Day 58: or The Last Day In Ireland

 I woke up at 8 and had breakfast with the boys. We had 2 other people in our room the night before, and the they weren’t the friendly, happy go lucky type. By 7:30 this morning, they had moved rooms.  They were already asleep when we got back and got upset when we turned the light on to find our way through the dark. We weren’t even being loud, and I was trying not to wake them, but it’s a hostel. You pay $20 bucks a night, you bunk with strangers, and you might get woken up. I was in their shoes the night before, but I wasn’t angry with the people. I was told by one of the boys that before we met, they had asked the front desk if someone was in the room yet. The lady said “1 girl, and she‘s very nice”. I had spoken about 3 words to her, but I appreciated the review. I’m sure the complainers didn’t have as nice of things to say, so I’m hoping the woman knows better than to believe them. I’ve already left and will never see any of them again, but I don’t like people thinking I’m rude, especially when I’m not.


I left around 9:00 to catch the 10:00 train back to Belfast. The city seemed to still be asleep, not many people up and about. The train was much emptier and I got a booth to myself. It’s another gorgeous day and the country ride was relaxing. By the time I got to Belfast however, I was a little worn out. I had 3 hours to spend and I didn’t want to waste them. I ended up walking around the city, stopping for lunch, then stopping for hot chocolate a little later. The weather had chilled a great deal, and the wind was strong. I walked without looking at the map and just seeing what I could find. I could have stayed in Ireland much longer and had a blast, but once the day to leave comes, I find I’d rather get the traveling part over with. I walked a lot this weekend, and that’s compared to my norm here, not in Texas. And my norm here is a lot compared to Texas.


I got on the shuttle for the airport, and was there with plenty of time. I ended up with an aisle seat, and an empty middle again. Fantastic. Or so I thought. This flight has more screaming babies than you can imagine. I know babies cry. I know sometimes parents can’t do anything to stop it, trying as hard as they can. It doesn’t mean I like the sound. Actually, I hate it. Biology did well with that sound. I made it it home a little after 11:00. I'm tired, but it was a great vacation. Can't wait until the next one. 

Day 57: or The First Day In Dublin

I woke up around 8:00 this morning. I was a little afraid I would be tired, and I had a 10:35 train, so I needed to make sure I factored in plenty of time. Everyone else in my room got up around the same time, which was helpful because people it got me up too. There was a small breakfast of toast and cereal downstairs. I looked for the coffee, but found the tea first, and thought, “when in Rome”, or Belfast as the case may be. I also found peanut butter, which we don’t have in France. Well, it’s there, but it has one of the highest markups of any America product, so essentially it doesn’t exist. Have I mentioned before that I’m cheap? I can’t help converting what it would be in USD and it just isn’t worth it. Back to the point. I had peanut butter toast, one of my go-to’s at home. I left the hostel at 9:15 and moseyed through Belfast where I happened upon Stanfield St, without an “S”, but close enough. Not the best part of town, but I was determined to at least get a picture of a sign. Mission Accomplished

I had purchased my ticket online and got a special “web fare”. They said if you didn't have the voucher, your ticket would be void. Apparently they don’t ship the vouchers internationally, so the stress was back.  A women I had emailed said that I could pick it up at the station, so I was all set to talk to 3 people and be totally confused. First man I walked up to asked for my name, and on the top of the pile right next to him was my voucher. Awesome. No hassle whatsoever.  I got a good seat on the train, with a table and more room, and as the train filled up, an older couple sat across from me. I was on my computer and had my headphones in, so I smiled and made room. When the train pulled away, I told them it was my first train ride, I don’t count commuter trains, and we continued to talk the whole 2 hour ride. They were from Belfast, going to the south for their 54th anniversary. I told them multiple times how impressive that was. 

At Dublin Castle

The weather was perfect. The forecast had said overcast, but it ended up being gorgeous. It was a great trip down the coast and I feel like I really got to see Ireland. And it looks exactly like imagined. Sheep, hedges, rolling hills, and very green. I really lucked out with the weather, made it much more enjoyable than it could have been.

I got to Dublin and walked to the hostel. The train station is located in central Dublin and was a nice walk down the river to Oliver St. John Gogarty’s. Quite a name. At the hostel in Belfast, I didn’t meet anyone because I checked in so late, so I was hoping that by being there all day, I would cross paths with the people in my room. I could tell from their bags that they were boys, and just hoped they wouldn’t snore as bad as the guys from the night before. I left the hostel and went to a chip shop that is fairly popular. There was an open market and they were grilling burgers that smelled amazing, but I was determined to eat local fare. It was a hard miss. I ate my fish and chips as I walked to the Guinness factory. I spent a good 2 hours walking around and enjoyed my free pint overlooking the city. They say it’s the best view of Dublin, you can see from one end of the city to the other. Afterwards, I walked back, and again the room was empty. Bummer. 

My pint and clover

Not 5 minutes later there was a knock at the door and 3 English guys walked in. We said our introductions and they proceeded to insist I join them and their friends for one of the wives 30th birthday. They were from Norfolk and they were with 5 girls. I may even be related to 2 of them. A pair of sisters with the last name England, small world. We grabbed dinner at a pub and headed to the bar on the bottom floor of the hostel. They had an Irish band playing and the whole thing was just what you’d expect. I somehow managed to get in an argument with a doormen about Ohio State University. He claimed it was the best school (what?), and then he proceeded to tell me his reason was because they had the prettiest girls. I don’t know how I get myself in these situations. We got back to the room a little later and I consider the day a complete success. I’m treating these little weekend excursions as test runs for places I will visit again. Ireland passed.

The group outside our hostel

Day 56: or The First Day In Belfast

Today was the last day of vacation for the kids and the beginning of mine. I spent the day stressed making sure I knew where I was going and that I was bringing everything I needed. The day went as planned and 6:00 came before I knew it. I was getting picked up by the Dad and being taken to the train. I felt weird leaving them without dinner. The parents both got off work early so they were going to be taken care of obviously, just felt like I was leaving them in a lurch.


I made the 6:47 train, 2 hours before my plane was supposed to take off. I made all my connections and was there in plenty of time. I wasn’t sure that I had plenty of time though so I went without dinner. At Charles de Gaulle, the security check is at the gate. 2 gates share a checkpoint and once you go through it there is only a vending machine. I liked the small security, but was not a fan of being sequestered. I managed to get through it.


I’m on my way to Belfast now. I’m flying on a discount airline and am trying to avoid all the extra charges. I know the reason it is cheaper is because they get you on baggage and what not, so I refuse to get anything on principal. They charge 2 euro for a soda, so no thanks. I think I could probably have gotten tap water for free, but I wasn’t going to risk it. They also have a strict “1 carry on” rule, which includes purses. I had to stop and put my purse in my bag before they let me on the plane. I packed light of course and am now sitting comfortably in my aisle seat. I’m an aisle girl, always have been.  Somehow I managed to get an aisle seat in the 9th row, with an empty middle seat. Pretty spiffy.  I’m beginning to stress again. We are supposed to land in less than an hour, but we were delayed 30 minutes. I’m checking into a hostel without a curfew but all I can think of is what if they do have one and then I stranded on the street because I can’t get there in time. I’m treating this weekend as a test run for my travels. There won’t be a language barrier, but it is a foreign country and I’ll be traveling by train, plane, and buses. Plenty of ways to get lost or go the wrong way. 


I just realized what is wrong with my row. I am right in front of the exit, so I can’t lean back. For awhile I thought this was another luxury the discount airline did away with. I thought it was an odd thing to cut. I’m a genius.


Since starting to write, I have found my way passed immigration and into the center of Belfast. I made my way to the hostel on walked around the area a bit. I went to a bar next door, just to see a little bit and ran into a guy who was on my plane from Paris. We talked to a bit, we hadn't on the plane, but I was pretty proud of myself for starting the conversation. People have the idea that I'm not shy. At this very moment I'm sure half of you are rolling your eyes. But there are 2 kinds of shy. There is Nathan shy, where even talking to family can be painful. I know he is growing out of this and I am not picking on him, it is just the best illustration I can think of. Then there is me, who once comfortable, doesn't seem to shut up. But when surrounded by total strangers, it's difficult to just go up and talk to someone. But I persevered and it went fine. I came home fairly early so I could get up for my train in the morning. A successful first day of travel.

Day 33: or The Day I Booked My Flight To Ireland

I was pleasantly surprised to find myself with good weather today. It was rainy and foggy all morning but right before lunch, the sun started to show and by early afternoon all the clouds were gone and it was beautiful. Also, being that it got above freezing, I wasn't miserable outside. I can't believe I was comfortable in 34' weather, but I was. Amazing.


We made a carrot cake today. The Kid likes to help me bake, so it is a good Wednesday afternoon activity. The only problem is he gets upset when I do things differently. I try to explain that it will all taste the same, and sometimes that works. Sometimes it doesn't and I want to pull my hair out, but oh well. Also,  he says "stupid" when he means "silly". Or at least I think so. He uses it in reference to cartoon characters (Kung Fu Panda), and myself. He is usually laughing, and I know he doesn't mean it, but I keep telling him to change his word usage. I'll feel pretty good when I can get him to break that habit.


I spent all evening planning my first European weekend. I spoke with the parents about my plans, and they were very nice and flexible. I would like to book my weekends far in advance to save on cost but I may be needed on a Saturday night, so I got the go ahead to book through March. I bought a flight to Belfast for the end of February, and will spend one night there and one night in Dublin. I already bought the train ticket to Dublin and it was actually more cost efficient than just a flight straight there. I think the train ride will be nice, give me a chance to see the country a bit. I have done little to no research but am quite excited.