Half Term Holiday

Well...I took off to Dublin to meet up with another Fulbright teacher, Elizabeth. The trip there went well, until just after I landed. I got in at midnight, took out Euros from the ATM, or cashpoint, but it only came out in 50's. No one in the entire airport would give me change so I could take the bus to town...6 Euros. Instead, I took at cab for 20 Euros. Once there I was given a dorm room that was empty. It was great for the night. In the morning they told me I needed to move as a large group was coming in that day though. Oh, well! At least I got one night to myself. We took the red bus around town...saw the Book of Kells, walked through Kilmainham Gaol (where all the Irish revolutionaries were shot - very moving), and went on the Guinness tour...all in the first day. The second day we went on a walking tour...saw the Riverdance headquarters, and walked through Temple Bar and along Grafton Street. Last day in Dublin we went to the Irish Writer's Museum, shopped a bit, I went to see the movie Stardust (FAB - U - LOUS!!), then we went to dinner with traditional music and dance (pretty cool!) I'll try to upload the video as soon as I'm able. My last two days, I decided to take the train down to Waterford for the night to see the crystal factory. It was amazing and I'm really glad I went. Then I tried to get home. The locomotive of the train wasn't working correctly when we got to Kilkenney...2 hours later...a new locomotive arrived from Waterford and we went on our way. I made the transfer to the bus for the airport and thought everything was OK. It hadn't yet clicked that I misinterpreted the military time on my ticket. When I got to the airport, Ryanair wouldn't let me check my luggage as it was 35 minutes until take-off and they stop taking luggage 45 minutes before...Yeah, you figured it out correctly...10 minutes late. I guess my dad's right...I need to put in my will that my body needs to be delivered 10 minutes late to my funeral. LOL! Anyway, this time it cost me 76 Euro and a night sleeping (barely) in the airport. This was the most expensive "cheap" trip I have ever taken! Here's to next term break going much better!!!! Keep your fingers crossed! I just made plans to go on a Harry Potter tour with Susan, another Fulbright teacher! Can't wait!!!!!!