Day 4 - 1/20/15

It was not the best night of sleep - partially because OMG I MET HIM and partially due to excitement of my trip to Belfast!! 

There was a bit of snow but the walk to the train station was quick. Again everything went smoothly with getting the ticket and getting on the correct sleek train (parts from my company, perhaps?). The little personal treat was getting something from the trolley a la Harry Potter. 

I have always been fascinated by the tragedy but never focused on all the work that went into building the ship.  I was overcome with emotion mid-way thru the Titanic Museum and found myself in tears for the rest of the day (openly weeping when I got to the dry dock). 

The second part of the tour was the Pump House and Dry Dock.  It’s about a mile and a half away from the museum and you walk there under the watch of
Harland and Wolff's - Samson and Goliath. 

It had started to rain while I walked over and it continued all the while that I explored the dry dock.  The coffee that I had in the gift shop afterwards was divine!!

I got back to Dublin and headed to a pub for dinner.  I knew it was the right place because a Pixies song started playing right as I walked in!

Day 3 - 1/19/15

 

It was a clear morning so the decision to hoof it to Guinness Brewery was a no brainer since the view from the Gravity Bar was part of the attraction.

 

I had a moment at the name branded gates - it's just not done that way anymore and the pride of their product is quite evident.  Another musical coincidence – “All Night Long” was playing as I waited for my end of tour Guinness to build.   

 

I met a few dogs during the walk back towards downtown – a corgi mix, a Jack Russell and one that looked like a weasel.   

Pre-movie premiere drinks were at the Cellar and I enjoyed the posh little nibbles, service (“Here you go, madam”) and ambiance. 

 

I did geek out a bit when walking into the IFI, there was an actual red carpet.  But then again, it was the Irish premiere of Ex Machina so I should have expected it. 

 

The Q & A afterwards was very interesting and we got both the acting and directing perspectives.  (even a Star Wars joke because even though they know the answer will be NO, people still have to ask)   

And my fortune cookie came true!!!  There are no exact words to describe the situation but I’m glad that I approached him to say hello.  For the “pictures or it didn’t happen” crowd, I have to say that since it’s not like here in the states, I would have made it extremely weird.  We had a nice chat and I tried my best not to be the crazy loud American.  He is SO nice and also seemed genuinely surprised when I told him that the play inspired my trip.