Friday, September 10, 2010: Our day in Dublin, Ireland

Big enough luggage piece, Anja?!?

Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

Sweet Molly Malone

The Guarda Museum.  Police are called the Guardians of the Peace or The Guard.

 

 

 

 

Garda Síochána na hÉireann (Irish pronunciation: [ˈgaːrd̪ə ˈʃiːxaːn̪ˠə n̪ˠə ˈheːɾʲən̪ˠ]; Irish for "Guard(ians) of the Peace of Ireland"), more commonly referred to as the Gardaí, is the police force of the Republic of Ireland. The service is headed by the Garda Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.

Chester Beatty Museum...had some fascinating early documents.

Gemma goes to find her tea.

in the Guiness Restaurant

John and Anja

Anja, John, and Astrid, Gemma's daughter who took the bus in to see us.

Anja and Astrid

Gemma in front of a sign that points us to Lerechaun Museum.  We didn't go to it.

In the Temple Bar area of Dublin

Street musicians were common

Watch your head, Anja!  There's a big bird overhead!

Sandy's name says it all...

Which T-shirts will our guys like?

Anja and Karen with our newish Irish umbrellas!

St. Stephen's Green Park

Karen wanted a wig...all this Irish rain makes for BAAAAAAD hair days!

This woman was a SAINT.  We were walking along, and John was carrying our souvenirs in a shopping bag that gave way in the rain.  I was right behind John, and coming up from behind me, I heard, "Sir!  Sir!"  I turned to look behind me and noted that the woman was trying to get John's attention, so I said, "John!  I think this lady wants to talk to you."  She, upon hearing me, started calling "John!  John!"  When we all had stopped, she informed John that she carries extra shopping bags and offered him one!!!  She had noted his distress and wanted to help.  Only in Ireland!  And such was our experience with the helpfulness and friendliness of all we came in contact with in Ireland.  The  people seem willing to watch out for one another.

We ate dinner in a tradiitonal Irish Restaurant in Temple Bar.

Astrid

Gemma

Gemma

Astrid

Johnny

Anja

My FIRST corned beef and cabbage in all of Ireland.  It's not typical on menus; nor is Shepherd's Pie.  Maybe it's like ordering a casserole in America...home cooking, but not restraunt fare.

After dinner, Astrid, Anja, John, and Gemma posed in front of our pub.

This was in the street, "Believe those who seek the truth,  Doubt those who find it.

Gemma with her shawl over her pack on her back looked like the Hunchback of Notre Dame

We had such a long wait for a bus and were so foot-weary, that we feigned exhaustion on the bus.  Here is Anja, John, Gemma, and Astrid hamming it up!