Dublin's Drizzle & Dubious Decisions (A Vintage Picker's Lament)
okay, so dublin. it’s…a lot. i landed yesterday, and honestly, i’m still peeling the damp off my soul. i’m a *vintage clothes picker, right? so i’m always on the hunt, always digging. and dublin should be a goldmine. it’s got history oozing from every cobblestone, which usually translates to amazing finds. but it’s also got this…persistent mist. i just checked and it’s basically liquid grey right now, hope you’re into that sort of thing.
first impressions? the airport was fine. standard. but getting into the city center… chaos. beautiful chaos, but chaos nonetheless. the taxi driver tried to convince me that leprechauns control the traffic lights. i’m not even kidding. he was very serious. i think he’d had a long day.
my airbnb is…cozy. which is code for “small and slightly damp.” the landlady, mrs. o’malley, is a sweetheart, though. she gave me a list of “proper pubs” and warned me about the seagulls. apparently, they’re ruthless. she said, and i quote, “they’ll steal the fillings right outta yer teeth, they will!” i’m taking that seriously. you can find more info about Dublin Airbnbs here: https://www.airbnb.com/s/Dublin--Ireland/homes.
so, the vintage hunt. i started on george’s street arcade. it’s…okay. a bit touristy, honestly. lots of the same stuff repeated. i overheard someone saying that the real gems are hidden in the charity shops further out, like in portobello. i’m planning a trip there tomorrow. someone told me that the Oxfam shop there is legendary. https://www.oxfam.org.uk/shops/shop-finder/ireland/dublin/portobello-shop. i also saw a review on Yelp about a place called “vintage republic” - apparently, it’s pricey but worth it if you’re looking for something really special: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Vintage+Clothing&find_loc=Dublin.
“don’t trust anyone who offers you a ‘genuine’ shillelagh. it’s probably a tourist trap.”
that’s what a bloke in a pub told me. he was nursing a pint of guinness and looked like he’d seen things. i’m taking his advice. i’m sticking to the clothes. i did find a gorgeous 1960s floral dress today, though! it was tucked away in a tiny shop on capel street. the owner, a lovely woman named agnes, said it belonged to her grandmother. it was a steal.
The weather* is…well, it’s dublin. expect rain. and wind. and more rain. layers are your friend. seriously. i’m wearing three sweaters right now and i’m still cold. the temperature is around 5.96 degrees celsius, feels like 4.76, with a minimum of 4.71 and a max of 5.96. the pressure is 1018, humidity is 78%, and the sea level is 1018, ground level 996. i don't know why i'm telling you this, it just feels...important.
if you get restless, wicklow mountains are just a short drive away, offering a completely different vibe. i’m thinking of taking a day trip next week. i’ve been reading about glendalough - apparently, it’s stunning. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g186602-Wicklow_County_Eastern_Ireland-Vacations.html.
“the best fish and chips are at Leo Burdock’s. don’t even bother with the others.”
that’s what the taxi driver from the airport said. i haven’t tried it yet, but i’m willing to take his word for it. he seemed very passionate about fish and chips. i'm also seeing a lot of recommendations for The Winding Stair, a bookshop and restaurant: https://winding-stair.com/.
overall? dublin is…challenging. but charming. and definitely worth exploring. just bring a raincoat, a sense of humor, and a healthy skepticism of leprechaun-related traffic advice. and maybe a hat. the seagulls are watching.
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