John, my brother and I, my friends Jesse, Steve, and Holly from University of Deusto in Bilbao came to Dublin after our program ended. John, Jesse and I got on our delayed flight from Bilbao and were supposed to connect in Madrid, but we missed the next flight. After waiting in some long lines for the airline Iberia, we were told we were comped three meals and a hotels stay in downtown Madrid. So we got on the shuttle to the airport that night and arrived at a great hotel with our own hotel rooms. When we went down for dinner there was an amazing buffet with three courses and fruit for dessert and a bottle of wine waiting for us. Talk about being pampered, we had free wireless internet and phone minutes and a beautiful bathroom. That was very exciting especially after staying on couches and in hostels and traveling for the last four months. John and I were saying that we don't really remember the last time we spent a night in a hotel. The next morning we woke up early and took the metro into Madrid. John had never seen the city, though Jesse and I had. We went to the Reina Sofia museum of modern art and for the second time I saw all of Picasso's great works and Guernica again (although last time I went to the museum it was only for a very short amount of time). Since it was a sunday, we got in free, something else to add to the complimentary pile! Then we walked to Plaza del sol and down to Gran Via. There were lights and music in the streets and a very christmasy spirit.
After 24 hours in Madrid all paid for, we flew to Dublin and arrived around 7pm or so. Dublin is beautiful at night.
We met our friends in the hostel lobby and grabbed dinner at this great all Irish Pub. Of course, we had Guinness and some stew and curry and macaroni and yummy food.
The next day we went to the Dublin castle and got a tour. Today it is where they inaugurate members of the government, maybe even the head honcho, I don't remember. We also go to see underground ruins of the castle form centuries and centuries ago.
Then we went to the St. Patricks Cathedral. It was pretty big, but by no measure as big as the Notre Dam in Paris. From there we got lunch at this really fantastic Indian place. John had convinced us all to go, even though Jesse, Steve and I were a little hesitant and Holly is very picky. We had the best dishes and Naan and rice ever!! I found my new favorite food!
After that we went to the Guinness storehouse and toured it all. We learned how they make the beer and got samples of different types then went to the top (it has a lot of stories) and saw a great night view of the whole city and enjoyed another beer. Don't worry all the Guinness we had were at different times. We went out that night to a bug pub for dinner and all ate huge plates of food. From there we went upstairs to the bar and enjoyed a man singing and a woman playing the violin. I love Irish accents I must say! Then we kind of bar hopped and danced a little at this one bar where the one guy on stage played his guitar and played cover songs. After walking home, Jesse, John and I enjoyed our private room with comfy bed and slept well. The next morning we got up very early for our flight to London. From there a nice flight to Los Angeles in business class! 11 hours later we were home....and three weeks later I will be in DC
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