Well, it’s now the morning of the 3rd day, but I’ll now finish the what we did section of the 2nd day while I wait for my hair to dry a bit before blow drying it.
We walked all the way back to where we had been then on to the Guinness Storehouse. According to the web it’s a 3 mile walk. Feels shorter. On the walk there we passed a few more churches and such and had to marvel at the beauty. We’re also playing a game of “Guess the Denomination”. We’re mostly failing. I’m confused by a church that’s listed as both “Methodist” and “Romanian Orthodox” on the sign out front. Those don’t fit in my head.
As we approached the Storehouse, there was a sign directing us down a very narrow alley. We joked that we felt like this is the place we go to get sold into white slavery. It’s kind of a funny way to get to Dublin’s number one visitor attraction. It’s a long block back then another block after a right turn before you get to the entrance. We walked in and saw the enormous store and I knew I’d have to really work to restrain myself. We decided to hold shopping for last. We joined the queue for tickets. It wasn’t too bad. I’d heard horror stories. It was the first queue we’d had so far, so perhaps it’s a bit of perspective. 14 euro to get in. She asked if I wanted them to charge my card in euros or dollars. I just looked at her funny. Then I said, “Euros I guess.” I’d never been asked something like that. The ticket is a small, um, ovoid piece of plastic that has a drop of Guinness in it. There’s a black ring attached that you exchange for your complimentary pint of Guinness (or soft drink) at the end of the tour. You get to keep all but the black ring as a souvenir.
We entered the exhibit. It is very well laid out and an extremely multi-media experience. There’s basically a whole room dedicated to barley at the beginning. There was even a school group there that was taking notes at all the info signs. That was so odd. Then on to yeast, then hops, then water. Upstairs you get to the fifth ingredient: the master brewers. You get a bit of history. Then on to info about the cask making and the exports and countries making it and such. Then there’s a mezzanine with a tasting lab up the stairs. A woman in a lab coat provides everyone with a fresh taste. It was a fair amount. More than I could ever dream of drinking. I did however, manage to consume 5 whole sips before passing it over to Nicole. That’s beats my previous record of 1 sip of any beer at any given sitting. I tried so hard.
We walked back down and then took the escalator up to the next level. I don’t have my map on me. Remaining levels covered advertising, a learning center, more history. All the way up to the 9th floor with the gravity bar. This provides a 360 degree view of Dublin at, I believe, the highest point you can be. I was a wimp though and got a coke. I knew I wasn’t going to get anywhere with the Guinness. Nicole enjoyed hers and was feeling kinda drunk after that. She’d barely eaten. I hadn’t eaten anything.
Damn. I’ve gotta go to class. I’ll finish up day 2 later on day 3. I doubt there will be too much for day 3 until tonight.
