One night in Dublin...

This sounds like the start of a joke, but it is actually what I am doing today, spending one night in Dublin.  At the beginning of the July, I thought it was ridiculous to go all the way to Dublin on the last Friday and Saturday of my time in London--but a few days ago, it seemed perfectly logical.  After all, it is only a 1 hour flight, and when is the last time I was in three countries in one week (never).  So here I am.

Admittedly, I didn't have much in the way of expectations.  I hadn't planned on coming until a couple of days ago, so didn't research.  And, I didn't think it would be much different from London.  But, just a few hours in, I really like it.  I have been called mate, dear, and love already today.  Squeal!  I am enamored with that.

It was raining when I got here, but beautifully sunny when I got lost and was wondering around the city centre, taking in the sights.  Overall, its a bit grittier and a bit more real than London.  The first think I saw was a guy throwing up into the gutter.  There are all kinds of fake Chanel handbag stalls and electronic stores where they "unlock your phone"  right downtown in the tourist center. There are also lots of chain stores coming in.  I found a public library with free wifi in one of the new mall-type complexes.

The library was very welcoming, which hasn't been my experience with other libraries on my trip.  Welcoming and well-used, it took me a few minutes to find a seat where I could sit down and connect my laptop in order to set my meet-up plans with my lobster (see previous post).  That done, I wondered around a bit, impressed by the diversity of patrons and services.  There was a children's section, computers, a display on local music festivals, and a photography exhibit on the use of prams as carts for traders throughout Dublin's recent past.  I am hoping to run into one, now that I know about them and see it for myself.  There was also a very large music section in the library, full of patrons listening to selections on headphones and checking our cds--and, there were two piano keyboards with music stands and headphones, and signs saying,  "Learn to play the piano here."  And both of the pianos had adult patrons, wearing headphones and practicing!!

I left and wandered around the centre a bit--though it was touristy, it was also packed with locals, out shopping or walking.  It meandered down some alleys and crossed a lovely iron bridge, under an arch and ended up in Temple Bar.  Now, one person told me to stay out of Temple Bar and one told me to make sure and go to Temple Bar.  It is basically an area of shops and, mostly, bars--lots of people even at 2:00 o'clock,  and lots of street performers.  It was great!
I stopped at a pub, it was full of drunk Irishmen on their way out, so I figured it was authentic.  I sat at the bar and a bartender with a lovely accent served me steak and fried potatoes while a young man played folk music on an acoustic guitar.  I just kept thinking how lucky it was that I took a chance and came to Dublin for one night.