Day: 17
Countries: 5 Cities:
8
Dublin, Ireland
A little rain, a family legacy, and a bit o’ Irish charm…
Day 17
Tuesday 5 January 2016
How is it day 17 already??? It doesn't seem possible. I had
to scroll back all the way through to double check. But I guess it is. That's
kinda sad. This time next week we won't be in a new, exciting place; we will be
back at school in Athens. Which I mean, we have to get back to reality at some
point. (and writing now, two months later, from Athens and “reality”, I can say
with confidence that it really hasn’t been too bad…).
But, to everything there is a season. The season of travel
is coming to a close soon and then it's back to the school season and new
seasons of opportunity. Just have to be present and make the most of the last
few days of vacation and then find ways to make the most of everyday otherwise.
So no more dwelling on or bemoaning the date. We've been very fortunate to have
had 16 very full, very wonderful days. And we will have a wonderful last few
days and enjoy every second!
~
We needed the rest so we've slept in a bit today. Now it's 9:35
and we will likely start making moves soon. Going out to walk about Dublin and
explore. See some sights like old churches and Trinity College, and taste some
suggested treats, and the like. Hopefully the weather is like yesterday and
will make walking about extra nice. Okay. That's all for now. Going to rest a
bit more, let this cold medicine set in (I've been waking up congested and with
a sore throat again these past few days and I don't like it. But hopefully it
passes soon...). Okay. More later.
~
Coming live from a little old pub in Dublin where we have sought
refuge after searching desperately for a dry, warm place to hide from the wet
and cold rain that has besieged us. Thankful for the warmth but still with wet
locks, toes, and clothing; we're more than a little worn down from the weather.
Despite the rain we've still managed to have a pretty good day and have seen a
bunch.
We started off around 10:30 and trekked over to the Grafton Street
area where we were last night. We sought out Kaph, the cafe recommended to us
by our Christmas Eve table companions. And after sampling their hot chocolate
and muffins in the cozy upstairs atmosphere and greeted with friendly service,
we can see why she frequented the place and why they were voted the second best
coffee place in Dublin. ‘Twas quite a good first stop on our trek today.
After, we headed out into the drizzle, following a path that
would take us past the main sights on our checklist. We started by walking
through the quiet, quaint, old, green and stone campus of Trinity College where
a great uncle Bride on my grandma’s side went to school to be a doctor. So that
was kinda cool. Then we kept walking, crossing the Ha'penny Bridge, pausing
just on the other side of the river bank to peruse this cozy, nifty, little
book shop called The Winding Stair. ‘Twas just about the neatest little
bookshop you ever did see. We wanted to buy everything there. But alas, there
isn't nary an empty space left to fit such souvenirs.
After that, we meandered through the cobblestone streets, me
almost tripping and busting an ankle once or twice (or rather thrice)... We
stepped into the National Leprechaun Museum but decided against the 12 euro
tour. Then we kept on a-strolling, deciding that we were ready for some warmth
and dryness, if not lunch. We walked to this Sixty6 restaurant, almost passing
it up but then deciding we were too cold to keep trudging on and so just went
in. And it was good that we did. A delicious 10euro lunch in a cozy and well
awarded restaurant with uber friendly staff. A short time later our lunches
were out on the table afore us, fresh made, quality ingredients, warm, and oh
so delicious. We really have been doing pretty well with our food/dining
choices.
Afterwards, we made the short stroll over to the handmade Dingle
ice cream place we'd seen yesterday and were not disappointed. We kept walking,
bopping in here and there, out of the drizzling rain. We walked by the St
Patrick's Cathedral and through the Dublin castle. We stopped in the gift shop
there and found our family names in the big book of family names and that was also
kinda cool.
And then we walked and walked in desperate search of warmth
and dryness and coffee and that's how we found ourselves here. A bit subdued
still, but coffee in us, waiting for it to fully kick in so we can power
through and enjoy the rest of our time in Dublin. Hopefully soon we will find
that energy we are looking for. That we need.
I like Dublin. I just wish the weather would cooperate
better. Rain rain go away come again some other day—like when we aren't in
Dublin trying to enjoy this beautiful city! ;)
….Well, rainy weather or no, we still had a fantastic last
night in Dublin. After we left the pub where we had our coffee, we braved the
rain and fought our way, hoods up, heads down, hands stuffed into our pockets,
toes soaked, steps quick. Popping in and out of stores we made our way down a
part of Grafton Street shopping area we hadn't been to yet. We walked for a
while and then found ourselves at an indoor mall. We sat down at the tables of
one of the mini center cafes and we went about trying to figure out tomorrow’s
train situation. Which turned out to be a bit more of an ordeal than
anticipated because apparently there are going to be railway strikes tomorrow
and Wednesday. We are hoping our trains won't be affected. One way or another,
though, we will make it to Bruges. Right now though we wish we hadn't thought
it'd be a good idea to book the earliest flight possible. I mean really, what
were we thinking booking a 630 flight?? That means we have to get up before 4
to catch our 330 shuttle to the airport. Bah humbug… So really, I should be
sleeping right now instead of writing. But we can sleep again when we are back
in Athens (well we can pretend we will sleep again when we are back in
Athens...). Oh well.
Anyway. So we spent some time figuring that out and then we
went in search of dinner. We stopped at an Italian place located in an old 18th
century wine merchant’s cellar—so basically this brick archway which was also
also kinda cool. And the food was good. We finished about 7:40 which was
perfect timing for heading over to the Stags Head again, making it there just
in time for ukulele night—which turned out to be really, really neat and a lot
of fun! Definitely a good time and more than worth the trip! If you ever find
yourself in Dublin, go there! Good ukelele music and singing of a variety of
songs by a bunch of people strumming and humming away... It was so cool! A lot
of fun. A neat experience. Another good night.
Can't believe tomorrow is day 18 and our last country. Sad
to see it coming to an end. Hang on to these last few precious moments while
they last…
~
~
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