Character Buildings

Dublin, Ireland

Out of every country I've visited, Ireland might just be the easiest one I've moved around in - the convenience is just too good kiddies. It's an 'oppressed nation' (shared by the natives oh so many times) of storytellers in which a good friend of mine hails from, hence why I brought the ticket.

Dublin, Ireland (taken 2016)

Naturally one must get there first. I took the Ryanair flight out of London but unfortunately the flight was delayed for several hours so I was forced to lounge around Gatwick Airport. Luckily there were some ladies coming back from Egypt and a young couple, 'hipster-hat and her boyfriend', all of whom were on the same flight as me, to have a conversation with. That and some sponge-like excuse the United Kingdom calls McDonald's. Now, Dublin!

Dublin, Ireland (taken 2016)

I had two full days here before my bus to Belfast and I must say they were very good. For those who haven't been, walking around 'the black pool' is a memorable experience so make sure you have some shoes worth wearing out. I got my first taste of the city by taking a free walking tour (I love these things) with a friendly named Ian who was all sinful talk (swears I meaneth). I met him at my hostel, Jacob's Inn, on Talbot Street (DO NOT take the jar of Nutella at breakfast time!)

Incredibly hilarious Ian was; he shared Dublin's history with such enthusiasm and wasn't shy about putting down Irish architects; a digital clock in the dark brown River Liffey and the towering 'spike' in the city centre he dubbed 'the erection at the intersection' were some choice topics I can recall. Without getting into much colourful detail, everything he said can be summed up with these age appropriate words, 'They're really quite hopeless.'

Dublin, Ireland (taken 2016)

Moving on, that's all I needed to become acquainted with Dublin.

On that first day I had the priviledge of seeing some beautiful sights, some of which I hadn't anticipated. Trinity College was there of course, Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin Castle which I was overjoyed to learn was a filming location for Penny Dreadful. My inner fan boy was hoping to spy Helen McCrory paying a visit to the set but no such luck I'm afraid (THREE SEASONS IS NOT ENOUGH JOHN LOGAN!)

Dublin, Ireland (taken 2016)

Dublin most certainly has some nice architecture - take note that I'm not a Ted Moseby when it comes to architecture - and I have to say that the buildings, of which I saw, came with so much character. Now you can understand the title of this post. Just walking down a side street was enough to satisfy.

Now it's the second day, of which I saved my walk through Trinity College's amazing library for. Having read up on the city beforehand I was sure it'd be a trip to the Guiness Brewery for a few hours, despite my dislike for the fish guts, but the second day was all about happy accidents.

Dublin, Ireland (taken 2016)

The information desk at the airport gave me some information which revealed not only that Dublin has a leprechaun museum but that the city has been the home to many upon many famed and influential authors. I was embarrassed for having overlooked this little factor - I'm a huge reader and I want to have a novel published one day (the dream since I was nine years old) - so on that second day I had my free breakfast, made a list of what I needed to see and made sure I knew where to go. This was going to be good.

First stop, the Dublin Writers Museum. I couldn't take any photos inside the building but if I could I would have a shot of the first edition Dracula by Bram Stoker to induce some envy. I was inches away from this bad boy, one of my most favourite reads, and I will never forget it.

Dublin, Ireland (taken 2016)

Next I was onto the National Leprechaun Museum; since I was seven I've held a fascination with mythology and folklore so it's safe to say that I had plenty of fun here. The guide Sinead kept us laughing and informed, reinforcing the 'Ireland has been an oppressed' fact, and sharing everything about changelings, giants, banshees and of course, leprechauns. Fun fact, it's Disney's fault that leprechauns are green. Thought provoking, I know.

Dublin, Ireland (taken 2016)

After that it was a long walk through the city, taking in the character I've seen on so many James Joyce covers, passing the countless pubs and hearing Falling Slowly by Hansard and Irglova which the locals were divided over I believe - it was playing whilst I typed this up. Finding my way back to Trinity College, I bought a ticket for the library and turned the flash off on my Samsung.

There was the Book of Kells, the alleged Harp of Brian Boru and of course the Long Room itself. I've always wanted to see a traditional library with towering shelves one would need a ladder to access. Walking through it has since inspired a bit of weird fiction currently in the works; 'an Irish Elysium with a heart of Atonement' is all I'll say for now.

Dublin, Ireland (taken 2016)

Following that was a free spell in the National Gallery of Ireland - sorry, no pictures - and then a walk through Merrion Square in search of the Oscar Wilde statue. Had it been a dry and sunny day I would've dropped to the ground and opened a book in that picturesque garden. There was a peace.

Dublin, Ireland (taken 2016)

There's a lot to enjoy about Dublin, of that there is no doubt, and from here there's plenty more to embrace. Once more, Ireland is an easy nation to move around in. I don't know why I ever considered a tour group.        

Dublin, Ireland (taken 2016)

The Postcard Made Me Do It

Madrid, Spain

Booking that ticket to Spain always felt right to me; I mean the flight was dodgy and two fools were breaking into a mouth fight that the attendants had to break up but upon landing in Madrid I was feeling really positive. Some natives helped me navigate the train system, I felt like I could achieve wonders with my anorexic Spanish (I did not achieve many wonders with said anorexic Spanish) and the hostel I'd chosen was just beautiful. If I could voice only one criticism though, and this is about MYSELF, four days in the city was just too long for me.

Madrid, Spain (taken 2016)

So, Madrid - people were asking me a lot why I wasn't going to Rome or Paris, common stops in the old Europe, but Spain is as well; it's rich with a colourful history. Upon looking outside my dorm window on that first night and having chatted with a nice Korean girl who knew who Doona Bae was, I can say that I was intrigued.

Madrid, Spain (taken 2016)

I felt like I could be inspired by looking through that window and at the dorm itself; think it had something to do with the Ortega quote painted on the orange wall.

'Progress can only be achieved when we think big, it is only possible to advance when we look into the distance.' - Jose Ortega y Gasset

Madrid, Spain (taken 2016)

This is a city of badarses and classical architecture, crowded eateries which I sadly didn't become fluent in navigating (there's a lot of calamari here for those interested) and so many people in dress up; should you come by Dora the Explorer you will hence know her as Dora the Destroyer if the mask gets taken off.

Madrid, Spain (taken 2016)

There was a bicycle with a toilet installed on it parked in Plaza Mayor and the statue of a bear in Puerto del Sol (note Olaf from Frozen doing the rounds) that grants you good luck should you touch its leg.

Madrid, Spain (taken 2016)

I was left disbelieving when my cold at the time chose to stick around, eventually inducing a stint going up and down Calle Conde de Aranda in search of a clinic, Unidad Medica (nice people, they gave me free water), that spoke English. Should a receptionist happen to say 'botox' you know you've knocked on the wrong door.

Madrid, Spain (taken 2016)

The botox incident aside, amongst the Spanish Palace, the Cathedral, countless equine statues and the world's oldest restaurant, Sobrino de Botin (that's right, I stood outside that bad boy), here are some of MY personal favourites.

Kicking things off, here's a statue of a big green frog. I'll just let that sink in then, eh?

Madrid, Spain (taken 2016)

The Reina Sofia, one of Madrid's many and what I'm guessing contemporary galleries, is a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon since the entry is free; I stumbled across some works by Dali, Picasso and Rivera which my inner art student of thirteen years really appreciated. On The Dorito Tour I found myself finding so many museums and galleries by accident which really made my day. Other examples were in Dublin, Marrakech and Amsterdam.

Madrid, Spain (taken 2016)

Parque del Retiro's another stop which could possibly be the setting for a Spanish Blair Witch knock off - could definitely see myself wandering around these gardens and getting lost. The fountains and... el grande water feature (you can canoe across it) were picturesque, as well as the monument to Alfonso XII - they also serve good hot chocolate here. I would add that gypsies hang out around these parts so if some woman offers you a sprig of rosemary, just keep walking because she'll expect you to pay. If you're an Aussie though, demand a leg of lamb with it should you feel like evening the score.
 

Madrid, Spain (taken 2016)

Templo de Depod also gained my interest, mostly on account of the Egyptian temple they've got set up there. On my last night in Madrid I made the walk over to have a look - I got my times mixed up so I was unable to go inside said temple (first world problem, I know) but the area does come with a lovely sunset-esque view of the Cathedral. I learnt somewhere, I think from Nomadic Matt, that if you're ever in Madrid, find yourself a good view so I guess I did. Points.

Madrid, Spain (taken 2016)

Another highlight I'm happy to share is visiting my first foreign zoo - this was a travel moment I'm very proud of. I was still wary about navigating the train system of a country where I don't speak the language but I achieved the goal and wound up in Casa de Campo, an area that was reminding me a lot of Melbourne. The fauna on display brought a vibrancy to the place and there were some species I hadn't seen before. Originally I'd come because word was they had a black panther on display (I have a fetish and it's got nothing to do with Chadwick Boseman) but I was mistaken. No regrets though. It was a good morning.  

Madrid, Spain (taken 2016)

I'm an avid player of the game, Nomad, with simple and oh so humble needs. Nice, big eyesores are scattered through out the world, which I'm happy to see, but along the way there'll be something rather... ordinary, which I'll stop for. Madrid's little find was the Spanish flag, waving majestically in Plaza de Colon. Literally, I could spend an hour watching the red and yellow fly. One thing Spain's good for is providing points of fixation.

Madrid, Spain (taken 2016)

Lastly, and I'm hoping you've been wondering since this paragraph is happening because of it - how did I settle on this blog post's title? I stayed at U Hostel on Calle de Sagasta and I cannot voice enough how nice it was there; word is it's a boutique hostel which I'm trigger happy to agree with. The staff were helpful from the moment I walked through their doors, compassionate when I got sick (the eyes were bloodshot after a sleepless night kiddies) and they make some good churos for breakfast. All of that said, when you check out they'll give you a postcard of Plaza Mayor with a nice little saying printed across it.

(Taken 2016)

You get me now flock member?

Having stared at the postcard for the past few weeks, it gave me the inspiration for what to blog about next. U Hostel, muchas gracias. Estas palabras son para usted.