When I arrived in Dublin, my bus from the airport broke down. I asked the driver, “Is this the Central Bus Station”. Nope. I headed to grab a taxi, when I found out I was about only 200 meters away. We weren’t at the Central Bus Station, but if we had been any closer I would have bumped into it. Semantics. The picture below is of the bridge over O’Connell street. I step over a well clad panhandler who had a nicer backpack than me to take the shot. What can I say, Guinness is expensive.
Below is Christchurch. They take very good care of their landmarks and the city as a whole. There are signs everywhere that say, “Littering is disgusting, so are the people who do it.” Apparently dropping anything from gum to a cigarette butt on the street is a $150 fine, enough of a deterrent that the streets are spotless. Cleanest European city by far–maybe we should try that in NY or Boston. Although if we did the same program in New York, I think disgusting wouldn’t be strong enough. Perhaps we’ll soon see “Littering is F$^%ing gross, I will stab you” on buses in the Big Apple.
I love old men. This one was trying to avoid getting his picture taken by walking to the other side of the park. Oh old man! I got you! The old men in Dublin are great fun, especially if you get a bunch of them together in a bar– there’s nothing chattier.
Another church, this time surrounded by a beautiful flower garden. After this, I dropped into a bar called The George. I later found out it was a gay bar, having an identity crisis. First there were the illustrated artwork featuring strapping men bent over Victorian furniture. Second was the purple crushed velvet and rhinestones that decorated the wall behind the bar. You might think this was enough to convince me, but I was completely thrown by the gruff, construction worker type guys, who seemed to be completely oblivious to the fact that they were a) not gay and b) in a gay bar. Apparently the love of Guinness trumps all stereotypes.
This is the fellow who insisted I take his picture, while I worried about getting mugged. Really he did look a lot less friendly before I pointed the lens at him. I like the guy in the background who is clearly amused by his buddy’s antics. “Oy, whatcha trying to do der, give da girl some room, ya bastard.”
September 18th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I am in the midst of planning a week long stay in Ireland and this post has be laughing at my workstation. Your dictation of the Irish dialect is excellent.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Awww, I spent two weeks wandering around Dublin when I tagged along with my husband on a business trip. Your post really took me back, thanks!
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September 18th, 2008 at 10:57 am
The old man looks like a wizard from Lord of the Rings… while in Porto Alegre waiting to catch a bus, two Irish guys I had dinner with asked for one thing: Guinness. The picture of the bridge looks nice, with the low lying clouds hovering around. Chau!
September 18th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Oooh! These are great photos.
It’s just too common to see photos of Dublin which are dreary and grey.
For the record, I used to live right next door to Christchurch (on Parliament St). Have a beer in the Temple Bar or the Oliver St.John Gogarty for me
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September 18th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
haha Anthony, he does look like a wizard.
This post is exactly the kind of reminiscing and laugh that I needed today
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September 18th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Agreed: I am in awe of your photography.
> “I headed to grab a taxi, when I found out I was about only 200 meters away.”
I did this once in Montreal. I was deathly sick in the middle of the night and had wound up calling a taxi to get the hospital.
What I didn’t realize was the nearest hospital was about 200 meters away, too.
The taxi driver assumed I was dying, and drove us down the block in under 3 seconds!
Montreal taxi drivers can drive fast…but I think this guy set a land speed record!
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September 18th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I love old men (and old men photos, too!) Hope that comment doesn’t get taken out of context!
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September 18th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Great shots, Christine.
If I get to the UK (as planned) in January, Dublin is on my list. I once hung out in a pub in Canada frequently by Irish nannies. The accents! I proposed several times each night.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Awesome pictures. Ireland is so beautiful and so are the people… in their own special way. I’ve always wanted to travel there, as I’m pretty sure I was meant to be Irish.
*warning personal confession*
When I was younger I actually learned to play the Irish penny whistle because I was in love with the Irish music scene, and I read that they have open sessions in the pubs where everybody comes and plays music. Don’t know if that’s still true but it was always a dream that one day I could go and jam with the locals.
I still have the penny whistle, but I’m pretty sure my fingers have forgotten how to play. I haven’t given up yet though, I still plan to do it one day!
Thanks for the pictures and the article!
September 20th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I love the pictures. I am glad all he wanted was a picture taken. I went to a campusz festivel in town,and this man was doing ungodly things to a tree. My roommmate took a picture and he begged her to stop taping because it might end up on youtube! I love the internet - all stupidness is eternal.