It is Friday in Wexford. The plan is a train to Dublin: stay overnight and flights Saturday morning.
We are tidy people. We strip the beds and fold the bedding. We clean the dishes, wash down the bathroom and take the garbage out.
Other than the lack of television, this rental has been excellent. The host was exceptional. The apartment was perfect. I have come to judge rentals by the bathrooms and, particularly, the showers. We notice that both in Dublin and Wexford - it is IKEA. That makes sense - size, style and price. IKEA is practical. Both owners have thought out the process - nothing valuable and easily breakable.
We have the 13:05 (1:05 PM) train to Dublin. The owner has an 11:00 vacant time. We are out before 10:30AM.
We know that the train station is within easy walking distance - across from Dunnes. We have wake up coffee at the apartment. The train may not have sandwiches and the train ride is a little over two hours.
We walk north on Main Street. There is small Coffee Shop /Sandwich Shop called Nosh. It must be popular judging from the large number of people inside.
We find a table. We are not the only people stopping to eat before the train to Dublin. There are suitcases and carryons on the floor. I order for us at the counter.
As I mentioned, I am a worrier on travel day. I would rather sit for two hours waiting than arrive just on time. The food arrives and I pick up at the counter. It is surprisingly good.
From our limited experience, Irish trains are on time. Wexford is the second to last stop from Dublin to Enniscorthy and the second stop when the train leaves Enniscorthy. The weather is clear and in the mid fifties.
When we arrive at the small station, there is not a notice about delays or cancellations. We have our return tickets so I do not panic when the station window is closed with note stating "return at'.
The station fills up quickly. We see people from Nosh. Since it Friday, I presume that our companions will be weekend tourists, professionals returning to Dublin and families. The station fills quickly. There is limited sitting inside and it is slightly chilly.
Caroline ran out of her limited Cellular service (500MB). I think that she has remarkable. She was able to manipulate 500MB for almost two weeks even though she was our go-to for directions and information. WIFI is ubiquitous in Europe. But, it is most often open networks which are dangerous. The networks are best in short term use and to sites where your private information is limited.
Betty and I have data left. We have been conservative in use since Betty and I have another two weeks in Scotland and England.
By 12:50, the station is full. I am not the only one nervous. Other travelers are checking the platform. The station window has opened and tickets are purchased. I realize later that trains, like autos, are on the left. They arrive on the opposite track. It is a small thing. But does make a difference on which side of the platform you wait. Everyone seems content. I am assured that we are on the right side for Dublin.
The train arrives on time. Since these are round trip tickets, my sin of poor seating arrangement returns. We are in standard coach (no WIFI). There is the luxury of double seats facing each other with a table between.
Unfortunately, my confusion has us sitting in a row formation.
Fortunately, the coach is not crowded. We pick a table and squat. The worst that happens we have to move.
The weather holds and we get a slightly better view of the countryside. The rail line is does not have the best vistas because of the vegetation growth on both sides of the rail. You can see where Irish Rail must frequently run large bush machines cutting the vines that intrude on the rail.
No snack cart.
Two hours and ten minutes later, we pull into Connelly station platform 5. We are confident. Then I am no longer as confident. How to find a cab and where is the hotel?
The Paramount Hotel is within 260 feet of Temple Bar (their website proudly announces). It is quick cab ride. All the cabs in London and Dublin have GPS systems - most seem to use cell phones.
How can you not find directions? Over half the drivers, seem to have no idea how to use GPS. My honest guess - for some it is our accents, lack of details on our part and, for others - this is an entry level job so there is the difficulty of translating the spoken word into written. I would have the same problem with Italian.
Of course, we do not have the address - only the name.
The hotel is very nice. Caroline needs to get up at 4:00 AM to catch the first of three flights home. So Caroline shares a room with us. As is the rule in all hotels - US and Europe (but especially, outside US) there are an insufficient number of outlets (hint for next trip - bring multiple plug ) to charge all of our electronics.
The hotel is actual two buildings with fire doors between. We are in the building closest to the intersection.
No one feels like going out for dinner. Bill, Caroline and I search for a McDonald's. American fast food is everywhere - plus we saw one earlier in the week (wow, was that really a few days ago).
McDonald's are always full - whether Rome, Florence, Milan - always. The menus are tailored to local taste so it takes a few seconds to decide. we eat and bring back to Betty.
We are in bed early. About 2 AM the Temple Bar pubs close and the party moves to the street. They are loud and having a lot of fun. Listening to them, you cannot get mad that you are awakened.
Off and on, I drop off to sleep. I am not certain how Caroline is holding up.
I have reserved a cab for her to the airport. I think I used a local on-line taxi app. I can see the cab on my iphone - it is ten minutes away. Caroline is very organized and is ready to go.
The cab arrives - the driver is very nice and I feel comfortable that Caroline will be alright. We had no idea of the journey and adventures she had in front of her.
Back up the elevator and to bed for a few hours sleep. We leave about 9AM - Bill's plane leaves a little over an hour before ours. He flies directly home. We fly to Edinburgh.
Tomorrow, Ryanair and Scotland
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