After falling asleep with my Benadryl, I woke up 2 hours later when we were pulling into Dublin!! Our airbnb house hosts were going to pick us up from the airport stop, so we were happy not to have to find the place! At the airport we called Sinead and Des and Sinead said she would be on the second floor. Due to some misunderstanding we waited for 20 minutes in the parking lot. At that point we called and found out we were supposed to cross the street before going to the second floor. After that... we figured it out and found her!!!
She was super sweet and welcoming. Turns out she studied in Mississippi and played soccer at William Carey in Biloxi and Hattiesburg! How small is this world!!!! We were so thrilled by her hospitality! When we arrived at their house we met Des and their dogs Timmy and Cony. Des is from Glasgow, Scotland and has a super thik beautiful Scottish accent! We were offered food and drinks and were shown around. Again... We were offered two rooms... a double and a single, but... we decided not to mess up 2 rooms! After they showed us the bus station (20 minute ride into Dublin) they told us they would happily drive us to the two towns around them-- Malahide and Swords. We were too tired and decided to stay in... Again I felt quite sick! After laying down for a bit we went downstairs and met the other guests in the kitchen. Matilda (18) and her mom Celin, who were from France, and Julianna and Jen from California. We stayed downstairs playing cards and talking with Jen, Des, Julianna, and Siniad. We had a blast and discussed all things from gun control to taxi drivers and weather. Again... a blast, but we fell asleep exhausted at around 12:30.
On Friday morning, we woke up promptly at 7:58 and lazily got dressed and went downstairs. We found Des, Matilda and Celin eating. Des welcomed us warmly, made me a coffee and he insisted on toasting our bread for us. He didn't let us put our dishes up or wash, and then insisted on driving the four of us to the bus station. Once in the car, we realized that we didn't have the 2.80 in coins, sooo he was like... "Why don't each of you pay me 2.50 and i'll take you into the city?" My initial reaction was um... No way!!! You don't need to waste your awesome sunny morning driving us 20-30 minutes into the city!!!! But he insisted and drove us! So, we saved time and money because of his generosity. I don't think I've ever met such sweet, generous, giving, and interesting people. Anyway... He drove us in and we walked the day away.
It was sunny and the forecast predicted no rain... So we left our rain jackets at home and awaited a sunny day. We walked through Temple bar first, but since it was 9:30, it was dead. We decided to stop for a coffee at Starbucks and use the wifi to plan out our day and route. With Ricks help and our map, we were ready to go! First stop... Trinity College! No library tour but a great walk around!
Then... The national gallery! On our way... It started pouring down rain.. So, we ran the 2 blocks and arrived soaked to the museum. The exhibits included European painters and a special Irish exhibit. It was a wonderful piece of culture! After that... the national museum of archeology. I was kind of excited about this one... but it turned out to be a bit of a bore... We left and headed to Grafton Street, a pedestrian shopping street. But... it started pouring down rain!!! soooo we snuck soaked into a tiny corner cafe and had a delicious chicken, goat cheese, and pesto sandwich between the two of us. As it stopped raining we headed to Grafton.
Dublin is so picturesque. Precious houses, flowers, and full of people. I absolutely loved it. I would put pictures up but I forgot my phone that day!! We walked down the street and then to Dublin castle! By then I was really starting to not feel well... The rain, the air, and my cough was not helping... Sooo we decided to go back to Tempel bar and find a place to eat. Everywhere was packed, but the music flooded out into the streets. We found a cute little Mongolian place that was unique and provided Maia with the white rice she had been asking for. Yes... I know... strange choice in Ireland, but it gave us a chance to dry up and catch our breathes.
Then... back to Grafton for gelato and H&M... Can't take stuff back but we can eat it! Hahaha
The street was still lined with musicians and I was mesmerized by a trio (Violin, trumpet,and saxophone) that was playing Con te Partiro, which I know because of Andrea Bocceli. Oh it was soooo gorgeous that we didn't realize it was starting to rain. In two seconds it was buckets, cats, and dogs. We were soaked and ran to another Starbucks to kill time until it cleared up. After waiting 30 minutes and being soaked and cold we gave in and decided to find the bus home ....We headed out in the sun that lasted two seconds because it started to rain like never before. I couldn't see through my glasses and people were yelling at us that if we ran fast enough we wouldnt get wet. It was a joke. We legitimately were dripping when we arrived at the station and when the bus arrived... we didn't find the air conditioning amusing... It quit raining during our 35 minute bus rise... And we somehow got the bus driver to tell us where to get off. Of course when we got off... it started pouring. We ran for 3 blocks and realized that we were sooo drenched that it was pointless. We couldn't stop laughing. When we finally go to the apartment poor Sinead didn't know how to react! We were soooo wet!!! We hurried upstairs took the drenched clothes off and squeezed all the water off of it ... Then we tried to warm up... Which was easier said than done...
After a bit we went downstairs and hung out with Jen and Julianna, because they were killing time before leaving for the airport. We hung out until Matilda and Celin came down and asked us to join them for dinner. We hadn't planned on leaving again, because I wasn't feeling great and we didn't want to ask Des and Sinead to take us to town (either Swords or Malahide). However, Matilda and Celin had rented a car and were heading to dinner, so we joined!!
Malahide is on the coast and tiny, but has 24 restaurants. The ride there was hilarious. Celin had never driven on the wrong side.... And after 5 minutes.. We realized she was driving on the wrong side when a car was heading straight towards us!!!! Aaaahhhh!!! It was too funny!!! Movie worthy.
Our dinner was delicious!! I had risotto with shrimp and mussels, which I had been looking for this whole time! The conversation was hilarious.. From music to tv shows to favorite movies. Guess what... They like Nicholas sparks movies!!! And I didn't bring them up. Unreal!!! They also watch glee and how I met your mother! Matilda freaked when I told her I knew who the mother was! Haha
After dinner we met the new guests: another mom and daughter from Destin, Florida! Crazy how small the world is! They were super sweet, but we were sooo tired that we went straight to bed!
Saturday morning we woke up again at 7:58 (not sure why the same time again) packed slowly and went downstairs with all our stuff. Sinead needed to get our room ready for the next guests (an American couple from Michigan). While we ate breakfast she washed and dried all sheets and comforters and cleaned the room for like an hour and a half!!! Crazy! Luckily we had the Destin girls to chat with! They filled us in on how obnoxious tourists are! I can't imagine living there during spring break!!!
Sinead took us to the airport at 10:30 and we hugged Des goodbye at their house. Saying goodbye to the precious and sweet couple was sooo sad. We told them to stop by when they come back to Mississippi and we really hope they do!!! They are incredibly nice people!!
Sinead dropped us off and as we got out, the next couple got in. We let them know that they were in for a treat and hurried through security and to our gate. Our plane left on time and we ordered fries just to see what they tasted like when cooked on a plane... GROSS is the answer!!!
When we arrived in London we just walked in. We haven't gotten 1 stamp on our passport and they have just glanced at it once... And nothing in London. We got some pounds and headed to the bus station. We voted agains paying 30 dollars for the quick train and took the bus (extra 80 minutes) but only 12 dollars. Arriving at Victoria station an hour and a half later, we bought a day pass and headed to the tube. 25 minutes later on the central line, we reached ealing common and walked the 15 minutes to our place. Nowhere near the center of London but a super cute 3 story tall house. The lady met us at the door and led us to our perfect room (two twin bed and in suite bathroom). After that she left us and we understood we probably wouldn't see her again. She lives here with her husband and kids, but we are only allowed in our room upstairs, no kitchen, etc. The arrangement is fine and gives us privacy, but a little strange after the hospitality that was des and Siniad.
After changing we headed out and took the tube to the West End. Our goal was to check and see if Once the musical had tickets left for cheap... and they did!!! Their most expensive tickets in the orchestra were reduced to 19 pounds!!! We jumped on it! Then headed to grab a sandwich and walk the west end! 1.5 hours later we were sitting in our seats to watch Once! The Irish pub musical!
The references to Dublin streets and Cork made sooo much more sense!
I've seen the show twice but this time it was so much more meaningful. Again the magic of musical theater overwhelmed me and I cried. Music is just such an incredible thing!! I was thrilled that Maia got to see this piece of magic and we both left incredibly grateful!!!
Today was even more amazing and again showed us the kindness and generosity in people... But because of how amazing it was.. I want to dedicate a special post to it. So, tomorrow, as we head back to Berlin and wrap up our sister trip, I will share the incredible last day that we had!
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