Adventures Alone (Ireland Day #1)

So some of you may know, but I am just beginning a 2 week long visit to Ireland. Kate Fann, my Nykerk partner in crime and close friend, has been studying here all semester. So I decided to take a trip to visit her for one week before she headed back to the USA.

After... I am more that thrilled to have Erica join me for another week here. This will start our month long exploration of Europe together! Who would have ever thought we would have been able to do all of this by ourselves. **Definite shout out to Mom and Dad for making this possible; through raising us to love traveling and teaching us to be able to navigate new places safely. I can't wait until they join us in Italy!**

I arrived on Monday night, ate and went to bed.

The next morning we woke up and walked to the grocery store to buy food for the week. After making fried rice I headed into the city to do some exploring on my own. Kate had to take her last exam and attend a final program dinner.

The drivers sit on the right hand side...all cars drive on the left side of the road....and....they have double decker buses. I never knew this was an Irish thing too!

Because of their unique driving habits they have hints to help the tourists at the ends of each crosswalk. This has saved my life a few times already.

The bus cost 2.55 Euro each direction. However, it is a requirement that you have exact change, so every time I get ready to board it is constant struggle to find enough and exact change for the ticket. This is the result of one of those struggles...this time between Kate and I we managed to get exactly the right amount, but it ended up looking like this!

There was a design competition for the monument that would represent the new millennium. This metal spear won!

Took a walk in the city park and found this man feeding the birds. Reminds me a bit of Mary Poppins...tuppence a bag, anyone?

Weather is strange and SUPER unpredictable here. It went from this to...

this within 30 seconds.

Found this glass mall.

What a sweet bridge.

Ate dinner at this Irish pub before reuniting with Kate and friends. These men were playing live Irish music. This is the first time I have ever eaten in a restaurant alone. I actually liked it.

Enjoyed a vegetarian cheese burger on a gluten free bun. Wow was that delicious. They also served gluten free beer!

You know me and my fascination with strange toilets found in Europe. Well here's the Irish design for ya...it is all contained inside the wooden box except for the handle.

Well that's all for now folks. 

Blessings,

Emily