Photo album is up

Look to the right of the page, scroll down to Ireland Photo Album and click the picture. It should take you to the photo album. Not all of the photos are posted, but a good majority of them are. Enjoy!

March 20, 2007: Homeward bound for Dr. Goth

I was up at 4:15 a.m. this morning, using three alarms (a wake up call from the front desk, my travel alarm, and the room’s TV alarm). Yes, it takes that much to get me awake that early in the morning. I got up finally after the second alarm. I did my last few things necessary for the moring, packing away the toothpaste, put the last items in my suitcase and zipped it shut. I gave Ms. Kitty a hug goodbye and set the alarms for her. She wasn’t heading back to the US with me, she had an appointment to go see the Harry Potter dude naked on stage in London, so she had a few extra hours to sleep. I grabbed the suitcase, my camera backpack and headed out the door. I walked down the long hallway one last time, to the elevators and pressed the lobby button. I exited in the lobby and asked the desk clerk to call me a taxi. I told him I was leaving but my roommate was still there and would be checking out later. He said, “room ###?” Surprised, I said, “yes, how did you know?” “You were the only one with that early of a wake up call.” Ah, and here I thought he was clairvoyant! So he called a taxi for me and with only a few minutes the taxi arrived. Yay. Still half asleep (no coffee yet!), I got into the taxi and was headed off to the Belfast International Airport. On the way there I noticed the signs were all written in “miles” not “kilometers.” We had noticed this trend during our tour, but I thught they were just translating for the vast number of Americans on the tour. But then I even remember the guy at Bushmill's Distillery using “feet” and “pounds” to describe things. Right now though, it was just a passing thought. It wwas still quite dark outside, so I saw nothing of the spectacular beauty that I had seen on our arrival. I saw lamplights, dimly lit street signs, porch lights and nothing much more. Also my taxi driver was rather quiet, so I got to ride in peace, with my own thoughts.

I got to the airport by 5:45 a.m., checked in at the ticket counter. The first security lady I encountered was fierce, take no prisoners and no smiling allowed kind of lady. I can’t recall her name, but I remember thinking as I looked at her nametag that her name was too cheery to match her displayed personality. At the ticket check in, I encountered a slight problem. The computer was rejecting my passport! Oh no, surely I’d be “stuck” in Ireland forever. But luckily the ticket counter woman was able to bypass the computer, input my passport number manually and it accepted it. Then to security for the traditional strip-to-your-undies examination and metal dectection. Into the terminal where I had two missions (1) find breakfast and (2) find Cadbury crème eggs. I managed to accomplish both missions! The breakfast was quite good, probably among the best I had had in Ireland. I got toast and scrambled eggs. Luckily this time the eggs were yellow and tasted like eggs. My other “eggs,” the chocoate kind, were found and I also bought a book for the plane ride. I waited near my gate to fly away back to the US. Our flight was supposed to be “on time,” but boarding time was 30 minutes late and we left the ground more than 45 minutes late. I sincerely began to hope that I didn’t miss my train back to Delaware from NJ.

On the flight, it was full and there was no room to move much less breathe. I got my special veggie meal again, but it was the same one I had coming to Ireland. I didn’t even bother with it, I just ate the salad and roll. Luckily I had bought a Cadbury Brunch Bar in the airport, so I wouldn’t starve. The folks in my row seemed rather polite. They were all quiet and didn’t bother anyone. The evil grannies behind us were another story. These women were from the “Deep South” USA. I know this because for the first few hours, including taxi and take-off, they wouldn’t shut up. One just talked like she would simply die if she ceased speaking. I was waiting for the “Praise Jesus” remarks (inside joke, sorry). And of course there were 4 or 5 of them, sitting in multiple rows, talking to each other, all in Ireland for some church thing so the entire plane got to hear about it. As soon as the pilot came on the speakers telling us it was okay to turn on “portable electronic devices” my iPod was turned on and loud. Can you believe they could talk through take off too? Across the aisles? At this point, all I could say was I loved my iPod.

So, now ~ 4.5 hours into the flight, with 2.5 more to go before we land, I pick up the notebook to begin writing again. I’m trilled to have spent this time in Ireland. It was very beautiful and I’m sure I’ll have to go back during the warmer months so I won’t be freezing my arse off while looking at the ocean! But I’m also excited about going home, sleeping in my own bed and eating food with actual flavour. Bring on the spaghetti and sushi and Thai noodles! I don’t know how my ancestors could possibly be Irish (really, most of northern Europe according to my genealogy searches). I like food that doesn’t always consist of cabbage, potatoes, fish or sausage. I am thankful for tasty foods. Ah, to be home again, and cook for myself! Okay, I need to get up and stretch my legs for a bit.

Well the little battery icon on my iPod is slowly disappearing, going red, just a touch of red near the empty end. Hopefully it will hold out a bit longer, only 1.5 hours left.

They fed us one more time on the plane. I got a nice roasted rep pepper w/mustard sandwich. I also got a chocolate mini bar and some chips. I don’t like chips, so they weren’t eaten, but it was funny that on a flight back from Ireland, the chips were from France and the mustard packets from Germany. An international meal. All good. The flight attendants collected the rubbish and we began our decent into NJ. It was a rather bumpy ride, with a few stomach-to-the-throat drops in altitude. These caused the church ladies to begin praying. Amazingly we landed without crashing, duh. I chatted a bit with the folks in my row once we landed since it took them quite a while to get to the gate and open the plane door. I left the book on the plane that I had bought mainly because within the first 3 pages it sucked. I hate when that happens. So, while still on the plane, taxiing to the gate I turned my cell phone on. I had a few messages and one “Welcome Home” text from Mr. Fabulous (melt….). I can’t wait to see him tonight! Ah to be home.

I quickly went through customs, got my passport stamped back into the US and headed to the baggage area. I had 45 minutes until my train was set to leave. I waited for what seemed an eternity for my luggage. I watched the clock tick closer to that departure date and was getting quite antsy. I finally got the suitcase after helping another woman “capture” her bag as it slipped out of her hands on the carousel. Then through the next security area and to the Air Tran to Amtrak. I got all the way through with no more delays, stood on the platform for my train for exactly 3 minutes and my train arrived. Yay. I placed my suitcase down in the luggage area, sat in a seat and was excited to be home. Two seconds later my camera backpack was nearly crushed by a very large stinky man. He didn’t even bother to look, he was just going to sit on it! He smelled bad, like drank too much and didn’t take a bath bad. I tried to look about to escape, but all the other seats had been taken and there was no way to get past his large frame. He was dirty, his coat had dirt/mud on it, he was quite unshaven and not at all pleasant to be near. Unfortunately he sat beside me most of the way, finally getting off in Philadelphia. I made a few phone calls, told the Goddess of Michigan I was back and that I loved the journey. Sent a few texts and tried to rest some. I should be home, in my apartment, with my doggie by 3:00 p.m. My plan: unpack some, shower, fix my nails (broke two going through the airport) and get ready to go out to dinner with Mr. Fabulous. ☺ It was really a Wonderful Adventure in Ireland, but I have so much more to see. I have to go back to see the south coast, Dublin, the west coast and more. Now, only 30 minutes to Delaware as we descend underground to 30th Street Station. We get rid of most of the passengers, including Mr. Stinky Man. The last few minutes of the ride are quiet and anxious at the same time. Finally, Delaware. I get off the train, wait to watch it leave, then head down the platform, out to the parking are and get into my car. No scratches or dings, its always good to come back to my car in one piece. I drive home, feeling odd that I’m on the “right” side of the road. And of course, my first few seconds home I get welcomed back by the puppies, all eager to see me and demanding that since I’m home, could I please take them out to potty and give them some food. It’s so nice to be home, yes, quite!

I hope you’ve enjoyed the adventure with us. I’ll be posting a few more pictures, and try to link out to a slide show with even more photos of the journey.

March 17/18, 2007: The Toilet Paper Mystery

I say either the 17th or 18th, because I didn’t write down a date in my blog notebook and for the life of me I can’t recall using my own brain. Needless to say, the date is unimportant; the event is the important thing.

I was sitting quietly in the hotel room, on the bed, writing away in my blog notebook about the day’s events, when it happened. Ms. Kitty walked into the room and asked me, “Do you agree with me that the toilet paper holder should be facing the other direction?”
Huh? What is this woman talking about? “Because every time I use the toilet, I fling the roll off and under the sink.” As I stared at her wondering how or what she had possibly drunk, I was also curious as to what she was talking about. I hadn’t had any problems with the toilet paper, it was always on the holder, it never did any strange things and never went flying off the holder. The holder was a metal rod attached to the wall only on one end, (photo to appear shortly, be patient). So, I went into the bathroom to witness and photo document the “toilet paper mystery.” So, while fully clothed, Ms. Kitty proceeded to demonstrate the problem, she tried to remove some toilet paper and show me how the roll would fly off the holder. The new problem was that she couldn’t repeat the problem, the toilet paper stayed on its holder. She repeated this many, many times, with no success. She had to try MANY times (I’d say at least 20) before finally, the toilet paper flew off its holder. She just couldn’t get it to “not work” and I could not help but laugh, and keep laughing until my stomach hurt. I did take lots of photos, I tried to take video but Ms. Kitty nixed that completely (sorry folks, I was laughing to hard to argue). So there are photos, and I will post them shortly! But for now, realize that apparently some folks have problems removing toilet paper from the holders while in Ireland, yep, quite…