So today was it. The monster reason that we chose Ireland as our first stop - and for so long! St. Patrick's Day in the capitol city of Ireland. Pure celebration. It definitely met my expectations. We started our day with the alarm going off around 8:30 so that we could get up and get all dressed up (except Jason, of course) to celebrate with the Irish. We went downstairs to head outside with a surprise breakfast from our landlord in the dining room. A full Irish breakfast including beans and black and white pudding - which Jared ate by the way. Good for him! Perfect start to our day. After breakfast I had a good talk with Derek (landlord) about his life and his children and his significant other and how hard it is to be running a bed and breakfast when he has 2 daughters and a lady to take care of in a completely different place. It was really an insight into the life of someone who runs a place like this. From what he was saying, he is really exhausted! It was really great to get to know him a little better though.
After our long breakfast, talking detour we headed out to O'Connell street to watch the parade. We climbed a statue so that we could see over the crowds and then waited there for 90 minutes for the parade to start. It was definitely worth it. I talked with a lady from Dublin who has been to the Macy's Parade in NYC and she said that compared to Dublin it is pretty lame. I can believe it after seeing all of the bagpipe bands and crazy floats today. The parade lasted about 2 hours, and after it was over we were starving and our knees and feet were locked up from standing for so long on a statue. We went in to various pubs/restaurants but none had seats so we settled at a small, plain kind of place that wasn't crowded where the food was kind of terrible and the ketchup was runny and orange. The compromises a person will make to sit down and eat rather than stand after standing for hours to see a parade are great. After eating we did a lot of moving around from pub to pub and street to street just taking it all in. Everyone just having a good time, covered in green and orange and smiles, was the best part of the day. We went nonstop from 11 to 8 this evening meeting all sorts of people from different parts of the world. We saw some Irish dancing, some chanting in the streets, and some terrible, but entertaining karaoke. We also saw some crazy cool outfits and some really stupid ones as well (girls wearing nothing but shorts and a tank top in 40 degree weather). It truly was a huge celebration all over the city.
I feel like being in Dublin on St. Patty's day is a super-great experience if you like awesome parades, the color green, and festivities. It also helps to be with some really great friends, and if you can meet a few along the way. Speaking of which, I sat down by an old man in a small pub today because there was only one table with any open seats in the place and he happened to be sitting at it. His name was William, and I learned a lot about him! He has lived in Dublin for his entire life. 1 wife, 45 years, 7 children, 6 boys and 1 girl. The girl was the youngest so she was spoiled big time. He only goes to the pub one time a week, and he loves St. Patty's day! We talked for about 20 minutes just about life and general things and then he bought me a drink! Jared was there the whole time, FYI. William reminded me once again about the kindness of the Irish and the generosity and friendship that they extend. I was delighted to meet him, and it may have been the best part of my day. :) Below is a picture of William and I that Jared snapped.
Now I am winding down from the day and getting ready to rest! My feet are aching from standing on that statue and walking all over - oh, and from the lady beside me who kept stepping on my toes during the parade in hopes to see more. ahahah. I am off of work for the next few days, so I am really looking forward to the break that I rarely have from that. So... Happy St. Patrick's Day and to all a good night!
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