Dublin Arrival

Well, after a long flight across the Atlantic, we made it! It's just about 1 a.m. here in Dublin--it's safe to say we've found out just how fun jet lag is. So far the city is amazing! Yesterday was mostly spent adjusting, while today was spent at the National Museum of Ireland-Archaeology and exploring downtown. Lucky for us, Dublin hosted (apparently a very important) rugby match between two French teams today, so the streets were full of fans waving flags and chanting for their favorite team. Our official tour starts tomorrow, but here are some initial impressions and lessons we've learned from Eire.

1. The rugby Heineken Cup is essentially football saturday in East Lansing. We Americans definitely stole the idea of tailgating from the Irish.

2. You're never too old to wear a Superman, cow, or monkey costume to a sporting event. 

3. Our bodies will be 70% potato by the time we leave.

4. When crossing the street, look the wrong way. Or else you might almost get hit by a bus.

5. There are two types of Guinness--that served in America and that served in Ireland. The former doesn't even compare.

6. Don't expect to eat out after 9pm unless you want fish and chips from an Asian-owned restaurant. But don't worry, a pint will be available nearly 24 hours a day.

7. You can never escape Justin Timberlake or Maroon 5. 

Here are some pictures that we took today. They are of the canal right across the street from our hotel, our breakfast (complete with "salsa," which was actually marinara sauce), some rugby fans, a rally with live music before the match started, and one of the streets we have walked up and down at least six times already.