Coupla Days

Crazy that I'm creeping up on the halfway point of this program, and 3 weeks in Europe total. Wow. Anyway!

As you may have inferred, I visited the Guiness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol this week, specifically on Monday. We headed down as a class, got our tickets and such, then went to the storehouse. It was pretty cool, though somehow I liked the Heineken Experience better. More beers, maybe? Who can say! Anyway, some old gear and tubs, exhibits on transport and how ahead of the times Guiness has always been, advertising exhibits and such. There is a small bar where you can pour your own pint, but I opted to save my free pint ticket for the Gravity Bar, a glass-walled, circular bar at the top of the 7-story structure (shaped like a pint glass). Amazing views of the city, truly dazzling. Only one pint, but hadn't eaten since breakfast so I felt it a bit. Visited the gift shop, got myself a hat and a little something for Amanda, then the group hiked an endless hill to the Gaol (it was seriously a long walk, and the neighborhood looked a little sketchy to us). Anyway.

Kilmainham is a prison that was used by the British to hold and execute not only criminals but the 1916 Rising leaders and others. Many famous revolutionaries passed through that place, and it's fascinating to stand in. The newer portion was epic and airy, panopticon style of easy viewing for guards. The older part is downright dank, stone walls and echoing halls, windows that originally had no glass, and the original doors. Pretty harsh stuff, and freezing in winter. Also have a small museum that we visited, then hopped a bus back to city center for lunch.On the bus, a woman asked Keith to give a sip of his water bottle to a woman she claimed was pregnant, so he just gave it to her (it was a few days old anyway). The woman and her friends then smoked meth, which was unexpected and ridiculous. Made me nostalgic for Galesburg!

Anyway, most of us went to Eddie Rockets for lunch, basically an american diner themed restaurant. Decent food, standard prices for Dublin. Winnie went home and Kelsie wandered off on her own. After lunch we split up; Keith, Hany and I did some shopping, got a pint at Gogartys, and went to Trinity to hang out until music time. We chatted with a girl from Naperville there studying through NYU, disappointed kids at a leadership camp that kept asking us scavenger hunt questions we didn't know the answers to, and the others filtered in to join us. The music was great, two violins, a flute, a vocalist, a dancer, and uilleann pipes - so cool. Musicians talked about their instruments, history and culture around them, and so on. A lovely evening. Got a pint at O'Neills, and headed for home.

Tuesday after class we had a film, The Wind That Shakes The Barley. After that, some itnernet time doing journals and updates, then home for dinner. Our family put a TV/DVD player in our room, so we have some entertainment if we want it. We've watched some Mythbusters, soccer and King of Queens up there so far. The announcer on Mythbusters sounds Australian/Irish here. Good stuff. Later we came back to campus for more internet, then met up with the group at the Autobahn for . . . a pint.

Today (Wednesday) we had a good discussion in class, watched Dancing at Lughnasa, then internet time including setting up our trip to Cork this weekend - we'll have everyone but Winnie along for this trip, so it should be good. We've booked 9 of the 10 beds in our room at the hostel. Originally hadn't planned to go, but realized that I'd regret not going more than it was worth. Also, successfully set up transfer ability from my HSBC to my TCF bank account, so in a few days a good chunk of cash should be available to me again, which will make me feel better about things. I'm not in dire straights or anything, but the fact that I am still unable to access the money I was planning to use for this trip (HSBC) from an ATM means that my other account has to bear the brunt of my activities, so this transfer will put me more at ease. Anyway, went home for dinner and a shower, then came back for the internet. Planning to head home fairly soon I suspect and call it a relaxed night - first day since I hit Europe without some form of alcohol - I may faint! Must remember tomorrow to . . . have a pint.