plan was to arrive, go on the Shamrocker
Tour, and then leave the following morning...well, it didn't happen
that way. The narratives are really long and "girlie" because there was
a lot that went on. If you are looking for straight facts and don't care
to know about this guy, that one, and running into someone else, do yourself
a big favor and just ignore the narratives and look at the pictures.
It's all about the craic. Good fun, good fun
with some inside jokes to boot!
June
27-29, 2003 - Welcome to Dublin
June
30-July 2, 2003 - The Shamrocker!
June
3-8, 2003 - Going it Alone...ehh, Almost
|
| JUNE 27 :
Ferry Fun! So I wasn't technically in Ireland
yet, but this has more to do with Ireland than France. The ferry left at
17:30, and would go until about 9 the next morning. I felt like I was on
a cruise with all the different decks on the ship, stores, and restaurants.
The sky was gorgeous, the entertainment was great, and disregarding the
slight nausea from the rough seas, it was super. I had lots of time to
think as I stood on the decks watching the ocean. The biggest draw was
Molly Malones, an Irish style Pub with step dancing and Guinness on tap.
Oh, I love step dancing! I was in the reading room with Freya just chilling
and I heard a song from Lord of the Dance. I just about passed out from
happiness and had to run so I could watch. I just adore the atmosphere,
good cheer, and energy of it all. I watched a few more acts and retired
to the palace of a cabin. Well, not really since we were on the lowest
deck, but we for some reason had been put in the side of the ship, which
meant we had the biggest room. We could actually move around! |
|
|
Buh-Bye France!
|
|
|
What a pretty sunset...you almost wouldn't
know the sea is starting to kick up, it's cold, and really windy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Early morning: If you squint, you can see
Ireland!!
|
The beautiful coast of Rosslare
|
|
|
|
A mural of U2 in the stairwell of the Litton
Lane Hostel
|
|
|
JUNE 28 : The Calm (Day) Before the "Storm"
I
woke to a quieter sea, thank goodness and went to the top decks to watch
Ireland come into view. Somehow overnight all the French people I had seen
the night before disappeared, ad everyone was Irish! Strange, but true.
It was almost a surreal experience watching the land of Ireland come into
the distance. I had the strangest feeling that I was arriving home, even
though I had never been there before. It must be my Riordan family roots
or something. So we arrive and get on the train to Dublin. Kudos for their
public transportation. Very comfortable! A few hours later, we arrive in
the bustling town. After a turn or two, we got to our hostel. The place
had in fact once been a recording studio where U2 and Sinead O'Connor first
recorded. We dump our things and walk around to grab a bit to eat and see
the town. Parts of Dublin are on the dodgy side, and if you are not careful,
they sneak up on you. Lots of alleys and the such. We turn in, but next
door at the Arlington, the music is going strong. We hear the hen parties,
music, and step dancing going long into the night. I was so jealous. |
|
JUNE 29 : Everything Works Out
as it Should Here
was the plan...laundry, walk around town, pub crawl, retire early for tomorrow's
early start. Here's what actually happened. Laundry for ONE load took me
three hours. One load! Luckily Freya went off and looked for writers places
and homes while I fought with the machine. Walking around was but a bit
short, but we did stop in the Temple Bar district for shopping. I finally
got a claddah ring from Ireland too. I really wanted to go on the Music
Pub Crawl because I heard from a teacher it was good. Freya decided she
would go on the literary one. Since I love Irish music, it was right up
my alley. I got home at about the same time as Freya. I'm sitting in the
room hearing the Arlington going in full gear, and I decide sleep is over-rated.
I change and waltz next door. I move over to the bar and order the obligatory
pint of Guinness. I chat with a guy and his brother from London, and one
is living there for his job. We move downstairs about midnight for dancing.
After a moment, I dance away and see who else I can meet.
Someone grabs my hand and spins me around
as I walk by. It's one of the bouncers! He asks me if the guy was
my boyfriend and I tell him no I just came by myself and he was just talking
to me. He was a bit taken aback by that, but joked around with me
as he picked up that I was American after I said two words. "Your here
to rediscover your Irish roots right?" Yeah, something like that. "All
you Americans think you're Irish." I must admit he had a point. I ask why
he doesn't dance, and he said because he can't.
Okay, what is it with
Irish guys and their lack of dancing!! I don't see how they can have
so much self confidence to chat with anyone like it's nothing, but dance?!?
Oh nonono! Now I see why pubs and not dance clubs are the thing in Ireland.
We continue to joke, and then he said he had to go but would be back, but
I really didn't have the time to stick around seeing that I had a bus to
catch at 8:15 am. Ah well, fun fun. |
|
|
The Musical Pub Crawl's final stop! A nice
bit of entertainment for 10 Euro.
|
|
| Sorry, no other pictures...I don't make a habit
of bringing my camera out to pubs when I go out. |
|
|
|
