Look Right, Then Left

I've only been nearly killed by cars a few times since being in Ireland.  It's so hard to remember to look to the right first - even when they paint it on the road right in front of you.  I read it, and then immediately look left and step out onto the road to the sound of Jim yelling "ALI!"

Today is St. Patrick's Day and we're in Dublin.  How awesome is that?  We started the day off right with an Irish breakfast: toast, sausages, bacon, one egg, fried tomato and mushrooms and black pudding.  For anyone who doesn't know what black pudding is, it's essentially coagulated pork blood and oatmeal.  Jim passed on the pudding and I passed on the whole breakfast - just a BLT for me, thanks.

Next, we walked for half an hour in the cold and drizzle to reach the downtown core.  Tens of thousands of people lined the streets in anticipation of the big parade.  We walked for probably forty-five minutes down the parade route looking for a place to anchor ourselves and finally decided it was too cold to sit in one place. So, on the advice of our bartender friend Anthony, we went in search of Ireland's oldest pub, the Brazen Head for a pint instead.

Walking towards downtown. 

The oldest pub in Ireland, established in the 12th  century!

Of course, we got lost as our instructions were scribbled on a coaster and we had no idea which cathedral to turn right at and which old building to turn left at.  Eventually, we arrived and found a seat at the bar.  Next to us sat a young couple from California.  We talked about our travels and of all things, hunting. They left to watch the parade, which was playing live on the t.v. screen in the corner but they decided it would be cooler to be a part of it by walking two blocks away.  We agreed, chugging our Jameson's whiskey shots and cider to follow suit.

There were so many people in the streets we couldn't see the parade.  So we bumped our way through the crowds to some quieter streets and did some souvenir/gift shopping.  It was here we discovered Canadians don't have to pay the 28% tax when shopping.  Most excellent.

Trying to get a glimpse of the parade. Epic fail.

By this time it was raining and we were pretty cold.  A small fish and chip shop called out to us and we obliged.  This evening we took a lovely walk around the Donnybrook neighborhood and found a good number of buildings were illuminated in glowing green light.  I think we should do this in Canada on Canada day but in red - not creepy at all.

Tomorrow we'll visit the Guinness storehouse and maybe the Jameson's distillery, along with whatever other tourist sights we can find!  Until then, Happy St. Patrick's Day to ya!