First off, it is crazy how nice everyone is here...it makes me wonder if Americans are just super rude or are Irish folks actually extra-nice?? It definitely makes literally every interaction 100% more pleasant. It reminds me of a scene in the movie "About Time," which I realize was not an Academy Award winner but has stuck with me. In the scene I'm referring to, the main character (a time traveler) goes through a day "normally" and then goes back and does it in a friendlier manner, taking the extra second to hold doors and make pleasantries, and it is very clear how much this improves his quality of life. Worth remembering.
Strangely, it seems like everywhere we go people are either smoking or exercising. Smoking at the playground, smoking in the middle of the sidewalk, putting out a cigarette before heading into a shop. Yet, they are also apparently constantly exercising (running, biking, soccer, you name it!). Most people in Dublin look quite fit. I'm not sure how they pull this off. Sally, who has almost never seen anyone smoke except for villians in older movies, thinks this is ridiculous and disgusting (she is not alone).
We can walk to the beach, where the water is surprisingly warm. It's so fun to be amongst tall buildings and yet have water and marine activities (sailing, kayaking, row boats, SUPs) all around. We've also seen loads of kids jumping off the bridges into the [relatively gross looking, trash-filled, malodorous] canal. The Port of Dublin is nearby and I take great pleasure in watching the cargo ships come in and out. I would expect to hate these huge vessels (since I'm typically so pro-nature) but somehow I just love observing them. It is incredible is that industry and commerce still rely so heavily upon them.
Sally noted that there are consistent Irish features which make many people "look related"...leading to a long conversation of how they probably think all Americans look related as well. ;) She says she likes Dublin and people are very nice, but she hates that everyone smokes and the city is littered with dog poop and cigarette butts (or "smokers," as Sally calls them, instead of cigarette butts).
We've done a handful of touristy things thus far...by far the coolest was the Guinness factory tour. Really, they went above and beyond and even Sally had fun. I can't say I've converted to actually enjoying Guinness as of yet (though to be honest the only time I'd really had it until this week was almost 20 years ago in vet school with shots of Jameson in it, and way too many of them - yikes, so I can see how the taste might turn me off) but I certainly appreciate the culture of it.
We also did the brief tour of the Book of Kells/the Long Hall at Trinity College. This ancient book took 156 calf skins to make and we learned that galls (baby wasp nurseries) are the primary source for the black ink! We also checked out Dublin Castle, which has lovely gardens nearby and a great kids' activity booklet to keep the littles interested. It reminded me of touring the White House west wing, since (due to COVID) we couldn't tour the more traditional "castle-y" bits.
We've been walking everywhere and I'm excited to report that I bought a bike with a basket and pannier so I can move about more readily once we've settled in. Sally's had her scooter which makes getting around the city much faster; though in the rain we end up carrying it. Speaking of rain, it's only been a week or two so I probably don't yet know what I'm talking about and will live to regret saying this but...really the weather isn't so bad! I'm starting to suspect that the Irish just claim to have terrible weather so their country doesn't get overrun like CA has. Each day has sun and rain and clouds, just in varying percentages, and truly it's been quite nice not to have to worry about sunscreen all the time. My skin (and Sally's for sure!) will thank me later.
And, finally, we found a house! Admittedly, we didn't have to try very hard. :) It was the one house in the area we wanted that was furnished and allowed dogs and the FB Relo team did all the hard work. It looks like a nice neighborhood, lots of embassies around and quiet streets, just minutes' walk from the water and maybe a 10-min walk from the cute downtown of Sandymount. Excited to move in next month!
Loving your blog!