Guest Blogger: Alli Arnold on the Emerald Isle

Hello!
Here I am, guest blogger and deliriously happy guest of Chris and Kelly.

Let's recap my first 3 days here in Dublin:

I got myself a taxi at the airport and went straight to CJA and Shirl's apartment. I got in at about 9 a.m. Dublin time, but it felt like 4 a.m. to me. I was too excited to sleep so I pulled myself together and after a brief tour of their lovely home we went out into the world. First stop: breakfast at Bruxelle's.



Who says it's too early for beer?

Phil wouldn't say that.

(*Thin Lizzy are a hard rock band who formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1969. The band was originally led by bassist, songwriter and singer Phil Lynott. They are best known for their 1976 songs "Jailbreak" and "The Boys Are Back in Town", both major international hits still played regularly on hard rock and classic rock radio stations.)

After my first REAL Guinness and a bagel with cream cheese & Irish Smoked Salmon (mmm) we walked around, I bought two scarves at the market ($7 each), and I got a general sense of the City Center. Dublin is busy and bustling and very cosmopolitan! After another Guinness and more walking we came home and napped from 3-6 p.m. We went out again for dinner at The Old Vat House (fish and chips with mushy peas!) and then found ourselves in time for the second half of "Quiz Night" at the Bleeding Horse, Chris and Kelly's "local".

Then home to bed...

On my second day Shirl had to take care of some business so CJA and I headed out. We went to "DELISH" for breakfast, and it sure was. THAT is a chicken, leek and ham "pie", served with mashed potatoes and gravy, and a cappuchino. Good morning to you, sir!

After our hearty meal Chris and I walked to Dublin Castle and while wandering around the gardens he educated me about some of Ireland's history. I needed the lesson. Chris is already very familiar with his new city but even he wasn't expecting to see SAND SCULPTURES in the courtyard of the Dubin Castle! The first thing we saw were these HUGE FEET. Seeing as CJA is so fond of my feet (he calls them books because he thinks my feet are square and flat) we had to take a picture.

Here's what's at the other end of these huge feet. Gulliver!

In the afternoon we met up with Shirl and decided to buy tickets for the HOP ON/HOP OFF tour bus. First stop: the Guinness Factory. Here are Chris and Kelly enjoying their complementary Guinness in the Gravity Bar.

I, too, enjoyed my complimentary Guinness.

(*On my second night in Dublin a couple of lads told me I look like "Shelley" from "Coronation Street" (a popular night-time soap here). I had to google her to see what they were talking about, and I guess I see the resemblance....

She's holding a beer, too!

Tenderness aboard the HOP ON/HOP OFF bus.

(*Note that Chris is rocking my new scarf-looking like the European Male Model that we all know he has inside of him.)



Here is his BLUE STEEL look.

Chris had a lacrosse meeting on Thursday night and Kelly and I went out to a pub called HOGAN'S for Nuria's going-away party. That's Nuria on the left. She's on Chris and Kelly's softball team but she's moving back to San Francisco. There were lots of nice people there from this team and I am very glad we went out and met them!

All in all it's been a super-busy, super fun introduction to Dublin! I feel very welcome and I can't wait to get to know the city and its people better. Chris and Kelly are perfect, generous hosts and I feel so lucky to be here exploring this fantastic city with them. Life is good.

More soon! Next time: The Dublin Zoo!