We safely arrived at Dublin International Airport at 09:05 local time. Fortunately, we asked a man at the tourist desk what the best method of travel would be to get to the hotel. He told us a taxi would cost about €12-15, but that the bus would only be about €2 per person. We hopped on a bus. However, it cost us €5 euros total because we didn’t have any smaller denominations.
Then disaster struck…not really, but it could have been tragic. I left my laptop and book up on the shelf above the seats. The receptionist at the hotel found the number for the bus company, and the lady there said she would “ring me back” shortly. The bus driver found my netbook and said he would be back at that stop in about 20 minutes. Standing outside waiting for the bus to return, I readily realised how awful the weather was. It wasn’t all that cold (approximately 5 degrees), but coupled with evil sleet/rain and the 2670 kmh gale-force winds (slight exaggeration) it made for a not-so-nice waiting experience. The umbrella served absolutely no purpose as the wind mangled it like a crash-test dummy being slammed into a wall in a shopping cart.
After a brief nap, we chose to go to the neighbouring town called Swords Village. A man outside the hotel was kind enough to let us share his taxi, as he was headed to the same place. We then asked a couple of the locals about a decent place to eat. A pub called The Star came recommended, so we stopped in. I had a pasta with “pesto sauce,” which was really a cream sauce with onions and mushrooms (no pesto whatsoever). It was pretty tasty. For desert, I had a slice of apple pie with cream. This apple pie had crust more like bread pudding, and it was delicious.
The last fun bit of the night was when I attempted to get a cab back to the hotel. I lightly tapped on the window of the taxi, and asked the driver if I could get a ride. While on the way back, he informed me that asking for a “ride” is very much a proposition, and that I should next time ask for a “lift.” I’m reminded of my many adventures speaking Russian and saying inappropriate things unknowingly. 😉
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@ S,
I didn’t know if I was going to be able to go or not, but it turned out that I could. It has been a blast thus far, and I will keep you posted with the happenings. I will also send you an email soon.
@ Jim,
The weather certainly was rough, but that is good to know that it isn’t always like that.
@ Anna,
You think he was let down? I think he was relieved. 😉
wow , sounds like you let down the poor cab driver. He probably was looking forward to giving you a “ride”
Just so you know, this is the coldest winter we’ve had in years.
Reading these is fun!
I had no idea you were even going to Europe. But I’m glad you got your netbook back and things are going well. Have fun, you deserve it.