My plan for the day was to walk clear across town to the Dracula Experience. This only half worked. I walked there just fine, but it wasn't opened. While I was in a coffee shop trying to figure out the way back without having to walk it all I realized that I was right next to where I needed to go that evening, I was moving out of the hostel and into a friends apartment. I figured out just where I would need to go later in the day and hoped on the DART back to the center of Dublin.
I headed to the National Archeology Museum of Ireland. It was easy to spend the afternoon here. There was just so much to see. The prehistoric display was quite fascinating, everything was organized chronologically. It was really easy to see how weapons and jewelry manufacturing progressed over time.
The bog people were the most interesting. These were the remains of prehistoric people that had been found in bogs around Ireland. Let me tell you, this was seriously creepy. The bodies were leather-like and seemed more sculpture than human. Bones, organs and hair were visible. One guy was only a torso, it looked like it was right out of a horror movie. It was clear that another man had had bright red hair. The nipples had been cut off of another showing that he had been of noble rank.
Other things besides bodies have been found in the bogs. There were clothes and shoes and weapons and all sorts of odd things. It was like an ancient dump.
I guess that I hadn't had enough of dead bodies yet because I headed up the stairs to the Egyptian section. It was small, but very well done.
The best known piece in the museum is the Tara Broach. Famous for its beauty and for being found in the area that is known as the Tara Hill. It was pretty magnificent.
When I had finished with the museum I parked myself in a pub and nursed a pint while I caught up on writing my journal. I was woefully behind and determined to not let that continue. I then headed off to an Internet cafe to try and get at least a few of the entries typed up. Enroute I waked by Trinity College and the Molly Malone statue.
After a long walk and a quick cab ride I was at Michele and Rory's apartment. Michele is a close friend of my friend Rose. I had met her a few times, but had never gotten the opportunity to know her well. Michele had a fairy tale for me.
About three years ago Michele and Rose made a pilgrimage to Dublin to see U2. At a pub Michele spotted a boy that she knew that she had to meet. He felt the same. Michele and Rory talked all night and parted regretfully, determined to stay in touch. After a transcontinental relationship they were married and Michele moved to Dublin.
Because of this fairytale I had a place to crash and wonderful people to stay with for the rest of my time in Dublin. Michele also made me the best dinner that I had since leaving my parents house.
I think that we may have spent a few hours too many chatting because we were all destined to be tired in the morning.
No comments:
Post a Comment