Sunshine In Our Hearts

Friday, December 08, 2006
Ireland’s First Official Day of Christmas Shopping
Ariel House, 9 PM

Delicious breakfast in the sunroom, where we actually experienced our first sunny morning. I enjoyed French toast with a slab of bacon, smothered with syrup and Kevin ate scrambled eggs with slab bacon and brown bread toast. I stopped drinking coffee days ago, tea for me from now on.

We walked about seven minutes to the RDS, a 42 acre exhibition hall, to the “National Craft and Design Fair” where we spoke with many artists and vendors from all over Ireland. It seemed warmer than it’s been, without the rain. It was a nice brisk day for a walk.

One couple from Inishmore, Aran Islands, (where Kevin’s Grandmother was born), made salmon pate, turrines, and smoked salmon “slabs.”

Another woman sold old postcards, mounted and framed so that you can see the message on the backside when turned over, a very clever idea. A new business for her and selling very well. Happens she loves Florida and suggested house swapping in the future.

We purchased a “Monkey Ball” as a souvenir. It’s actually a seed pod from the Monkey Apple tree, burned and glossed in a Celtic pattern.

Also bought a wee Christmas pudding. I was told it would last one month, thanks to the brandy. Mmmmm, the sample was yummy!

Then we “found” an Israeli wood carver, who married a Galway woman he met on a Kibbutz, who does wonderful Irish artwork. Our Christmas present to ourselves was one of his pieces.

There were so many different mediums, from woven and felted textiles to jewelry and wooden furniture. And then there was the food. Kevin was offered a cup of his favorite Kenya coffee (grade AAA) and we nibbled samples of pudding, pates, breads and cookies. Oh, and cheese made from sheep’s milk.

This Fair offered us a chance to experience so much without traveling out of Dublin. It was nothing short of fantastic!

After a brisk walk back to Ariel House and a hot cup of tea, we were off to Temple Bar (the cultural center of Dublin) by DART (the local rail system, only a two minute walk away).

What fun! The train station was bustling with commuters going home AND shoppers and partiers coming into the city. We walked all over, stopped at the National Photographic Archive, and poked our heads into a few pubs, looking for local music. Trinity College, the Bank of Ireland building and other structures displayed beautiful architecture.

Kevin looks so Irish, tourists on the street were asking him for directions!

After grabbing a sandwich to take away, we managed to successfully find our way back to the Tara Street DART to return “home.” The River Liffey and its bridge was a great landmark.

I’m looking forward to a hot bath, some cookies, and Irish TV before sleep. We especially enjoy the International commercials.

We move to Loyola House tomorrow.

OUR DUBLIN

We walked the streets of Dublin City, my fair Renee and I.

The cold wind at our back, magic town at our feet, so happy we could cry.

But we’d used all our tears on sadder days, the troubled ones now past.

We’ll use these days for the making of some memories sure to last.

The people so kind, the buildings so aged, the weather so raw and cold.

It’s more than seeing and more than feeling and more than what we were told.

Should you get the chance to come, I’ll give you this advice, if you want it realer than real.

You must walk the streets of this old town with the one you love to feel just what we feel.