Wunderlust LBC

A Green Recap

bizquik — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:22:00 GMT

One thing is for certain- I have a huge amount of respect for the Irish culture. Although I was aware of it to some extent, I couldn't believe all the Polish people I saw everywhere. I thought I would go to a pub or restaurant and have an Irish person serve me, tell me jokes, and enlighten me on tradition. After two days of getting foreigners we decided that unless it was someone Irish working we weren't going to stay. My perspective going in was to learn about Irish, not bond with my own people or those of other cultures.

I didn't think I would like the pubs that much but I found myself with a Guinness multiple times during a day. Each pub with its own personality, own history, and own atmosphere made it very fascinating. In the evenings I thorough enjoyed the traditional music and the general vibe of each pub. It was great to get a run down on the history of the pub and how it's been such an integral part of Irish culture.

The country itself was very beautiful. The food was surprisingly excellent virtually everywhere we went. The scones and the pastries were especially delightful. We managed to do the afternoon tea thing a couple times, which was cool. We usually followed it up with a stop to a pub for a Guinness.

I wasn't aware of the rich history and how greatly it was influenced by the Vikings. I also learned a lot about the history, the Easter uprising, and how bloody Ireland's history has been until 1998. Whoa... that is VERY recent. I now know who James Joyce is and what Temple Bar means/is and had a chance to experience a real Guinness and then some. And yes, it tastes different than the ones in the US.

This was an extremely educational trip and I'm happy I had a chance to go. When I go to my local pubs now I will have a bigger appreciation for where they come from but I'll also be keeping a close eye to make sure my Guinness is being poured properly!

Where everything is green

bizquik — Sun, 3 May 2009 03:45:00 GMT

In a couple hours, we fly East across the giant pound to an island I have never had great desire to go to. This does not mean I never wanted to go but only if the time was right. The time felt right last week when I bought the tickets to Dublin.

The most exciting thing about the trip is that I know very little about Ireland. I find it so interesting how so many people think they know everything about it, but do they really? So, who is the prime minister? Or do they use a president? Or are they under the rule of the queen? Wait, maybe that's the other Ireland up north! Do people know there are two countries on the same island? It's PRESIDENT Mary McAleese for the record and Northern Ireland is part of the UK.

Then we get to the whole Blarney Stone and Killarny and the other places and legends I heard about. The guide book makes the best point that some people go to these places so they can seem to know everything about Ireland and all their magical stories. I'll leave the story telling to the local sitting at the pub next to me. I am not on the voyage to become an expert but to learn what I don't know.

I am going into this trip knowing virtually nothing about Ireland. I tasted some of the foods and I know the beer. I know castles and churches are abound but don't know much beyond that. I expect to see lots of green, lots of clouds, and amazing cliffs when I finally see the Atlantic. I think I'll be swept away by amazing winds but that I'll find warmth in tiny pubs. I am excited to watch the Champions League in a pub especially since ManU has some Irish players (John O'Shea for instance).

Sometimes the most exciting trips are those that you go on with whom a land means a lot to. Sometimes the best trips are those you go in knowing nothing about. Sometimes the most memoriable trips are those where you do none of the planning (which hardly ever happens for me). I am going to sit back and enjoy this ride because I think it's going to be quite magical!

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bizquik — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:06:00 GMT

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