St Stephens Day

AKA the second day of Christmas....

St. Stephen was the first Christian martyr.


I hate to say this again, but most everything was closed on Saturday too! They sure like their holidays here. Monday is a bank holiday (not sure what it's called though.) Our cab driver today said it was a good excuse to drink--hence so many holidays.


We ventured to Wicklow Mountains! First stop, Starbucks!!! I got teary eyed & cried...such a sad American! For the last several months I've given up my coffee & protein shake mornings to replace them with Starbucks coffee & oatmeal w/ fruit & brown sugar. Since we have arrived in Dublin, we've had eggs (scrambled & watery), sausage (big & boiled), bacon (slabs, not strips), & fruit (always a good choice.) I'm usually a breakfast girl...but not here. When I saw Starbucks, the idea of my normal breakfast overcame my emotions. I ordered a Porridge & fruit, a Venti coffee, & an almond croissant (a little overboard.) My parents ordered coffee & pastries too--all for the low price of 33 Euro (apprx $50.) Oh! I became a collector too! I've never understood collecting stuff--but I purchased my second Starbucks mug! It says: Dublin Starbucks coffee. I have one that my cousin bought me for my Los Angeles bon voyage that says: "Los Angeles". I'll see if I can get one in London too!

Next, Wicklow Mt's--what a beautiful drive! Green! Sheep! (Not green, but they did have blue paint on them...probably a territorial thing.) It was nice to see the picturesque landscape surrounding us. No dramatic stories to add to this one, just nature at its best! (except for the blue sheep.)

I have pictures, but unfortunately I forgot to bring my cord to download them.

We then drove through Roundwood--the highest village in Ireland. During all of this we worked up a thirst...the town of Rathdrum was our watering hole. The roads were made of brick and multi-colored Christmas lights were strung across the streets hanging from building to building. Jacobs Well Pub is where I had my first pint of Guinness in Ireland. I was going to wait for the Guinness Storehouse...but decided to take the plunge early!

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at seemingly one of the only open restaurants in Dublin. It was the most quaint hole-in-the-wall Italian place. The waiter/owner was quite the comedian...not afraid to rip on me for ordering water w/ dinner vs a nice bold glass of red wine. (Keep in mind I'm driving & I'm in a foreign country with my automobile completely backwards.) We had more than enough to eat & he managed to slip in some complimentary red wine with dinner. It must be a sin to eat Italian food without red wine...