The above phrase is ever useful when you want to make a bartender do a double take. It's also dead useful for getting a pint of the smooth and roasty Guinness to put to your lips.
***
However, getting to the land of shamrocks and James Joyce was a little tricky. But Keisha (my travel buddy for this weekend) and I had the excitement of the trip to keep us going. And if it were always easy, it wouldn't be fun (and no one would get to hear any interesting stories).
***
To start off, we were supposed to leave Rennes late Thursday afternoon and spend the night in Nantes (south of Rennes by 2 hours on the train), but this didn't happen. Turns out that the stricking students moved their protest from the university to the train lines, blocking all trains for coming and going for 2 - 2 1/2 hours. I'm sure I don't have to describe the mood of the stranded passengers in the packed station.
In order to keep it short and you, my dear blog reader, interested; here are the Cliffnotes version:
1. Arrived in the transfer station before the conductor of the train. Another delay.
2. Arrived in Nantes to late to take the AirTram.
3. Walked about an hour to the end of the city and hailed a cap. Saved about 15 euros, but got awkwardedly propositioned by the cabbie. No tip for him and went straight into the airport where the National Police were.
4. Spent the night in the airport. The National Police guys were keepinga watch over us. 3 hours of sleep. Didn't need alarm clock due to baggage carausel starting up at 5 a.m.
5. Arrive in Dublin at 11h, smelling like airport and ready to go.
***
Friday was a great day, with the help of many cups of coffee (only a few of them Irish). Turns out that Keisha has a friend living in Dublin, who also in enrolled at Trinity College. So for the rest of the day Keisha, Courtney and I were off wandering the city. We received a personalized tour of Trinity College, saw Dublin Castle, and went to Jameson & Son Whiskey Distillery (mmmm...it's so good once it hits your lips.). At the distillery, we had the distinct pleasure of watching 6 other members of the tour group take 6 shots of whiskey at the end. I hope they ate something beforehand. No one wants to babysit a sloppy drunk at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
Friday night was just as good. After resting our feet a little bit, Keisha and I went off to find The Stag's Head, where I bought her her first pint of Guinness. We met a couple of nice Irish guys, Emmitt and Henry; who were shocked by the "traditional music" that was being played. So we all took a field trip to the truely Irish pub, Cobblestones. They were right about the music, we could've stayed there all night if it hadn't been standing room only.
***
Saturday was for exploring and finding the Guinness Storehouse (it was found). I, also, purchased a 100% Irish wool sweater and hat and had some Irish stew and soda bread. (I don't think it could be possible to be more tourist-y that day.)
And later on that night, we found a great bar with a dance floor. No great mystery about what we did. Saw some crazy dance moves (including, but not limited to, the lawnmower, the shopping cart, and the back wash). This is where we met some overly-friendly Hungarians. That was our cue: Exit, stage right...
***
Sunday was all travel with no sleeping in airports, no propositions, and more stuff on our backs than when we entered the country. It felt so good to sleep in my own bed that night and to finally shower off the last of the airport carpet smell.
Slainte! Cheers! Santé!
(Since this post was long enough, text-wise, the photos will go up in the next one.)
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