i was walking around dublin yesterday and it started to rain. then it started to rain really hard. i had no choice, i had to find the nearest pub, order a guiness, and try to wait it out. it was the only thing to do.

today i had to make up for lost time. i saw trinity college library with the book of kells (two thumbs up) and a narrow hallway between shelves of ancient books stacked from marble floor to vaulted ceiling. (four thumbs up)  i read a book a few weeks ago called "how the irish saved civilization" and it was all about the irish monestaries and the book of kells so it was awesome to see it all first hand. after that i saw a few churches like christ's church and st. patrick's cathedral. they were ok. pretty much the same as any other church in europe. from there i walked to the far west side of town to the guiness brewing factory.  i learned how to make beer. 

it was an eventful day. books and beer, its a beautiful thing.

tomorrow im going on an all day tour outside the city. it includes newgrange which is a 'neolithic ritual centre and passage tomb'...? apparently its older than the pyramids. the river boyne (in the valley of the kings), hill of tara (that was in my book too) along with the village of slane. (that just sounds cool) it should be a good last day.

Currently Reading Survivor : A Novel By CHUCK PALAHNIUK see related

forget what i said about ireland being ugly. belfast is ugly. really ugly. but the country is amazing.  green and beautiful and green.

i had a fantastic day. i got the best nights sleep in probably a week and went on an all day tour of northern ireland. we stopped at some rope bridge i'd never heard of, a castle, and the giant's causeway.  beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. i just got back, i just ate dinner, my stomach is full, and im off to bed to read myself to sleep.

             to dublin tomorrow. 

so far ireland is dirty and boring. but thats just belfast, the city i'm in. its a filthy little town in northern ireland with nothing in it. the few things it does have are all closed today because its sunday.  im used to our convenient culture and, ill be honest, got really annoyed when i couldn't find anything open besides a grocery store.  its raining too. i tried walking around but was getting too wet and am trapped in my hostel for the afternoon. 

 i'm going to see the giantscauseway tomorrow, so that should be cool. its the only reason i came this far north.

 i'm trying to enjoy my last week, but i think i'm ready to come home.