Dublin Trip 2017 Part 2

Hello friends!

This is part 2 of my Ireland trip. Last time I left off on 3.14.17 so I will continue to what I did for the rest of that day.

3.14.17

Tuesday (continued)

Then me and my group of friends went to Guinness tour. They building had 6 floors and the tour was ok but a lot tutorial videos and didn't get see in person how Guinness was made.

There was a tasting room and we had the opportunity to taste a shot glass of Guinness. The staff member teaches you how to properly taste the beer. We were really lucky that we didn't have to wait in a long line for the tasting.

This self guided tour ended with a voucher for a pint of Guinness. I couldn't the entire pint so my friend drank half of mine. The top floor of the building had the view of the entire city. There was so many people at the top floor and so we ended up standing. Many of the buildings here are built not very high because of the regulations. I got a small shot glass stein and some Guinness chocolates. the chocolate was extremely delicious and I ate it all very quickly.

We came back to the apartments at 7pm. I met with my friend Kelsey who studying at the University of Dublin. We met at trinity college and went to Wagamamas which is a chain restaurant in the UK. They had different types of ramen and udon. I had a yuki udon which was really good.

We also shared a plate of chicken dumplings. It was good as well. Kelsey was able to get a discount for bogo meal from being a study at University of Dublin. I paid for our meal since I won't be able to buy her souvenirs and I finally was able to give her the two boxes of Mac and cheese. I also was able to get a maroon colored hoodie from the Temple Bar Trading Co. When we were in the store together Kelsey said that Irish people don't eat fudge there only old people do. I wanted to buy more chocolates haha.

3.15.17

Wednesday

This morning we arrived at Eaton House at Dublin. They talked about how they were created to reduce tax rate and utilize direct investment and how much easier it was to acquire Cooper. Three executive meetings at Dublin and 1 in EC. The building there was only half filled. Treasury, tax, accounting, supply chain, legal were the different sectors. The corporate tax 12.5% is here and the U.S. was 39%. Only one officer relocated here.

We went St.Stephens Green. There was a lot of people and and the weather was very nice. While grace went museum and me and my friend went laid in grass and sun bathed. My legs were super sore and the sunlight really helped.

There was tourism presentation later on that day. Most tourists were from GB and spend around 100-200 euros while American tourists spend 800-900 euros. It's hard to get tourist to mainland areas because most people just stay at the border counties and Dublin. There different type: centre of attention and excitement group, cultural curious- seeking to sightsee and good scenery, escaper that is trying to get away from their stressful life. Tourist wants authenticity in their experience. Three target typed: Wild Atlantic wave- coast, east side cultural sights, and mountains and ocean for family quality time. There's around 8.4 million tourists a year and 4 million locals. Most hotels are filled to the maximum capacity due to the busiest holiday of the year.

(so pretty and pink!)

We went and got gelato. I miss the gelato stores all around Dublin. Then we went to do some shopping. Got to go to Penny's and bought pink cardigan and blue zip up. Then went to the Mango store and they had some pretty European clothes but they were expensive. The sales person at that store was actually from Chicago and moved to Dublin 3 years ago. She says that Ireland is more positive and she absolutely loved being there. We went walking around for the most of the time.

3.16.17

Thursday

Today is the day before St.Patty's and you see that there definitely more people on the streets. Some road will be closed for tomorrow's parade.

10am

This morning I went out to breakfast with some girls that I knew on the trip to a cute this bakery/cafe place called Queen of Tarts. The place was filled.

I ordered a smoked salmon breakfast that included eggs and bread. The bread here is so healthy not like the white bread back home. I also got Irish Bailey macaroons which tasted wonderful.

11am

Our class met with Martin at trinity college to walk over to parliament. Parliament was not in succession but Martin knew someone was was able to invite us in for a tour. This place was by one of the museums that I went to yesterday. The building was originally a house built by the Fitzwilliams family. The old parliament was across the street. Inside the building is decorated with many painting and no photography was allowed. The parliament room was originally a lecture hall before it got renovated. The senate room was originally a ballroom. The building is old and will undergo construction very soon. The Republic of Ireland has many political parties but there isn't one that dominates.

During lunch hour I went to a small cafe place and got myself chicken sandwich and a smoothie. The sandwich was good and filling that I couldn't finish it all. The smoothie tasted like orange juice.

2pm

The next stop we went to was the European Commission where we watch a 20 minute video discusses the EU. The EU was formed and Ireland joined later. There is a lot uncertainly of how Brexit with affect Northern Ireland and rest of Ireland. The goal of EU is giving some sovereignty to enable a flow of people and goods.

Then I went back to my hotel and napped before dinner.

6pm

We had dinner at the Church at north side of Dublin. This restaurant was originally a church before it got turned into a restaurant/bar. 

The stairs are very spiral shaped. The architect of the building was beautiful. There was live music going on. The food was ok and the dessert was delicious. This was our last time seeing Martin.

3.17.17

Friday- St.Patrick's day

We went to the parade around 10:30. There was too much people when we were there.

I got some coffee and eventually a scarf from Caroll's. It was cold and raining by the end of the parade. There were also a lot of foreigners near we were standing. The parade was ok and very theatrical. Overall it was well done.

Afterward we went to see the Gaelic games: hurling and football. The hurling game was nice and Cuala won the all Ireland hurling championship. Football was really close and both teams were very close in scores.

3.18.17

Woke up early today take the group taxi from Staycity to the airport. There was long lines for United bag checkin and I was the first for Delta checkin. The lady at the counter was very nice and even printed a boarding pass for me. Going through security was ok but they had to rescan my bag because of my tablet. Ugh next time I'll remember to take out my tablet.

There's a Shake Shack at JFK. I'm so happy!

6pm update: stuck at JFK airport until my flight at 8:40pm. I've been here since 1:20pm-ish

That is it for my week long trip to Ireland! I love this place!

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Other things

Cultural differences

Don't really tip there

-According to our Martin the tip goes to the restaurant and that they are compensated fully by wages unlike the U.S.

Split checks are uncommon

-most places won't let you split checks

Catholic/religious schools

-it was uncommon for a private school that is not affiliated

No ubers

-in order to drive people around people need license so there are only taxis

Media is less negative

-according to a sales associate at Mango there's less violence broadcasted on TV and it sort of a relief to not see so much negativity in the media

- I feel like in general Irish people are more chill

Irish people don't really celebrate St. Patrick's day

-you can spot the tourist really easily when they are dec out in green

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I actually didn't get to flow out of JFK until around 10pm due to delays. I got back to my residence hall by midnight-ish. The trip has been amazing and I didn't even spent a lot due to limited time for shopping. I hope to come back in the future!

I want to end this post with an Irish blessing that I saw:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

XOXO

M