Dublin Layover

I got a 35 euro flight from Berlin to Dublin and then a 215 euro flight from Dublin to New York. But I had to stay in Dublin for a night. Good thing I have family there.

I took a city bus to my Uncle John’s office. He took me out to lunch, and I was able to leave my bag with him.

I wandered around Dublin. It seemed pretty different without my mom or sister.

Then I stayed the night at John and Fiona’s. I met back up with their kids, my cousins, Mercy and Lola. They’re about 14 and 10 and we haven’t seen each other for a while, so it was weird to start off with, but then we got more comfortable with each other. I like them a lot.

I was happy to get on the plane. I had a sense of accomplishment, and I was excited to see my sister in New York, and be back in the US.

Ireland

Eleanor and I had a great time in Carlow at Grandpa’s house. We ate at the Seven Oaks hotel every day for lunch at 12:30. A good hearty meal: meat and “veg.” Grandpa eats there every day, a tradition that got boring for us a few days in.

We had small excursions while we were in Carlow: walks, seeing the Dollmen, which is a big, old granite rock of ancient-religious significance, grocery store, washing my sleeping bag. It was a pretty quiet time, but it was great to see mom, and just hang around.

Probably the highlight in Carlow was going over to our Uncle Bill’s and re-meeting our young cousins John (12) and Luke (8). They were a lot of fun, and they took to us fast. Uncle Bill also took us all out a second night for drinks. A lot of Guiness and Bulmer’s. Thanks Bill.

Then we went to our Auntie Jane’s in New Ross for the family reunion. It was a great time seeing everyone again. We had a lot of food, drink, and desserts.

It got sad though towards the end because Eleanor and I would be parting with Grandpa and Mom since our flight from Dublin was the next morning. Eleanor got pretty sad and that started me up too. But as Annie says “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

We got a ride to Dublin with our Auntie Lou, and met up with our cousins Dave and Louisa. It was awesome seeing them again; it was great “craic.” We made fun of family members, Irish-isms, American-isms — picking up where we left off. We had some drinks at the Lep and watched the Wimbeldon men’s final, a classic. Then we caught the bus to the airport.

After being cleared out of the restaurant areas including Starbuck’s and McDonald’s, where a lot of backpacker-types were trying to post up for a sleep, we found a bench of 4 chairs, with a table in-between. Camp Mayhem. It turned out to be a pretty good sleep and away from a lot of noise.

The next morning we took Aer Lingus to Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Dublin

We arrived in Dublin and met Mom at the airport.  She took us in to the city by bus and brought us to a pretty nice restaurant for lunch.  She was telling us that she’d treat us to everything.  Great!

I emailed Simon, my dear roommate who was studying briefly in Dublin, about meeting up.  I named Eason’s at 4pm, crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.

Eleanor, Mom, and I walked around the city, and visited the Book of Kells, which is an ornate copy of the four Gospels from the 8th century.  It was 5 years since I was in Ireland last.  But it hadn’t changed much.  My city, my love.

We approached Eason’s and I saw Simon.  Our eyes met.  Jubilation!  We embraced, exchanged glances, eyes locked.  He looked healthy and well.  Dear one.

We all went to a pub around the corner and had a pint, courtesy of Mom.  It was fun telling stories, laughing, singing, dancing.  Seeing Simon internationally was cool, and I’m glad it happened.  It lasted a little over an hour and then we headed on.  All the best, Si!

We took a train to Carlow to stay with Grandpa.  We met him at the station and it was another jubilation.  He was amazed and wondered if I had grown.  I think I have filled out a little bit from when I was 20; bean pole, skinny malinks.  We had a meal at his house, and then headed to bed.  Oh man, it was great sleeping in a queen sized bed all to myself in very quiet Carlow.