Dateline: Dublin, Ireland
And I think I managed to make it out of the house and on to the plane without any major mishaps or omissions. I forgot to bring my compression socks for the plane but I do OK with transatlantic flights without them. They are an absolute necessity for transpacific flights however. I miss the world of people dressing up in tailored suits for travel, if it ever even existed outside of the tropes of classic Hollywood. I, in my polo shirt and slacks seemed to be remarkably overdressed for the occasion. I counted at least six sets of pajamas and something that I think was made out of discarded dental floss on the Atalnta to Dublin flight. In another couple of decades, hoodies and sweat pants will likely be de rigeur for society weddings.
Aside from my various ‘you kids keep off my lawn’ moments, the travel was uneventful. There were no weather delays. Air Traffic Control in both Birmingham and Atlanta seemed to be functioning normally. There were no significant lines for security or passport control. They did not lose my checked luggage. The entertainment system at my seat appeared to be fully functional. My choice of films to snooze through: Gladiator followed by Gladiator II (which I had not yet seen and I’m glad I did not waste several hours of my life catching it at the movie theater) followed by my umpteenth rewatch of Mary Poppins so my brain could have some comfort food as I kept dozing off. Actual sleep without CPAP or recumbent position wasn’t going to be possible. Mary Poppins was the first film I was taken to see at the movies, age 2 1/2. (I still remember the experience). It’s funny to consider that I am now retirement age and the two stars are still both very much with us.
As the plane approached Ireland, I cracked open the window shade to look as it was now Sunday morning thanks to time changes. Looking down, lots of green fields with trees and hedges outlining running water and a scattering of hamlets and small towns, then a loop out over the Irish Sea to get into position for landing in Dublin with a view of a number of the small islands that dot that body of water. Smooth landing in Dublin a few minutes later, all of the usual disembarkation rituals, and then off to meet the representative of the tour group in the Arrivals Hall. I’m taking this tour through a company called CIE which is the Irish National Transportation company which runs the busses and railways. So far I have been impressed. It’s a good deal cheaper than some of my other European jaunts but the amenities are almost as good.
The lovely lady from CIE met me, parked me at the coffee bar and told me to wait there while she collected other charges. She then promptly forgot about me and I did not see her for forty-five minutes until she arrived somewhat put out that I was lost. I told her I was sitting exactly where she told me to wait. Quick dash through airport to catch ground transportation to hotel. The hotel is known as Castle Clontarf and is on the grounds of a castle that was built as part of the defensive perimeter of the city starting in 1172. Most of the current castle is a 19th century pile of restoration that was some nobleman’s summer retreat. It’s architecturally interesting with lots of strange hallways and staircases with rooms shoehorned into odd corners. From the narrowness of the hall I am on and the fact that I am a bit below ground level, I assume that I am someplace in the old servant’s quarters… or the dungeon.
Our tour officially began at 2 PM local time so that gave me enough time for a quick shower and change, a stroll through the neighborhood and a lunch of roast pork and potatoes. The castle is on the northeast side of Dublin, about a mile and a half from the city center. I have more time in Dublin on the other end of the trip with a more centrally located hotel so I’ll do most of my city walking and sightseeing then. We were given a bus tour of the city with a few stops (still my least favorite way of seeing any urban area) including Oscar WIlde’s house and the main cemetary where I paid my respects to Daniel O’Connell and Michael Collins. The weather kept seesawing back and forth between blue skies and sunshine and grey and blustery with a very wet rain. Very similar to Seattle so it doesn’t bother me any.
Back to the hotel for cocktails and a welcome dinner (leek and potato soup, fresh hake with green beans, and raspberry cheesecake) and some time to begin getting acquainted with the travel companions. It’s sort of an odd lot. There are a grand total of nine travelers and a driver/guide who will be sharing the next week and a half. Two married couples from the midwest and five singles including myself – widows and widowers from various places in the US. Hopefully we’re all compatible. If we’re not, I brought plenty of books and am very good at faking presbycusis when needed.
Now it’s time for bed and to begin making up for lost sleep. We head out north in the morning. I haven’t studied the itinerary too carefully. Surprise me.
Life, The Universe, and Everything 