Dublin: Day 2

Sleeping in a hostel is interesting.

When we stayed in one in Barcelona it wasn't that bad, because we were in an eight bed room and we took up three of those beds. The other people staying in the room were polite and quiet, and they went to sleep at a reasonable time.

Here I'm in a twelve bed room. Last night I was one of the first to go to sleep and was woken up each time someone came in. And they didn't come in quietly either. I'm talking door slamming, turning on lights, talking, and even some singing at one point. And yet, somehow I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and ready to go. I was glad too, because I had a long list of places to see. I got up, got ready (I didn't bother trying to be quiet), and left the hostel at 8:30am.

Yesterday had been rainy and windy, something I'd been expecting. And I assumed the weather trend would continue throughout the weekend. I was therefore thrilled to step outside and see blue skies and sunshine. It made my day right off the bat :)

My first stop was Trinity College. It's only a couple minutes walk from where I'm staying so I found it just fine. The problem was getting in. The entire campus is surrounded by giant walls and huge gates. I literally walked around the WHOLE perimeter and still couldn't find a way in. I was just about to give up and try again later when I noticed someone opening gates and a door around the corner. I guess I could've checked to see when it opened, but then again, I'd just assumed all college campuses were pedestrian accessible all hours of the day. 

I took some pictures if the campus and buildings but was still too early to tour the Library and see the Book of Kells. So I went once again to the nearby Bewleys cafe on Grafton Street. This time I ordered tea along with one if their mixed berry scones. The scone was absolutely delicious! It was even better than the tea shop in Lakewood, and that's saying something! (If you haven't been to the tea shop in Lakewood, stop what you're doing and go now.)

I then walked back to the college to see the Old Library and Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is a decorated book of the four Gospels that's over a thousand years old. They also had other old books and manuscripts on display. You look at the books first and then get to walk through the Library. I loved the old style, the pictures, and the thousands upon thousands of books seen in the Library. It was also neat to see the book of Kells. Though I'm not sure either is worth the €10 admission fee...

From there I walked to Christ Church Cathedral. It'd been closed when I tried to go yesterday, but was (luckily) open when I arrived. I walked through the sanctuary and then downstairs to tour the crypts. The Crypts were very cool, and almost like a museum. Displays were set up everywhere giving detailed information on the founding of the church, artifacts used there, tv shows filmed inside, and historical figures associated with the church.

From Christ Church I walked across the street to Dublinia, a three floored museum that focuses in Dublin during the age of the Vikings and the Middle Ages. It was very interactive and very cool. The first floor is Vikings, and you have the opportunity to see and learn what they believed, where they were from, what they wore, their language, and how they lived. You could walk inside a model of a Viking home, try on Viking clothes, or write your name using their alphabet. The second floor was Middle Ages. It was similar in the fact that you could tour what their houses or towns may've looked like. It was cool to see how the city of Dublin was established and then how it came to be what it is today. 

From Dublinia I walked to St. Patricks Cathedral. The outside was amazing. I was really looking forward to going inside. I walked up to the gate to find it closed, with a sign saying the building was closed all day for a graduation! I was really, really bummed. And upset. I mean, who graduates in the middle of October?!? It took me a few angry minutes walking back towards Temple Bar to realize that there was nothing I could do about it, so I'd better shrug it off and enjoy the rest of my last day in a Dublin. 

Walking through Temple Bar I came across the Saturday market. I got to sample some amazing chocolates and cheeses before continuing my walk across the river towards the Jameson Distillery. 

The walk was long. It took about fifteen minutes to get there. When I arrived I showed them my Dublin Pass, to which they said I'd still need to reserve a spot on one of their tours. I wish if known that tidbit beforehand, because the next available tour was in an hour. I'd have to wait.

The Distillery has a bar, a restaurant , and a cafe. I went to the cafe and, since I hadn't eaten yet, ordered lunch. I got a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel, which was really good. I then looked around the gift shop while I waited for my tour to begin.

The tour started with a movie. It followed a New York reporter from the 1800s who had come to write an article on the distillery. He was given a tour if the facility and we were able to see the whiskey making process. After the video out guide took us to five different rooms, stopping in each one to explain a different part if how Jameson is made today. He was very entertaining and at times had us questioning if he'd had a bit too much of the stuff he was telling us about. At the end of the tour we received a complimentary drink. In the Guinness vs. Jameson battle ... The whiskey won. :)

When the tour was over I walked back to the hostel. This was one of the more awkward moments of my trip. The wind was blowing so hard that I had to hunch over and walk while holding my skirt down. The walk was fifteen minutes, and people kept giving me looks. I've learned my lesson though: I'm never packing a skirt for a trip again!

After changing into pants I went back out to walk and look around. I'd had enough of tours and museums for the day, so I window shopped and listened to the numerous street performers. I bought a scarf from a vendor on the street. I also came across an ice cream shop if heard was really good. They're local and organic. I bought a small cone with chocolate and sea salt Ice cream. I didn't know if if like "salty" ice cream, but it turned out to be my new favorite :)

I ate my ice cream as I walked back to the hostel. Once there I looked up pub crawls, but they all cost at least €12 and lasted two or more hours. I really just wanted a drink and Irish music. So I walked to Temple bar and ended up finding the perfect place. "The Storehouse" was packed full of people enjoying food and drinks. I found a table and ordered a drink and cottage pie. I know I've said this about every Irish meal I've had, but it truly was delicious. Maybe it's because I'm used to such a light, Spanish diet...but I'm convinced that the Irish have the best food.

I stayed for nearly two hours, listening to the music and enjoying the atmosphere. By 8:30 I decided to head back. Tomorrow I need to be at the tourism center by 7:45, so I figured I'd better get a good nights sleep. Well, as good as you can get in a hostel anyway.