12-01-2017, 09:13 AM
I'm at the Kilronan. It's a teeny tiny room, more like a closet, with a fussy toilet but my worldly-wise plumbing skills can solve the issue. My room is right over the reception desk, above the stairs so everyone passes it. It's noisy now at check in, but this is a small b&b so i don't think there will be too much once things settle. But I feel cozy and am grateful for the private bathroom. I regret not copping the amenities from the last hotel. I usually do, but I spent too long at breakfast talking shop with the ET producer. The lobby is nice - adorned with portraits of famous Irish writers with good quotes in the matted frames. Lovely complimentary tea service and the reception guy is pleasant. I realize I didn't bring the right power converter plug - must've taken it out for Tara's India trip. The last hotel had universal plugs so I didn't notice. This hotel has 2-prongs but they don't work. My chormebook should be ok because it has a decent battery life but not sure about my iphone. Might have to secure a new plug.
My throat is dry as if I'm on the edge of something. Got some lozenges at the pharmacy with an ingredient I don't recognize. It was otc and the lozenges are soothing. I also realize I should've brought my reading glasses because I'm struggling with the maps. Stared at one for several minutes until I realized I was it was in Irish.
I walked about Stephens Green and Grafton waiting for check in. It's still cold, almost fell on some black ice while backpacking it from the last hotel, however it's tolerable without the wind chill. It's super bright and clear. Crisp ocean air punctuated by so many smokers, on the streets, in the doorways, everywhere. There's seems to be more homeless beggars than I remember too - they look miserable in the cold. Grafton was packed on a Friday afternoon, like xmas rush packed. I was overwhelmed. I keep thinking I know where I am and then discovering I'm turned around some how. Plus I'm having a hard time with the rhythm of pedestrian flow - keep bumping into people - coupled with the left-side cars, and the constant distraction of fascinating store windows and pubs, it's a struggle to get around. I couldn't get to sleep until 5am this morning, but I got a decent 4+ hours. Been drinking lovely Irish tea by the pints.
Going to head out for dinner, maybe a little more window shopping, and then relax in my closet here.
My throat is dry as if I'm on the edge of something. Got some lozenges at the pharmacy with an ingredient I don't recognize. It was otc and the lozenges are soothing. I also realize I should've brought my reading glasses because I'm struggling with the maps. Stared at one for several minutes until I realized I was it was in Irish.
I walked about Stephens Green and Grafton waiting for check in. It's still cold, almost fell on some black ice while backpacking it from the last hotel, however it's tolerable without the wind chill. It's super bright and clear. Crisp ocean air punctuated by so many smokers, on the streets, in the doorways, everywhere. There's seems to be more homeless beggars than I remember too - they look miserable in the cold. Grafton was packed on a Friday afternoon, like xmas rush packed. I was overwhelmed. I keep thinking I know where I am and then discovering I'm turned around some how. Plus I'm having a hard time with the rhythm of pedestrian flow - keep bumping into people - coupled with the left-side cars, and the constant distraction of fascinating store windows and pubs, it's a struggle to get around. I couldn't get to sleep until 5am this morning, but I got a decent 4+ hours. Been drinking lovely Irish tea by the pints.
Going to head out for dinner, maybe a little more window shopping, and then relax in my closet here.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse