Dublin!

---

Dublin is an interesting city and it was great to be able to spend Sunday catching up with my university friend Conor who now lives there. We walked around the city splitting up jaunts with pints of Guiness at various pubs. Known as the European Tiger, Ireland’s economy and economic policy are models many other countries are striving to replicate. Much like anywhere, the real estate and construction boom is in full swing. I was shocked to learn that simple pre-sold(!) apartments are fetching upwards of €400-600,000! 35 year mortgages and 0% down are not uncommon. Last week, the CEB (Centreal European Bank) raised rates for the first time signaling the beginning of the end of cheap money. Not much green space or parkland in Dublin although there is a large pedestrian only area full of the usual shops. The people were friendly and the Irish accent is soft and easy enough to comprehend. I’ve spent the better part of the morning attempting to reduce the weight of my check in baggage to meet RyanAir’s 15kg allowable weight. My pockets are stuffed with books and other heavy materials. While I look like a dough boy I have managed to reduce weight by over 6 kilos! FYI: if you are ever over in Europe flying RyanAir, they charge €8/kg for extra weight… no wonder they are profitable charging as little as €0.01 per flight! Off to London to visit my friend Krystyna and then to Scotland on Thursday. Have a great week! JDV.

---

Photos

Dublin
Conor and I in front of Trinity College

Dublin
Trinity College Spire

Comments

[Bill C.]

Enjoying
Am enjoying the blogs.

[Arash]

mmmm.....interest rates
Jason - please continue to keep us abreast of the latest happenings in European monetary and economic policy.

[Mel]

weight
Hey Jason, Maybe it would be easier to drop weight if you cut back on the Guiness! Mel

["Birmingham"]

Hello from Vancouver
Hey there! These blogs are so exciting. The photos really bring them to life! Have a great time in London - if you can, try to fit in a trip to BIRMINGHAM England! hahaha.

[Lynsey]

Conor...in a suit!!!

[Tiff&Paul]

Hey J
Hello! Didn't see our last two comments appear :( apparently this concept went over my head!! pic's are awesome - thanx for the updates :)

[Joe]

Conor!
Dress him up in a suit, but you still see the mark of the devil glinting in his eyes! It's a long way from Quilchena to Dublin, but I gather not too much has changed ;)