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Solfari
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Places
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Earhart
: Dubliner
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After cleaning up from a day in Uppsala, I called back to the States and
talked with one of my confidants, Chris. I recanted the events of the
previous night and mentioned that I was thinking about staying in to save
money for the week in London. He was agreeable but as we talked, I realized
that I had a great time the night before and was spending my last night,
a Saturday night, in Stockholm. There really was no choice but to go
out and experience the Stockholm nightlife again. |
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I began by replenishing my cash supply, the ticket to my liquid oasis. I
walked around looking for a different Irish pub, but after spending an hour
and unable to locate it, I returned to the scene of the crime, Dubliner.
I was earlier this night. The band hadn't begun so I found a seat
at one of the many picnic tables usesd for general seating in front of the
band.
It wasn't long before I met my tablemates and began holding court with them
... our neighbors. For some reason, there was this "couple" at the next table
that was having way to much fun. I kept thinking, "Dude, with all the
beautiful ladies around, why are you hanging on your friend ... who's dressed
like a woman?" Some things are better left unanswered.
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When a Man loves a Woman?
Dubliner, Stockholm, Sweden
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The Dubliner is configured with a dining room and tables in the front. 2
Passageways lead into the main room with the band's area to the left, 2 rows
of picnic tables arranged end to end in the middle and a bar along the wall
to the right. As the bar assumes it's personality, people fill the area
between the picnic tables. On the wall, above the band, is a Toucan
balancing a Guiness on his beak. Classic.
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Irish Folk Rockers
Dubliner, Stockholm, Sweden
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While conducting research for my trip to Stockholm, I happened upon a site
that had a review of the Dubliner. The one key fact that I remember
was someone saying "Watch out for the pig-tailed Swedish girls when the band
starts because the flail their arms and hair every which way and you could
be in danger."
As the band cranked up the volume and intensity, an amazing thing happened.
Everyone at the tables rose to their feet and began dancing on their
seats. The young Swedish girls in front wildly shook their hair and
arms all over the place, just like in my research! |
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At this point, it was 1 am and I was friends with everyone in the area.
The music had also lifted me onto the table with everyone else. There
was not a Poindexter in the place. I struck up a conversation with a girl
next to me who had joined the team. Her name is the second most popular
song by one of Trailer Park America's favorite bands, Winger. And the
answer to the next natural question is "No, she wasn't seventeen."
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Madeleine was the most friendly face in this amazing crowd. We danced
on the table until 3 am when the band finally agreed that the night could
not go on forever.
Madeleine and I discussed Irish foreign policy over a final beer before
departing the Dubliner. Trading email addresses, I departed for the
lightening streets of Stockholm and, eventually, my hotel.
I've never found a bar where people were so friendly and happy to meet your
friendly American, Craig. It was such a revelation compared to the attitude
and cliques I am used to but Dubliner holds such a special place in my memory
that the trip S2K
was partially designed around the Dubliner.
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Madeleine
Dubliner, Stockholm, Sweden
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Solfari
:
Places
:
Earhart
: Dubliner
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