Dublin on A Dime

Cheap Beer!
Photo © Julie Finley

Tip #5: If you think you need to drink a lot of Guinness while you’re in Dublin. . . be prepared to take out a second mortgage!

It typically runs seven euros a pint (which is about ten American dollars), and it honestly doesn’t taste any different than if you were to buy it on tap stateside. (So if you really feel you NEED to get one, just buy one! If you want to get drunk as a skunk. . . buy the cheap stuff in Lidl!)

One thing that unfortunately happened when I was there. . . I got sick! I landed in Dublin with an abscessed wisdom tooth. That really sucked, and I was in excruciating pain. I was hoping the pain would subside and I could just wait until I got back into the United States to get it looked at, but it was relentless. I had to do something!

Considering I have never had to get medical treatment in a foreign land, I wasn’t even sure what to do. So I walked into a Pharmacy for some guidance, and I got much more than I had anticipated. There was a clinic in the back of the place, and I was able to see a doctor literally within five minutes (and this was a Saturday morning, mind you)! I don’t know if it was a great coincidence, but I’ve never had that kind of service ANYWHERE in the United States.

Pharmacy
Photo © Julie Finley

I was out of there quickly, and was given some awesome antibiotics that pretty much kicked in immediately. It took about a day to feel better, so only one day was wasted on my short trip. I don’t think I have ever taken antibiotics that ever worked so quickly, and guess what? The kind they gave me is not available in the United States (surprise, surprise)!

This wasn’t an inexpensive detour, however; my insurance company said they would cover it with reimbursements and they of course, lied! If I had been a member of the European Union, this would’ve been free, but since I am not, it ended up being about 120 euros for emergency treatment and medication. Pretty steep, but. . . it was worth every penny.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6