Ireland

So so much to say about my excursion to Ireland. I don't even know where to begin. One thing is for sure, my favorite word to say in Ireland is "Slainte", meaning "cheers". I love learning new ways to to say cheers! and I definitely over used this Irish word!! 30 pints of beer, Guinness, Smithwicks, Murphys, and Carlsberg, and only paid for 5 pints. Amazing. I also tried a pint of oyster beer, it was delicious. So, what is the best thing to do in Dublin, Ireland? Go to the Guinness Storehouse of course! It is a wonderful and magical place that ends with a delicious pint of the best brewed Guinness you'll ever have at the Gravity bar that has the best 360 view of the city in Dublin. And no visit to Dublin is complete without fish and chips at a pub that plays live music. It was the best fish and chips I have ever had. Since it is impossible to give full detail of my amazing time in Ireland, I will give a small run down of the things I did.

This trip was important to me actually. I went completely on my own, and it was a great experience for me. I saw what I wanted to see, I wasn't afraid to walk into a pub and listen to some great music, drink a pint of beer, I wasn't afraid to travel and see things. It was liberating. I met some great people and some not so great people, haha, and had the time of my life.

First things first, the weather was incredible. Bright and sunny, not a cloud in the sky, not a single drop of rain or fog. The night I arrived it was too late to eat a traditional irish dinner so I settled for a kaabab place where 6 guys from Paris who where just coming back from a Rugby match, where air surfing and singing the beach boys too me! haha, my favorite souvenir is the ticket for the rugby match that they gave me, good times. The next day I went on a walking tour of Dublin. It is such a gorgeous city. The river Liffey is beautiful. Learned a lot of cool facts, funny facts, about Ireland, the Dublin Castle, Trinity College, U2. St Stephen's green park is absolutely breath-taking, I wish I could have spent more time there, but I was off to the Guinness Storehouse! Had my first Irish meal at the Auld Dubliner, Fish and Chips heard some great Irish music. I heard the song "Cockels and Mussels" about Molly Malone in just about every pub I went to. They really like that song... so I took a picture with The bronze statue of her. After the Storehouse I was taken out for another traditional Irish meal, some kind of hearty stew with a bit of guinness in it. It was good, it was really hearty, haha. Then I was shown the how to correctly pour and care for Guinness. Guinness is a delicacy, it is taken very seriously in Ireland. It is greatly treasured and cherished. After all, It's good for your health, doctors prescribe it to their patients, it's good for strength, and it's always a good day for a Guinness! I learned the type of glass, temperature, how to inspect the glass to make sure it is clean, and I learned the proper way to pour a glass of Guinness, which is a two step process, and I learned the proper etiquette in taking the first sip of Guinness. I had a very educational day. It was at this point where "Slainte" became my new favorite word.

Day two in Ireland, I took a day trip to County Wicklow, Glendalough, and Kilkenny. Absolutely stunning. And boys, eat your heart out, I was standing on the grounds where many scenes from Braveheart where filmed. The lakes, waterfalls, and the coast were so breath-taking. I had to keep pinching myself. I also saw Bono's residence! Lucky guy to have such a beautiful view of the ocean in Ireland. Later that night, back in Dublin, I went to the famous Temple Bar, listened to some more great live music, had a conversation with the musician, then went to the Brazen Head for dinner and some live traditional Irish Music. The Brazen Head is the oldest pub in Ireland, it was a very cool pub. and I loved the music. Then I went to the porterhouse for a second time for some more live music and more pints of beer! The band was playing more popular music, I knew all of them and was singing loudly with the bartenders. I love Ireland.

Day three in Ireland, took another day trip to the cliffs of Moher. I couldn't believe how beautiful the cliffs where. I just sat there for an hour in complete tranquility. We started the tour in Limerick to see King John's Castle, then through County Clare to the magnificent cliffs of Moher. Then we went to Doolin City, the landscapes and the coast of Doolin is unlike anything I've ever seen. The stone walls, sheep, which dominate in population over people, and the rocks on the coast that are unique to Doolin. We had lunch there and they had the best seafood chowder I've ever had. Went to The Burren, then we traveled back home through Galway Bay. Beautiful day, listened to peaceful irish music along the way, and U2.

What's not to love about Ireland? And my hostel was fantastic. Very attractive Irish men working there, they played the "Pirate Radio" soundtrack and some other great music the entire time.

Cheers!