Dublin

So we have arrived. The bus ride over from Belfast was very uneventful. Once we checked into the hostel we were completely sidetracked by our need to feed and COMPLETELY FORGOT TO GO TO THE GUINNESS TOUR!!!

I know.

How did that happen?

I seriously spent the whole bus ride over planning out our afternoon, beginning with that and it wasn't until 5pm while we were in Marks & Spencer looking for something green for Em to wear that we realized we had skipped it <----long ass sentence. Side note: Marks & Spencer is amazing. I super wish we had one in L.A. because these clothes are all so cute. And by all, I mean ALL. I don't think I saw one ugly thing. Its like a better version of the GAP. Mucho expensive, but its British so yeah. Nadia & Wifey, I think you guys would enjoy this place.

Anyhoodle, we hit up the pre-St. Paddy's festival and watched some Irish stepdancing and then began walking around Dublin. We saw Trinity College (SO PRETTY!) but were stupid and completely forgot to see the oldest bible exhibit thingy. We also walked down O'Connell street and bought some souvenirs, including the necessary gaudy bouncy clover headband for tomorrow. We then hit up O'Daid's pub (yes I took a picture Wifey) for our first pint of Guinness in Dublin (since we missed the last tour and felt a little guilty). I followed my pint with a pint of Bulmer's cider (my new addiction) and Emily followed her's up with 2 glasses of Jameson & 7Up. Needless to say we were a bit loosie goosie when we left.

After that we decided getting some sort of food in our stomach was probably a good idea since it had been awhile since our last full meal. We ended up eating Italian and pretending we weren't tipsy in a nice little establishment called Pacino's (no obvious association with Al). Then we walked around some more and headed back to the hostel to drop off our bags and head out.

My guidebook mentioned a place called Whelan's where bands like Arctic Monkeys are want to perform so we dolled up (a little) and headed out. That place was packed. There was also no obvious signs of live music once inside, which was weird because I could hear it outside. Hmm. We decided to leave because it was just too hot with all the people and once outside discovered that the live music was UPSTAIRS. Who knew there was an upstairs? All we saw upon entry was people.

We waited for a little while to see if the band was worth the fight through the sea of people and decided to chance it again. As we were walking in Emily saw a sign for the band playing and it turns out she knows them from Myspace or something, so we head on up. Except as we approach we find out that it costs 17.50 euros to see them. BULL SHIT! I totally didn't want to pay that much to see a band I've never even heard of so we bounced.

If it had been 8-10 euros then maybe, but 18?!?! Thats like $25. Its not even Roxy status, guys. Whatevs. We decided since both our feet hurt to head back here to the hostel and get some business out of the way so we can face tomorrow head on.

Tentative Plan for St. Paddy's

7:30/8am: Breakfast (must drink milk since it is apparently delicious in Ireland)

8:30ish: Post Office (we need to get some of the stuff out of our bags, I can now barely close mine. yikes! Also, I have a few postcards to send--->check your mail boxes!)

9:30am: Guinness Tour (since we failed yesterday)

11am: St. Paddy's Day Parade

2pm(ish): Lunch & Nap (food is obviously necessary and we will likely need at least an hour nap as well. This may sound weenie to you, but we've been going non-stop for 7 days. I am also full prepared with my 5-hour energy shot.)

5pm(ish)-????: DRINKING!!!!! (until I am Irish)

Sometime after the drinking, but whilst still drunk: Composing postcards.

Hopefully all goes as planned.