"Lovely Day for a Guinness"
First gram & I had our breakfast, she had her Irish bacon and eggs and I tried fruit & yogurt (good!). Next she stayed behind to nap, read, & chat while I caught the bus to my fun run with Erica (Marko ran the half). We both didn’t think we were going to make it but in the last few minutes we both found each other and I ran probably the fastest 1.5 miles I’ve ever run (which was not very fast). We hung out for a little (see photo two) and then I went the wrong way out of the park, Phoenix park, which I’m told is the largest (or second largest) park in Europe, and got asked twice for directions because I look like a local. I took a cab back to the B&B where gram was patiently waiting for me to return!
We reconvened at 230 at the Guinness storehouse (I called it the Guinness brewery and was corrected by a taxi driver). We ate at the brewers’s dining hall where they give you SO MUCH food and then Erica and I also shared a delicious piece of baileys cheesecake (the last piece!!!). They had a glass elevator and it was so awesome! We toured every floor and learned how to properly drink a Guinness (by getting a cute mini Guinness) and then we learned how to pour a Guinness (and got certificates!). We went to the top floor and saw Dublin from above while drinking our professionally poured pints, and when I say professionally I mean by us because we’re CERTIFIED.
Next we had to jump to the Irish storytelling tour bus and Marko made the proper decision to use the restroom before while I did not and therefore suffered throughout. However, the show was great and we stopped at this crazy forest with amazing sights of nature and then the beach which was windy and wonderful. We sang a song about Molly Malone and got our free drinks, but I obviously couldn’t drink mine for bladder reasons.
What I didn’t know was part of the tour was the after tour seats at the church bar, which was amazing!! Formerly St. Anne’s church it has been converted into a bar but they kept the stained glass windows, statues, organ, etc. (see photo one, with Marko in the foreground!). I missed the river dance as I was in the bathroom but I did catch the last song of the traditional Irish music being played by a guitarist and a violinist and I know what gram has been talking about missing all these years because I could’ve sat and listened for hours. I had another Guinness (that’s only three and one mini if you’re counting) and we chit chatted about our trip and what to do tomorrow.
I LOVE the Irish people, they are so nice. And I love taking taxis because you learn so much and again the people are so nice and willing to chat. The one that took us home from the pub, Gerard, was so chatty and asked all about our family history and our trip. They all give us advice and are SO HAPPY AND GRATEFUL (as well as bartenders) when you tip them. I know they get paid more than Americans in the service industry but it’s so refreshing and they’re so nice mannered it makes me want to tip them even more.
Anyway, that’s all for tonight! And don’t worry, I have several more photos on my camera!!!
Sláinte! (cheers! or “to your health”)