The other Irish drink

Of course no visit to Ireland would be complete, and indeed is required by Irish law, without a visit to the Guinese brewery. It also boasts the tallest building in Dublin and the view from the bar at the top really does show how flat Dublin is. Apparently it's a city ordinance that nothing can be greater than 60m, with the exception of the Guinness brewery. Beer needs an unobstructed view to brew properly.

Time: 1809h

Temperature: 10°C

Beer: Guiness

Intoxication: working on it

Visited Jameson's Distillery

I could hardly come to Dublin and not visit the old Jameson distillery, even if Jameson is no longer made here.

An interesting visit that cumulated in a whiskey tasting comparing Jameson, "a leading Scotch" (Johnny Walker Black) and an "American Bourbon" (Jack Daniels).

The coughing when people tried the Johnny Walker was amusing.

Finally they offered us a nice drink of Jameson at the end of the tour, which of course I felt obligated to take them up on (it would be rude not too!)

Time: 1530h

Temperature: 10°C

Jameson: Smooth, honey.

The tourist thing

Today I was finally able to do the real tourist thing. With the stressful stuff behind me, I did a relaxing walk around town on my meandering way to my new accomodation.

Location: Newmarket Square, Dublin
Temperature: 12°C
Time: 2250h
Accomodation: Budget but good.

 

Talisker 25

So I did intend to only drink Irish whiskeys whilst here, but the pub I'm at has Talisker 25, which tends to go for $450 to $500 a bottle in NZ and is difficult to find at bars. So I'm having a glass of it here. I have to say it's worth it, even though I'll probably never buy a bottle.

Onward to the other side of town

Time: 0700h
Temperature: 11°C.
Sky: Dark

My sleep pattern is still a bit off, sleeping at 9pm, waking at 5am. Oh well, at least I get a good start on breakfast at 7am.

Today I change accomodations from the Google provided hotel to Airbnb, with my host Ismenia. It's not too far away, but as I understand my local geography, it would be regarded as the other side of the city. I was most surprised to find that Dublin's population is only 500,000. I figured that, being a small town Auckland boy, every city in the northern hemisphere would leave me breathless at the population. Living here would seems like it would be odd for me, moving from a "big" city like Auckland.

I shall endeavour to disprove my old man status by staying up past 9pm tonight.

Alea iacta est

The die has been cast. It is done. What will be will be.

Obviously I won't speak to any technical detail, but I will say that if I do fail, then it was of my own merits, or lack of. They went out of their way to help me succeed. I never felt at any point that I was getting the short end, or that it was unfair. When I struggled with an answer, I was helped along. I was never cast adrift.

I have to say it's one of the fairest interview methods I've ever experienced. Whilst it may well be one of the hardest places to get into, and the interviews may be tough, in that you have to do very well to succeed, the whole process seemed geared to help the interviewee. I will definitely be taking my experience and applying it in future roles.

As for "how well did I do"? I didn't flail around, but as mentioned, it felt like it was almost impossible to "fail". So I have no idea.

If I don't get it, it wasn't for lack of trying, and only the best and brightest get in.

Location: Dublin, Ireland
Temperature: 4°C
Experience: Surreal

This is it

Today is the day.