more parks, more cupcakes, a little less satisfaction

Today was the National Museum and National Library (woo Yeats exhibit!). The National Museum had a great cafe with very tempting food/desserts, but it was too early for lunch, so I settled for a coffee.



When we were done, our professor told us that the World Street Performance Olympics were going on, so we grabbed sandwiches at the Runner Bean and made our way over to Merion Square. (the Runner Bean had a ton of specials like soup and a sandwich for €5 or a make-your-own sandwich with two fillings and a coffee/tea for €5 and tons of organic, gluten-free, free-range products for pretty cheap)


I picked the parma (ham) pesto panini with melted brie. Delicious.



Fantastic atmosphere for a picnic lunch--we had the chance to see a funny (yet hairy) performer named Derek Derek from San Francisco and this act called Quick Change from Chicago. They were my favorite--if you get a chance, look them up on youtube. They've been featured on America's Got Talent and Oprah in addition to performing for 3 US presidents.

Then, in pursuit of a bakery called Buns, I ran into two Canadian tourists who needed help finding their hostel, which was supposed to be up the street from said bakery. I helped them to their hostel, but Buns was nowhere to be found. A few turns later and I hit the Parnell shopping center where I stumbled upon Johnny Cupcakes.

They were pretty, but kind of generic looking and I wasn't wowed. (these photos might give them too much credit)

perfect day.

Parks, cupcakes, baby animals, good food and people in silly costumes all make for the perfect day.


(lunch in Phoenix Park - my lunch was mushroom potato soup & brown bread. also pictured: my friend's panini)


successful cupcake hunt - I found Lolly & Cooks.



ginger lime cupcake (think less cinnamony gingerbread) and raspberry coconut (vanilla cupcake with a surprise raspberry baked on the bottom, coconut frosting and huge coconut flakes on top)


The perfect setting to enjoy them, though the ginger one was too crumbly to sandwich properly.




(this was obviously the highlight of my day - I spent a good 20 mins. watching them nibble)

then I saw my first Bloomsday re-enactors strolling on my way out of St. Stephen's square (appropriate considering Joyce referred to it as "my square")


and then I found Leonida's where I got to try 6 different chocolates for €1.

I am beaming all over.