Ireland Training Lesson 1

Lesson 1:  You are no longer working at the speed of light.

The Ireland Training began at the car rental collection. The very nice gentleman behind the Sixt car rental company took one look at our 4 giant suitcases, 4 bodies, 4 backpacks, 3 carry-ons, 1 duffel bag, 1 mandolin, 1 laptop case and said “No bloody way you’re going to able to be fittin all that in the car you’ve chosen.   It tisn’t possible.”  The upgrade to a larger vehicle took some time, but what took the most time is trying to get the astronomical price of the car insurance lowered.  We had counted on using the only minute benefit having a Visa card provided—collision damage waiver (CDW)—on our rental car to avoid having to take out additional car insurance.  However, Ker found out after a 20 minute phone call to Visa that Ireland is one of only three countries they do not offer CDW coverage.  When we booked our car, we were amazed at how cheap the rental was going to be, we had just found out why.

Anyway, getting our rental squared away took well over an hour.  Something that in the states has taken us all of 15 minutes, here took us so long that I was able to take Colleen to the bathroom and still have time for her to need to go again at the end. 

Eventually, Ker had to admit defeat, take the insurance that Sixt offered and its huge price tag.  We took the shuttle with all of our baggage to the Sixt car lot and picked up our white mini-SUV Duster made by Dacia.  Employing our spatial awareness skills acquired by playing Tetris, we squeezed it all in although Colleen and Abby could not move or see out their windows.  I could see out my window, but could not move. 

Just to be clear, Ker and I have driven in Ireland when we came 10 years ago.  In fact, we drove around the entire island.  So, we were prepared for the drivers seat to be on the wrong side of the car and knew that we would need to drive on the wrong side of the road in a stick shift. 

Ker driving in Ireland

Driving in Ireland

More Driving in Ireland

Driving on a rural road in Ireland

However, we were traveling to our Dublin hotel just as rush hour in Ireland’ largest city began.  On the bright side, this gave us plenty of time to adjust to our new driving reality (it really is all about the Training).

It’s interesting to note that Irish drivers are the same as any other drivers we have encountered so far in our travels in the states and without.  They get impatient, they may or may not let you merge, and they may or may not be forgiving of other drivers. 

It matters very little how hospitable or amiable a region of people are reputed to be, when it comes to driving it all depends on the individual behind the wheel, I guess.