Vacation in Ireland (and more)

At my dad's request, here are the latest tales of adventure. You'll have to wait for pictures.

We left Dayton last Thursday with friends T&K. After a quick drive to Chicago, we hoped onto Aer Lingus and headed eastward to the Emerald Isle. Friday morning when we woke up, we were 30 minutes from the Dublin airport.

Friday morning was interesting. It took us 3 hours to find the place where we needed to check into the apartment we had rented for the week. We were all hungry, a little tired and frustrated, so when we finally figured out that our 3 hour trip should have taken only 30 minutes, it didn't help our ability to get along. (The GPS failed us so many times it wasn't funny.) We finally checked in and took a little nap, which helped our moods immensely, and then we went to the Guinness Storehouse, which also helped our moods. (hehe)

Saturday we got up early and drove to Belfast (in Northern Ireland), where we changed currencies from euros to pounds, and met up with K's extended family members for a private tour of Belfast, to include the Catholic and Protestant murals. We drove around the countryside a bit and then we headed to the northern coasts to Giant's Causeway. On the way back to Carrickfergus (close to Belfast), we took the scenic route. After dinner, we headed southward again to Dublin

Sunday we hung around Dublin -- walked the city a bit, drank some pints in a bunch of different pubs, visited Trinity College and saw the Book of Kells and their library (I wanted to stay all day; I love the smell of old books). Then had dinner at The Brazen Head, the site of the oldest pub in Dublin. In between courses, we enjoyed Irish folk stories and explanations or Irish history and folklore. Good stuff..."the fairies made me do it."

Monday we headed southward to Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains. After hiking a bit and getting a bite to eat, we returned to our car to find the rear window busted out. So we headed back to Dublin's airport to exchange our car, when we figured out that we had a C class car and were paying for a J class car. C is a smooth talker though, so we ended up trading in our Nissan beater for an Alpha Romeo, which C enjoyed driving immensely on the highway. And we met up with some Franglais friends of mine later in the evening for cider and stouts and Irish music.

Tuesday we stayed in Dublin again, recovering from our Monday night debauchery. Then we flew to London in the evening. Upon arrival, we dined and then I went to the emergency room (the A&E, as they call it). I was the lowest priority in the waiting area -- everyone else had fractures or babies with fevers -- so I had to wait until last to see the doctor. An hour and 15 minutes later, I had been triaged, the lab work was done, I'd seen the doctor, and had my prescription. Incredible, and all for the friendly price of $0.

Wednesday we visited London: Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Square, Westminster Abbey, Parliament/Big Ben, Indian food, Tower of London, and then the London Bridge. And then it was time to take a taxi back to the airport to fly back to Dublin. (London taxis are fabulous, by the way.)

Thursday we were up early and on our way home!