Landing in Dublin

June 1, 2016

It’s official: I’m in Dublin! Though honestly, it feels like May 31 and June 1 blurred into one very long day—I somehow lost seven hours along the way. I started my journey in Las Vegas on Tuesday morning, had a layover in North Carolina, and now here I am, across the Atlantic!

Quick question: Does a layover count as “visiting” a state? I only stepped into the airport and breathed the air for, like, 10 seconds. Jury’s still out on whether I can say I’ve been to North Carolina.

The flight to Dublin was delayed on the runway for about an hour and a half thanks to lightning in the area. Fun fact: airports (at least this one) have a rule that no one can direct planes on the tarmac if lightning strikes within three miles in the last 15 minutes. Our pilot shared that tidbit while we waited. I passed the time chatting with the woman next to me—she commutes from Georgia to Jacksonville for law school and has four kids (the oldest is 13!). I would never have guessed. She’d never been out of the country before, so we were both buzzing with travel excitement.

Sleeping on the plane? Let’s just say I thought I’d get some rest during the seven-hour flight. Spoiler alert: I didn’t. Sleeping on planes is a cruel joke, especially when you don’t know the person next to you well enough to do the awkward head lean.

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Touchdown in Dublin

We landed around 8:30 AM, and things started off surprisingly smooth. Passport control was quick, and as soon as I stepped outside, the bus I needed pulled up—literally the moment I walked out. The travel gods must be smiling on me. I got off at what turned out to be the wrong stop (of course), but after a short walk, I stumbled right into my hostel. Who knew traveling could be this easy? Knocks on wood.

Checking into the hostel, I scored a handy tourist map that’s been my best friend today. I’m feeling pretty thrifty so far—I haven’t blown my budget yet! My only splurge? A proper Irish meal: Wicklow Lamb Shepherd’s Pie. It wasn’t mind-blowing, but hey, it was authentic.

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What I’ve Seen So Far

Even on a budget, I managed to tick off some great spots on my first day:

- Trinity College: I skipped the Book of Kells since admission was €12 (a bit steep for my liking).

- The River Liffey: Strolling along the river was lovely.

- Grafton Street: This bustling market street had amazing street performers and a great vibe.

- St. Stephen’s Green: This park was packed—think Woodstock levels of people lounging and sunbathing on the grass.

- St. Patrick’s Cathedral & Christ Church Cathedral: I admired them from the outside because, again, €10+ admission fees felt excessive.

- Dublin Castle: A cool €26 to get in? Nope, just enjoyed the view from outside.

While I didn’t go inside most of these spots, I don’t think I’ll regret it. After all, I’ve seen a fair share of churches and castles in my time, and the outside of these are just as impressive. (Side note: Why is it that Notre Dame in Paris was free, but Dublin charges so much? Come on, Dublin!)

One surprise: Dublin has a noticeable French influence. From cafes to souvenir shops to even the French-themed wallpaper in my hostel, it feels like Paris is sneaking into my Irish adventure. Who knew?

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What’s Next?

It’s only 5:30 PM (10:30 AM back home), and I feel like I’ve covered a lot already. Tomorrow, I’m hopping on a train to Northern Ireland, which is actually a different country and part of the UK. Geography lesson: Ireland uses the euro (€), while Northern Ireland uses the pound (£). Yes, I quizzed my students on this!

Until tomorrow, from sunny Dublin!