Galway for the Day

I was able to cancel the car rental for Tuesday, but couldn't cancel my reservation at the hotel in Galway because of the late notice. I'd have been charged the price if I backed out at the last minute, so I decided, why not! I'll take a lovely train ride, listen to my audiobook, stare out the window and then walk around Galway for the afternoon.

Well, that's not exactly how it went. The way there I was in a rail car with half a dozen college age twats that were louder than hell itself and boozing it up the whole way. I hate young white kids. They are so obnoxious. I arrived in Galway and it was lousy with young people and tourists. "Doth mine eyes deceive me??" I thought to myself, "It's a motherfucking Monday and it isn't summer so why aren't these bastards back at school??" I checked in to the room and immediately decided I needed to leave. It was stuffy, I couldn't find the switch for the AC unit, there wasn't a tub, the shower was moldy and ga-ross, and there were two single beds. Um, I booked this fuckin' room in MAY for one person - ME. Clearly since I have an email address and a credit card AND I'm traveling alone, that's a hint and a half that I am an adult and not an eleven year old wanting to sleep in a freakin' twin size bed. Bullocks to that. OH! And I couldn't connect to the wifi. The signal was nil at best. What a joke. Freddie Bear and I stayed for about a half hour, I charged my iPod and iPhone for a bit, went down to the desk, lied and said an emergency just came up and I need to immediately leave for Dublin. She couldn't give me a refund, but I didn't care. I'd have paid an additional hundred Euros just to get back to Dublin.

The train ride home was wonderful and more than made up for the rough start to the day. I stared out the window with my headphones on and took in the scenery. The mountains in the distance took me back to the taxi ride in Colombia, the rock walls made me think of Innisfree from The Quiet Man, and the animals grazing reminded me of the train ride Nicole and I took in Italy. What a sensational way to end a less than ideal day.

 

Exploring Phibsborough

Today I mustered up the courage to go out in search of the Hungry Tree at King's Inns and the Blessington Street Basin Park, both of which I found and loved, especially the tree that devoured a wrought iron bench. Mother Nature takes a prisoner! Sadly, since it was Sunday, the park was closed, so I didn't have the opportunity to really wander. Next time, for sure!

 

 

 

 

 

47 Mountjoy Square

Although the fella whose place I stayed at was less than cordial, I did have a nice time at the flat and would definitely go back! After six hours of walking yesterday followed by very little sleep, I decided today, I deserved a staycation and relaxed all day on the sofa and caught up on some Animal Planet. It was bliss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wandering the City Centre

Natalia and I met at The Green (I was super dooper late, but she did not seem annoyed in the least. It wasn't until DAYS later that I looked at my mobile and saw that both of the messages alerting her to my lateness never sent...) and then went off to explore Secret Dublin. First stop was to Marsh's Library. As soon as we approached the gate, looked up the lovely steps to the doorway both Natalia and I, like Wild West outlaw gunslingers ready for a shootout, simultaneously reached our hand to our back pocket, drew our iPhones and said, with glee, "Picture!"

(the book with the bullet hole)

After the library we went looking for coffee for Natalia and found a lil' place in St. Patrick's Park, which was very charming.

Once snack time was over, we went in search of The 40 Steps, which fell about 30 short of what we were expecting. Still kinda creepy and cool to see.

We wound our way around and stumbled upon Dublin Castle, which had a free peepod for me to use, so I was happy. Then we walked down Dame Street and found The Stag's Head, which we then took to Dame Lane and somehow, magically, found Drury Street and my fave eatery in the city - Blazing Salads! I loaded up on vegan goodies and then we were off to explore some more.

 

 

After walking along Grafton Street and stopping in a tourist shop for magnets and a t-shirt for her son, Teo, we headed back to St. Stephen's Green for more photo opportunities. Freddie Bear was a ham and posed for a slew of pictures.

 

 

 

 

Even though Natalia and I had only met a day ago, we both agreed, wholeheartedly, that it felt like we'd been friends since high school and I felt all gooey inside when she suggested that we travel together again sometime. Don't ya just love when you really like someone but aren't sure if they feel the same and then they go ahead and make it totally clear that the feeling is completely mutual? It's so weird to make new friends as a grown up, but I really think Miss Natalia and I have not seen the last of each other!

Off to Dublin!

After putting in a half day at the office, Mama Rosie dropped me at Philly International yesterday evening. This time around I left Tucker at home and instead brought Freddie Apple Bear! He was, as you can see, very excited about his first airplane ride. Freddy Teddy was a sweet lil' bibbed bear from the mid-1970s and my childhood BFF, Michele, had one. I always wanted an Apple Bear, as I called him, and on my 26th bday, my wish was granted (thanks, Mum!). Tucker has seen so much of the world, so this trip to Ireland I decided it was time for my Freddie Apple Bear to get out there and live it up!

My seatmate on the flight was a lovely Argentine gal who lives in New York but caught a cheaper flight with a layover in Philly. I'm not one for gabbing non stop on a flight, but I like to be polite and she was instantly a sweetheart. We hit it off like gangbusters. I was immediately endeared to her when the flight attendant SLAMMED into the back of my arm rest as though she were traveling at Mach 12. I was just about to drift to sleep and Natalia was already snoozing. The sound scared the bee-geezus out of us and like a shot, Natalia came back to the waking world and said, quite loudly and like a true New Yorker, "FUUUUUCK....." Who doesn't love an outspoken gal?

It turns out that Natalia and I were born only a few days apart and are both Geminis. She is funny and thoughtful and we had such fun chatting on the flight that we exchanged email addresses and Instagram profiles, just in case she has some free time to wander out on her own  and wants to meet up - the friends that she is staying with will sometimes have to be at work, therefore leaving her alone for most of the day. I had to travel all the way to Ireland to meet a lady from Harlem. Go figure!

 

Near but not St. Patrick's Day

Pulling out some old Dark Forest cds for an upcoming mini-road trip and this one is definitely coming with!

March 15th, 2011

Shoot Me

Just a complete god damn delight.

(photo kidnapped from broadway)