9/21/19 15:43 39,000 feet above the Atlantic
On my way back from Ireland.
I met Meli in Dublin. Earlier
last Thursday I arrived in Dublin and thought of getting down on my hands and
knees and kissing the pavement, but that would have been too dramatic for the
exhausted tourists and weary workers.
Get off there! I was exhausted by
the lack of sleep. We flew in the night,
under stars and turbulence, influenced by tail winds. I peeked out from my window like a weak boxer
in the final rounds, are we there yet? Seeing
Ireland under the grey clouds was a dream.
I have not been in Ireland since 1985. Before heading back to the airport for the
return flight back then, grandma wished me a safe trip. When my car keys fell
in front of her, she said, out loud, Jaysus I hope that’s not a bad sign. She died a couple of years after that.
There is a five-hour time zone difference between Bethlehem,
PA and Dublin. Like a drunk fool, I
decided that driving a stick shift, which I normally don’t drive was somehow feasible. Getting into the opposite side
of the car, the steering wheel, was opposite, different side of the road. Trying to get the car into gear with my left
hand, first and reverse were right next to each other, yet, somehow it would
all work out? After a couple of glasses
of wine on the flight over, a lack of sleep, feeling a bit buzzed, somehow it
would not be a death wish? I made it to
the Airbnb in Inchicore and only after calling the homeowner and going round
his block three times, and meeting his neighbor who guided me to the house with
a wave. Over here you eydget. I pulled into the driveway and we both
noticed the smell emanating from the car.
Sure I farted a few times in the metallic beast. She said, I was burning the gears. After that she let me into house. The home
alarm went off, cracking my ear drums with a deafening pulse. She called one of the owners and we were
in. I made it. I was in Ireland and looked at the small
backyard. A light rain came. I fell
asleep for an hour or so. Woke up and
called Enterprise. I wanted an
automatic. Driving down narrow roads
which slide into one-way death traps was not my idea of spending a vacation in
Ireland. I made loose plans that day to
have lunch with a colleague, but that was quickly erased since I had to drive
back to the airport. I drove back and
was told how much more the costs would be.
I didn’t care, Meli and I had plans to drive around Ireland. Let’s be clear at this point, I drove. She pointed out lovely scenery, but even with
an automatic, I hung onto the staring wheel with increased anxiety, especially
after seeing a huge bus looming down the road or a tractor or an old woman
standing too close to the road. Yeah, I
hit bushes on the side of the road, no old ladies, rammed the curbs a few
times. Each time getting into the car
was an ordeal, first reminding myself I was getting into the right side of the
car, sliding my knee under the steering wheel.
There was a sigh of relieve that I made it back to Enterprise in one
piece, earlier today both the car and myself, and I am grateful I saw so many
beautiful areas in Ireland. I know both
Meli and I will be back. Let me look
outside the window while I listen to Bob Dylan.
We are crossing the tip of North America, some islands off
the remote coast of Nova Scotia. Meli is
in Munich and may be getting into the Lufthansa airliner to take her back to
Mexico City. The last couple of days in
Ireland have been sad since I knew she was going back to Mexico and I was
heading back to the US. Anyway, I’ll
share more details as this progresses.
Meli was in Sweden for work.
We had subtle plans to see each other in Sweden, but she thought it
would be better to take a vacation in Europe. We looked at Spain and Portugal,
but she suggested Ireland since it was one of the places she wanted to
visit. In comparison, Ireland is an
expensive vacation, but we were conscientious, each night was a Airbnb which for
most nights worked out for us. One of
the reservations could not host us, but a friend had room in her B&B. That was a beautiful house and we were served
a splendid breakfast with lots of coffee.
Waking up and seeing The Atlantic and the islands off the coast, the
clouds slowly drifting over the slopes was a dream. We could spend a few days in Dingle which is
touristy and yet retains its character.
It is where I ordered our wedding rings which are beautiful. I wanted to have a link between Ireland and
Costa Rica.
The light in Ireland as well as the air seemed clearer. We sat across from one another at Trinity
College and at the yard in Dublin Castle and were amazed at the light. And we had the good grace since it did not
rain on any of the days when we were together.
We ate well. I am
still a vegetarian, but did eat some fish while there. Actually the first day, I had fish and chips,
but it was not very good. I would have
eaten card board and been satisfied.
Like I said, I picked up Meli at the airport. Her flight was delayed and I fell asleep
sitting at a small table for a few minutes.
When she came out of the terminal, I let her walk by and watched as she
looked for me. I walked up behind her
and welcomed her to Ireland with a kiss just before midnight.
More to come…
Thank you for you reading this!
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