Adventures in the Unknown: Dublin: The Final Chapter (at least for now)

Part 3 of a weekend stay in Dublin. And let's just say that it did not disappoint.

Kuz, Nicole, and I decided that we were going to do the most typical touristy thing possible while in Dublin: visit the Guinness Factory.

We got off the stop (or, rather, the stop we thought we needed) and ended up walking around the brewhouse, which ended up being at least a mile around. So we finally walk up to the right place, but the security guard was telling us that we had to keep going down the road.

So we finally get there, and it was definitely worth the price of the tour. The information stuff was kinda blah if you're not into beer and brewing and stuff like that, but there was a couple things that made up for it. First off, there was this one woodwork art piece that was a representation of a Guinness glass. The designs were so intricate. Among the designs include a map of the world, the Guinness tucan with a compass underneath, and some horses. It was really awesome art piece.

The second really cool thing included in the tour was the Guinness Tasting room. This was the room where they taught us how to correctly drink a Guinness. We walked in and the room was bright white, there were these little pillars billowing smoke out of the top, and a bartender behind 8 taps of Guinness. The best quote I heard was as soon as we walked in. This guy walked in a said "It's like heaven. A bright white room with endless Guinness. I'm gonna come back a changed man." Priceless.

If you ever end up doing this tour, you have to (there is no option. you have to) go up to the Gravity Bar. You could see all of Dublin. 360 degree view of the city. It was breathtaking. I literally have no words to describe it. I couldn't get any good photos, which was upsetting, but holy crap. Dat View Doe.

The best part was the "Perfect Pint" pouring room. We got to learn the art of pouring the perfect Guinness, which was awesome. We also got to learn the nuances of the beer as it gets poured and how it reacts and all that stuff. Very cool. I'd highly advise doing this room instead of redeeming your ticket at the Gravity Bar.

I find that I keep having a great travel experience/story, and the bus ride back to (London)Derry from Dublin did not disappoint.

We got on the 1:30 bus (remember, a 4 hour bus ride) and right as we pull away from the bus station in Dublin, this guy about halfway up the bus starts puking in the aisle. The group of us who took this bus were like "Wait, what just happened?", while the group of 5(?) ladies in front of us (one who had her hair in curlers. I didn't know that was still a thing, but to each their own I guess) started laughing. I mean, I felt bad for the guy, I really did (except that I later found out he was hungover. So I kinda judged him for getting on a really bouncy bus, but that's a different conversation). But he did this twice(?) before we got to the Dublin Airport, when the bus driver came back to figure out what was going on. And if all you Americans think that understanding a foreign accent is tough, try understanding an argument while they are talking in a different language.

To make a really long story (a 3 hour and 59 minute story to be exact) short, the dude ended up throwing up a couple more times (in bags thankfully) before getting off. Moral of the story here: If you have a hangover and think that you're gonna hurl, don't take a bus. Bad Idea.

Anyway, we get off the bus at our stop and we walk up the hill to our house. The 5 of us who took the 1:30 bus were the first to get home, so I pull out my key and unlock the door. It opens, except it stops after about 3 inches (is that what they use in the UK/Europe? Maybe I should find that out....). Somebody (cough cough Megan cough cough) left the deadbolt on. So we're locked out of our house.

Side note from the story: some random townie came over asking if we were locked out/need help, and I said no. We talked for a second and I said 'awesome' at some point in the conversation. He starts laughing and says "Awesome? My, you sound like George Dubya." as he walks away. So I apparently sound like Fmr. President George W. Bush to people over here. Interesting.

Back to the story: Locked out, standing in the street, starting to rain (of course, right?). Kuz ends up pulling some black magic out of his sleeves and gest the door undone. Not that dramatic of an ending, but it was a relief to get back into our House in (London)Derry to relax for the rest of the night.

Anywho, time to end today's post. I have to be at my service placement bright and early to start tomorrow. Stay Tuned.