Europe 2016 - Busin' Around

Before I get to the fun events of the next day, a quick review of the hostel. When searching hostels when I wanted one for all four nights, it would have cost me more than my lodging budget for the whole trip. I quickly learned that if I decided to stay 3 nights in one hostel and 1 night in another it would knock over 75% of the cost off. So that is what I did.

 

This first hostel had a good location, right around the block from the main bus station (which I didn't realize until the next day). They also were very friendly and were willing to store my luggage until I could check in. This meant I could tour the city without worrying. The rooms were also a very good size and the kitchen, living and outdoor areas were large as well.

 

However in a room with 10 beds there were only two outlets that were right next to the door. I also had troubles with the door code and they way the latch worked. I know my roommates got a little frustrated at me at times. The worst part though was that the restroom was either a 1/2 floor down or 1 1/2 floors down. The one bathroom that was closest was only a one stall restroom, while the one further down had a couple stalls and the showers.

 

All in all though, it was worth the money and a very safe place to stay.

 

Now to the good stuff. I did manage to wake up early enough to make a full day of adventures. With my Dublin City Pass I had gotten a 24 hour hop on- hop off bus tour. I used part of this they day before to get to the Guinness and Jameson factories. Luckily I had used that late enough in the day that I still had some time to ride the bus again. I decided this would be a great way to see the city.  I planned on catching the bus near the Dublin Castle, as I knew where that stop was. Of course that's not how it went.

 

I decided to take a scenic route to the castle. The problem with this is that streets in Europe are not nice grids as they are in Kansas. After walking for over an hour, I decided I was lost. But as I didn't have an actual agenda I wasn't too upset. I just didn't want the time on my bus pass to run out. I decided I would aim myself towards the river, as I could then figure out where I was. (Note: I was trying not to look like a tourist, so I was being stubborn and not looking at a map.)

 

After a bit, I saw I was coming up on a park, so I decided this would be a perfect spot to stop and eat a little brunch. This was the view I got as I entered the park.

 

 

Turns out the park was actually the park of St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was a beautiful place for a break. And better yet, I knew there was a bus stop there.

 

Door to the Choir School. Founded in 1432 A.D.

Once again I'm seeing a connection to Lindsborg in Dublin. The Hallelujah Chorus will be sung for a fundraiser.

 

On to the bus I got. It was a great way to see the city.

Ha' Penny Bridge

We are looking at the upcoming blue building.

According to several blogs I found on Pinterest, this is a big tourist spot. I didn't actually go though.

Entrance to Trinity University

 

 

Once the bus tour got near the castle, I decided to walk a bit. As I was taking this picture, a person walked by and gave me a strange look. They then looked over at the building and said "That is a beautiful building!"



I remember seeing this building the last time I was in Dublin

 

I then decided to go to the castle and take the guided tour. This is a great tour to go on. It includes the castle, the chapel and the ruins of the old castle. Last time I was in Dublin I looked at the outside of the castle and the chapel was open so I went in there. I found out on this trip, that I shouldn't have been able to go into the chapel. :)

The Royal Balcony in the Chapel. Each of the carvings is a crest of the political families and the one in the middle is actually of St. Patrick. 

This is part of the remains of the old castle a story down from the current street. This is one of the towers, that no longer exists higher than this point. The small pile in the upper middle part is actually part of the Viking castle that was built on this sight. It is the only remains of that castle that have been found.



These are the entrance stairs to the old castle. They are actually very steep and different heights and widths so that people trying to storm the castle wouldn't be able to do so very quickly.



This is actually a river that was visible during the Viking Times. This was the river that ran from the Black Pool (lake) that Dublin was named after. Now it doesn't really run, but here under the castle you can still see it.

In the castle, which had been updated, so it feels more like a palace. The mirror at the bottom of that table was so that the chaperons of the balls held there could look and see if the skirts of the ladies were long enough. They could see this from either the bottom or the top of the stairs.

This throne was built for King George IV, who was a large man. When Victoria became the Queen they added the footstool so her feet would not dangle.
 

At one point our guide had to stall as the group in front of us was still in the next room. She asked if anyone knew what this couch was. Me being the nerd I am, said a courting couch. The guide was so impressed that I knew what it was. I will admit though I thought the two young people would sit on each side of the divider. However that is not the case. The two that were to be matched were on the ends while the parents were in the middle making "the deal".

The palace ballroom

After the tour I decided to sit on the same bench as I had two years earlier and take the same selfie.

After the castle tour, I decided to walk over to Trinity University to check it out.  On the way over I saw this casting call on a light pole. Too bad I missed it. :( ;)

 



Trinity University Courtyard

 

I ended the day by going back to the hostel to try and charge my electronics before my roommates took the outlets. I also needed to repack my bag as I would be going to a different hostel in the morning. This started up a conversation with one of the other girls in my room. She was from Australia. Soon a girl from Brazil was in the conversation and we talked and laughed at my poor pronunciation of Portuguese words. Talking with people from all over the world in the hostels was a great experience of my trip and one I won't forget.