Dublin with the family: a few observations

We've been in Ireland for almost a week.  I'm as tired now as I was when we arrived... I'm not sure if it's getting harder to shake jet-lag with age (I never used to have a problem with it!) or if it's traveling with five tots six and under that lends itself to a state of perpetual exhaustion.  I imagine the truth lies somewhere in between.  

We've had a stellar time thus far and I will save the bulk of our adventures for a later post.  For now, I just wanted to share some random observations before they slip my mind, as things are ever more prone to do... again, leaving me wondering, is the issue age or exhaustion?!  Without further ado...

• There is no doubt that I have consumed more ham and bacon in the past week than I have in the past year.  Given this, I can't help but be surprised that there hasn't been even a single sighting of a pig.  There are cows and sheep aplenty but where oh where are they keeping the pigs that supply the bacon?!  Perhaps it's better if I just don't know...
• The bathrooms here are universally slippery.  It may be because it's always raining and the floors are slick and wet.  It may be because I'm usually in the bathroom with at least three tots who may slick the floors themselves with urine, soap, water or a combination of all three.  Regardless, the bathrooms are like slip and slides and should be treated with caution... especially after a pint of Guinness!
• Which leads me to my next observation.  I love the Guinness here!  It's great!  Why is this surprising?  Because at home, I wouldn't touch a pint of Guinness with a ten-foot pole.  Here though, a pint at lunch is mighty tasty as it washes down and grilled ham and cheese... again, the ham!
• I think I now know why the doors of Dublin are as lovely and colorful as they are... they break up the grey monotony of the drizzly days.  Don't get me wrong, I am a newfound fan of the Irish mist... it is refreshing and I daresay, is already doing wonders for my skin.  But one must admit that it gets a bit dreary and the bright-colored doors are like a ray of sunshine... a ray that I hope will appear before we depart!

Last but not least, I have to admit, this adventure has been tougher than anticipated... the world at large is not prepared to cater to a family of seven so rental cars, hotel rooms, taxis, restaurants, pretty much anything you can think of is a bit more challenging.  Even so, we're all enjoying ourselves, we haven't lost anyone yet and we look forward to the days to come.  More to follow, to be sure... :)