Zac Attack

What a fantastic last 24 hours! My "locker buddy" from high school, Zac Mangas, just happens to be in Ireland now, too, and staying 5 blocks from me. Despite phone malfunctions, we were able to meet up. We hit up a pub in Temple Bar and were treated to live Irish music with a contemporary twist. I also proceeded to make my way through most of their menu choices. Going drink-for-drink with him was not one of my most well-hatched plans. Especially given the fact that I didn't drink in high school, going out drinking (in Dublin, no less) together was about the last thing either of us expected. The best things are those you don't plan. It was a fantastic night, and the perfect way to close out my nights in Eire.

Today, we museum-hopped. The art museum in Parnell Square is fantastic, even housing a few Monets. I spent a few heavenly hours in the archaeology museum. The Vikings have been in Ireland since the 8th century. So, technically, I could be a Viking, too. Guess that explains why I love my football team so much. Yes, I did get a picture of me in an orange, white, and green Viking hat, complete with horns and braids.

So, here's an Ireland quick guide for the savvy traveler:
take away - food to go. Especially useful in coffee houses, as you'll want the coffee to warm your fingers outside.
pub grub - what to ask for when you're looking for the American idea of the traditional Irish dinner (fish and chips, lots of meat, etc)
dark/light pudding - fried breakfast meat/grain patty that looks a bit like falafel. The light is pork, the dark is blood sausage. Don't knock it til you try it.
go 'way - get out/shut up/for reals?/you're pulling my leg/etc
bookmaker - bookie (I was gravely dissappointed by this, having assumed that the Irish were doing a fantastic job of preserving the old scribe tradition)
trolly - shopping cart

Everybody smokes. Don't even try to get away from it. When throwing away your gum, they will assume you are throwing a cigarette butt in the trash and yell at you.
Go with beer. Or Bulmer's cider. I don't drink beer and even I'm doing it. If you really, really can't live without wine (or have Celiac, the only really legit excuse), make sure you order a quarter bottle instead of a glass. The bottle has likely been open for days or more.
If you're being made fun of, it's because they like you. It's called slagging. The phrase "I wouldn't spend the energy on making fun of you if I didn't like you," must have originated from this practice.
When crossing the street, please remember cars have the right-of-way. They will not stop for you, and if you make them, they will honk and jeer. Cross the street when there are no cars coming, not when you have the light. Remember to look right.
Public restrooms do not use paper towels, opting for high-powered electric dryers. Some places even have 3-in-1 hand washers. To use: stick your hands in, they will get squirted with soap. After a few moments comes the water - rub vigorously. Once you're done, presto, high-powered hand dryer. This is the most phenomenal invention I have ever seen.

Next, 36 hours in Paris.