Last Day In Dublin

Monday, December 11, 2006

Loyola House, Phibsboro, Dublin

Arose to a day of sunshine. Hurray! We were hoping to go to the National Aquatic Center today but discovered with a phone call that their winter hours are from 4PM to 8PM. We’d have to see how the day progressed.

Yesterday, while we were sitting in the “Clubhouse” (our Toyota rental car), getting warm and having a smoke after our long day in downtown Dublin, Kevin noticed people with shopping bags walking past the front of Loyola House from the right (in the opposite direction we walk to catch the bus to City Centre), and just knew there must be something we were missing. So, after we ate our Irish breakfast, Kevin walked to the end of Charville Road (going right, out the gate) and returned with interesting news, THERE, was the little community of Phibsboro.

So off we went to investigate. We enjoyed the walk in the sunshine and did recon for later in the day, then headed up the hill towards the Internet Café. [No Internet access from Loyola House.] For some reason, once again we were UNable to use our laptop, but clever Kevin was prepared with the loaded “gadget” and we were able to catch up on our blog.

Deciding to forgo the swim, we took the ten minute bus ride into Dublin’s city centre to go to the movies. It wasn’t too difficult a choice after yesterday. Sit in a nice warm theater for a couple of hours and be entertained, or travel to the Aquatic Centre, take off all our clothes, put on swimsuits, and jump into water that may or may not be cold!

Tickets at the Savoy for the matinee were 7euros. It was a lovely theatre, showing eight movies. We saw Happy Feet. It was FABULOUS! I don’t want to give anything away, so let me just encourage you to see it. I loved it, as did Kev.

The Christmas decorations around town are delightful, but the most impressive displays we’ve seen so far are at the Main Post Office in City Centre. We entered this huge building just to admire the architecture and were surprised to see the whole length of the street-side wall filled with animated scenes - and a separate mail box JUST for letters to Santa. Grand!

Back in Phibsboro, I chose Chinese take away and Kev got fish and chips. Mmmm, Mmmmm, Good. A light rain accompanied us back on our walk to L.H. but we were wearing our gear. No worries.

I still cannot get over people’s willingness to be so helpful to strangers. We have many examples.

And before I forget again to mention it, there are white birch trees here, as well as palm trees. Amazing. And magpies (big black and white birds) building very large twig nests in the bare trees.

I got quite a description of the “Ray” on the menu (under fish), from a woman waiting to order her meal. I might not be afraid to order it next time I see it offered, it sounds delicious.

E-Published from an internet Cafe on Grafton Street (upstairs) in Downtown Dublin

Kevin and I seem to be just stringing together one great day after another.