Our last day

We're back home.

The last day in Dublin was just us heading to the airport and on our way home. Of course, the last day of our vacation was the first day that I felt completely better from my illness. Of course.

We woke up very early and gave a parting thank-you gift to our friendly front desk people. (chocolates and California wine.) It was raining a little bit as we stood at the bus stop. The whole goodbye to Dublin was really kind of anticlimatic.

At the airport, JD and I bought some liquor at the duty free shop. Celtic Cross - something JD was looking for for quite a while - and some Irish cream. The flight back actually seemed a lot easier than the flight there. I think being in a plane with a bit more legroom helped. I fell asleep for a moment. I know, I couldn't believe it myself. But I couldn't help wishing that we were rich enough to fly first class. I'm telling you, the moment we win the lottery, we won't fly any other way. (Except, maybe, if we can travel by private jet!)

So I'm actually glad that we're home. It was an amazing trip, but nothing beats your own bed.

JD says he enjoyed his first foray into Europe.

In fact, you know what... I think for our next overseas trip, I'll have him write on this blog too.

You know what's even better, once I think about it, let me ask him some questions now....

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ME: I'm writing a retrospective interview with you on our recent trip to London and Dublin. Can I ask you some questions?

JD: Sure.

ME: What did you think about your first trip to Europe?

JD: I was so amazingly pleased. One of the biggest uncertainties I had, probably the weirdest, is that I didn't know what life 'looked' like outside of America. One thing I just wanted to know is what a foreign suburbia looked like-- or whether I would walk down the streets of London and feel like I was in an alien world. I was very, heh, relieved(?) that it was familiar while still being satisfyingly new and exciting.

ME: So I know one of the suckiest things that happened, that hindered the trip becoming so much more exciting, in my opinion, was that I got sick. I'm sorry about that. I hope it didn't limit your experience.

JD: Just being there with you was worth it. I would have felt just as bored as if I were in America trying to go explore bars and such on my own. We did get out and push through our cruddy health and exhaustion more than I would have expected. England had that annoying indoor/outdoor climate thing going on that makes me loathe the North East: that it's cold outside, so you dress for 40 degree weather - and wear a coat, but then you go into a pub and the heat is set to 82!!! How do they keep any kind of energy level up at all with that kind of hassle? I felt like I was maybe supposed to carry some khaki shorts and a hawaiian shirt to change into when I go into an establishment.

ME: I know, that bothered me a lot too. Just when you get used to the weather outside, you come inside a restaurant or store and you have to get your body to adjust to the new temperature. Not fun. I supposed i'm used to the So Cal weather. lol. I guess that's a good segue... now that I know what you liked least about the trip, what did you like best about both London and Dublin? What were your favorite experiences?

JD: The best part of Dublin was easily the Trinity College Library and viewing the The Book of Kells. I love illuminated manuscripts. The long room was fascinating, too. I got caught up trying to see if there were any secrets to the busts around the room... were they staring at a secret door, or glaring at the hiding place for some ancient masonic text? I dunno... but I spent most of my time studying the busts. Not to say that the Guinness plant wasn't awesome, too. But I'm a sucker for ancient art. In London, there was just too much. But I guess my favorite experiences there revolved around the oldest architecture-- Stonehenge, and especially Bath. I was completely enthralled with the underground excavations of the temple at Bath.

MO: Yeah, that was pretty awesome. I'm really looking forward to our 2007 trip to Spain. I know we won't have that pesky temperature issue to deal with, so I'm hoping it will be much more fun! (And hopefully, no more illness situations!) So before I sign off, is there anything else you want to add?

JD: Heh... I was talking with a man about all the different lines and patterns on the road and traffic violations. When I told him that in the US, if you get a ticket, you have a right to contest it in a trial, he was taken aback. Maybe he never had to contest a ticket... but I got the impression that they don't get that opportunity in England?

MO: Hmm, I'm not sure about that either. Maybe I'll have to post that question on my travel message board.