I ain't never seen nothin' like a Galway girl: St. Patrick's Day in Dublin...Is This For Real?

Thursday was St. Patrick's Day and boy do the Irish know how to celebrate it. We woke up early and went to Grafton Street. Here there were tons of people out and some of the stores were even open. We stopped in an Irish souvenir shop to get shot glasses that hang from your neck (even Oma wore one). At the end of Grafton street were people painting shamrocks on faces. I got one on my face to add even more green to my outfit. Once I got the shamrock painted on my face we headed to the street where the parade was going to be. We decided to get there early so that we could get a good spot because it gets very packed. We met these two girls who were standing near us. They were carrying a bottle of alcohol in their jackets and they were pretty drunk but also hilarious. They had their faces painted and kept singing to the guys in front of us who had big Irish hats on that were blocking their views. The girls definitely made the parade more enjoyable because without them the parade would have been very boring. The parade was made after a children's book that had chapters. One of the chapters was Galway which was really cool to see.

Pop Pop, Mom and Dylan at the parade.

Dad, me and Oma at the parade.

Dylan and me at the parade.

Oma with all her shot glass at the parade.

After the parade we were starving so we searched for a place for lunch, except everywhere was packed beyond belief. Finally we were stalking a table and got one so that we could sit down. We ordered drinks (obviously) and some lunch. After lunch I went to meet up with Christine and Liz at a bar in the Temple Bar District. The bar was also packed and Oma and Pop Pop decided to go back to the hotel to rest for dinner. Mom and Dad went into the bar with Dylan and I to have some drinks with my friends. It was a lot of fun and everyone was drunk. When Liz and I went to get drinks at the bar, this guy came up to me and asked me out on a date multiple times and eventually I said maybe and he handed me five Euros. Liz and I thought it was hilarious and I loved it even more because I got five Euros for nothing. My parents left the bar after a couple of drinks and Dylan and I decided to stay. We hung out and got some more drinks..Dylan even bought a round :)

Eventually it was time for dinner so Dylan and I decided to leave but my friends also left at the same time. We walked them to some restaurant and then headed to our dinner. Dinner was delicious. Mom didn't feel great so she went back to the hotel and Dylan went with her. Dad, Oma, Pop Pop and I stayed at the restaurant for awhile longer hanging out and talking. After dinner we walked back to the hotel where we got more drinks from the hotel bar. Dad and I went in to get the drinks and while at the bar a guy started talking to me and then tried stealing my "Irish Princess" tiara. I did not like that so I hit his arm away and told him not to touch my tiara. After a couple of rounds of drinks, everyone was exhausted from the festivities and I had to be up at 3:30a.m. to get a taxi to the airport. Overall it was an amazing St. Patrick's Day and one I will definitely never forget.