More Dublin

Saturday was another awesome day in Dublin – a good finale to this leg of the vacation, prior to setting off for Venice. Aside from clubbing, which was going to be a must, we didn’t have anything fixed and just set out wandering around the city. A few blocks into our stroll, we decided it would be nice to do a tour of the cathedrals, both Christ Church and St. Patrick’s. So off we went, thankful it wasn’t too windy and only drizzling lightly.

We finally made it to Christ Church Cathedral (the closer of the two and just 5 minutes walk from St. Patrick’s), bought tickets to go inside, and ventured in. It was very nice – no St. Peters – but very nice, with lovely glazed tile floors. As cathedrals go it was rather petit, but nonetheless very much worth the trip. But as we wended our way along the first long side (like all cathedrals, it’s shaped like a cross), we heard yelling, clapping, and the steady thump of a base drum. The noise got louder and louder, making us wonder what might be upon us. Giving each other the “oh, what the hell” look, we booked it for the doors to go and see what all the commotion was. And what a sight indeed!

As it turned out, we had stumbled upon Dublin’s Gay Pride Parade, ironically from inside a Cathedral. There was float after float of people, from sports teams to drag queens, couples getting married (or civil unions?) later that day. Even Google and a number of other companies sponsored floats. While standing and watching float after float pass, we turned to see two priests standing by the gates of Christ Church with one of their parishioners. “There’s trouble to be had,” we thought, wondering how the priests were going to handle the situation. But instead of frowning upon the event – much less heckling the parade’s participants, they stood smiling as the masses of floats and people passed. Some of the people walking (or dancing) in the parade even approached and handed them rainbow bookmarks and other multicolored items. The priests accepted the tokens with a great deal of gratitude apparent. And the next thing we knew, they were waving to those who passed – stopping short of cheering or clapping, we should add.

Mirah and I grinned at each other, thinking, “If this is possible…” and then “Can they get fired for this?” It was not our place to judge, but like the priests’, certainly ours to smile and wave. Ireland, or at least Dublin, was quite a progressive place and a really neat spot to spend a few days.

Some photos of our honeymoon. First, here's me looking contemplative in our "newlywed" shirts. 

And Mirah all dressed up for clubbing (and showing off her new haircut):

And, of course, Guinness as usual: 

Catch you later from Venice! 

Josh