Right, I know I said I'd write this down, and now's a good a time as any. Fair warning, I recall a goodly chunk, but I think I'll be off on when things exactly happened. I'm extrapolating on the memories that made good stories, a picture folder from the vacation (about 236 pics since my camera broke halfway through), and the dates provided by the saved emails from the Continental confirmation (thanks Gmail!). Also: I'm listing EVERYTHING. This is more for my memories than anything else, so if y'all really feel like reading it, bravo for you.
In 2008, wasn't precisely a fantabulous year starting. I had just swapped jobs at work and was trying to re-establish myself as the awesome person I am, and I was looking for a bit of a break. Luckily for me, my old friend, old ex Emily was looking to get out of her city as well (her reasons I did not inquire. I assume that someone found the bodies). In any event, we determined that July 11th through July 20th of 2008 would be a good time to hit Ireland. Emily, being the Catholic Theology major (currently has her Master's, if any of y'all are looking for a youth minister) was interested in Ireland due to the Xtreme amounts of history. And me? I just wanted to kiss the Blarney Stone (Because as y'all know, if there's one thing I need, it's the ability to talk more)
We determine to go to Ireland. Emily takes care of all the actual research in finding places, as I simply want to soak up ambiance, see a few sights, and not be in Houston, TX (plus my only mandatory stop was the Blarney Stone). We schedule the same flight overseas, and arrange to meet up in the Newark Airport during our mutual layovers.
The flight overseas was unmemorable.
We arrive at the hotel around 9am Dublin time, which happened to be around 3-4am our time. Emily and I are loopy, smell bad, and are looking forward to a shower and a nap. We get to the hotel and are informed that they have our reservation, but won't be able to show us our room until 2pm. They stash our bags for us (I have a pic of Emily flicking me off around this point), and we head into town on the bus. Once in town, we manage to find Trinity College. We both want to check out the Book of Kells. Book of Kells is this ancient (from 800 AD) illustrated manuscript of the 4 gospels of the New Testament. Very pretty book, and the techniques used to make it are really impressive, especially given the time period. I was particularily delighted by the library portion of the tour. Two story high library, open center, flanked by these beautiful arched windows. Dark wood everywhere, books themselves having a respectable age. Once of those places that you swear to yourself that you'll build in your home in the event of a major lottery winning.
We exit Trinity and promptly get lost. Because it's Emily and I, we promptly find the Jameson Distillery. So, on empty stomachs, we grab a drink and go on the tour. To discover that they give a drink on the tour. And that Emily's somehow volunteered herself for an extra 'sampling' session where they give three shots of different whiskeys for tasting... per person. For the safety of myself and others, I fling myself on the Scottish and American whiskeys. An older gentleman later thanks me. The rest of the day is somehow hazy, but the pictures show various architectural pieces and a church. I don't recall exactly which church, which doesn't surprise me as we hit about 40 of the suckers during the week.
Emily, if you want to jump in here at any point with actual names of places, that'd be handy.
Anyhoo, got some pictures of the area around the Dublin Post Office, a central location for the Easter Rising. Also a major shopping area. I honestly do not recall all too much about this place.
Ah, a picture of Emily and myself in the oldest bar in Dublin. Nice place, laid back, pours a tasty pint of Guiness. Yes, I was drinking Guiness almost exclusively in Dublin. So yeah, nice place. More importantly, it was right on the bus line back to the hotel, and it was about bedtime (that being around 6-8pm at that point).
Right, that seems enough for one evening. Stopped on Day 2 and picture 122. Remember that, me. More to come when I don't feel like bed.