The Irish Experience

Since I was only planning on staying in Belfast, Ireland for less than 24 hours, I knew I had to work hard to get the Irish staples into my belly. I literally stepped off the plane and within an hour was sitting at a fish and chips dive , ready to be filled with greasy goodness. But I did not expect just how greasy fish and chips really , really, really are. The cod was fried so that the fried was an separate part of the meal itself. I could take the fish out of the fried, no problem. Not that I wanted to, the fried was the best part. But the fish itself was also soft and hot and just what I wanted it to be. I covered the whole plate with salt and vinegar just like I was supposed to, but also ended up dipping in the typical "H&P Brown Sauce". I guess fish and chips doesn't really have too much taste on its own. It's all in the fried.
The chips were thick and potatoey. Just like they should be. Ireland is a country of potatoes.
And what would an Irish night be without Guinness? I have literally never seen so many posters for a singular beer as I did last night. Every wall is covered in Guinness posters, slogans, lights.

The Guinness could have been a meal in itself. It was, by far, the thickest beer I have ever tasted. But it wasn't hard to get down- the frothy lager just cruised down my throat like it was supposed to. Thank God! I never would have been able to drink it on such a stomach full of fish and chips if it hadn't just slinked its way down on its own. Ahhhh the beauty of Guinness, the drinking is practially done for you.

I like Guinness. It had a nutty aftertaste, which my friend told me was almond. I didn't feel like I was drinking beer. It was a different taste all together. Apparently, the taste gets better the closer you get to Dublin, and the Guinness in America isn't the real Guinness at all. All I know is- I liked it.
I couldn't keep up the pace though. Too much fried- thick- heavy- goodness for my 5'2 frame. So I switched to cider beer- which is just what it sounds like. It tasted like cider. Dangerous, for those who are prone to forget they're drinking alcohol if it doesn't burn with every sip. Cider is... genius.

I wanted to wake up and have an Irish breakfast before getting on my plane to London, but I woke up a little late due to... last night's adventures. But I think Irish breakfast is usually meat and beans, and there is NO CHANCE I could have stomached that this morning. So, whatever. I did Ireland justice.