May 3rd, 2017: Arrival/Dublin

After two airplane flights, our group of 26 arrived in Dublin this morning, where we were picked up by our amazing bus driver and tour guide, Jerry. He took us on a bus tour around Dublin to give us all an idea of where places and monuments in the city are. Before arriving to our Hotel, we stopped at Phoenix park and climbed the steps at the cross monument, called the Papal Cross, where Pope John Paul II had held mass at for over a million people in 1979. And although we did not exit the coach to view it, we were able to see the Wellington Testimony (an obelisk over 62 meters tall) while on the road. 

Fun fact: the President of the Republic of Ireland also lives in a white house, just like our President back in the States. Both of the “white houses” were designed by the same architect.

After checking in our hotel, we were on our own for dinner. While it took some of us a bit longer than expected to find a restaurant near our hotel, it gave us all a chance to walk around the lovely city of Dublin. Some of us were lucky enough to stumble upon some live traditional Irish music at a pub at 5:30 in the afternoon!

Needless to say, we are all excited for the adventures that await us! Sláinte! (Cheers!)

-Abby and Caroline