We’ve been in Dublin for about two days now, and let me tell you, it does not disappoint! From the cobblestone streets to quaint, quiet neighborhoods to the overcast weather, this city is slowly carving out a special place in my heart.
My first impressions of the city… well, the weather is all over the place. One minute it’s raining, and the next the sun is out. Dublin is just like how I imagined a European city to be with small, winding streets and houses crammed right up next to each other. I also didn’t expect so many American restaurants to be here- it seems around every corner is a Subway or Burger King.
Dublin is not as different from home as I thought it would be. I was expected to come here and feel like I’m in a new world, and although there are differences, for the most part I don’t feel like I’m in Europe. As I said before, American chains such as McDonalds and Starbucks aren’t uncommon. I find when walking down the street, the people tend to have the same demeanor as in the States- fairly friendly, but definitely want to get to wherever they’re headed. And while the roads and drivers can be a little crazy, the wild intersections remind me of Pittsburgh.
Even though there’s a lot that reminds me of the ‘Burgh, there definitely are some differences. The landscape of the whole city is different- from the many, many tiny neighborhoods to winding roads, you can really see the history and tell that, like many European cities, it was not built with a modern mindset. It’s also interesting to contrast our huge skyscrapers with the low, cramped buildings here.
It’s a bit difficult to compare our accommodations here at StayCity with the ones we had at Hyatt Place in Charlotte since they are are two different setups- Hyatt was a regular hotel while StayCity is designed for more long-term stays. But, I will say that Hyatt employees were extremely friendly and helpful. Not to say that the staff here at StayCity is not, but Hyatt went above and beyond when it came to customer service. Whether it was the sweet receptionist Lucy chatting with us while we waited in the lobby or a maintenance man working in the hallways, they were always ready to offer a smile and “hello”.
I’m sure that I’ll recognize more similarities and differences in the days to come as we get a bit more familiar with Dublin. I’m so excited to continue to explore this incredible city!