What cities do you think of in Ireland? Belfast? Dublin? The four had already been to Belfast and were off to Dublin. They drove to Dublin as their last trip destination (at least for Debbie and Larry). Driving on the left side with a bunch of cars can be stressful. When the group pulled up to the flat there was a sigh of relief from everyone including the car and unclenching of hands from the arm rests. It is a French car that is probably wondering “How the heck did I end up in Ireland?” The steering wheel in on the left side which is great for Joyce but the other drivers glare at Debbie for any imagined infractions. Debbie has threatened to throw her hands in the air like she is not driving to create chaos. However, Jerry and Larry didn’t want to have to deal with any angry Irish drivers so she relented.
Luckily, there was a bus stop right outside the flat. Joyce, the transportation czar, was able to help Debbie figure out the appropriate direction and bus. They did get kicked off the first bus because they did not have exact change. Technically, Debbie argues that 13.00 pounds made up of a 10 pound note and 3 – 1 pound notes is exact change. However, in Ireland it needs to be no folding bills all change. Thus requiring an ungraceful exit from the bus to regroup. The group just needed to get downtown for a city bus pass.
Riding the city bus is not for the weak of heart. Debbie and Jerry almost got thrown down the stairs with some of the hard, quick start and stops. The group’s theory is that not many tourist ride the city bus. The group received a lot of help delivered in fine Irish accents that they could not understand without consulting each other. Debbie got called over by one woman, quizzed and patted on the arm repeatedly. Overall the bus crowd was friendly but safety first was not the bus driver’s motto. Not even close.
They rode the bus to the City Center and exited with the Dublin spire in sight. Cultural Moment: The Dublin Spire was unveiled in 2002. The huge, striking and innovative (we didn’t write this) monument of the Spire stands in the middle of O’Connell Street just across from the famous General Post Office (A Troubles location). Debbie didn’t realize that it was a monument for 3 days. She thought is was some type of temporary communication tower. She would have voted for something else for the monument.
The next stop was Christ Church. Another Cultural Moment:
Christ Church Cathedral, more formally The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, is the cathedral of the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough. Christ Church Cathedral was founded in 1030 by King Sitriuc Silkbeard and Dunan, the first Bishop of Dublin. (Debbie wants to meet someone named Silkbeard). Joyce and Debbie toured the church. Jerry and Larry stayed outside as they preferred to save their money in case they needed more exact change on the bus.
Happily, the group was able to buy 3 day bus passes so are set for the remainder of the time in Dublin. Debbie is thinking of investing in some rope to tie herself onto the seat.