Checking In

I realized earlier that it's been a couple of weeks since I last posted and as this blog is really a way for me to remember my time abroad, I need to be more consistent in writing.  Nothing too terribly exciting has taken place in the last few weeks, but thinking back, I have had a few good times and quite a few laughs. 

Two weeks ago Allan was in town and he and I ventured up to Northern Ireland for my first time which means I've now been to all the British Isles.  We took a bus tour up to see Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge and hike along the cliffs and we also went to Giant's Causeway to see the hexagon shaped stones there.  We did make it into Belfast for about an hour, but in that short time I didn't see anything that impressed me.  We went in a beautiful pub where I found signs posted everywhere saying "No team attire allowed."  I thought that was interesting.  Allan explained that it's too tense of an environment if everyone is wearing their jerseys, etc.  Fights break out easily that way.  Geez.  I wouldn't recommend the bus tour again but our driver was hilarious so Allan and I enjoyed sitting up from cutting up with him the whole time.

This past weekend Beth arrived into town.  She and Greg flew in from London on Sunday evening and we went up to the Woolshed so Greg could catch his Sunday night football and then on Monday I gave them the full tour of Dublin.  We did the walk from Ranelagh up to Trinity College via St. Stephens Green, walked down Dame St to Dublin Castle and then on to Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral.  Finally, the big event was visiting Guinness as it was a dream of Greg's and Beth, knowing beer really well, enjoyed the enormous brewery.  We sat in the pour your own pint room a while because we each poured one then some very nice Japanese people gave us the four or five others they poured but didn't want to drink.  After this we taxied it back to Ranelagh for dinner at Dillingers.  We enjoyed discussing some of the lingo here in Dublin, for example, "You're very welcome."  It's always said as you enter a place, as in you're welcome here, but it sounds funny.  Sadly, Greg was sick all day Tuesday so Beth and I did the National Portrait Gallery and a quick trip to Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey on our own before having dinner at Seagrass...my new favorite place.  We had to part ways on Wednesday morning as Beth and Greg flew back to London and I went to babysit my little Ari. 

Wednesday night was a random but nice evening as my friend Jamie here texted to see what I was up to and we had a impromptu asparagus risotto at my studio so she could vent.  It's nice to have girl friends you can do that with and both she and her husband have listened to me from time to time so I was happy to play hostess.  I wish I had more room and a better kitchen so I could do it right, but the meal was fantastic so I suppose it all worked out. 

Earlier in the week I received an email from Kit.  She had met a guy in Germany who randomly is from Beaufort but living here in Dublin.  I connected with him via email and took him out last night.  We met at a place called Against the Grain on Wexford Street which was really good.  I had a Blue Moon which cost me 5 euro and then he bought drinks after that but the next I had was a German banana flavored beer which was really nice.  I can't recall the name of it, but the bar is known for their imports.  Good stuff.  After we left there I took him to the Bernard Shaw and we had pizza and jammed to the random music they played.  I love that place though.  We probably should have gone home but we made one more stop at Smyths in Ranelagh where we ordered a pint each but didn't drink it and chose water instead...good decision there.  We parted ways and later I got a text saying that was the best night he'd had in Dublin (I guess I'm fun to hang out with!).  I was pleased as I had a great time too and it was especially nice to be with a fellow Southerner.  At one point of the evening he leaned in and asked if he could tell me a secret.  I was waiting for something deeply personal when he said, "I don't eat seafood."  I could have died because of the way he said it but it's something we have in common, being from the Lowcountry and not enjoying fish.  I am getting better but there are still tons of things from the water I won't touch.  Beth had prawns in her meal Tuesday night and the shrimp had eyes!  I could never!

Today has been completely uneventful as I've spent my time on the "couch" watching my laptop...just another Saturday in Dublin.  I'm heading out shortly to Jamie's as Tommy is in Liverpool and we are having girls' night.  I've got to go get groceries because I'm supposed to be making creamy chicken enchiladas for us. That being said, I better get moving!