After three wonderful days in Edinburgh we hopped on a plane, flew across the Irish Sea, and landed in Dublin!  I (Chris) had been in Dublin for just 5 days exactly 30 years ago when I was on a college study abroad program.  I remember vividly the impression I had of Ireland at that time – that it was a country filled with some of the friendliest, most welcoming people I had ever met.  That still is true!

Our bus ride atop a double-decker bus took us through a lovely, busy, Dublin, along the Liffy River, past the Temple Bar neighborhood, famous for its many pubs, great music, and raucous atmosphere, and to our apartment.  After unpacking our things we wandered along the bustling streets (look RIGHT when crossing!) enjoyed hearing a street musician and his hurdy-gurdy, and finally landed at a nearby pub for dinner. Fish and chips was the order of the day, and we soon discovered that in Ireland, the fish is cooked with the skin on! We thoroughly enjoyed a conversation with two fun and friendly women at the adjacent table, who were on their once a month outing, which they dubbed “Cheap and Cheery”—the mandatory requirement for the chosen activity of the day.