Archive | September 2013

Knowledge is Power

Sep27

I’ve also learned quite a bit in the short time that I’ve spent here. I’ll tell you the most significant things so far:

1). Never talk about Politics or Religion in a Pub

2). Irish people drink an abnormal quantity of tea a day (I had 9 cups)

3). Guinness is one of Ireland’s largest exports

4). Never use the expression, “Bloody Brilliant”. Although Ron Weasley is a red head and looks Irish, its actually a predominantly British expression.

5). The Irish don’t really like the British… At all… or British expressions

6). Keep your wallet in your front pocket, if someone still manages to take it, they deserve it.

7). They don’t Tip at bars in Ireland. They actually hardly tip at anywhere.

8). The price you see, is the price you pay. All taxes are included in the price of goods.

9). They drink A LOT in Ireland

First Day in Ireland: Arthur’s Day

Sep27

It’s been raining non-stop since my arrival. It’s so cloudy that you can no longer see any sun, but Dublin is still a remarkably beautiful city. Driving on the left side of the road is also a bit of a shock. At first I would brace myself every time we turned because I felt that we were on the wrong side of traffic and about to crash… But after a while you seem to get used to it. Today is also an Irish holiday know as “Arthur’s Day”. It was started a few years ago to celebrate the birthday of Arthur Guinness, the man who brewed the first Guinness! There are music venues spread throughout Ireland celebrating this mans birth and the drink he created! This evening I also went to my first pub! I joined in on the celebration by having a Guinness. If I could describe a Guinness in one word, that word would be thick. It’s probably the most filling drink imaginable. After having one pint, I felt the same way you would after Thanksgiving dinner. I’m honestly impressed by anyone that can manage drinking more than a pint of the stuff at one sitting.