YOB: #8. Go To Ireland (Part 2)

By Lara

[Here is the continuing story of Lara's account of YOB: #8. Go to Ireland. Be sure to go check out Part 1, and Beth's version, as well.]

IRELAND DAY 3 - We went on our day trip on the third day. The brochure was vague regarding where we were to be picked up, but we eventually got on the correct bus.

Apparently, Dubliners do not like to leave their homes before daylight. We were walking towards the Dublin Tourism office around 7:30 and the streets were practically empty... on a week day.

So. The day trip. The first stop was Glendalough. I LOVED Glendalough. It was beautiful and haunting. We saw some wild goats. The upper lake, the waterfall, my prayer rock, and the green road were all things that imagination are made of. I enjoyed the lower lake and the ruined monastery as well. Most of our tour group hurried off past the truly beautiful things in order to get a cup of tea before re-boarding the bus. Beth and I lingered. It was wonderful.

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YOB: #8. Go To Ireland (Part 1)

By Lara

After consulting my list, I see that I only have two more completed items from the Year of the Birthday list to write about. This is a big one, though. Ireland. Prepare yourself for a "too be continued" situation. Seriously. This is a long story.

Beth and I were supposed to go on a tour of the whole country of Ireland last summer. Due to lack of participation, the tour was cancelled. We decided to make our own plans to stay in Dublin over the Thanksgiving long weekend. We spent a lot of time researching the least expensive means of getting to and staying in Dublin. We made reservations.

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YOB: #8. Go To Ireland (Abridged)

By Beth

How does one go about writing a short article about a trip like Ireland? Even as short a trip as we took? Well, all I can really do is give you the highlights and try to be entertaining while I do so.

We should start by saying that I was very nervous about this trip. While Lara is an experienced international traveler and has done so on her own, I have not been on an international trip where I was the one responsible for getting me to my plane, hotel, etc. I have been overseas several times, just with family, or a group though. As we were planning this trip, it felt like there were no grown-ups going with us. Obviously Lara and I are both adults; I have 2 children, we both have good jobs and responsibilities, but somehow, I still felt as if this trip would solidify my adulthood! Lara thought I was funny. Looks aren't everything though!

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