The Emerald Isle

First day in Europe and I'm drenched. I landed this morning in Dublin, after what was a horrible night sleep on my budget flight across the pond. Thankfully, getting into the city was a breeze - as was reaching my hostel, conveniently located a mere stone's throw from the bus station. After securing my bed and belongings, I found a map and set out into the city to find some breakfast and explore/meander along the streets. Too bad the weather has not been as cooperative, not that I really expected Sun in Ireland, and having looked ahead to the weather report for the next few days, it appears unlikely to change during my time in Ireland. Oh well, seems appropriate, seeing the country in its natural state.

Dublin is very much how I imagined it. Pubs on every corner, cobblestone streets, stone churches, and extremely green grass (thank you rain). I think I need a little time more here to have more depth to my assessment but was surprised by how many diverse cultures are represented, and to some extent, how this overshadows the distinctive Irish flare of the city. Perhaps thats ignorant of me, but it seems that Dublin is not quite as homogenous as I expected, though perhaps this will change as I move on to Cork City and Galway. I did check out the castle though, whose name may be misleading given that the majority of it burned down some 300 years ago. What remains today is one stone rampart, and Victorian Palace where the castle once stood - a building where many government operations are conducted and state ceremonies are held. It would seem prudent for them to change the name though, no? Anyway, it provided an interesting historical background on the emergence of Ireland as an independent state - definitely worth a visit. I hadn't been too familiar with this movement - their past subservience to the British King and subsequent rebellion in the early 20th century.

Ok, enough for my first post. Hopefully its gets better with time - be patient, I'm new to this.

I'm off to drink some Guinness.