updated ireland...I didn't have time to finish this earlier...so keep reading :)

Dublin was amazing! After class on Thursday Ryan and I hustled to get our bags packed and got to the bus station in time for the next bus. Justin, Corey, Megan, Jacob, Chrissie, Kelly, Joni, Ryan, and I were all on the same bus! The trip went fast because we were all able to sit by each other and talk. Justin and Jacob were going to Barcelona so Ryan and I gave them some tips and ideas of things to do while they were there. After it being so cold here I was a bit jealous that they were going to be relaxing on a beach!

We all checked in for our flights and headed to the gate. Ryan and I had a separate flight than the others, but we left 20 minutes after them so it actually worked out quite well! The flight was fast (about 50 minutes) and so pretty! We flew over water and saw a lot of the Ireland countryside and coast. The others all checked bags whereas Ryan and I just took carryons so we met them at there baggage claim and all got on a bus together.

There were about 30 of us from Nebraska that all went to Dublin this weekend and the only place that we could find to fit 18 of us to stay together was DCU--Dublin City University. We got off a bus stop to early and literally walked about a mile trying to find the dang thing! But we did! It was perfect! We were all in the same House, or dorm. Each 'apartment' had 5 rooms and a commons room. We each had our own bedroom, bathroom, shower, so nice! The commons room had a fridge, stove, toaster, microwave, oven, couches, and table.

Once getting settled in we all went to the nearest grocery store and bought breakfast foods, frozen pizzas (the guidebook said it was REALLY expensive to eat in Dublin), wine, and beer. Corey thought he found a deal on Coors Light--the first light beer we've seen since in Europe....the deal was for a different beer...he paid 45 euros for a case!!! It all worked out though because about 10 of the other Nebraskans staying with us didn't arrive until late Thursday night and the grocery store was closed, so Corey played bartender and sold his beers!!

Friday morning we all slept in for the first time in FAR too long! it was glorious!  At 1:00 all 30 nebraskans met at the guinness factory....again we got off a bus stop to early and had to walk FOREVER but it was nice because we got to see the city centre.  The factory was amazing!  We started by learning about hops and barley and how they get all the water, learned about the building and lease then to the tasting lab!  We got to try Guinness Northstar which is purely sold in Ireland it was really good!  Ryan and had about 6 samples...after touring the 5 floors we went to the 6th floor and ate at a restaurant.  Corey and Ryan each had Irish stew and Kelly and I got salad.  We finished our guinnesses and headed up to the 7th floor of the factory which was a 360 degree view of Ireland! It was really cool! We got free beers up there and hung out.  A bunch of the guys went to the Jameson Whiskey factory but after being there for 5 hours we were ready to get home!  We got home and had frozen pizzas and beer and just kind of hung out together.  ryan bought cards so we all felt like we were at home hanging out!  Saturday we woke up early and met at city center at 8 am.  We got on a bus tour of Wicklow Hills.  This was AMAZING. We stopped for coffee in a cute little valley called Glencre then kept driving up the hills and mountains.  We stopped about 6 times to take photos at various locations and we had to stop for the filming of the next James Bond movie!!!  We saw the crew and one of the cars in the movie with the stunt drivers driving it!  We got to do a walking tour of two lakes and a monastary as well.  We left at 9 and got home at 5 so it was a full day but so beautiful!  If you ever come to Ireland you HAVE to do this!  I can't emphasize that enough!

Saturday after the tour we got home and rested and then got ready to go downtown.  It was raining at this point.  We got off on a bus stop TOO late and had to walk again (we clearly didn't have the transportation thing down in dublin!).  The Temple bar was packed! You couldn't move at all!  It was even worse because there was a group of about 20 of us so we got separated.  After all gathering out front we went to a huge dance club.  It was four floors, four djs, huge huge huge.  We had a drink then found our final spot.  We went to the Brazen head which is the oldest pub in Dublin!  We had a good time and then took a taxi home because it was pouring so bad!

Sunday we slept in and checked out at 11.  Then we went and shopped a bit downtown and ate at TGI Fridays.  We needed some American food!!  It was so expensive...but since we hadn't eaten out at all we splurged!  Then we went to the airport and we were all on the same plane home!  At 11 pm we caught a bus from London to Oxford with some of the other Nebraska ppl ad made it back to oxford a little after midnight.

Overall Dublin was great and I can't wait to go back...as with everywhere else I've been!