Yeats, Kells, and Cupcakes!

Hello all,

Before i head off to bed i just wanted tell you about our last day in Ireland :D We walked down to the Irish National Library to see the W.B. Yeats exhibit. It was wonderful, and very informative. I know that sounds kinda silly, but it seriously was. I didn't know that Yeats was also an artist, and had lots and lots of affairs. And also created his own religion that was SUPER complex. They had loads of his hand written poetry, and it was all set up very creatively. Some of his paintings were very beautiful. All in all it was lots of fun, and then we popped into the shop and got a few postcards and i got this great james joyce poster for 1 euro.  Finally i'll have something to hang on my bare walls in London. Sadly, no photographs were allowed (and the exhibit was FREE, which was great for us...)

Then we walked over to Trinity and got to walk across the big green we had missed the day before. And eventually got to the Library. Inside we went to see the Book of Kells exhibit, where we also were prohibited to take photographs :( But, i'll have you know it was interesting, but as dad said...a little anti-climatic. I mean, it was beautiful...and very exciting to see a book literally 1000 years old...but...well...it's just you walk through two rooms full of facts and information and then finally reach this small glass table with four books, open to one page...two of which are the book of kells.  BUT the best part for me was going upstairs into the long room. It was the most beautiful library i've ever seen (sorry Vassar). It was heartbreaking that i couldn't take any photos, because you should see it...well here is a picture i found online. It was breathtaking.

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Anyway, it was wonderful. I just wanted to sit down and start reading...but...alas there were ropes everywhere. So we just walked right through, but it was still so cool. Then we headed to the shop where i of course snagged a few Trinity Dublin Shirts ;) And maybe a pen...

Lastly, after some hotel time we headed out for dinner. We were both tired of being surrounded by lots and lots of tourists...which is very difficult on a friday night... but after lots of walking around we found a great little pub where we snagged a pint (well i got a coke). Actually, if i may go on a tangent: One thing i love here is that every time i order a coke they bring me a glass bottle. I LOVE cokes in glass bottles, i think that's the best. Thanks Ireland.

...right so back to dinner. So we decided to eat somewhere else, and i had been craving a cupcake ever since i saw one that morning in this little shop in the Market...so...i ran into this place and got the CUTEST little vanilla cupcake. With stars for sprinkles.

Yeah, it was super yummy. We ended up just eating back at the hotel because it was quiet. And another thing i'll miss about Ireland is the soda bread. Seriously, most delicious thing in the world...could eat a loaf myself. Hopefully i'll be able to snag some in London too. The food here is perfect for me. That traditional irish stew is just perfect :)

Alright, i've been keeping Dad up with my typing and we've got lots to do to get ready for London tomorrow. It's going to be a crazy day so better get some sleep.

Hope alls well back in the states!

Love, T

Good Morning Ireland!

So we're here. The Hotel is gorgeous, Dublin is gorgeous and everything went very well. The customs was hilarious, we just walked up and it took 30 seconds. They were so kind, and dad and i couldn't believe how painless it was. We first stopped in Shannon (5AM our time, Midnight your time) and it was so rainy. And then flew to Dublin in 25 minutes. SERIOUSLY. i couldn't believe it.

We took a taxi from the airport, and i only mention this because it wasn't as weird as i thought it would be, driving on the wrong side of the road. And it's so interesting coming into Dublin because it's a very gradual change. The city just slowly grows, the neighborhoods getting bigger and more city like until you're in the heart of the city. It's beautiful.

Of course because we got into Ireland early this morning our hotel room wasn't ready...so dad and i decided to have breakfast there. Their dining room is beautiful, it was all very fancy...and in my new resolution to be more healthy i had a peach (or nectarine...i never know) and some breakfast tea (in attempts to wake up). Then we headed off to Trinity College Dublin!

We got a little lost but eventually found our way, the college is so beautiful and i can't wait to go back and actually spend some time there.


It sort of reminds me of Trin at home, but its a lot larger and more grand. Another thing i love is that all the signs are in both English and Gaelic. Which i knew were in some of the smaller irish towns, but i didn't realize it was everywhere in the city too. Although dad and i did wonder where all the street signs were (they happen to be on the buildings instead of...like back home where they have signs on street corners...hence us getting lost for the first leg of the trip).



And then eventually we trudged home. Now we're finally in the hotel, which we got into much earlier than we thought. Sorry this isn't too exciting yet...just wanted to let you all know that we're alive and having a lovely time adjusting :D Although dad's already asleep...i'm too awake (Thanks English Breakfast Tea).

Most of my shots arn't very...artistic, but thats because i keep secretly shooting them so as not to appear to touristy. A fact dad has continuously made fun of me for. :P

Love, T

ps. please forgive the writing...i have been up for 24 hours :P