Our previous flights to Europe have been on wide-bodied planes with at least 12 seats across the rear cabin. Not a ton of room, but two aisles, some space to stretch on occasion, and, if we were lucky, our own screen and a list of movies to watch.
This was not that plane. 3 seats to a side, and those sitting on the narrow aisle were guaranteed to get hit by each cart that went by. A baby sneezes on row 3 and a mother on row 26 says bless you. Actually less room than we had on the flight to Philly and not the way we planned to spend a long overseas flight. And I must say it was made even worse by the movie shown to everyone on a 14" screen: Into the Woods, a movie the three of us had seen but not enjoyed together previously. Add some turbulence, a lack of sleep, and no hot coffee or tea (due to the turbulence), and you have Zombieland.
We nevertheless managed to get our luggage quickly and get our rental car and instructions. Vicki takes the wheel - the one on the right side of the car - and proceeds out into traffic. Within minutes, she has already made it through 3 roundabouts and passed multiple vehicles. She will own the road in a day or two. We get to Limerick without incidence, marveling at how green the country is, and, amazingly, our room in the B&B is already ready. Nap time!
We walk into town centre for lunch in a pub and take a hop on hop off tour. Limerick is lovely, and I have no doubt that there are sites to see, but we are done. It's mid afternoon and we are napping once again.
A few shots from the tour:
I don't think we're in Memphis! One might think that the Irish speak English, but I sat in a moderately crowded pub this evening and didn't hear a single word I understood. The bartender was the only one - and he was only because he wanted to be paid.
This is a remnant of the old wall that protected Limerick. Most of them were knocked down in the 1700s after sieges in the late 1600s.
Lots of street art in Limerick:
Limerick is on the river Shannon, a river we will cross again in our travels.
I love European rooftops. They have character, and they are often growing things.
Finally, this is a copy of a painting in our room in the B&B. I labeled it "Gentleman on tired horse asking for the third time how to get to Hop On Hop Off Bus station." The three ladies are obviously locals and they earnestly believe they just explained quite clearly how to reach that destination. The streets in Limerick can change names in the middle of the block. In the course of less than 2 miles, Dublin St. becomes Clare St. becomes Locks Quay becomes Charlotte Quay becomes Bank Place.
We have almost made it to 9:00pm. I'm done. Time to crash.
Dan
