To the Land of the (Really) White and Green!

   A brief aside to Dana:
  My pasty white and freckle-faced friend, i write to you to tell you that i will be venturing to the land of your kin.
   And, don't worry: I'll bring them sunscreen.
   -Alex

* * *

  i am so excited to go to Ireland! Jess, my housemate, (yes, i can finally use her name), and i are flying out tomorrow. We plan to visit Trinity College and see the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle and the gardens behind it, and of course, the Guinness Factory.
  Jess said, "This is your first time to Europe, right?"
   "Yup," i replied.
   "Okay, then you pick what we do. i have one thing i want to see, and that's it."
   "Wait, what?"
   She was totally cool about it, and said, "Yeah, I've traveled around, and this is your first time, so we have to make it the best."
   i was speechless. After a while, i said, "Are you sure?"
   She just answered with a smile, "So, what're we going to do in Dublin?"
   Isn't she awesome?
   Yeah, i guess I'll keep her. :)

* * *

   Well, to answer her question:
   On Friday, we will be doing a tour of the Irish countryside from Dublin of the east to Limerick in the west. Along the way, i will get my share of medieval castles and Celtic ruins, while we both enjoy the beautiful view of the green hills and commentary on the history of Ireland. Our very exciting destination is the the Cliffs of Moher, which is where the Cliffs of Insanity scene in The Princess Bride was filmed. (For those who don't know, that is my favorite movie.) Another favorite of mine is the Harry Potter series, which more of you probably know. These cliffs happen to be where the scene in the sixth movie when Harry and Dumbledore travel to the cliffside to go to Voldemort's cave was filmed. Needless to say, my dork-o-meter is sky-rocketing, and i can barely control my excitement! It looks amazing! I'll try to get pics up here soon.
   i plan on ending the day in a good ol' Irish pub to sing, dance, and drink along with Jess and some real Irishmen! (Who knows, maybe I'll find one in his twenties. You never know, i could dig gingers.) :) And, "Benny and the Jets" may also be requested. Not Irish, but as 27 Dresses shows us, lassies and lads, always a good bar tune.

(P.S. - Dad, trying Bailey's in Ireland is on my to-do list, so you can live vicariously through me! They won't be as good as yours, but I'll let you know the verdict.)