March 14-19: Drink some beer, kick a leprachaun, and kiss me, I'M IRISH!

Ireland. St. Patrick's Day. 2011.

Let's get the party started.

St. Patrick's Day parade

For the most part, Ireland's not that interesting. I mean, yes, GO THERE at least once in your life. However, do not make a week long trip of it unless it is over March 17th. THAT'S when the good times roll :)

Day 69 - MONDAY

March 14th

"My Half Birthday"

Nothing was going on this day but I had to go to a baptism for a little girl in my ward. It was her actual birthday and me and Laura made the long trek out to Essex to be there for her. It was adorable; such a sweet memory. Also, they had a buffet afterwards for everyone and they had SUSHI!! because the family is half-asian, so they had egg rolls and noodles and rice and AWESOME food!!

Day 70 - TUESDAY

March 15th

"3 AM Wake Up Call"

Yes, 3 in the morning we left the Centre to catch a flight to Dublin. Yuck. This day was mostly travelling but, as a group of fun people, we made the most of our time in the airport and on the coach. Then, once we got to Dublin, we took a tour of the Guinness Factory!

I feel like it would have been cooler to me if I actually DRANK beer, but ultimately, it was neat. And we got free drinks at the end!

Then, we proceeded to go and have dinner at the Brazenhead Pub, the oldest pub in Ireland! We were supposed to have a guest speaker come and tell us Irish Folk stories but he never showed, of course. But the dinner was fun and pretty good. I was a little creeped out by the chicken by that's okay. I forged through it!

Day 71 - WEDNESDAY

March 16th

"Pre-Festivities"

This day was basically pretty free except we had to take part in two cultural things of Ireland. So we did the Natural History Museum and participated in Dancing in the Street! Where everyone parties and dances in this giant group. We did traditional Irish jigs and had the time of our life!!



After dancing, we did some shopping and got dinner at this little American restaurant called Eddie's Diner. Sort of like a 5 & Diner back in the States. With a jukebox that you can pick songs on and it was just such a cute atmosphere!

Day 72 - THURSDAY

March 17th

"No chance in heck I'M getting pinched today!"

We woke up bright an early and got ready for the party day of the century! St. Patty's Day, baby! With 38 other students all dressed up, I headed out to the streets to watch the AMAZING parade. We had front row seats and had a blast just partying it up standing there for an hour and a half before it started. We were decked out in green and even bought Green Shamrock Shakes from McDonald's to celebrate! It was outstanding!!

Yes, that is green hair!

Needless to say, we were the most rambunctious group there. We took over and watched the non-Irish, Tim Burton freak show that was the parade. It was awesome though, and I LOVED IT!! I can't even explain to you some of the things we saw but it seemed like the person who thought of the floats and costume ideas was on LSD or something!

Then, we packed on the bus and headed to Kilkenney, Ireland which is about an hour and a half south-west of Dublin. Why we came here, I still haven't figured out but it was enjoyable. AND it was our last night ever in a hostel!! The one good thing that I can say came out of the trip to Kilkenney is that we had dinner at a real Irish pub ON St. Patty's day and people-watched drunks till 1:30 in the morning. Success!!

Day 73 - FRIDAY

March 18th

"Hangover Galore"

The next morning, everyone was let loose in Kilkenney and allowed to do whatever they wanted to get a feel for the town. Unfortunately, we were also recovering from the crazy day/night before and had no gumption to get up and go.. So we just lazied around and sat in the castle gardens for an hour and a half until we decided to get lunch and get on the bus to go to the Rock of Cashel.

It was a beautiful sunny day, can you blame us??

Rock of Cashel... aaaand my professor acting
as the high and mighty man that he is :)

Then, we got BACK on the coach and drove to the airport to fly NOT RYANAIR home and take WestBus home and get home at 2 AM. Then, I proceeded to throw my clothes in the wash and call my parents so I didn't get to bed till like 3:30. So worth it though. I miss them.

Again, till next time!