Anna, Shelby, and I explored. There was a garden I'd researched online before coming on the trip that I really wanted to go and see, called the Garden of Remembrance. It's a little spot in Dublin that's got some reflection pools and a giant statue dedicated to those who fell in the Easter Uprising, and for Ireland's freedom in general. The statue is of the Children of Lir, an Irish legend about royal siblings who were turned into swans by their witch of a stepmother. Long story short, they were cursed to wander across lakes/lochs of Ireland for 900 years, although they kept their human speech. They retold their tale and the tales of Ireland across the centuries, and at the end, most versions say they were turned back into humans by a marriage between a North woman and a South man? It's been a few months since I read like three versions of the tale. Point being, they landed in a Christian monastery at the end of 900 years and were blessed/baptized by a monk, then turned to dust. During the whole time, the older sister Fionnuala helped care for and protect her younger brothers.
They represent a looot of Irish heritage and pride. I mean, the national bird is a swan. So yes.
It took a bit of planning to find, and we had to ask for some help with directions, but thankfully people in Ireland are fantastic and generally friendly and helpful, including bus drivers. :D
The mosaics in the reflection pools were pretty great too, obviously. We had a peaceful and beautiful lunch there, it was great. Everything written was both in both Gaelic and English, too; it was nice~ (the plaque also had a French translation to the side)
There was a writers' museum right next door, but we didn't really have the time to explore, since we'd already spent time there for a while just hanging out. It seemed a somewhat popular place to do that. It wasn't overflowing or anything, but it was never empty. And people generally seemed pretty chill. It was fantastic~
... Never really did find out what this was about. It was just there one day, we'd passed by the place before and it wasn't. It's near a bank, so maaybe some sort of publicity stunt? I don't know, we didn't really get answers when we asked. :/
Anyway, then Shelby and I met the Jonses at St Michan's Church, Dublin's oldest north side parish. They've got some catacombs that you can go down into, and see some naturally preserved mummies! Seriously, the conditions down there are great for it: limestone, cool, I think some methane... or some sort of gas that helps. I can't remember exactly. Kristen and Shelby were so very excited~ And our guide was great. XD Fantastic place. No pictures allowed down there, but I got some in the church itself. Small, pretty~
Then Shelby & I went to the Museum of Natural History. Got to look around, learn about the past, see some bog bodies...
Yup. Apparently peat bogs are great places to dump bodies, no matter what era you live in. And they preserve! I mean, the skin, sometimes hair... occasionally fingerprints even. :0 But they had cool exhibits that gave details about the life the individual probably led, and even possibly the reason for their death. (physical and sometimes political)
And literally right next door to the Museum is the Library. And I couldn't go to Ireland and not go to the library, right? I mean, sure I'd been in Trinity's library, but still!
Gorgeous. There was an exhibit going on but I only had a short time since Anna was waiting on me. (literally I just asked if I could pop in and look around X3) Also had a pleasant conversation with a man in the coat/locker closet. (yes it's a room just for your coats and stuff, in lockers even. Fancyyyy~) He'd apparently been to Virginia once or twice on holiday, and said that the Shenandoah Valley area was the closest you could get to Ireland green in the U.S. Which made me pretty happy. <3
Stopped by a chocolate store while wandering some more, seriously hot chocolate and just chocolate overseas is a whole new experience. *sighs contentedly* Aaaand we found a bookstore. :D Shelby, Anna, and I spent the rest of the day there. Three floors! Three whole floors! Of books! It was gorgeous. Hodges Figgis. Love.
Honestly. Tables, bookshelves, floors... And sales! And beautiful books! And... It was amazing. I got like nine books. XD (some were really small so they would fit nicely)
We checked out at the main floor literally as they were closing up. Worth it. I didn't even get to go through all of the floors thoroughly. Agh. <3 </3
But I am very happy with all I did get! And they are wonderful~ X3
Then we went back to the hostel, and while most of everyone else ran off to a rugby game, we chatted and rested, gave each other massages. Great choice, honestly. XD
Thus ended Tuesday!
