The goal for day one was to drink Guinness, see The Book of Kells and try not to fall asleep.  Mission accomplished.

After spending the 2011 new year in France, I’ve been trying to get back, even if just a week.  My friend, Bryan and I left on Thursday night from JFK and arrived in Dublin around 5:30 am Friday morning (still 12:30 am in NY, time to drink some Guinness, right?).  We sleepily stumbled off the plane, got some cash, stowed a bag and soon were off to the city center of Dublin.  We were dropped right next to Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest University, founded in 1592.  The walled campus is beautiful and quiet, providing a nice contrast from the surrounding bustling streets of Dublin.  Here are a few shots.

After some walking, we found Bewley’s Cafe, for a full traditional Irish breakfast.  Jet lag was officially setting in at this point, but we had to power through.  We stuffed our faces and then it was back to Trinity College to see The Book of Kells.  After our dose of culture, we headed out into the city to find some Guinness.  We hit up a few nice pubs, including Temple Bar, which is apparently the most famous in the area.

I don’t know this guy…he just seemed excited that I was taking a shot in front of Temple Bar so he thought he’d join me

After a few pints of Guinness is the best time to try some new photographic techniques, right?  I borrowed a 10 stop ND filter from a friend for this trip in anticipation of trying out some long daytime exposures.  I’m still working on figuring out some of the best techniques.  Here’s a first try on the Grand Canal in Dublin (I have some better ones I’m getting in Paris).

It was chilly on the canal bridge and beginning to rain, jet lag had set in 3 times over and we were just getting our fourth wind.  We ducked into Gallaghers Boxty House back in the Temple area for a hearty traditional lunch of bangers and mash and a Murphy’s stout before heading back to the airport.  All in all the “12 hour layover” experiment was a success.  In the future when traveling I may try this technique more.  It’s a little tiring, but can give you a great snapshot of a city in a very short amount of time.

 

I had never been to Chicago before.  ND had been once.  What better time to visit a place nicknamed the “Windy City” than in the heart of February?  Luckily (not so luckily for skiing) we’ve had an uncharacteristically warm winter for the northeast, which has seemed to translate out to the midwest.  We spent three days out there and the temperatures barely went below 40 and there wasn’t a cloud to be found in the deep blue sky (actually sounds like good skiing weather, if there was only snow).

Chicago is a beautiful city.  Around every corner you find yourself staring up at the amazing architecture.  Old buildings nestled in between huge sky scrapers, without the “closed in” feel of New York.  Being right on the shore of Lake Michigan adds to the beauty of the city, and I can only assume makes it even more awesome in the warmer weather.  Restaurant Week was starting when we arrived  and we were able to get a few last minute reservations to some great spots.  Between amazing prix fixe menus, deep dish pizza and brunch at The Drake (which you should really go to if you’re in Chicago), we had our fill of great food.  On top of a good deal of walking, shopping, eating and drinking, we were able to fit in a quick trip to the Art Institute to see some famous works of art and spend our day off like Ferris Bueller.

The Chicago river – looking towards Lake Michigan

The John Hancock Center and The Whitehall Hotel (our home base for a few days)

Entering Millenium Park

Cloud Gate Sculpture

NoMI on the 7th floor of the Hyatt for lunch and Marilyn

John Hancock Center, the Bean and looking west along the Chicago River

Millenium Park

The Bean, the city and ice skaters

Chicago gangster Tours

Ferris Wheel @ Navy Pier

Deep dish pizza @ Lou Malnati’s and beer @ Rock Bottom Brewery

Pano looking west along the Chicago River (wish we were out there for St. Patty’s when they dye the river green!)

Spending the day like Ferris at the Art Institute