With clean clothes, we headed over to the National Gallery to have a look at some priceless works of art. Although it is smaller than other national galleries, Ireland�s gallery was wonderful to peruse. When it was possible to ignore the Italian students running through the place and the English tourists standing around chatting loudly, the paintings cast a spell over us. We spent about two hours moving from room to room and era to era, amazed at the abilities of the painters represented. At the end of our tour, we visited the shop and bought a small print of a painting we hadn�t seen in the gallery.
Colleen was able to get in touch with a relative of a relative, who offered to pick us up and take us to her house for dinner. She drove us around the city, pointing out the main sights, and then headed through Phoenix Park for her suburban home. When we arrived, her husband greeted us and headed off for a quick mass and a pint. We never saw him again.
Peggy (that�s the woman�s name) fed us more food than we knew what to do with � pork, potatoes, beans, stuffing, apple and rhubarb pie, water, wine, and tea. I felt like we had just eaten Thanksgiving dinner. Through it all, Peggy proved to be a sweet lady who only wanted us to enjoy ourselves. Now that�s Irish hospitality. We were soon taken back to the city.
I had been searching all day for a place that might show American football, a small taste of home. We had been told of a place that would be showing it, so we headed straight there after Peggy dropped us off. We were able to catch the first half of the second game, so I was able to get my fix. Then we headed back to the hotel for a good night�s sleep.
In other news, Colleen is feeling the baby kick around a little bit when she lies down. I have tried, but I can�t feel very much. Apparently the little one is the size of an avocado now, so he is growing rapidly.
Here�s hoping that everyone had a wonderful weekend. We have about another week before we head back to the States. We�ll be there for four days and then will leave again for two months on the continent.
Take care,
Paul and Colleen
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