Catching up in NI

Written by:  Amy sitting in a hostel in Portrush NI listening to the hostel staff loudly decompress in a mixture of French and English after their day.

It's interesting listening to others as they discuss their everyday lives.  For the women behind me, they work in the service industry in a very popular beach destination in Northern Ireland.  They switch effortlessly between French and English--natives in both tongues.  I also detect a Slavic word or two.  Such fluency is beyond my capabilities, so I listen in awe to their most mundane conversation about whose socks are being worn by whom right now.  Do these young women know that they are switching back and forth?  Do they know they possess the language skill so far above my own that I am humbled by their talk of what duties are to be finished before tomorrow morning.  They don't know this, but they are goddesses in my eyes.

But, you are probably wondering how I got to Portrush.  Didn't the story end with me and Colleen in Dublin enjoying that fair city?  We did enjoy.  But, we were only there for a short time.  We needed to pick up the car at the airport and head to Armagh.  And, that's just what we did. 

Airport rental agent:  Is a manual going to be okay?
Amy:  Yes.
Airport rental agent (speaking slower):  Do you know how to drive a car with gears?
Amy:  Yes, I know how to drive a manual transmission.
Airport rental agent (hesitates before he says):  So, you feel okay about a stick shift?
Amy (eye brow going up, but no change in tone):  Yes.  I am familiar with how to change gears in a stick shift.
Airport rental agent (leaning in):  Are you sure you are okay with a manual?  And a clutch, you know?
Amy (no change in tone or inflection on the outside):  Yes.  Thank you for your concern.  I know how to drive a manual transmission and how to use a clutch to change gears.
Airport rental agent (less formally):  This car is not an automatic, ya know?  
Amy:  Yes.  You've said that.  I'm okay with that.  
Airport rental agent:  If you're sure then.  Cheers.
Amy's internal dialogue:  Yes, you condescending twit, I know how to drive a manual transmission.  I grew up on a feckin farm.  On tractors.  With....gears!  And then transitioned to other motor vehicles...with gears.  And rode motorcycles...with gears.  And have owned cars for years...with gears.  And clutches.  Let me tell you about all the clutches in my life.  But, why bother telling you something I've already confirmed 4 times.  Nah, I'll just let you wonder now.

Renting a car here in Ireland is not a cheap thing.  You are suckered in by the fairly cheap daily rate offered on the popular car rental sites.  But, you are unaware that because Ireland is a left driving country, you must have the king's ransom of insurance.  

Ker found a great offer from Expedia that reduced the $28 a day insurance to roughly $15 per day.  But, I found out at the counter after waiting 45 minutes, that the insurance Ker and I had purchased covered the cost of a $35,000 car--not a €35,000 which would amount to a difference of around $2800 not covered.  This was a deal breaker for the rental car company and necessitated a 4 am call to Kerry to strategize the best way forward through this debacle.  This was more challenging due to the way we have to communicate--Skype.  Which didn't work.  I switched to FaceTime, but that was a little awkward for Ker as he was still in his sleepy time scenario.  Also, we had the added fun of sorting out the credit cards who all thought I was still in Oregon.  Even after I had put in my travel alerts.   But, we sorted it.  We bowed to the inevitable and took the outrageous insurance being foisted on us by the car rental company who shall not be named.  It only took 2.5 hours to sort.  But, then it was sorted and we were in the car, driving on the left side of the road on the left side of the car...with 6 gears and clutches.  Gasp!

Off we went onto the motorway headed north to Armagh.  It was like riding a bike.  It all comes rushing back.  The ride took 1.5 hours and I started recognizing familiar landmarks and towns and then we were there...Armagh.  It was familiar and not all at the same time.  We drove right to the Armagh Youth Hostel and settled in.  They took very good care of us during our 5 night stay there. It was stark and industrial, but the staff there was so great.  I've not been in a bunk bed in far longer than I'm going to admit.  But, Colleen chose the top bunk and I followed suit.  Plus, the bottom bunks looked a little coffin-like for me.

Bottom bunk needs space!

Our room in the hostel

This is our bathroom

After settling in, we got some dinner and bedded down for the night.

Dublin Version 1.0

20 June 2019

Written by:  Amy sitting in the common lounge space in Armagh City Youth Hostel while Colleen gets some alone time in the room.

We are only in Dublin one full day before we are headed up to Armagh.  We'll be back to Dublin several times this trip, so I'm not worried if we don't see everything in the next 2 days.  But, it's up and out for us.  Well, those of you that have lived with Colleen know that up and out is dependent on Colleen being in the same time zone as you are.  Tina has given her Tina's old time zone.  Such a great gift.  So, Colleen runs a little behind.   Which is sometimes very fine.  And sometimes--like when you need coffee and it's downstairs in the dining room along with your breakfast--it's not very fine.

BREAD!! My Precious.

But it is all worth it because coffee happened.  And so did bread and toast and Irish bacon and FOOD!  So great to sit and have it all there for you buffet style.  Yum!

Then we collected our things and walked towards Trinity College to the bank that's across the street.  No luck there, I'm afraid.  Going to have to do the money thing the hard way for a bit.

There's Geometry in there!

After the bank it was over to the tourist information center for some directions to Dublin Castle.  But, before we could go through the castle, we were distracted by a library--The Chester Beatty Library.  Adjacent to the castle, this library holds the collections of Sir Alfred Chester Beatty.  Entry is free so we popped in and had a look through some of the extremely cool stuffs on display there.  Beatty collected ancient sacred texts from many different religions.  On display were many different copies of the quran and the bible.   Beside them were collections of eastern asian religious texts, scrolls and items.  Very cool.  We love a good library!  You will all not be shocked to discover that my favorite part was a geometry text.  I really wanted to stay and have a real look at it, but there's so much to see.

St. Patrick's Cathedral. 

No ghost dog here.

After Chester, we headed on over to St. Patrick's Cathedral.  Colleen heard tell of a Captain who saved many lives that is buried there in the cemetery.  On his grave site some people claim to see the ghost of his dog who never left his side.  I was going to take Colleen through the cathedral, but you have to pay to get in.  You don't have to pay to traverse the cool maze in the courtyard, which was fun.

You shouldn't have to pay to get into a church.  I don't know why that strikes me the wrong way, but it does.  So, no, no, St. Patrick's Cathedral church for us.  Instead we walked around the block to find the Captain's grave and what do we see?  No, not a dog on his grave....another library.  The Marsh Library is the oldest open-to-the-public library in Dublin.  They had a Bram Stoker exhibition going on while we were there.

Marsh Library

To the couple from Phoenix in front of us in the Marsh Library--please, please, do not go into a library and ask if anyone has read the books in it.  It's such a tacky question.  And, it's really embarrassing to hear you ask it and even more uncomfortable to hear you rephrase the question when the 2 librarians assure you that people do read the texts.  It's a library!  Of course someone reads the books.  Sigh.

After the Marsh Library which was way cool, it was time for some coffee and lunch.  We went to a great cafe and had some really good food.  Win!

Then it was off to Christ Church.  We have been to Christ Church during the night that Dublin opened it's doors to everyone when we were living on the island.  But, this time, we took the guided tour which included the bell tower and the crypt.  Our tour guide was excellent--funny, pun-y, engaging and inclusive  We had a marvelous time, learned a ton and Colleen got to ring a bell in the bell tower. The weight of the bell was enough to pull her off her feet while she was pulling the rope.  The bell tower was so cool.  Did you know that the bells swing 360?  It's an amazing engineering feat.  Especially when you consider the largest bell is over 2 tons.

On top of Christ Church

Ringing the Bells over Dublin

Temple Bar and Colleen

I wanted Colleen to see the Temple Bar area, so we headed there in between the rain drops.  I have no idea why I thought she needed to see this area.  It's cool and all, but we're not drinkers.  None of us.  We waited in a cafe until the rain had past.  By then, Colleen had had enough of walking so we ambled on back to the hotel and had some down time.  We paused our down time just enough to grab a bit to eat at a poshy restaurant near the hotel.  They were very disappointed when we split an order of fish and chips.  No 1000 quid dinner for us, thank you. But, the lady and gents next door had enough alcohol and food to more than make up for us.



We were knackered after that so it was back to trying to fall asleep.

Awake despite the best intentions.

Date:  20 June 2019

Written by: Amy sitting up in bed at the Leeson Bridge Guesthouse

I’ve committed the cardinal sin of not being able to sleep.  And, I’ve done everything right to combat the eight hour time difference between Oregon and Ireland.  I'm convinced that there's an optimal algorithm that will lead to an easier adjustment. I followed it to a T.

First, I stayed up for the first flight—which was amazingly smooth, go American Airlines!  Next, I slept as much as one can on a plane for the 7.5-hour flight to Dublin.  There were some spots of turbulence and some screaming by a couple of toddlers.  But, again, surprisingly comfortable and smooth.  They fed us twice!  Once I landed, I kept busy all day when we were on the ground.  But, especially do not sleep until after 10 pm.  I did all of that!  But, I was up at midnight which would be 4pm Oregon time.  It’s now almost 2 am Irish time and I’ve given up on sleep for the moment and am thinking about how today felt even through the tired.

It happened when I stepped onto the pedestrian bridge that leads to the parking garage—it always does right at that moment in that spot.  It’s not when I see the immense green out the airplane window.  It’s not when I zoom pass the non-EU immigration (which never gets old).  It’s not even when I’m surrounded by the sound of Irish voices.  For me, it happens at that one specific pedestrian bridge.  I’m in Ireland.  I’m here and there’s a sense of rightness that I’m supposed to be here and that I’ve been here all along.  And, I’m smiling before I even know it.  I turn to Colleen and I know she recognizes this spot too.  While I know this feeling crashes over me, it’s nice that she gets sprinkled by it.

We are dragging our luggage out the terminal and right into the bus we need to take us to our lodging for 2 nights.  It was great.  No waiting.  Then it’s the realization that I’ve no nav until we get our SIM cards in the phones.  So, which direction should we take to quickly get to the guest house before Colleen--who hasn’t slept at all—realizes that I’m winging it?  We make it.  Mostly because we’re already on the correct street and I saw the sign for the lodging a few blocks before our stop.  Dumb luck or some helpful guardian angels working overtime.  And I’m grateful for it.

We were too early to get into our room but our luggage can stay. So, I dragged a very pale Colleen to the Tesco for SIM cards and the Bank of Ireland to straighten out our debit cards.  We had better luck with the SIM cards.  But, at least I know what happened with our bank cards and was helped by a very nice gentleman named Darren who would like me to come back in the morning when he works so he can see this dilemma through.  No bother.  I’ll head on over in the morning.  It’ll be grand.

Colleen is in there somewhere.

Then back to the room because if Colleen doesn’t get some sleep, she’s going to be ill.  She gets 2.5 hours and no more.  During that time, I’m setting up our phones.  But, then it’s wake up time for Colleen because I’m hungry.  So, through St. Stephen’s Green on our way to Dawson Street for some grub.  We ate at O’Neill’s because I was lured that way by the drum line. I love street performers!  And we popped into the pub to see the publican rocking out to the drums outside.  We shared a carvery meal because it comes with 6 sides!  6 scrumptious side dishes that filled both of us up.  Colleen had to decide between dessert at O’Neil’s or gelato.  Tough choice, but gelato won.  So, out we go into the….rain?

Drums!

I needed an umbrella then Colleen needed to go back to the restaurant because she forgot her purse.  No problem!  I’ll hang out in Boots picking up the toiletries we had to leave behind then we’ll meet up and do umbrella, gelato and walking home in the rain to Skype with Ker and Mom.

Which leads me to bed and leads me to right now.  2:30 am and time for another try at bed.  Good night!

Here's some of St. Stephen's Green and rush hour in Dublin:

Center of St. Stephen's Green

Getting into the park

Look at all those busy humans going home from work.

Up, Up, and Away!

Date:  18 June 2019

Written by: Amy sitting next to Colleen on our flight to Chicago on our way to Dublin PDT 1:30.

Obligatory PDX carpet photo

The Columbia River is beautiful to see from the air.  It’s windy brown water stretches in all directions it seems as we ascend.  It’s familiar beauty—I try to dig down to the place where it’s magical and new.  But, I’ve been here too long and I know I take its waters for granted.  I’ve been beside it on bikes, on foot, and on it on boats.  It’s a ho-hum river now that disappears under us as we gain our cruising altitude of 37,000 feet.  And, just like that we are over Idaho.  I know after 7 weeks it will be magical again.  I’ll see it and know that I’ve returned.

It’s been a crazy week or two.  Preparing to be gone for seven weeks was more details that had even more details embedded.  It felt like a Möbius strip of grading, planning, packing, grading, teaching, meetings, planning, and grading.  I wanted to wrap up as much as I could for a smooth ride for work, Kerry, and Abigail.  They will be joining us in a week, but there’s still stuff to be done at home.  The laundry is all done.  So, one thing’s accomplished.

Clean desk.  Ready for desk move.

I had such good intentions but my eyes are always bigger than my stomach.  At least my desk at work is packed up and ready to move.  My students all have grades.  I’ve told Abigail 100 times what to do whilst we are gone.  And, we’re packed.  That’s something, I guess. 

Speaking of packing.  Yikes!  Colleen and I are in one checked bag and one carry on and our backpacks.  Which means I’m without my shoes.  I have one pair of walking shoes and one pair of flip flops.  I had to leave so much behind to make the 50lbs limit.  And, I did.  That suitcase is 49.66 lbs.  The tragedy is that the suitcase still has room in it.  I could easily fit my 2 pairs of abandoned shoes, shampoo, pairs of jeans, towels, feminine hygiene products, sunscreen, extra backpack and outfits from both Colleen and me.  It was looking grim until we remembered we could have a carryon—we were 10 lbs. too heavy in the big case.  But, we were able to move all the jeans and other heavy clothes to the carryon.  Phew!  I still think that if you can get it into your suitcase, the airplane companies should take it.  Having a weight limit is crazy.  Every time I left something behind, I said a mantra that whatever we leave we can replace in Ireland.

It’s been a little more challenging this last couple of days due to some stomach issues on my part.  I’ve been periodically not feeling great.  I’m pretty sure it’s nerves.  Which is weird because I’ve been so excited about this trip for so long.  But, that didn’t seem to get through to my tiny brain.  Instead, I had to go through the near constant state of panic and anxiety that has been my constant companion and it didn’t stop even when I was at the NAIL SALON.  Yep.  Pamper city turned into stress central complete when the nice nail specialist accidentally took too much cuticle off and tried to unsuccessfully stop the bleeding. It wasn’t our best moment.

Things I didn’t finish:

·      My Car

o   Did not get cleaned.  And it needed it inside and out.  But it did get through DEQ and I have new tags. 

o   Did not get oil changed and brake check. When I get back I’m going to need to take it for an oil change and brake check.

o   It’s out of gas.

·      My Hair

o   Yep, not cut.  It’s been a year.  But, I’ll get that done in Dublin or Belfast.

·      Accommodations for Nice and Dublin

·      Pin for my Bank of Ireland card

It helps me to take it step-by-step.  I’ve got the next 24 hours planned out.  First, we stay awake during the first flight to Chicago.  This is definitely helped by the Captain Marvel movie.  I love that we get to watch it while we sit here on the plane.  We can sleep as much as we want on the 8+ hour flight to Dublin.  Once we land in Dublin at noon Irish time, we reunite with our luggage and board a bus to the first of our hotels.  Once there, we will drop our luggage, get some food (coffee!  Scones!  Toast!  Full Irish!  Carrot and Coriander soup!) and go to get our phones some new SIM cards.  After that we’ll swing by a Boots and grab the critical stuff we left behind.  We also need to grab a couple of towels and a padlock because they don’t come complimentary at many of the hostels we are staying during the trips.  We need to stay awake until it makes sense on Ireland time to go to sleep.  The last time we did this jump, Colleen slept for almost a solid 2 weeks.  She doesn’t know this, but not this time.  We don’t have 2 weeks for her to acclimate this time.

Speaking of plans, we now know where we are going after we drop Ker off at the airport for his ride back to the US.  So, July 16 – 20, we are gonna hunker down in Ireland somewhere and from 20 – 25, we are going to Nice!  Yes, we are gonna French Riviera that week.  Woot.  All we need to do is find affordable and comfortable lodging.  It’s late, but I’m hoping we can find something.

We'll find something and it will be amazing!  Because, this is going to be a wonderful summer!