Guinness Factory

Day 2

  Woke up for the morning orientation.  Walked out and found a group of Syracuse University students!!!! Happiest, craziest moment. There are 14 Syracuse students here. I knew that there were only going to be 2 others. I couldn’t believe it and was so excited. There are twins that just transferred into mechanical engineering and were already getting plans started. I loved it. Surprisingly, the majority of the kids are engineers. Again, amazed. Couldn’t handle it. I love having that kind of quality in common with people. Well, we were going to meet up again to go to the Guinness factory! First, met with the Spanish director or someone important to make sure that I will be able to handle the 2 Spanish classes I’m taking. Honestly, I think I’m going to need a lot more help than I think and I think that is what is going to make this semester so difficult. Anyways, we met and off we went.

   We arrived at the Guinness factory and I had been talking to everyone as I loved everything we shared. It was a great group of people. We began the tour. I bought a ticket for 18 years and younger just because why not and it’s cheaper. Then, we realized we get to go into a taste room and get a free pint at the end of the tour. Well, I didn’t meet the age requirement. The best part was the tasting room. In this room, it seemed almost like Charlie and the chocolate factory. The room was entirely white and there were 4 bowls that had the liquid nitrogen effect of the smell of the different types of beer. The woman behind the counter looked fake and angelic. Like a surgery room, or an insane one at that. Then, we went into another room where they taught us how to drink beer. Inhale, take a gulp...not a sip, and then drink it than exhale. You cannot sip it because then you get the bitterness. Mind blown. I actually didn’t mind the beer his time!

    A few mire stops and then the top! Here, we were given a free pint of Guinness while we looked over Dublin, Ireland. We stayed there a good amount of time where we just drank and talked. It was so comfortable. If you wondering, they didn’t even take my ticket and I don’t think, if they did, they would’ve noticed the age. Anyways, I don’t like beer, and/or the effects to your body, so I decided not to drink it but make sure to take the cup. This had to be done quickly because they come around and take it when it’s empty but there were cameras so yup. I did it and I’m so proud! I got a Guinness cup from the Guinness factory. And I don’t have any silverware or anything so that was nice to have and use.

    Well, and then off to Tesco. But while we were waiting for the bus and I went to grab tea, the group decided that oh wait we are just going to go to a bar and get some more beer. Well, it was a good surprise because then I wouldn’t have thought about it as much. We went to the first bar and I felt a little out of place and didn’t want to spend money on a beer I don’t ant to drink. The bar tender gave me free tastes but I still hated it but the Irish guy next to me made sure to finish the rest of the beers for me. We got to talking and it was really fun to meet a native. I love getting to know the culture and what he people are about. He seemed a little crazy. He said he got drunk by age 11 and did some drugs. This is when I found out that I think people do pot here just like in the states where it’s illegal but it’s still done. Well, then I talked to some other Irlandians and he offered me a taste of his drink. Again, so nice and kind. Talked with Ana and Colin and then off to another bar! Flanerys.  I think we were the first people there. I like the set up and it was nice but I wasn’t wearing the appropriate clothes and was cold and a little tired but YOLO.

   Still didn’t want to buy any beers. Ana bought me a mixed drink though. It was really sweet of her but I’m sure that was even worse for me haha. We met some Irlandians again and they were nice guys. Also, more kids met up with us from UCD.  Someone from Chicago, Danny.  So many things happening, it was great.

    Karolina, Kaylie, celeste and I went home around 230. I ate and Skyped and didn’t go to bed until 330. Me and not sleeping again. Oh, and I still don’t have sheets or covers for anything....