It took me over 14 hours to get here via bus and ferry. It all started at the University at noon and then left London at 6pm on a really disgusting bus but comfortable seats, and a guy behind me swearing up a storm with a Shrek accent. During the long drive, I was thinking about all the things I will miss here in England when I leave in June. That started when I saw the huge white windmills. One of the stops, I got a Starbucks drink and had them write my name as "The Queen". Following a four hour ferry ride across the Irish Sea around 3am (late dinner was stroopwafels). I got to the hotel just before 7am and I requested an early check in, however, all of their rooms were booked so I had to wait until regular check out time. That meant sleeping on their couch for seven hours. I would have left my luggage with them and explored during that time, but I was exhausted. I probably gotten 4 hours total, which is probably average for me. But that four hours is like all bits of half hour naps. I didn't sleep at all on the ferry. I bought my claddagh ring on the ferry by the way. Anyway, besides being exhausted, it was raining. The weather report says rain all weekend until I leave, Tuesday. Wonderful. I never pick the good days. Michaela was just in Dublin before Amsterdam and it was beautiful. Same with London, she went and it was really warm outside and then when I went a month later, it rained the whole weekend. So when I was finally given a room I surprised myself. I cleaned up and ran out the door. I brought my umbrella (which broke right away and I threw away after 2 hours of dealing with it) and I headed towards town. Found a shopping centre and then a tourist information store. I was given a map and some suggestions, I also bought bus tickets to Belfast and Galway. I would have had them before but apparently the buses are on strike. I was talking with two guys on the bus to Dublin and they were telling me about it, they also suggested to go to Galway. I originally only had Belfast planned but they changed my mind completely and wanted to do Galway instead. But, I was feeling spontaneous and bought two tickets for the two places. I really love that, when you travel with people that like to make small talk. I get advice, suggestions and information I didn't have. The locals know best.
I saw the castle, and it was okay. Didn't go in because it didn't look worth it. Yeah, it was free but I was tired and wasn't wanting a history lesson. Tons and tons of shops. I went to the bar area for a Guinness (made in Ireland). Got lucky with Oliver St. John Gogarty's because they had live music and I had a great seat. Walking through that area more, I found the Temple Bar. The guys on the bus said it's not great but from the outside it looked fun. I didn't have any more cash on me so I passed up on another guinness. If I have more time, I might. Because tomorrow is Belfast and then Monday is Galway. Shouldn't rain on Monday so I'm saving the better place until then. Because it was raining so much (more like light showers) I didn't want to buy another umbrella (because it WILL break), I bought a jumper (sweatshirt). After all of that, I headed to a Tesco for dinner.
Hey, my shower has celtic knots on it.
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