When they got here I showed them around Dublin and it was very exiting for me to show them where I have been living for almost a year. I took them to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, a depiction of the gospel dating from the 12th century, and The Long Room, the original library of Trinity which has been featured in many films due to its breathtaking ceilings. Then we went to Christchurch Cathedral and Dublin Castle. This is yet another thing I love about Europe, the way the history remains apart of the city, where it can be observed or remain unnoticed by passersby.
Their second night in Dublin we went to see an Irish band, Lunasa, play. We have seen this band perform several times over the years in Santa Fe and in California last year, I also had the opportunity to dance with them when I was in high school, so it was a special treat to finally get to see them play in Ireland. They were amazing, of course, and definitely a highlight of my parents' trip here.
Then my parents got to see the little office where I've been working and meet my boss and the artistic director of the company. We also had lunch with my friend (and their friend) R. and it was great for the four of us to be together since that has not happened in years! Oh and they met my boyfriend (eek!).
Then we set of for the West to Clare. My dad drove and I had anxiety attacks the entire time. Especially when my mom pointed out that he was on the wrong side of the road. In his defense the roads are very narrow, nonetheless you must be on the proper side of the road when a truck or tractor comes barreling down the other side. We stopped at Moran's on the Weir in Clarenbridge where my parents had been told to go for the best oysters. Oh boy were they ever. We had about two dozen. Washed down with a pint of Guinness, chips and seafood chowder. Yum. We stayed in a small town called Doolin which was perfectly picturesque which unfortunately has led to it's invasion of tourists. When we got there it was very cold and windy so we hunkered down in the pub and had an early night. The next day we drove up to the Cliffs of Moher and although I had already seen them their beauty begs to be seen again and again. Afterwards we drove to La Hinch, apparently a good surfing spot, and the sun was out so we had a nice long walk on the sandy beach. There were some brave people who were actually swimming but I was not one of them. We hopped back in the car and drove through a tiny town called Ennistimon and then onto The Burren, a beautiful and rugged landscape where we saw old burial tombs of the Druids dating back to the new stone age. Pretty impressive stuff. Then we drove back along the scenic coastal road to Doolin for one last night. The following morning we drove back to Dublin stopping, of course, for some more oysters from Moran's. Yes, they were good enough that we needed a second visit. Then for their final night I took my parents to see The Blue Boy, the production I assisted with in the Dublin Theatre Festival. It was a great and very moving performance (if I do say so myself) and I was glad that my parents were able to see something that I had participated on.
After my parents left I settled back into my seemingly more normal life. Then I went with my boyfriend to his friends birthday party at this very fancy french restaurant called French Paradox. At first I thought that was a strange name for a restaurant until I read the menu and couldn't make heads nor tails of it or decide what I wanted to eat. Then the name made complete sense, though I am not sure if that was their intention. We ended up ordering several things for the table to share. Including several bottles of wine. Never in my life have I eaten so much duck confit, fois gras, patee oh and cheese. It was a feast of duck like I had never seen before. It was great! Unfortunately it was also before I had to get up early the next day to get on a plane to Spain. But I am not complaining here...
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