Ringing in the New Year at the Rooster

Our bed and breakfasts on Upper Drumcondra Rd (the one on the way to the airport) were so nice and cozy, props to Chris on that one. And I was able to see most of the sites I wanted to see around Dublin in the almost two days that I had (screw those 15euro a person tourist busses). Chris and I found the Guinness Storehouse literally by following our noses, you could smell it brewing. The grounds were just humongous, 55acres of brick factory which the lease for the grounds was signed for 9000 years! The storehouse is only one building but it was I think 7 stories high and the middle of it, where you ride the escalators, was glass in the shape of a pint..to the top floor bar with a panoramic view od Dublin. Of course no secrets were revealed but they showed the main ingredients (which are in every kind of beer; yeast, barley, hops, water), but they fancied it up with a waterfall and barley you could smell and taste. I liked how they included the visitor on the one floor letting you write a card for others to read and I found it interesting that they dedicated a floor to preventing alcoholism.
After that Chris and I walked for some food, which I found Ireland surprisingly close to the United States in this aspect. The brick architecture and constant smell of hambugers and fries made me feel like I had gone home with only a one hour flight..besides the fact that the street where St James Gate is found looks like South Division in Grand Rapids. Chris and I didn't end up going to any museums, we did a bit of shopping and lots of eating and lots of walking. We saw a bit of Trinity College, the outside of some churches that he knew the names of but I know nothing about the history of Dublin. Actually I think I learned more about Ireland on the trip not from being there but from talking with Chris. He never ceases to amaze me with his knowlege and I was quite impressed by his passion for the green country.
I found myself growing more and more at ease there and loved talking with Irish people, not only for the accent but for how warm they were. Someday I definitely have to go back because I think the lush countryside would suit me more than the international Dublin city life. I loved waking up to sheep at Roisin's in Roscommon. And I found ringing in the New Year with a meal at Roisin's friend's and with locals at the Rooster was a much better way than standing for 8hrs in one spot in Time's Square like I did last year. So Happy New Year everyone, Santé!