So I flew out of Paris to Dublin. Flying with Ryanair so I had fun rearranging my bags so that my checked bag was 15kg and my carryon was 8. Strange rules. I mean, as far as weight on a plane surely it doesn't matter that much how it's distributed?
Arrived in Dublin uneventfully and was met by Frances! My friends Frances and Laura moved to Dublin in January to work and travel around Europe. Isn't it confusing that there are two Lauras I am visiting? I don't know how to simplify this for you other than the fact that one is in France and the other is in Ireland. If you need further clarification let me know (other than those of you reading in NZ because you know both Lauras so if you're confused then that's not my fault.)
Right, so Frances met me at the airport and we realised that it was my birthday last year when we last saw eachother and hence most of our conversation was punctuated by "I can't believe I'm/you're here!" and lots of hugs. We headed back to they're house for dinner and conversation before heading into town, ostensibly to go 'out' but instead we got crepes (very Irish) and sat in a cafe talking until Laura was done work and we headed back home for more conversation.
They both worked Sunday and I had to do washing so I hung around the house reading and watching TV while my washing took forever to be done. Then I discovered a) it hadn't spun properly so it was all sopping and b) something black had run so now all my stuff is a little grey. No real dramas here because nothing vitally non-grey was in there but it was still an unpleasant surprise so I threw a wee hissy-fit and made a big mess getting it into the dryer which I didn't clean up before I stormed out of the house in Frances' trousers because I couldn't stand it. Within about 20 minutes I realised that it really wasn't that big a deal and that I hadn't taken the time to see what the damage really was but it was a bit late to turn the bus around so I carried on and spent some time in town before meeting Laura, doing some groceries, buying some gloves (it's cold) and heading home. Damage wasn't horrific. Cream pants are now greyish but evenly enough that it seems on purpose and one pair of pink underwear must be a particularly absorbant material because now they are chocolate coloured! They probably did me a favour and save much of the rest of my clothes from being effected.
That night we just sat around chatting again, lots of fun, and I talked to my Irish cousin Bridget (2nd cousin? Removed? Twice?) who I am going to visit later this week! Very excited, and she sounded so excited to have me visiting that I don't feel at all bad about imposing. She said (in a broad accent) "Oh yeah, you don't come to visit your relative in Ireland and not get put up."
Monday was Laura's day off so we wandered around Dublin. Went to the museum, which was closed because it was Monday, went to Trinity College but didn't see the Book of Kell because it cost a silly amount, went to St Stephen's Green, pretty and open and free! Frances started early so finished at 2.30 and we met her for lunch and then brownie (yum) before doing some shopping at Penneys - this ridiculously cheap clothing (and other stuff) store with some nice stuff. Frances wanted Christmas decorations but didn't like what they had on offer.
Home to watch America's Next Top Model (oh yes we did) before an early night because we were all exhausted! We keep staying up late talking so we needed a proper night's sleep. Today the girls are working again so I'm going to head to the museum and probably along the river because it's nice and sunny. Not warm in the slightest but sunny at least so photos will look nice.
Tomorrow I head down near Limerick where Mike (the volunteer) lives and I'll visit for a couple days. I'll try to update from there but otherwise it could be a week till I can send stuff again. We'll see :)
And as requested by certain family members here is the flickr site again: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31050258@N04/
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