Cakebreadcrumbs: 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: