What a great endorsement for Insomnia coffee with American pop queen pictured on the front of last Fridays Indo grasping a cup of Insomnia while shopping in Grafton Street and all for free.

The sun took awhile to wake up today, and stayed in a type of hungover haze for the day. It went from groggy black blue as the bus dropped me off at the Ha’penny bridge to constant state of monotone grey as I left the office to start my daily beat.

Approaching noon I made my way down Andrew’s Lane and photographed some human waste. I looked up at the picture of the man in black & white on a tile affixed below the official road sign. I really love that guerilla art even though I “shouldn’t”. He just looks dead and peaceful and looks down on me everyday. It calms me.

I made my way down towards Trinity Street, passing the homeless man who has made the back doorway of Pichet has morning standing spot when it gets too cold. The kitchen fans blow out hot air and wafts of garlic and other delicious smells criss cross in it. His daily empty nourishment. We acknowledge each other with a smile. His face is creased in laughter lines and his greasy blonde hair frames his long open face. We can relate to not knowing how we got here, it’s in our eyes.

My colleague radios in as I zoom in on some vomit at the corner of Tommy Hilfiger:

“You’re not going to believe this but two Santa are killin’ each other on Grafton street. It’s nuts, I wish I could Youtube this! So much for the season of good will!”

… means “Merry Christmas” in Irish.

Just wanted to share a great photo with you all of my beautiful niece, Chloe, who was involved in the turning on the lights on Grafton Street last night.  She has just been appointed as one of Brown Thomas’ Christmas Genies.  Check out this picture of her with Santa and Westlife!  Not sure how accurately this link is working but bear with it!

In Dublin, Grafton street’s Karen Millen store celebrated its 3rd anniversary in style on Thursday 12th November.

At the glittering event, customers were dazzled by the Christmas collection showcased by Karen Millen styled models while sipping drinks and enjoying a bit of shopping. Every customer was even treated to a surprise discount- perfect for buying those seasonal party essentials!

The models prepare to dazzle

LA Makeup Academy makeup artists gave customers red lips, smoky eye and lots of valuable advice on looking gorgeous. To sign up for events, be sure to register with Karen Millen for your exclusive invites. Coming to a store near you soon! Register here.

The experts from LA Make Up Academy work their magic

DIA 2: O´CONNELL STREET – EDIFICIO DE ADUANAS – HA’PENNY BRIDGE – GRAFTON STREET – CASTILLO DE DUBLIN

Era domingo y el único día entero que teníamos Cober y yo para conocer juntos Dublín.

Madrugamos lo justo pues nos habíamos acostado tarde. Yo me quedé duchando en la habitación mientras Cober bajó a desayunar (el mío no estaba incluido…). Este me subió una pieza de fruta y salimos ya a la calle.

A dos minutos andando se encontraba O´Connell Street. Es la arteria principal de la ciudad donde a mitad de la calle se levanta The Spire (Monumento de la Luz), es una aguja de 120 metros que rompe por completo el conjunto arquitectónico clásico de la zona. Sustituye a una columna dedicada al Almirante Nelson destruida con una bomba por el IRA en 1966. Es muy moderna, bonita, pero un poco fuera de lugar. Eso si, es un sitio perfecto para quedar.

O´Connell Street

The Spire

A lo largo de O´Connell Street podemos encontrarnos una gran cantidad de estatuas que harán más agradables el camino: la del propio Daniel O´Connell, la de William Smith O´Brien, la de Charles Stewart Parnell, la columna en honor del almirante Nelson…

Al final de la calle a la izquierda, antes de cruzar el río Liffey, llegamos a una larga calle donde está el Edificio de Aduanas. Terminado en 1791, es una obra maestra del arquitecto James Gandon.

Se trata de un imponente edificio de estilo neoclásico del siglo XVIII con cuatro fachadas monumentales en pleno centro de la ciudad a orillas del Liffey. Es considerado una de las bellezas arquitectónicas de Dublín, aunque a mi la verdad me pareció más grande que bonito.

Edificio de Aduanas

Originalmente fue concebido como la aduana del puerto, ha tenido sus avatares a lo largo de la historia, de los cuales el más catastrófico fue el incendio-atentado de 1921 que causó graves daños y pérdidas irreparables. Restaurado posteriormente, a día de hoy alberga la sede de un ministerio de la República.

Fuimos andando bastante rato en busca del puerto perdido que nunca encontramos y ya cansados dimos media vuelta para cruzar al otro lado de la ciudad por el famoso (yo no lo había oído nombrar en mi vida) Ha’Penny Bridge.

Fue construido en 1816, y se trató del primer puente de hierro en Irlanda. Consta de una estructura con barandillas de hierro fundido y lámparas decorativas que cruzan el río Liffey. Originalmente se le llamó el Puente de Liffey, pero ahora se llama Ha’Penny, ya que hasta 1919 se cobraba la mitad de un penique, half penny, por cruzarlo.

Paseamos por las calles de Dublín, un poco sin rumbo, hasta que nos desviamos hasta la calle más comercial de la ciudad: Grafton Street. Es una calle adoquinada peatonal, no muy ancha, a reventar de gente y en donde están todas las tiendas más conocidas que vemos en todas las ciudades europeas (Zara, H&M, Clarks, Mango, etc). Estaba ya con los adornos de Navidad lo que animaba mucho la calle.

Grafton Street

Tras estar dando una vuelta por las tiendas decidimos seguir con nuestro día turístico y nos desplazamos hasta el Castillo de Dublín.

Está en una zona céntrica. No me pareció muy grande pero si bastante cuco. Es un poco diferente a los castillo españoles, es como una mezcla entre lo que aquí visionamos cuando pensamos en un castillo y una iglesia anglicana.

Construido originalmente en el siglo XIII en lo que fue un asentamiento vikingo, sirvió de fortaleza militar, prisión, tesoro, tribunal de justicia y sede de la Administración inglesa en Irlanda durante 700 años. Reconstruido en los siglos XVII, XVIII, XIX y XX, el castillo de Dublín se utiliza hoy para celebrar importantes recepciones de Estado e inauguraciones presidenciales. Los apartamentos de Estado, la bodega, la tienda de artesanía y el restaurante están abiertos a los visitantes. (En ocasiones, el castillo de Dublín puede cerrarse con poca antelación para desarrollar actividades gubernamentales).

Castillo de Dublin

El resto del día lo utilizamos para pasear por las animadas calles, tomarnos unas pintas (sobre todo Cober) y echarnos unas risas.

It was nearly impossible to think that this was my last week in Dublin. To sound utterly trite: where did the time go? It was also impossible, because quite frankly I didn’t want to believe that this moment would ever arrive. It was difficult to even fathom how eight weeks could flash by so quickly, like a good movie that’s over before you’re ready for its conclusion.

And considering movies, my time spent in Dublin almost felt like a rough composite of one. Weeks flickered by like days, or even hours, and here I was, my final week. It was an incredible journey, and I went into my last week with every intent of making the most of every single day, hour, minute, and quite possibly second. Cherishing the moments can hardly describe how I was feeling!

Dublin street art

Andrew was gone, traveling through France with his family, and I was alone in the office, but not for long. Caoimhe joined me as a new Connector “employee” so to speak, and she was starting to work on the Connector Music Event that would take place in September. It was nice having someone to spend time in the office with, and Caiomhe was simply a lovely person.

Monday after work I met Conor’s aunt who is from Seattle. That was an interesting twist to my day, and right afterwards I met Ally and Jen at the semi-Mexican restaurant Acapulco (I say “semi-Mexican” because try as they might, no Mexican food in Dublin really tastes the same as it does back home). It was Jen’s birthday, and we were celebrating the best way possible– with burritos and margaritas!

After our lovely dinner, we returned to Shanowen to get ready to go out for the night in celebration of Jen’s special day! This evening was EXTRA special because our treasured friend Dan (of Ikea fame) was joining us! We started off the night at the Grafton St. Porterhouse and moved on to Dandelion. I had the absolute BEST time hanging out, dancing, chatting, and creating mischief with Dan! He’s brilliant!

I ♡ dan!!

Ally and I said our long, emotional, and intoxicated good-byes to our first friend Dan on a nearly-deserted end of Grafton Street. Many hugs, kisses, and photographs later, we were nestled into our beds (around 3am!).

Grafton St. kisses

Tuesday came, work was productive, and Conor’s friend (and mine too!), the wonderful Mayuri, visited me for some midday company. That evening was a farewell dinner put on by EUSA at Talbot 101. This restaurant was a really trendy place with GREAT food. My dinner included a delicious sundried tomato and cashew dip with crudite and warm pita. And that was only the appetizer! I ate too much and came home to begin packing for the looming departure on Saturday.

oh, the horror!

Wednesday was another day with nothing out of the ordinary in the office. The days were dwindling, and it was a horribly dreadful feeling, but it allowed me to appreciate everything I was doing, seeing, experiencing, and living that much more. Waiting for the unpredictable Dublin Bus wasn’t a annoyance of my lengthy commute, but an opportunity to people watch instead.

last intern standing in the Connector Office

I took this opportunity to visit the tourist store Carroll’s as well. I had been putting this necessary evil off the entire trip, but souvenirs were definitely needed, so I let go of my ego and bought the shot glasses, posters, and small trinkets as a superficial remembrance of my life in Dublin. Purchasing the items was just fine. Rather, it was the dreaded green Carroll’s bag that was haunting me. I was mortified carrying the Carroll’s bag up O’Connell, for it screams “TOURIST!” in every way possible.

Then the rain came. My Carroll’s bag, made of paper, ripped, leaving me no choice but to carry the decent sized bag like a baby, clutched tightly to my chest. Oh, the agony. I bared through it and safely packed my souvenirs in my bag.

Don’t assume that the night was over after that. It had only just begun! Ally and I took Jen into Temple Bar, a rite of passage, no less, and met some interesting characters to say the least. We ended the night with a live band (the mediocre Sweet Corn Riot) at Fitzsimon’s. Ally and I decided liking the Spire was the best way to express our love to the city, and we have photographic evidence to prove it.

loving on the Spire

Ja, eftersom jag inte var på partyt igår utan låg hemma och vilade mig så känner jag mig bättre idag. Jag börjar undra om jag drabbats av galna kosjukan/fågelinfluensan/svininfluensan på Irland.

Sååå hur var Irland och Dublin…aboslut kanon. Det bästa med resan var att träffa alla människor som jag jobbat med tidigare det var verkligen fantastiskt roligt. Precis som jag erfarit tidigare är irländarna ett glatt och trevligt folk. Vi hade inte en enda tråkig incident med någon männsika. Alla är så hjälpsama och välvilliga. Dublin som stad är laid back, jättemysig och charmig, lätt att hitta i och väldigt pittoresk, jag tycker man fick mer en känsla av att vara i en mindre stad än i en stad i Stockholms storlek. Givetvis ändrades det när vi kom ut på landsbygden och verkligen var i små pittoreska byar.

Det är rätt så dyrt i Dublin, dels är Euron inte den billigaste valutan och dels kostar alla småsaker rätt så mycket. Det man kan säga mer om Dublin är att det definitivt inte är något shoppingmecka, Brown Thomas var en riktigt nice affäre men resten kändes lite B. Nu var ju inte huvudmålet med resan shopping, men jag hade inte varit jag om jag inte fått/tagit mig lite tid för shopping. Jag kom hem med en blus med puffärmar till ett rimligt pris och till bra kvalle. Jag var inne i hur många skoaffärer som helst men det mesta kännes faktiskt lite trashigt. Jag hittade ett par stövlar för tre papp som jag gillade men that was it liksom.

Vi hade väldigt tur med vädret mest hela veckan, två dagar regnade det lite men sen hade vi soligt och upp till +20. Vi bodde mycket centralt vid Henry Street (en stor shoppinggata), hotellet vi bodde på låg på den norra sidan (som anses som den “fattigare sidan”) och det var mindre än 10 minuters promenadväg till den södra sidan och Grafton Street (den andra stora shoppinggatan). När man åker runt i utkanterna av Dublin ser man att det är en stad som drabbats hårt av den ekonomiska krisen, det finns rätt så många nybyggda tomma lokaler och fastigheter.

Jag drack en Guinness (som ingick i priset på museet), jag gillar inte Guinnes alls men stämningen i Roof Topbaren på museet gjorde att jag i alla fall kunde slurpa i mig en halv. Jag gillar inte Whiskey heller men i slutet av besöket på Jameson destilleriet fick vi smaka Jameson. Det fanns en massa alternativ man kan välja mellan, typ Jameson+tranbärsjuice, Jameson+cola, Jameson+Ginger Ale och ren Jameson. Eftersom jag gillar Ginger Ale så provade jag det och det var riktigt rikitgt gott, det kan jag tänka mig att dricka flera gånger. Annars körde jag mest med Irish coffe om dagarna när vi inte sippade kaffe på Starbucks.

För övrigt gjorde vi de flesta turistsaker som man “bör” göra när man är i Dublin vilket inte alls är dumt eftersom det är spännade saker. Vi var bland annat på Guinness museet, Jameson destilleriet, vi åkte ut på landsbygden, Trinity College (där bland annat Oscar Wilde och James Joyce studerat) och såg The book of Kells (avskrift av evangelierna på latin), Christ Church Cathedral (den äldsta medeltida katedralen i Dublin) och givetvis hängde vi i det turistiga (man får ha överseende med turisterna för området är jäkligt mysigt) barområdet Temple Bar på kvällarna. Vår favvobar i området blev baren som just heter “Temple Bar” (ett tips Maria). Mycket folk, mycket liv och goda drinkar allt som allt tiptop.

Sista kvällen var vi och käkade i en restaurang som tidigare använts som kyrka “The Church“, en riktigt cool grej, priserna var helt ok om man jämför med andra ställen. Atmosfären var kanon och det var mycket folk och bra musik. Vi började kvällen med en drink i baren, käkade sedan och avslutade med en flaska skumpa ute på terassen. Också ett ställe som bör besökas when in Dublin.

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Docklands
Sisi kota Dublin yaitu Docklands merupakan bagian dari kota ini yang dikelilingi oleh perairan. Salah satu tempat menarik yang ada di kawasan Docklands adalah salah satu bangunan bersejarah yaitu The Custom House. Bangunan ini awalnya dibuat pada tahun 1791. Namun sempat hancur karena insiden kebakaran pada tahun 1921, tepatnya pada perebutan kemerdekaan Irlandia dari cengkeraman Inggris. Dan pada tahun 1980an, The Custom House mengalami renovasi untuk tetap menjaga salah satu situs bersejarah Irlandia ini.

O’Connell Street
Jalan O’Connell menjadi pusat kota dan disebut sebagai salah satu jalan terlebar di semua kota besar di Eropa. Diantara jalan yang menghubungkan antara Parnell Square hingga O’Connell Bridge ini berdiri beberapa bangunan menarik. The Spire salah satunya. Bangunan setinggi 120 meter ini berada di tengah O’Connel Street dan dibangun pada tahun 2002. Selain itu juga ada General Post Office atau kantor pos pusat Irlandia.

Tempat tersebut mmerupakan bangunan publik terakhir yang didirikan pada era Georgian. Fondasi awal bangunan ini dibuat pada tahun 1814 dan sempat menjadi markas tentara Republikan pada tahun 1916. Karena itu, gedung ini menjadi salah satu tempat bersejarah di Irlandia. Di beberapa dinding gedung ini masih terlihat bekas-bekas peluru. Tempat menarik lainnya di jalur ini adalah Dublin City Gallery yaitu The High Lane. Karya-karya yang dipamerkan disini adalah karya besar dari seniman impresionis dunia seperti Renoir, Degas, Monet dan Morisot.

Berdekatan dengan Galeri tersebut juga ada Dublin Writers Museum. Di sini dipamerkan gambar-gambar rumah pada abad ke-18 kota Dublin dan kehidupan tentang selebriti Dublin sejak 300 tahun lalu. Bagi wisatawan yang gemar dengan olah raga, mereka juga dapat mengikuti GAA Museum and Stadium Tour untuk mengetahui sejarah dan perkembangan olahraga nasional Irlandia.

The Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park sebagai taman terbuka untuk umum ini adalah taman terbesar yang ada di Eropa. Di dalam taman ini terdapat juga kebun binatang Dublin, museum polisi, Ashtown Castle (rumah menara kecil yang berdiri sejak abad ke-17), monument beberapa figur publik, taman bermain anak-anak dan juga kediaman Presiden Republik Irlandia yang disebut dengan nama Aras an Uachtarain serta rumah Kedutaan Besar Amerika. Selain itu, ada juga beberapa danau dan rusa-rusa jinak yang hidup di taman ini.

Temple Bar dan The Old City
Kawasan Temple Bar bisa dibilang sebagai pusat kebudayaan kota ini. Areal ini menjadi tempat lebih dari 50 tempat pameran seni kontemporer. Begitu banyaknya resto, bar, tempat belanja dan hotel menjadikan tempat ini sebagai pusat kunjungan wisatawan. Di beberapa lapangan juga terkadang digelar pemutaran film ketika musim gugur. Beberapa pusat kebudayaan Dublin seperti The Button Factory, The Ark, dan The Gallery of Photography serta National Photographic Library menjadikan kawasan ini selalu ramai.

Tempat menarik lainnya yang ada di kawasan ini adalah Dublin Castle yang memang menjadi salah satu bangunan penuh sejarah kota ini. Berdekatan dengan kastil klasik ini juga ada Chester Beatty Library yang penuh dengan koleksi-koleksi beberapa negara di dunia. Sedangkan, bagi wisatawan yang ingin mengetahui lebih dalam tentang kota ini, dapat mengunjungi Dublin’s City Hall yang menampilkan sejarah Dublin dalam bentuk multimedia. Disini akan diceritakan mengenai Dublin pada era Viking hingga perkembangannya menjadi kota penuh vibrasi seperti saat ini.

Untuk mengetahui tentang hubungan Dublin dan Viking juga dapat dilihat di ruang eksibisi Dublinia and the Viking World. Disini akan ditunjukan artifak, rekonstruksi audio-visual dan tampilan yang sangat interaktif. Ruang pameran yang berada di gedung bernuansa Neo-Gothic ini dulunya adalah Gereja Ireland Synod Hall yang terhubung dengan jembatan yang bernuansa elegan menuju Gereja Cathedral.

The Liberties And West
Sisi barat kota ini menjadi kawasan terbesar pemerintahan masyarakat Gaelic. Salah satu tempat terkenal di sisi ini adalah Guinness Storehouse. Ditempat ini, wisatawan dapat mengikuti perjalanan menakjubkan mengenai sejarah dari pembuatan bir ternama dunia. Arthur Guinness menjadi salah satu bagian dari sejarah kota ini, semenjak memulai kisah perjalanannya membangun pabrik bir pada 250 tahun silam.

Irish Museum of Modern Art juga menjadi spot penting di sebelah barat Dublin. Dibangun diantara tahun 1680 hingga 1684, dulunya tempat ini adalah tempat para pensiunan tentara Irlandia. Tidak hanya itu tempat ini juga menjadi bangunan klasik pertama di daratan Irlandia. Sekarang, tempat ini menjadi ruang ajang pameran para seniman Irish.

Bagian penting lainnya di sini adalah penjara Kilmainham Gaol. Penjara yang dibuka sejak 1796 hingga 1924 ini sekarang menjadi tempat tur yang menarik. Mengelilingi sekaligus mengenal sel-sel tempat dieksekusinya para pejuang kemerdekaan Irlandia seperti Constance Markiewicz, Eamon de Valera dan Padraic Pearse, menjadi pengetahuan sejarah yang cukup menarik di kota ini.

Grafton Street
Kawasan Grafton Street menjadi pusatnya para wisatawan. Karena daerah ini menjadi tempat andalan para turis untuk berbelanja sekaligus tempat nongkrong untuk melihat dan dilihat oleh masyarakat Dublin. Di kawasan ini juga biasa ditemukan para seniman jalanan, yang kebanyakan mahasiswa-mahasiswi Dublin yang menunjukkan kemampuannya bermusik sambil mengais sedikit rezeki. Menjelang sore, beberapa seniman lainnya seperti joke-teller atau pendongeng lelucon ataupun seorang musisi berpakaian ala patung yang menamai dirinya sebagai Mr. Bonjagles dan akan bernyanyi jika dilemparkan koin ke hadapannya juga dapat ditemui di kawasan ini.

Di beberapa sudut Grafton Street terdapat patung penting warga Dublin. Seperti patung Molly Malone yang berlokasi di ujung jalan Grafton Street. Patung ini merupakan legenda yang menunjukan figure dalam lagu kebangsaan kota Dublin yaitu Cockles and Mussels. Selain itu juga ada patung musisi Phil Lynott yang berukuran sama dengan sosok aslinya.

This evening, I decided to take a trip into town to absorb the atmosphere that was Arthur’s Day. Before leaving my office, I shed my brown shoes and replaced them with white Adidas runners. My suit jacket was swapped for a baggy, brown Abercrombie hoodie. I’ve not shaved in two or three days. I looked rough. I had an hour to spare before meeting Joanne. I dropped into Brown Thomas.

I strolled around the men’s section of the store. A few items caught my attention. I bee lined to the shoe section. There I found a brown pair of Canali boots for a steal at €365. Unfortunately, my appearance drew no dirty looks from snobby Brown Thomas staff. I left the store disappointed. I was doubly saddened to learn no security guards followed me to the door. Maybe next time.

I met Joanne at Bewley’s for our usual salad in Café Bar Deli. She appeared from nowhere among the busy Grafton Street crowd. She looked as funky as ever in fitted jeans, blazer and a scarf. We entered the restaurant. While queuing to be seated, a vision in the form of a waiter appeared. Joanne’s eyes sparkled. The waiter noticed her gawp. He said hello. Joanne’s mouth hung open.

“Oh my God is he not the hottest thing ever?”

“I definitely would,” I agreed.

“Will you get his number for me?” she asked with contagious excitement.

“You should ask him yourself. I am not asking any more men for their number.”

“Please,” she begged.

“We’ll see,” I trailed off as a waitress approached to seat us.

On the walk to our table Jo and I noticed an unusually high number of good looking waiters. The restaurant was exceptionally busy. Not one of the handsome waiters had a second to spare. One whizzed by every second. We sat down, placed our order and sat tight for our food, which took nearly forty minutes. The selection of choice meats on offer did nothing to whet our appetites (for food). We were starved.

A handsome Puerto Rican waiter walked by the table. He was dark with black hair and large brown eyes. His black T-shirt clung to his muscular physique, complimenting his large biceps.

“I don’t like him,” Joanne said as she watched him from the corner of her eye.

“Why not?” I asked. My attention span waned due to hunger.

“He won’t acknowledge me. Do you think he is?”

“One of my friends? It’s hard to tell, Jo.”

“I bet all the staff in here are sleeping with one another. They’re all at it.”

“Listen to yourself,” I said. “You so need a shag.”

“True.”

The food eventually arrived. We cleared our plates in no time. I wanted something sweet and was pleased Jo agreed to share a brownie and ice-cream.  I thought she was exceptionally excited about dessert until I realised why her face was alight with joy. Her favourite waiter was on the approach. She caught his attention.

“Hi! Can we order dessert, please?” She said this with her best smile.

The handsome waiter was caught off guard.

“Yes, no problem. Let me clear your plates and get you menus.”

He was Spanish and even more attractive up close. Joanne and I watched him wide-eyed.

The waiter cleared the table and returned with two menus. He handed them to us.

“You can take it from here,” Joanne said as she closed the menu.

“Can I please get a brownie … Oh and can my friend give you her number?”

The waiter paused for a moment as if asking himself had I in fact said what I did. Joanne exploded into laughter. She assessed his face for a reaction. He looked at her and laughed nervously. He grabbed the menus and retreated rapidly.

“Are we going to get our brownie?” I asked. “Did we scare him away?”

“Oh my God, I can’t believe you just did that,” said Jo in disbelief.

“You asked me to ask him for his number.”

“Yeah, but I thought you would be a little more subtle than that. I am so embarrassed. I can never come in here again. Look! He’s telling one of the other waiters about me.”

“You told me to ‘take it from here’.”

“I meant for you to order dessert!”

“Oh. Sorry about that. Did I really embarrass you that much?” I asked with genuine concern.

“No. Don’t worry about it. I’ll get over it.” She laughed as she spoke.

Joanne and I laughed long and hard. The poor waiter came nowhere near our section of the restaurant. Joanne could see him in the distance as he kept us at bay. A waitress came to our table to see if we wanted dessert. I felt like suggesting she check on the welfare of her colleague. Instead, I requested she ensure a brownie was ordered for our table.

We waited for dessert in silence. Every time we looked at one another we just erupted into laughter. At one stage Joanne wiped a tear from her eye. She was paranoid that her favourite waiter was telling his colleagues of my request for his number.

She leaned in towards me. “You do realise he probably thinks we want a threesome.”

I laughed at this.

On the way out of the restaurant Joanne left my side while I paid.

“Where did you get to?” I asked on her return.

“I went to the waiter to apologise for your behaviour. I told him you like to embarrass me.”

“Did you get his number?”

“No, I didn’t.”

I shook my head.

Sean has gone down home to Cork today which means I’m free – free! – for the next 24 hours to window shop and snap photos like a tourist. I can troll the Rimmel section at Boots, try on hats at Topshop, browse issues of Glamour UK at Waterstones, and pose next to Molly Malone all I like!! Yippee!! Sorry, Sean, but there are just some things you can’t do with a man around.

The drugstores sell Maybelline and L’Oreal, but not Cover Girl. There is a Boots brand of cosmetics.  Spray-on deodorants appear to be very popular for women as well as for men. I can’t afford any of the lovely clothes or shoes I’m seeing until I find a way to get paid in Euro and it is almost impossible to get a clear picture of Molly Malone since so many people pass by her on the street or plunk themselves at her feet. And all the poor girl wants to do is sell her cockles and mussles, alive alive-o. Give a working girl a chance! ‘Tis a busy life, sweet Molly Malone. Ah, that it is.

We moved in to our new apartment last night. After Sean left for the train station, I began the day by coordinating maintenance men as they fixed and re-fixed the toilet, then plastered up a hole in the wall.

“Welcome to Ireland,” said Sean last night as we discovered the non-flushing toilet and the hole. “Typical Irish standards. Cowboys, the lot of them!”

Regardless, it is a lovely apartment in a lovely brick Victorian Dublin house with white spiral staircases – flooded with light, cozy, and beautifully furnished. A lovely apartment in a lovely house on a lovely street.

Street signs are always written in both English and Irish.  Cars are always cute.

There are trees lining the street and gardens inside the wire fences.

After a day of trolling the college campus and searching for a Mac store – unless any of you know how to reset the password on my computer so I can install broadband – I’m in an internet cafe on Grafton Street. Grafton Street is lined with red bricks, forming a pedestrianized gallery of shops and restaurants stretching from the famous Molly Malone statue to the lush St. Stephen’s Green. When I first arrived in Dublin, the luxurious foliage in St. Stephen’s was all bright Irish green. It has become increasingly blanketed by yellow and red leaves as fall begins.

There is a busker playing Thin Lizzy’s “Whiskey in the Jar” down on the street as I type – a far more welcome companion to my money guzzling internet cafe hour than cigarette smoke and pervy teenage boys reading manga porn. It’s a song I’d never heard until a week ago, when Sean played it for me on his uncle’s stereo. He couldn’t believe I’d never heard it before and neither could I.

Hunched over, my shoulders hurt after a day of dragging my laptop in search of Dublin’s Mac store but I’m happy dreaming of dinner and Rimmel lipstick and the brick houses on the street where I live.

Sunday of my individual explorations was equally as wonderful and refreshing as the Saturday.

I slept in again (it’s a rare opportunity that should be taken advantage of!), and headed out of Shanowen Square, only to stop at the Spar for a baguette, and was on my way for another day of adventures.

The bus I boarded was full of rowdy late- teenage girls wearing brightly colored clothing and rain boots. I still haven’t figured out what in the hell was going on with that, but it had to be something, for when the bus arrived on O’Connell St, there seemed to be more of these girls. Shrugging, I made my way toward the Liffey.

Instead of crossing the river on O’Connell Bridge, I decided to walk along the boardwalk along the north bank. There was an Artwalk taking place, so as I strolled along, I got to admire the artwork as well.

Ha'Penny Bridge

I crossed the Liffey at the pedestrian Ha’Penny Bridge, and headed straight through to Temple Bar. I made my way through the tourist-ridden cobblestones as a shortcut to the Dublin Castle. This was my neck of the woods, so to speak, for my Connector Office is on the edge of Temple Bar’s romping grounds.

portal to Temple Bar

My intentions of visiting Dublin Castle were to see the recently added sand sculptures that were in the main courtyard. Admiring the skill it takes to mold giant blocks of sand, I then moved on the Chester Beatty Library. This Museum is essentially in the Castle’s backyard, so I simply followed the signs that led me there.

sand sculpture representing the element Earth

The Chester Beatty Library was a fascinating treasure trove of ancient artifacts from Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity donated to Ireland by the American Beatty. Because this museum was also free, I didn’t feel obligated to stay more than I deemed necessary.

My next destination was Christ Church Cathedral, which had been standing proudly just a block past my office, and I had yet to visit! I sat outside this awesome cathedral, admiring the architecture, but didn’t get the chance to go inside, for Sunday service was in session.

Christ Church Cathedral

The same was true for St. Patrick’s Cathedral, my next sight-seeing location. Just a stone’s throw south of Christ Church, St. Patrick’s was equally inspiring in the architectural realm of things. Behind the church was a lovely park behind it where I sat for a while, resting and journaling.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Satisfying my hunger for reflectiveness, I wandered over to where I guessed Grafton St. would be. I hadn’t been in this area of the city yet, so I was using my inner compass to guide me. And guess what? That compass works pretty damn well, if I do say so myself. I walked until I recognized something, even if it was as insignificant as an Indian food restaurant, and treaded on to St. Stephen’s Green shopping mall to get a smoothie to quench my thirst.

Grafton St. performer

I somehow ended up at TopShop (I think I have some sort of magnetic pull drawing me there!) and bought 3 of my favorite items of apparel: a blue blazer, chunky gold necklace, and magenta fishnet tights. Shopping wasn’t my original plan for the day, but hey! Why not?

I headed home shortly after, expecting a night out with Ally (who was on her way home from a weekend with the family), and caught my bus. I dozed off on the ride, as usual, and woke up just in time for my stop at the Spar (for dinner!) and the off-license. This was no typical Sunday, mind you. It was the Sunday before Monday’s Bank Holiday. No work the next day = late nights!

And a late night it was! Ally didn’t come back to the apartment until 10pm, so we had a lot of ground to cover! Excited to go out for the night, just the two of us, we got dressed up and caught a cab into the city. Bouncing from The Globe (for a quick pee), to Hogans, to the Porterhouse, the night was a romp like no other. Fantastic fun, just us two.

Monday, the Bank Holiday, I spent with Ally and her two brothers. We meandered around Grafton St., St. Stephen Green’s shopping mall, and then the Guinness Storehouse. The Guinness Storehouse was awesome, and the free pint at the Gravity Bar was a moment of revelation when I realized that I thoroughly LOVE Guinness. Deliciousness.

delicious Guinness

view of Dublin from the top of the Guinness Storehouse

After, we ate some appetizer’s at the Brazen Head, the 4 of us, and sat around enjoying ech other’s company. We parted ways, they to their fancy dinner, and me to my delicious meal of a savory vegetarian crepe from the fantastic restaurant Lemon. Great day for my taste buds!

This was overall an entirely amazing weekend. I couldn’t have asked for anything more!

Ok. So it’s been a while. I realize! But as I promised, I will finish the stories!

I’m back in the States now. I have been for about a week and a half. It’s been hectic, it’s been lazy, it’s been… well, a bit disappointing. Regardless, these feeling are stories for another time, another place! I’ve got some blogs to finish!

Ok here we go:

The start of August transformed itself into my weekend of solitude. But no, not so much solitude as a cheerful, breaking out on my own, doing whatever I wanted to do, sort of weekend. Allow me to elaborate:

Ally’s family, freshly arriving in Ireland this week, scooped her up and took her into the country. Minus one. And then everyone else that I would think to create any sort of mischief with was either in Paris or Amsterdam for the weekend. Thus, I was now in sole possession of two fantastic days on my sweet lonesome.

I was excited.

Saturday was a grand adventure! It started as a day to sleep in, no doubt, but a day to explore as well! The morning was spent taking my time getting ready, and I took this lovely opportunity (and they were rare!) to relieve my room of its clothing-strewn condition.

My plan for this weekend was to discover Dublin on my own, going places I hadn’t had the chance to see yet, as well as finding uncharted treasures and enchanting secrets. There was plenty out there…

Catching a crowded bus down to the City Centre, by this time it was the afternoon, I knew that this day would be great. Despite the overcast skies, the day felt brighter, more refreshing, than before.

I got off the lovely number 16a Dublin Bus, and headed toward The National Gallery of Ireland, my intended first stop. On the way, however, I passed Trinity College, and on impulse I turned inside its gates. Stepping on to the cobblestone, I realized I had yet to see the Book of Kells (which is pretty much a must-see of Dublin).

Trinity College

So after wandering the depth of the college grounds (I had been in Trinity countless times prior to this day, but never venturing past the main front square), I bought my ticket to the Book of Kells exhibition. I made my way through the exhibition displays of Celtic book making, scribes, and religious doctrines before seeing the illuminated Book. It was quite spectacular! The sheer history of this manuscript was incredible, yet alone beautiful!

The second half of the exhibition allowed me in to see Trinity’s Old Library’s Long Room. What a wonder to behold! As cheesy as that sounds, it’s true! I about passed out in awe at this long expanse of room filled with aged books both big, small, and otherwise.

Literally books were every which way, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I was told that my mouth was gaping open the entire span of time I spent in there. The 65m room’s history rang out so clearly I either felt like I was in a different time altogether, or simply dreaming. I love books, and this was by far my biggest adventure in book lust.

I finally managed to tear myself away from the wondrous Long Room, bought some postcards and souvenirs for my family in the gift shop, and walked along to The National Gallery of Ireland.

Along with the majority of museums in Ireland, the National Gallery was free for entry. I spent around two hours there examining, drooling, gawking, and absorbing the paintings in this gigantic gallery. The wings we were so expansive, and the map was a bit confusing, so I found myself literally getting lost more than once!

My favorite wings were the 20^th Century Irish and English art as well as the entire display of Jack B. Yeats.

Hungry, I left the National Gallery and headed toward Grafton St. I wanted to see the George’s St. Arcade before it closed for the evening. George’s St. Arcade is a nonfood market with vendors selling a variety of things from clothing, new and old, books, jewelry, art, music, anything you could think of, really. It’s nothing like London’s Camden Market, but I almost like it better!

I bought 3 vintage scarves for 10 euro, and a vintage 80’s shirt for 5 euro! Elated with my vintage purchases, I went across the street to Juice, a vegetarian/vegan restaurant I had wanted to try for weeks. I ordered a delicious smoothie and veggie spring rolls, and they were excellent! Expensive, but worth it by all means!

The alone time presented a reflective state a mind, so I ambled down to St. Stephen’s Green, with full intentions of journaling. Once I got there, I walked around the majority of this beautiful park—a green city-sanctuary—and eventually sat down on a bench to do some writing. Within two sentences of this plan, the rain from this otherwise beautiful day started to drop.

statues in St. Stephen's Green

Umbrella at the ready, I packed up and headed up Grafton St, which was full of other umbrella clad pedestrians. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to stay in the City Centre for the evening to finish writing, or go back to Shanowen Square and relax in my freshly cleaned room. Besides Bewley’s Café, nothing on Grafton really struck my fancy, and so I walked right up, past bronzed Molly Malone, and caught my bus on Westmoreland St.

A wonderful day, to say the least!

random mosaic mural i discovered

GRAFTON STREET

Acabando con esta serie de fotos de Dublin le llega la hora a Grafton Street, una de las calles mas animadas y comerciales de la ciudad, que es usada habitualmente por músicos callejeros de todo tipo. Si buscas un Zara estara aqui, casi seguro.