Jet lag's a harsh mistress. PassePartout is passed out next to me, the result of too many hours awake and not enough coffee. We walked a bit around western Dublin today and saw some of the many cathedrals the city has to offer. I'm not a religious person, but when you're in a place that was built in 1200 AD and has housed so many of the faithful, you get this feeling that you better behave and that taking pictures is pretty disrespectful, despite the amazing architecture and art.
The town has a feeling very similar to other cities I've been in, though the layout is very different. The whole place is laid out based on a river that courses through its center, and so the streets follow that, and have, apparently, for hundreds of years. The weather is like SF, the buildings are like parts of older new york, and the advertising is a cross between Vegas and Oakland. Ireland's deep in recession right now, and everyone's feeling the pinch.
The people seem friendly, and are, in general, akindly happy sort, somewhat interested in our out of towny accents. We visited many an antique store today and they all were very nice. My mother would have loved about 300 boxes I found for sale, all built of various beautiful Irish hardwoods some of which had intricate inlays or gilding. Eli was enamored of an antique writing desk complete with a bronze bust of some forgotten woman.
It's now time for a jet-lag fighting nap. We have to get up again, otherwise we'll never be on a schedule that fits, but for now, it's been 2 days with 5 hours sleep, and I think we need a little respite and pick us up. More pictures to follow.
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