Walking the history of Dublin

On September 23, 2016September 24, 2016 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Europe, Ireland, Travel, Uncategorized, vacationLeave a comment

Our first day in Dublin, we had decided to take a historical walking tour with a highly recommended company, www.historicaltours.ie. They do two tours daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for 13 euros per person. You can pay online which they prefer or just show up and pay the guide. We also tipped her as she did such a good job. Really a bargain given that Grace, our tour guide, has a PhD in history from Trinity College and knew her stuff.

We had to brave the “Freshers” (incoming freshman college students) in the main square of Trinity College to meet up with our tour group. All very Hogwarts feeling with the medieval buildings and packed with students talking to the various club members in tents attracting rowers, rugby players, magicians, political, etc. Our tour group ranged in age but mostly couples and a nice size of 12 people so we could all huddle around Grace to hear the tales of the religious wars and many invasions that Ireland has experiences throughout the ages. Damn, they’ve seen a lot of turmoil on this small island.

Heads up, cobblestone streets are repaired to stay with Dublin’s historical look but are hell to walk on even with sensible Uggs. I can’t even imagine navigating in a heel. Be warned and dress appropriately including a rain jacket.

Group introduced, off we went throughout Trinity College, Temple Bar, and the Viking neighborhood where ruins were plowed over to make way for a new government building. The Irish seem good about preserving many buildings but since the Vikings were marauders and invaded them, they weren’t so particular about preserving their ruins. Shame.

Temple Bar, the lively bar area, used to be under water and it still runs under the streets. Close to the river, it is now the hub of pubs and shopping. Grace pointed out many historical sites here and then off we went to Christ Church and Dublin Castle.

After the two hour tour, we were famished and just happened upon a place I had read about as having the best fish and chips in Ireland, Leo Burdock’s. The counter guy greeted us and when Thom asked how he was doing, he replied, “Living the dream. I work here” and gestured to the humble abode where they dished out the best slab of fish and hearty chips I have ever eaten. Funny. Sharing the 10 euro special while sitting on a park bench at Christ Church, we chowed down, gaining our energy back before we meandered home through Temple Bar and back to the hotel. I was beat and jet lagged! With the awesome Westin bed to tuck into, it was an early evening and 12 hours of sleep for me after our first day in Dublin.

Dublin Westin Delights

On September 23, 2016 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Europe, hotels, Ireland, Travel, vacationLeave a comment

After a very long flight, really only 6 hours from NYC but felt like more, we landed, grabbed the bags and off we went on the one of many double-decker buses to the city of Dublin. AirCoach double-decker bus is only 6 euros one way to get to downtown and from my perch in the upper front seat, it was thrilling/frightening to see just how close the driver could get to the car/bus in front of him (I’m guessing less than an inch) and how he could maneuver the big rig through Dublin’s curvy tiny streets. With the entire downtown all torn up and under construction for streetcars being built, it was traffic cones galore for the bus to avoid. WTF-who tears up the Entire Fauking City?? Hint-do it block by block Dublin urban planners. Pedestrians beware-those buses go fast and do not stop—look left for oncoming traffic and cross with the lights in a group-safety in numbers!

After sweating and silently screaming just a little bit, we were dropped off a block from the hotel and in the midst of Freshers Week at Trinity College near our hotel, The Westin. Freshers are the college freshman who were packing the streets to get enrolled and meet/greet with upper classmen. We learned to avoid this block as we walked Dublin. Red heads are everywhere. The ginger runs strong in Ireland.

After the long flight, we decided to check in and take a quick nap before heading out for our first adventure. The wake-up call was quite interesting—a loud banging on our door and the guest clerk subsequently opening up the door just a little bit to ensure we were indeed awake. This was certainly personal service. As we were dead to the world with jet lag, we appreciated their dedication to making sure we got our asses out of bed to see the city.

Exiting the hotel after nap time, we asked the doorman to verify that where we were going was on the next block. Instead of just pointing as most would do, he proceeded to walk us to the corner, talking and assisting the whole way. Now, here’s a guy who has been trained in world class customer service. Never point when you can show. I appreciated his efforts.

BTW, we got breakfast buffet included in the Westin package and the next day after a 12 hour catch-up sleep, it was delicious. Lots of pastries, Irish soda bread to toast, Irish cheeses and Irish yogurt. Yes, there was fruit but it just didn’t call to me like the carb and dairy offerings.

All in all, the Dublin Westin delighted this weary jet-lagged traveler.

Crazy American Political Race as Viewed by an Irishman

On September 20, 2016 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Europe, Ireland, Travel, vacation, VinylLeave a comment

“I’ve got 300 euros bet on Hillary. She’ll win.” The Irish vinyl shop owner filled us with confidence after a hearty political debate. “Hope to God you are right!” I replied.

Thus ended a very spirited conversation that began the moment we walked into Spindizzy Records in the heart of Temple Bar in Dublin. (http://www.spindizzyrecords.com)

I overheard a customer and the shop owner reflecting on the crazy election race we find ourselves in where a reality show guy could be President. “Are you people out of your fauwking minds?” Why, yes, in a world where Trump could be elected as our leader, a basket of the voting public is obviously uninformed and looking to be saved by Cheeto Jesus. Like he cares about anyone but himself. Not.

I weighed in and said that realistically he could win and then Mr. Vinyl made a mistake. He said that Hillary wasn’t much better than Trump so it didn’t really matter. Oh NO he didn’t! Thom took up the conversation then stating Hillary’s qualifications and defending her honor. Is she perfect? Nope. Neither am I but seeing that Trump is a psychotic, pathological lying racist among other things, while Hillary has the skill and the ability to be our leader, it is very much a clear choice who to vote for. Trump can not and should not win. Period. Mr. Vinyl listened and agreed reluctantly and reinforced that Irish politicians are incompetent so he shouldn’t be talking about American politicians as being any better. He watches the election results like he watches our Super Bowl-both with bets placed.

With a good selection of vinyl to browse and politics to discuss, we stayed awhile and enjoyed the conversation. He recommended a good pub and then another customer weighed in with her choice of a “real” Irish establishment we could go to for music and some spirits later. Hopefully my jet lag will subside by then-last night I went to bed at 6 p.m., got up at 1 a.m. for an hour or two and then back to sleep until 8 a.m. Damn. Missed out on the Irish music last night but am determined to go out tonight after a long nap, of course. Cheers!

The Total ND Irish Football Experience, Drunken Leprechaun Pirate and all!

On October 17, 2015October 17, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Family vacation, Ireland, TravelLeave a comment

The leprechaun pirate with the ND eye patch and scraggly goatee woke up from his drunken stupor just after the first quarter at the Irish vs. USC game. You got to give it to the grungy dude-can’t be easy being passed out and staying upright on a bleacher seat but somehow he made it happen. At first concerned for his wellbeing, I quickly flipped into ninja defensive mode to protect myself after he started dancing and flinging his arms with great abandon and hit me in the face as he yelled and loudly coached the players from our end zone seats. “Bring your father?” the smart ass but very nice guy next to us asked. HELL NO! Thus began the total ND Irish Football Experience thanks to my great sis, Beck, who scored us tickets to the Game of the Century.

I got the dread pirate Looney Tunes as my seat neighbor but Beck got the adorably nice guys sitting next to her–on a trip to all the NFL stadiums with their fathers. They had decided to also take In a college game on their male-bonding trip before going to the Colts/Pats game tomorrow in Indy. After Beck explained why bodies were being lifted all over the stadium when ND scored–prone body push ups, one for each point on the scoreboard–the traveling sons decided Beck looked tiny enough to lift so they could enjoy a true college football moment. NO THANK YOU KIND SIRS! We directed them to a small child they could pump over their heads and off we ran to get a hot chocolate to drink and warm up in the bathroom that had the heaters going at full blast. At 30 degrees on the field, no amount of layering, Spanx under the jeans, puffy coat and earmuffs could keep us warm, though our ugly Uggs kept our tootsies quite toasty. Mock the Uggs but they get the job done.

I did learn more about football from the fans surrounding us. After ND called for a timeout when USC was getting ready to kick a field goal, then immediately called another one and then ANOTHER ONE, I was coached that ND was “icing” the kicker and trying to psych him out. After the third timeout, the poor USC player finally got to kick his field goal and, sure enough, he was flustered and missed! The icing worked-who knew about such football psychology??? Brains over brawn to win-I like it.

Making the ultimate sacrifice so that ND could win the “game of the century” as it was being called, we left the game before the fourth quarter started with ND behind by 7 points. WHAT??? Yep, Becky was cold and said that last time she left a game early, ND came roaring back to win. And they did just that tonight! In the 15 minutes after we left, ND scored 17 points and won 41-31. Thank the Lord we left because I’m sure the drunken pirate would have been overcome with joy and jumped into my arms to lay a big cold wet one on me to celebrate and I was having none of that action thank you very much. The Irish can thank us with season tickets or extra blessings-either work for me.

Dressed for the cold weather and ready for spring already

Prior to the exciting game, we had to have the whole Irish experience so we walked the campus, enjoyed the ND marching Irish playing tunes on the steps of a classic college building, walked the grotto, went into the rotunda to see the Horn Section play beautifully and check out the tailgating action. Those Irish alumni really know how to party in a parking lot. There were a surprising number of USC fans walking around so I had to interview one guy with his son who were looking to score a blanket to keep warm. After we told them where the book store was, I asked how they were feeling about Coach Steve S. being fired. “FANTASTIC!” the guy enthusiastically replied. He then informed me that they were going to sue the recruiting firm that pushed through his hiring and didn’t do their due diligence to find out he had “issues”. Oh well, don’t we all and hopefully he’ll work out his demons. In the meantime, Go Irish!