On the 15th of March, I will hop on a train from Belfast, Northern Ireland and travel to Dublin, in the Republic of Ireland. It only takes a few hours to go by train from Belfast to Dublin, and my goal is to be there by 10am, or even 9am. I want to get there, check into my hotel, and grab a quick lunch before noon. March 15 is the day that I am doing my Hop on, Hop Off tour in Dublin, and I believe it stops running around 4pm. It doesn't sound like a long tour, 90 minutes if you don't get off, so I think that even if get there around 1pm, it should still be plenty of time.
That night, at the Duke Pub at 7:15pm, will begin one of the tours that is, I think, pretty unique and one that I'm very much looking forward to: the Literacy Pub Crawl tour. This tour lasts a few hours, and like I mentioned it starts at the Duke Pub, and it takes you on a tour of several pubs, and at each one they talk about famous Irish writers and their works, even acting out some of the famous scenes. I am very excited! I haven't had a chance to read much Irish authors, unless you count Oscar Wilde, and since the tour does not require a knowledge of Irish Literacy to be enjoyed, it seemed to me a perfect way to "get my feet wet" in Irish Literacy. Plus, it's such a unique tour! a tour of pubs and a tour of literacy works? not very common, and perfect for me!pubs and writer and literacy works....if that does not say "Millie" all over it, then what does? I am very excited about this tour. like I keep saying, it's a pretty unique type of tour, and it is right up my alley, and it's an awesome way to get to experience and learn about Ireland: it's pub culture and its literacy culture. it's brilliant!
it is at night, and so I am slightly nervous about making my way back to my hostel after the tour is over, but the website says that the pub we finish at is close to a taxi grabbing place, so that is good. I just have to remember to bring cash for a souvenir T shirt and the cab back.Since this is pretty late at night, I will for sure take a cab there and back, but for the most part, I plan on walking everywhere during this vacation. Most hostels and hotels do have city maps for free, I know my hostel in Belfast does-for free, and I'll pick one up at the train station in Dublin. Also, I can always ask at my hostel and hotel for directions to where I'm going. I found my way around Xi'an and Beijing with only maps and where pretty much no one spoke English. the fact that most people in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland will speak English makes this 100x easier and more relaxing for me. :) :)
This trip is going to be sweet, and I think it has God's approval. last Saturday, I was working at my job at Wings Stop, and this Irish guy came in! The accent threw me while I was taking his order, and he problaly thought I was nuts or couldn't understand what he was saying, but I was trying to place the accent, it sounded a bit Scottish to me, but not really, if that makes sense. once he had walked away to get his drink, I asked the other cashier if he was Scottish, and she said he was Irish! pretty close, since Irish and Scottish accents are a bit alike. a bit, anyways. some of the other girls who weren't on cashier talked to him while he waited for his order, and I listened in-between customers, and I learned he moved to Texas from Ireland when he was 5-6, still speaks Gaelic, though not as much as he used to when he was younger. the thing that I found the most impressive, was his Irish accent was full on. the guy sounded like he just stepped off the plane from Ireland for the first time! it is so amazing that he has not lost it, even though probably his parents still have it as well, you would expect that being so young it would have faded out a little you know? I did mention that to him, that he had moved here when was 5 and still had the accent so strong, and he said "got to keep it alive." his name was Riley BTW. it was so cool and I felt like it was a sign! In Boston, probably not uncommon since Boston does have a strong Irish community, but Texas?! how many Irish people move to TEXAS? from Ireland?! talk about culture shock!lol.
This trip is going to be fun, and exciting, and sweet! and yes, I do plan on eating meals in pubs, less expensive, and I will most likely try some Irish drinks, with alcohol. :) :)
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