Around Dublin

  Dublin, Ireland
Thursday, July 17, 2008

We've really enjoyed being back in Ireland again and getting to visit with everyone on this side of the pond. Although the weather is, well, changeable and we've spent many an hour being cold in three layers one moment and warm in a t-shirt and jeans the next, we have had many fun days here in the last few weeks.

We've taken some nice long walks around Ashbourne, Joe's hometown, and gawked at the housing prices. At these rates, we'd only be able to afford a room or two! Ashbourne has grown a lot even since the last time Joe was here and new housing developments seem to be popping up everywhere. I would have liked to see the village when it was all pretty much open fields. It has a nice neighborhood feel to it and the residents where Dave and Angela, Joe's parents, live take good care of their community. They live right across from a primary school, would be the perfect location if I worked there!

Ashbourne house

Dave and Angela have been putting us up for the month which, lucky for us, has included many delicious homecooked meals. Lots of meat and potatoes, as you would think, but also other things as well. Joe's little brother Kevin is at the house too so it's been fun hanging out with him again. It is definitely different than living in Dublin city centre though. It takes about 40 min. on the bus to get into town from Ashbourne whereas before Joe lived right in the heart of Temple Bar. We've gone in to town plenty of times though and hit up most of our favorite spots.

Ironically, I have gotten to see a good number of people from home, considering we're in Ireland. My friend Emily  is still here finishing up her masters at Trinity and my other friend Emily from study abroad is also here on a work permit and dating Joe's twin brother Barry. It's been fabulous spending time with them again!

Emily, Christen and Emily

In addition, I've gotten to see a friend I've known since preschool who is doing a bike tour around Ireland as well a friend from college who is working here for the summer and dating an Irish lad as well. Definitely a small world!

4th of July was spent with my fellow American friends here along with some of Joe's friends and we had the classic American cookout with burgers...minus the sunny weather, the outdoors, and the grill. We concluded our night with some colorful cocktails in place of the traditional fireworks and sported a red, white, and blue hat from Disneyworld Paris courtesy of Barry.

4th of July

We went out to Greystones one day to visit Joe's aunt and uncle, Renee and Don, and his cousins Leah and Allison and Leah's two year old daughter Layla. Greystones is a bit south of Dublin on the coast of the Irish Sea in Wicklow County. It was a beautiful day and a lovely seaside town. We went down to the beach and actually saw two people swimming, one in a wetsuit, one without.

very cold

We, on the other hand, were in pants and long sleeves. Renee made a great dinner and we all had a good time. Even Layla quite warmed up to us strangers.

On another day we visited most of the Hare family who live around Dublin. I enjoyed meeting lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. It reminded me of family gatherings back home.

The Hares

We've had loads of fun here in the last month and we're so glad we got to catch up with so many people! Now we're getting ready to pack things up again for the next big leg of the trip. We both got hair cuts and are getting our stuff together this weekend. Luckily we did most of our packing for Asia before we left the States. On Sunday, 20 July Angela and Dave are having a leaving party for us so we will get to see some of the relatives and our friends again before we go. On Monday, 21 July we leave for Bangkok! We are very excited about the next part of our trip, though really not looking forward to the 12 hour flight. Updates will be coming when we get to Asia so stay tuned!