We’re here. After 16 hours of travel from Seattle to Dublin, we made it.
Even though we’re only on day two, the adventure has been incredible. It started at the airport where I got my first ever passport stamp. As we found our way to the rental car agency I couldn’t help but keep staring at that stamp. For just a little bit of green ink on a piece of paper, it felt so significant. My first big jump into the world outside of my own. We made it smoothly through our arrangements to pick up the rental car, and before we knew it we were sitting in our little Ford Fiesta. This was a big moment. Kaylee was sitting on the right side of the car, I on the left, and she was getting ready to drive. Not only on the right side of the car on the left side of the road, but also a stick shift. Had we made a horrible mistake getting a stick? Maybe.. we’re still figuring that part out. All awkwardness and nerves, we managed to make it to downtown Dublin and into a car park. Kaylee killed it. The driving was a serious adjustment and she conquered it in some of the worst city traffic we’ve ever been in. It was time for some well-earned lunch and walking around.
Our first stop was for coffee. After four hours of sleep and I don’t know how many hopped time zones, coffee was priority one. We hit up Costa which is like a Peet’s back home, and tried to wake up. We still had to get to Kilkenny. Caffeinated but still groggy, we went out to wander. It was a bit brisk, I think about 45 degrees (F), but pleasantly sunny and clear. There were people everywhere, from everywhere. I don’t know how many languages I heard as we walked, and it made my American accent sound more idiotic than ever. It was a really weird sensation becoming so aware that I was a foreigner, and I felt a little self-conscious. In fact I still do, but a bit less so. I’m getting over it.
Next stop was the Hairy Lemon after a recommendation from one of Kaylee’s friends who had lived in Dublin for college. It turned out to be a killer recommendation. Kaylee and I both had the Hairy Lemon Lager and split a burger and chips. Definitely went the American route for lunch food, but it hit the spot and we needed it to stave off the hangry conversations that would have come about. The bartender was nice enough to give us a concerned warning about drink driving in Ireland, so we went back out to zig zag the streets and alleys. Eventually the beer wore off and Kaylee would tackle driving duty again to get us to Kilkenny.
Just about two hours later, we had made it to Kilkenny. At over 400 years old, Kilkenny is a very unique medieval town. We were lucky enough to have our hotel (Pembroke) right in the heart of the old town district with bars, shops, restaurants and more right outside the front door. It also didn’t hurt that our place had a bar and restaurant of its own. We settled into our room and headed down for our traditional beer and a shot before going out. Out we went with some famous last words, something along the lines of, “Let’s keep it mellow tonight, we should relax.”
I don’t think we could have pulled that off if we tried. Before too long, we found ourselves in The Playwright to have another Jameson. There we met a few nice fellows and a sassy bartender—this situation we know and love. Kaylee and I have a habit of talking up strangers in bars, and this was no exception. By the end of our drinks, me made friends in Darren, John, and Tony, and Darren had invited us back out later for some live music. We ended up taking him up on his offer an hour or two later, and ended up getting to know each other over a beer and casual conversation. We bade each other a fond farewell with promises of staying connected, and he left us with a special Irish parting gift. Thank you Darren. It was awesome getting to meet you.
The next morning Kaylee and I were fairly hungover. We jump started our recovery with the best free continental breakfast known to man, and she returned to the hotel room for a nap while I took the opportunity to walk around town. The morning was, again, crisp and clear and absolutely gorgeous. I strolled the streets, castle grounds, and alleys, and a thought hit me. I’m 4500 miles from home and walking around an absolutely ancient town. But you know what the weird thing was? It felt totally natural. I didn’t feel uncomfortable or anxious knowing I was so far from home, or start worrying about all the “what ifs”. I just enjoyed the moments as they rolled by and reveled in what was in front of me. I started feeling like I could use another cup of coffee and headed back to the hotel to drink one and check on Kaylee.
An hour later and I was in the driver’s seat and we were on the road, Limerick bound.