Two weeks ago, I posted on Facebook asking for any connections or advice people had for Denmark, Scotland and Ireland. Shantee, a high school classmate connected me to a guy she met while backpacking in South America who is from Dublin. Sean immediately started helping me plan the Ireland segment of my trip and offered a place to stay with him and his roommate, Cian. Being a traveler himself, Sean knew all the comforts I would appreciate and made sure they were available to me. I got to do laundry, take a hot shower and completely relax.

The day after my arrival, Gośka (my Polish friend through couch surfing) came to meet me. We planned out an amazing adventure for my last week in Europe – Ireland is very dear to her so it was the perfect place and timing to meet up again. I was grateful to not only be meeting up with a familiar face, but to be around a woman whose energy is just so contagious and radiant.

I love the random circumstances that bring people together. The lot of us discussed this often and deeply over several pints during my 4 days in Dublin (there really is a strong drinking culture here). We told many stories of travel, adventures, love, tom-foolery and heartbreak. It’s amazing to watch people from different cultures bond through experience.

Moments in Dublin:
-People watching with my morning coffee at the Grove Road. I met a nice guy named Brian who was telling me how we hopes to visit California so I doodled a little map of my favorite road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway with suggested stops.
-Learning of an important vote happening in Ireland on May 22nd that will determine marriage rights for gay couples. The propaganda for the ‘Vote No’ side was just absolutely absurd and infuriating. I will be checking in to see how this vote goes!
-Wandering down random alleys where I found great graffiti and interesting art pieces.
-Visiting the Trinity College campus (so beautiful) to see the Book of Kells (a book of gospels written in 800 A.D. on sheets made of calfskin with incredibly artistry into each page and letter) and the library in the Great Hall (where there was an awesome exhibit of myths in children’s literature). I talked my way into the student discount. 🙂
-Taking a photo in front of the Dublin Castle of which a green streak appeared (there was nothing green around and I’ve never had anything like that happen with photos on my iPhone before). Perhaps it was a Leprechaun? Or a sign from my Nonnie?
-A tour of the Guinness Storehouse: seeing the history of the factory, the production of the beer and their marketing / advertising over the years. There was a guided experience in the tasting chambers then I enjoyed a beer at the top of the factory in the Gravity Bar overlooking Dublin.
-Beers and pizza at Blackbird with Gośka, Sean and Cian. It was a huge bar with an outdoor patio, funky decorations and board games everywhere.
-Returning home for a few more beers and ending up in a dance party (jumping on the mattresses in the living room).
-Exploring Dublin with Gośka before headed to the tour at the Old Jameson Distillery where we learned about the history of the company, their triple distillation process and had a nice comparison tasting of Irish, Scotch and American whiskeys.
-After having a few more drinks, heading to the National Leprechaun Museum (where I was able to score another student discount) where we played and giggled like children while listening to Irish folklore.
-Beers at O’Neill’s to hear some live Irish music and step dancing (though, we couldn’t actually see it, but rather had to watch a screen of it going on in another part of the bar).

Food Highlights:
-Guinness and Jameson (still sticking with booze being a food group in Ireland)
–Bangers and mash followed by Bailey’s Irish Cream cheesecake at The Porterhouse Brewing Co. (they had an amazing beer list)
–Irish Coffee at the Boar’s Head Pub

Language Highlights:
-nap: kip
–“ya bloody legend”
-cheers (good health): slainte
-awesome: “fucking class”
-making out: shifting
-from the Jameson label, learning that “sine metu” means ‘without fear’ in Latin

AIRPORTS: 22
FLIGHTS: 21
TRAINS: 15
BUSES: 3
STATES: 7
COUNTRIES: 14
CONTINENTS: 3
DAYS TRAVELING: 147
CURRENCIES: 7