Dublin: Part 2

Hello family and friends!
Ok, so i hope this whole blog thing is working out for everyone. We'll see how it goes.
So to catch up on everything else in Dublin...
I went to the Guinness Factory!! Not a world record store my friends... but a heck of a tour. :) They have displays set up on every floor about the history and process of their beer. And it ends on the top floor, at Gravity Bar- which is a big, circular room, w/ glass windows all the way around, so you get a fantastic 360 view of Dublin. And in the middle is a bar where they serve a pint of Guinness to everyone once they complete the tour. No worries there... Guinness is gross.
We also took a walking tour of Dublin, visited the Dublin Zoo (definite highlight), saw the Book of Kells (which i was really looking forward to, but it turned out to be awfully BORING), toured Trinity College (which is really old and really beautiful... totally reminded me of Vanguard... um, or not quite)
We visited the Kilmainham Gaol/Prison... that was really somber... but morbidly fascinating as well. The tour was heavy and rather depressing; however, it really helped get a better grasp on Irelands history.
Oh ya, we took a day trip to the city of Cork as well. It was freezing all day and the gloom made the city feel especially quiet. Then compared to Dublin, most places are quiet. We managed to find some great photo spots though and toured a Beautiful church, called St. Finn Barre's Cathedral. Christians have been gathering to worship there for over a thousand years. It's incredible to think how many times God had been glorified in the same spot I was standing. There's something tangible about faith in a moment where i could recognize the years of history behind my personal conviction to serve God. I hope to experience that intensity of pride in my God at other points of this tip. I'm sure there will be those opportunities. Not that my faith or security is dependent on experiences or feeling, but simply for the sake of having my breath taken away. All in all, Cork wasn't too excitiing, but that church was definitely worth the 3 hour train ride.
Overall... my perception of Dublin drastically changed from beginning to end. I think my adrenaline rush in the beginning clouded my vision on the city at first. In retrospect, Ireland had a depressing overtone in general to it, at least Dublin did. I'm sure my perception of it is also largely affected by the particular literature I've been reading on it for classes. James Joyce wasn't entirely sold on his homeland and every short story our clas read seemed to reinforce that feeling. Even W. B. Yeats poetry was down. Not to mention the gloomy weather didn't help. But even with all of that aside, I think that as I've left, I'm maybe able to see it more objectively and recognize the sense of heaviness and even spiritual oppression that seems to hang over the city. Literally, it seems the entire city thrives on alcohol. It's sad... But at the same time, there is still much to appreciate, lots that i learned, and wonderful memories that im thankful for. Good times were definitely had.
Anyway, I'll update on Scotland soon. Sorry I'm so behind. I'm trying my hardest to upload my pictures here so everyone can see the places I'm talking about. I'll try and do that soon! :) Thank you all so much for your emails. Everytime i check my mail and find one from a friend, (rather than some lame spam) i get so excited! Thank you for thinking of me! It helps home not seem so far away. Keep 'em coming! :) You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Love, Love, Melody