Another day in Dublin

I did a lot of sightseeing today and got lost many times on the way hehehe. I spent a lot of time walking through the shopping areas in Dublin and was VERY close to going on a crazy shopping spree but didn’t hahaha. I also went by the Guinness storehouse but it was closed when I was there so I didn’t go on the tour (though being a non-alcoholic, I’m not sure how much I would have ‘enjoyed’ it). Anyways I saw the two main cathedrals in Dublin: the Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Both of them were pretty typical large churches but they were nice to see nevertheless. I also went by the Dublin Castle and the historic Kilmainham Gaol, which was a key site of Ireland’s rise for independence. Speaking of which I also took a little visit to the main post office, which is also historically linked to the executions that were done at Kilmainham during the 1916 Easter Rising. Overall I’ve liked Dublin but I have to say the transportation here sucks. Maybe it’s just a coincidence but it seems like every time I rely heavily on public transit (like in Paris, London, Dublin, etc.) I always seem to be at a hotel on the ‘crappy’ route. But anyways Dublin was pretty good and the temple bar area is really very unique I must say. Sadly though looking at our route, I won’t be able to see the REAL beautiful places of Ireland such as the Cliff of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and Connemara because they’re all on the westcoast of Ireland and we’re headed for the north east. I’ve seen pictures of the Cliffs of Moher and they are absolutely breathtaking so that kinda sucks, but hey what can you do. Tomorrow we head for Belfast.

Also just as a side note before I forget to write these (for my own records):

- The equivalent stores to the Gap (though it is here too, but not as big) are Next and Zara, both of which are very good and not too pricy
- Burger King has veggieburgers in the UK and Ireland but no where else
- Despite what I people have told me, London has a very good selection of restaurants
- The UK is the most expensive place in Europe (even more than Switzerland) cause of the GBP.
- Pepsi is the drink of choice in the UK but Coke is BY far much more widely available in the rest of Europe
- My level of patience has increased TREMENDOUSLY during this trip and I’ve really developed a knack at convincing people to do what I want
- The restaurant Est Est in Liverpool is AWESOME and their goat cheese croquette rocks.
- Driivng on the left side in the UK and Ireland is REALLY fun but I always have to think everytime before I make a turn hahaha
- Every American I’ve met in Europe despises George Bush Jr.
- I’ve watched way too much CNN on this trip
- Ireland’s radio stations suck
- To keep my sanity I’ve been going to churches a lot and in fact I ‘celebrated’ (in my own little way) Diwali at one of them in Ireland
- The people in Ireland aren’t quite as nice as the rest of Europe and an old guy at a bus stop tried picking a fight with me…

I’m probably gonna make a HUGE list of best/worst things in Europe when this trip is over…