First off, I have to state for the record that my room absolutely smells. Once this new Australian girl came into the room, the odor of the room significantly shifted. I febreezed the crap out of everything I own and I don’t think the smell is me… I hope Kim or Wes would have said something if so! But seriously, this girl has body odor that is oppressive. So instead of writing today’s blog sitting on my queen-sized bed, I’m hanging out in the lobby drinking some beer. A few more days and then a new room with new smells.
Now, on to the business. The tour bus was scheduled to leave at 7am so I arrived just before. I was fifth in line and sat in a window seat in front of another solo traveler. The tour bus attendant, an irritating red-headed Irish girl named Emma, came towards us and asked that solo travelers move to sit next to each other because “it isn’t fair to split couples up.” Newsflash Emma [in my head I originally wrote this part of the blog using a much more fitting descriptor for her, ie, dumbass, idiot, lame-o], people don’t travel in nice neat pairs – families of 3 or 5 will automatically split people up! I stood up for myself, refusing to move, and asked her “what if we want the window seat?” A solo traveler girl behind me said “yeah, that’s why we got here early.” Anyway, the girl is nicer than I am and moved begrudgingly to sit next to me [she later claimed she didn’t want to be that person on the bus who wouldn’t move seats. Sadly for her, I just got done reading “The Subtle Art of not giving a f%^&,” so I could not care at all what a bus full of TOURISTS thought of me]. Anyway, I offered to let her switch seats with me throughout the tour but she didn’t take me up on it. Great way to start the morning since I didn’t have any coffee for fear of getting car sick.
As we start driving away, Emma apologizes for splitting people up because “she can’t make people move.” Um hello, you guilt tripped that girl into moving! My seat mate was pissed and she didn’t say anything to me despite me introducing myself. Oh well, I still got the window seat. After she was done sulking, I learned her name is Jennifer and she’s from San Diego and she quit her job to travel as well. Oh the irony… some pictures of Irish countryside (tempting me more and more to move here at some point in my life):
Today was super foggy at the Cliffs of Moher so we didn’t get to see them very clearly. I did get some photos of me to prove that I was here. The funniest thing I overheard at the cliffs was one friend saying to another: “You have the worst balance. I would not go over there.”
Just some rather large cows because Irish people are super proud of their livestock. 
After 2 hours at the Cliffs of Moher, we headed along the Wild Atlantic Way past the Burren National Park. It’s essentially limestone, grass and flowers overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
As we headed towards Galway, the sun decided to make an appearance – I guess me cursing the sun on my Toronto to Reykjavik flight was going to catch up to me at some point on this trip. Wish the Cliffs were this clear but what can you do? Also, we passed by a castle that local lore says if you walk around it 3 times, you’ll be married within the year. I’ve already told my best friend we’re making a road trip around Ireland if we’re both hopelessly single this time next year.
Finally Galway…it’s much like Dublin. Charming. Cute. Irish. And along the water. At this point I didn’t do much exploring but I grabbed food, ate a gelato and had a beer before getting back on the bus for the 3 hour ride back to Dublin.
Tomorrow is my last full day in Dublin and I have no plans but to walk around and find a leprechaun. No small feat as I don’t think they actually exist. It might be fun to do a daytime pub crawl and hear local Irish folk tales and superstitions. *Side note, I just noticed my last picture has “engagement rings” plastered in huge letters on the side of the building. Hmmm, this trip may work out for me after all! You funny Universe!*
Friday = next travel day. Hint, I’m taking a plane. Enjoy the suspense!
There She Goes... 