I would include a better photo of where I'm at but honestly the only thing I can focus on right now is this espresso. Keep an eye on my Flickr photos on the right for more impressive pictures.
I arrived safe and sound. I hung around the airport for awhile, it was pretty chill. Not like when I flew into London last year. I made sure my phone worked and my bank account. All's good. In fact, my phone sent me a greeting from Ireland welcoming me to Dublin.
Speaking of friendly, Minnesota "Nice" has NOTHING on Dublin and the kind people I've come across already. First off, my taxi driver was a spitting image of that actor from "Shawn of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz.". A twin, I swear! It was very appropriate. He had a globe on his dash where he had me point out where I came from. Then he was driving about 20 miles per hour as he was showing me photos he took that morning off Howth Summit as well as writing down good places to go. He told me about some great bars for "indie rock, none of that Shana Twain stuff. Achy breaky heart and all that." Along with that advice he said cabs were good to take at night but to pretend to use my phone when I get in and say something like "yeah, I just got in the cab, I'll be home in a few minutes."
When I got to the hostel the concierge was immensely friendly and in no time I was telling him about how my best girlfriends have Irish blood (last names being Guiney and Donelan) and how I almost didn't come to Dublin. He confided that the Italian and Spanish students staying there (it is part of a school) were rather boisterous but that he liked the way the Americans from Alabama sounded. He also gave me good advice about staying safe on my own but said I shouldn't be too worried since I look Irish enough. I take it as quite the compliment!
Then my luggage was taken behind the desk and I was sent away to explore since my room will be ready in a few hours. So here I am in cafe listening to Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" and Abba's "Dancing Queen." I'm not sure what exactly I'll do today. Perhaps get a bus pass although just walking is quite the experience. I keep thinking the cars are going ti crash since they seem to be driving into oncoming traffic!
BSH
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
OMG. Pronounced (ohm-guh), I might add. Simon Pegg drove you to your hostel from the airport. That is SO cool. I'm glad you had someone to kind of give you the what-what of how to do in Dublin. Very, very good. Also, I met someone last weekend that I think you'll find rather amusing. You, Dan, and I were trying to come up with the actor who played Slughorn after we went to go see the new HP film (Jim Broadbent, BTW), and I mentioned Tom Wilkinson off the cuff. Well, I met Tom Wilkinson last weekend! OK, not THE Tom Wilkinson, but the much gayer 23 year old version of him. Had to share that because I think it's hilarious and everyone I met called him by both his first and surname whenever they spoke of or to him... Miss you already, but I know you're gonna' have the time of your life on your excursion. Drink some fine Irish whiskey for me while in Dublin.
ReplyDelete