More Musings and a Poem

I don't expect everyone to do things the way that we do in America, but, seriously, in this day and age with the all the technological advances we have, can't the Irish switch to a smaller electrical plug? The ones that they use look like some kind of heavy duty utility thing and are just way too bulky.

In Ireland, you are never asked if your food is "to go", it's always "for here or take away?"

Now, I am in no way suggesting that they are leprechauns, but I have seen an inordinate number of little people here.

All of the street signs, billboards, posters and such are in both English and Irish (technically Irish Gaelic), kind of like Miami with Spanish...but no one here actually speaks Irish.

I'm not quite sure why, but every pub, club, and bar here in Dublin has at least one bouncer standing in front of it...complete with a secret service type earpiece. Just what is it from which they are protecting the general population?

I'm all in favor of short skirts, but...good grief! The girls over here, especially the younger ones, are wandering the streets in what amounts to a scarf tied around their waist. I don't think they realize how ridiculous they look. Although, maybe the skirts explain the need for the bouncers.

One of my favorite things about McDonalds has always been their straws. They have the sturdiest, biggest straws that you can find anywhere. Well, here in Dublin, McDonalds has decided to forego the traditional straw in favor of a cheesy, thin, bendy straw...very disappointing!

They have one of the best inventions ever in most of the public restrooms here. It is called a Dyson Airblade, and it dries your hands better than anything I have ever experienced. You stick your hands in and then pull them out slowly...about 10 seconds in all...and your hands are completely dry. On top of that, it is better for the environment too...check it out http://www.dysonairblade.com/homepage.asp


And now...the aforementioned and promised poem...

An Ode to Guinness

My goodness, my Guinness

what a beautiful sight!

your dark, chocolatey color

your aroma just right

With a thick frothy head

from your nitrogen pour

So smooth going down

I always want more

Your taste so unique

it's like no other

A meal in a glass

think I'll have another

Just four simple things

make this liquid feast

water and hops,

barley and yeast

Combined together

in just the right measure

they make an elixir

thats nothing but pleasure

If I overindulge

good thing I'm resiliant

my goodness, my Guinness

simply...brilliant!

Random Musings on These Wacky Celts

The Guinness here is unlike anything you will ever get in the states.

French fries here are called chips.

Chips here are called crisps.

You can never forget what you are drinking, because all the pubs pour your beverage of choice into a glass that has the name printed on it.

If you order a simple mixed drink, you will get a glass containing ice and the liquor, the mixer will be served in its own bottle. You must do the mixing yourself. When I asked, I was told that sometimes the women don't like to pour the whole bottle of mixer into the drink.

When the weather is warm (which I assume is not very often), you will find the Irish laying in the sun anywhere where there is some grass...despite the fact that they are mostly all pasty white.

Bono knew what he was doing when he sang that the streets have no names...cause they don't. There is no way to match a map to the actual streets because there are no street signs. Every now and then there will a sign posted to the side of a building, but they are certainly not reliable. Irish people seem to give directions more in regard to places...you know...like, go down the road and take a left at the pub...

If you need something, you can just run down the road to the Spar store (think 7-11)

I think they must call it the Emerald Isle for many reasons...Ireland is very green (think ecological)...not as much as our Pacific Northwest, but close.

If you have to shut down major roads to extend the tracks for your streetcar, it's probably not worth it.