Dublin: An American Bird Visiting a Bunch of Lads

  So the reason I could pay for this whole adventure was because of working hard in the Hamptons this past summer (combined with a graduation present from my rents). Well, at the end of the summer I became great friends with a handful of Irish guys. We had some epic, crazy times together...so including Ireland into my euro trip was basically a must. I was told to visit during Halloween, so I stayed for a few days at my friend Jamie's during this hallowday season. 

      Although it took a while to find them at the airport, I was soon at my friends gaff (house). First thoughts of Ireland-it's freezing. But after studying in New Zealand at the southernmost university in the world, I tended to take their bitching at the cold as them just being wussies. That night some of the lads came over and we did some predrinking (pregaming) before we went out. A ton of people were dressed up at the club so I was a little out of my element, but it was good fun. And the taxi drive home, I think that just made the night. The taxi driver was this African guy who wasn't taking anyones shit, I think he pulled over like 3 times trying to kick us out. Our friend up front was constantly repeating "ess normalleee" and pretending he was Italian. The driver kept on screaming "you cause big problem". I was giggling in my seat, but slightly afraid of this maniac driver and his screeching voice. 
   The following day we all slept in late, chilled around, and I took my first dose of television in my entire trip. Just sitting and chilling was something I actually needed after the constant boom, boom, boom, touristy thing after another. I was fully enjoying the laziness. 

Running View before the Rain, I can see the water!!!

        The following morning I woke up early and went on a run through the neighborhood, leaving the side door cracked as not have to wake everyone by buzzing to get in. Of course I got lost. It turned into a far too brave idea to attempt a run. I was in shorts and a tshirt, it was drizzling and cold. But a hot shower made all better. 

That night was Halloween, so I decided on a cowgirl because I couldn't find any kitty ears at the shop. After bedazzling my hat and feeling like a 12 year old again, my costume was ready. We went to some friends place, full of lads :D then a birds (girls) place, a club, and a casino. This was the first time that I was surrounded by a bunch of Irish girls, damn do they pile on that makeup. I was not up to par with the fashion show. To each their own. Once on the street a bunch of fireworks were going off, and everytime they did my friend kept on picking up his phone. He was pulled over by a cop and scolded at, although he clearly wasn't involved, my silly self, for a second, thought he was part of the CIA. Haha.

Lads in their costumes

   The next morning and I woke up not in the right element- on the wrong side of the bed, you may say. My mind was all over the place, and I just wanted to get out of there. Maybe it was the fact I was in one place for so long, I'm not really sure. But I was planning on leaving and taking a bus to Galway for the next few days. It was a torture of planning, and I ended up just hanging out for the day. I cooked up some veggies for dinner, and got some relaxation from that. I miss cooking, I miss my kitchen. Prison Break until snooze time.

    The next morning I woke up and realized it was my last day. Another run and this time I managed to find a soccer field to do some plyos, damn do I miss my lax girls. Having other people push you to go faster, go harder, having someone else feel the pain with you. I went into town with a new friend who showed me around St Stephens Greens park and to essential sites, like Temple Bar, Dublin's famous party hub where I'd visited the night before. I enjoyed the cobblestone streets, I enjoyed the street performers...but I was happy we hopped back on the bus when it started raining again. Is that weather annoying or what!  

   That night we went to a DJ concert, Nicky Romero. The boys might not have gotten their tickets in the most kosher of ways, using the rents Paypal account, but it sure was worth it. The Irish sure know how to have a good time. I got lost a bunch but was completely fine with jumping within a random crowd. A really fun concert with a whole bunch of love. They all tend to stay up until the following morning, and although I had this energy in Spain, I couldn't muster the strength to stay up so late in this country. 

Best Lads

  The next morning came around and I was supposed to be leaving. But I felt like I was just really beginning my trip and starting to be where I wanted, so I decided to postpone my journey by a day. Maybe a careless decision to miss my flight, but I couldn't get myself to leave. My friend told me I could stay but that we weren't going out again...I was completely good with this. Dominoes pizza and Lord of the Rings to bring the night to an end (Damn does that movie remind me of New Zealand and all my kiwi friends). 
    I finally departed the following day for Edinburgh, Scotland. Boarding the plane I thought about how sometimes there is so much I want to change after I leave a destination. A quote from Carrie Bradshaw, from the classic show "Sex and the City" pretty much sums up where my head was at. So many roads, so many detours. So many choices, so many mistakes. As we drive along this road called life, occasionally a gal will find herself lost. When that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda, shoulda, woulda, buckle up and just keep going. 
    There is definitely a place in my heart for these lads...hopefully we will reunite again in the future. If not, if I'm ever bored in life I know where I can escape to have an epic time.