DUBLIN 1st day in Ireland

April 8th 2014

I arrived here in Dublin this morning at 8:30 a.m. local time after a good flight comprised mostly of sleeping.  I do like overnight flights.  One little glass of wine and it's lights out Irene.  The airport is quite nice--small in comparison let's say to Atlanta where you have to take a train to get to baggage claim.  I lucked out by following the signs to taxis and busses when a bus pulled up and said Heuston
Station on the front.  I knew the hotel I was staying at was very near to Heuston Rail Station.  But I didn't have to guess if it was the right bus because one young man asked with a smile if he could help and even offered to put my suitcase on the bus for me.  So far everyone has been outstandingly helpful and always with a smile.  I had heard that people in Ireland are one of the friendliest of countries in Europe.  So far everyone is right.  On the way to Temple Bar I saw a place you could rent a Segway to see the sights.  That would be so much fun.  If it was a little warmer and I could find that place again, I think I'd really like to do that.  It would be like renting a moped only maybe a little safer because of the 3 wheels.
I chose to stay in a hotel for one night here in Dublin so I could get to see the city; knowing I may not be back in this area once I start work in the western part of the country.  And I chose Temple Bar area here because it is where Trinity College is and it is right on the Liffey River and I read it is the place to be at night for live music.  So far almost everyone I see on the streets are college-aged kids.  Also there are quite a lot of bicycles ridden my many even in this 40 deg. weather.  Yes, it is quite cool today.  But with the sun out is quite pleasant.  I am very glad I brought my lined rain parka.  It is perfect for a day like today.
So I've been walking all day (only got lost once) and like many college towns has restaurants of every ethnicity.  I ate lunch at a Lebanese restaurant.  Once I saw hummus and tabbouli and felafel, I looked no further.  It was excellent.  The Lebanese coffee made Italian espresso seem mild.
I met 2 girls from Croatia on vacation.  They giggled and showed surprise when I said that in U.S., Croatia was getting to be a great place to vacation with its' beautiful beaches.
So tomorrow I will walk about a mile along the Liffey River to get to the train station by 1 when it leaves for the 4 hr. trip to Tralee.  Rose will pick me up at 5 to take me to Rosemont B&B---my new home for 2 months!  Looking forward to it.

visit:  www.rosemontbnbtralee.com     to see where I'll be.