Ireland (Days 6&7)
Closing some loops, though it's been a while since I've been home.
From Ireland (Days 1&2): First of all, the person I met on my plane was revealed to be a scam artist. Oh well. I didn't waste any time or money on it since I was not interested in changing any plans or spending my vacation with another person.
Everyone was extremely kind, from the person who gave me the tissue to the folks who helped me navigate throughout the trip. Even when I got lost walking around Kilkenny - I could tell I was out of place and people were aware of me, but no one was rude or confrontational.
In the last post I left you in Killarney after exploring the national park and planning the rest of my time there. I had some anxiety that morning because planning does that sometimes, but I pushed through it and walked to a cafe where I ate a delicious breakfast of eggs, toast (gluten free), and baked beans with a cappuccino to start my day.
I found my way from the cafe to Killarney House & Gardens, which I spent most of the rest of the morning enjoying.
Then it was off to Dublin again for a full day of travel. When I made my Days 3-5 post I was wondering what the views would look like on the way back to Dublin, not along coastal towns. I wondered if the only difference would be mountains instead of water, or if there were more structural/topographical differences like you get driving from one side to the other in the US (of course, it's a much larger distance).
There were more mountain ranges than I knew were in Ireland. I realized that it would be a difficult comparison to make because the views would be different regardless traveling rail vs bus. Also, the second train had blue tinted windows, so I couldn't see the real beauty in the greens. Overall it was a bit different and it made me curious about what it looks and feels like in western Ireland and the areas I didn't go during this trip.
If I had anymore energy I might have gone out for dinner but instead I ate the last of the gluten free protein brownies I brought from home and gelato in Howth. The rest of my energy went to getting there from Dublin, walking and enjoying and breathing, and then getting back to the hotel for sleep before my flight the next day.
When TikTok helped me make my itinerary I saw tons videos about Howth, including how to get there and why to go. During my trip I had already visited the train station, navigated Luas (the tram), and figured out how to read all the maps. I didn't need to use my phone to navigate to Howth so I was extra excited to do it... only to find out when I got there that the lighthouse was closed. You couldn't walk the path to get near it, either. I was bummed but not the only person to find out that day. There were also several people there on dates who audibly expressed disappointment. I sat on the ledge near the water while a guy played sad sea songs on an acoustic guitar and the sun went down.
Other than the absolute heartbreak of flying over Ireland and leaving its airspace, the flight home was uneventful.
I miss the weather and the climate. Even the lack of AC is somewhat reasonable, now that I'm home. It was still better than it is here, though I also get I was only there a few days and I'm a person who loves the rain. Could be different on other days.
As soon as I got home, leaving the airport to find my dad in the pickup line, I felt the heat and humidity of the DC area descend on me. I felt the weight of allergies. Luckily, my mom went shopping for me and when I got home there were many electrolyte drinks and soups to help with the jetlag, allergen flush, and transition to my usual day-to-day.
I have been back to work for a week and now I'm enjoying Labor Day weekend, typing up my little thoughts and sending follow-ups to the things I've abandoned since I got back home. It has been a huge adjustment. In ways I am still trying to articulate, this trip changed my perspective on how I live and some of my recently formulated goals might require updates. On paper it's an "I did this, then I did this" story but in my soul it was magic.
