First Day in Dublin... No Rain

We were pleasantly surprised that there was no rain when we arrived. Wore sunglasses! Dressed in layers and it worked out well for us.

After unpacking, we decided to check out the neighborhood. A short distance from the hotel we saw lunch special sign. We lucked out that walked in at 2:55 and the special ended at 3:00. Tasty, too. Small place with good deals, a variety of fish choices,  and clean. (That is very important.) Restrooms were well maintained, too, available to customers only. There's a Thai restaurant nearby which we might check out on another day.

After lunch, we turned the corner from Mespil Road, and walked down Upper Baggot Street to find the closest (and best priced) store for food items (bananas, etc) that we will buy later to have as evening snack in the hotel room.

We walked to St. Stephen's Green which we had visited on our last trip in 2006. Beautiful, well groomed park, where many people go to sit on benches, watching the swans and ducks, look at the flowers (not too many in bloom yet), look at the fountain, and people watch (especially the adorable children).

 Steve fell asleep when we took a break from walking. Not surprising since we didn't get a full night's sleep on the overnight flight from Newark. He shut his eyes again as we sat on another bench before leaving the park. Lovely spot near some flowers.

A statue near an entrance/exit to the park caught my attention. It honors the Irish people who helped German children after World War II. There are many statues at entrances/exits to the park, each with special significance, honoring people who have made a difference in the lives of others.

On our walk to hotel area, along the canal that is in front of it,  Steve pointed out a sign near a gas station.  ("Naked" lights?) I later saw another one, mostly laughing at its location, seeming to be pointing into the Burger King.


We went into a nearby Tesco (grocery) and picked up "dinner"... yogurt, blueberries, juice, bananas, and crackers. When we returned to the room, we both fell asleep. So tired.


Only problem (now fixed) was that the room was HOT due to the radiator not adjusting to OFF. Anyone who knows me won't be surprised that I dreaded trying to sleep with the heat blasting in the room and having to leave the windows open with car noise on the street. Before it was fixed, the hotel did offer to let us relocate but fortunately we probably can stay here. 


Tomorrow we'll take buses and go somewhere on the Dublin Pass. Maybe a good, yummy pint of Guinness at the Guinness Storehouse.