Ireland 2016

[Drunk Monk]

It's clear and crisp today, almost warm, but I realized I was mistaken when I almost face planted on some icy cobblestones. Stacy has been tucked into bed - she's rather ill. Tara has been doing homework and watching videos - her coughing and stuffiness are going down. I think she's pleased to be resting. I made a run for supplies and a veg Irish breakfast at 'the oldest medieval building in Galway' finnegans and just took a huge nap. Bummed to lose a gorgeous day, especially when there's only like 7 hours of daylight and we've been sleeping through the first few, but the rest was sorely needed. Hope that nap doesn't mess up my circadians too much as I was just adjusting today. My cough continues and now my chest is a little congested. And I'm allergic to something outside because my eyes water and I sneeze a lot - maybe it is the Lynch factor here.

I found the city wall in the mall. That was weird but thanks again for pointing that out, Greg - you know how I like weird. Tara and I may go see Fantastic beasts later.

[Greg]

I know sound like a broken record, but try and get a guide for a local tour. That's how I got all that knowledge and Galway has a lot of secret spots you might miss.

Still no sighting of the Lynch castle, I notice . . . .

[Greg]

I was trying to come up with a quote to sum up my tentative start to my documentary and the line "slouches towards Bethlehem" popped into my head, since my start is so tentative.

But it did lead me towards this poem by Yeats, which I don't think I've fully read since High School in Ireland.

The Second Coming

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

[Drunk Monk]

Lynch Castle? You mean the bank? Yeah, seen that. Passed it several times, admired the gargoyles, even withdrew some €, and didn't realize what it was until just this evening. That and Lynch's window. My allergies are killing me - you'd think after years of lynch exposure growing up I'd have built some tolerance. But that coupled with the cough is challenging.

I made another food run. Had a lovely seafood pizza at Fat Freddy's, decorated profusely with the stoner comic images, but a nice family Irish/Italian/Mexican place. What's with all the Mexican places here?

Nice poem.

[Drunk Monk]

We saw the movie as you probably noticed from my review. Irish theaters are like U.S. ones, Dolby 7.1 and Ben & Jerrys. Totally forgot we were in Ireland for a moment.

Hopefully everyone will be healthy enough to go out tomorrow.

[Drunk Monk]

It's been incredibly frustrating here. The weather has been crystal clear but uncommonly cold according to the locals. My family is still sick, especially Stacy, and she was the one who wanted to come to Galway to hear traditional music. All she's seen has been the inside of our b&b. Tara came out for some shopping, sightseeing and snacks today, but only for a short time. Her MacBook power cord crapped out so now she cannot finish her homework (she has a lot as we've taken her out of school for this). I've busied myself running errands, keeping my ladies supplied with food, tea and tissues. Mind you, I'm sick too - nasty coughing fits as I'm fighting to clear something out of my left lungs, dizzy spells (those I'm used to), and moments of extreme fatigue.

Our original plan was to head somewhere else tomorrow but we decided to stay put. Thinking this was the off season, we hoped to extend our stay a day, but we were mistaken. All the hotels, b&bs, and hostels book up for these weekends prior to the holidays. I had to really scramble today to find a place here tomorrow.

I've been enjoying myself when I can, living off seafood at the pubs and sampling whiskeys. Irish whiskeys are extraordinary and every pub has a whiskey menu. Trying to keep it cheap, but those displays behind the bars are so tempting. But we're way over budget, so I'm restraining myself. There's a lot of trump talk - our beloved country has become a global laughing stock. But I'm thankful to be here. It is a beautiful place and the people and culture have an inner joy that's contagious.

[Drunk Monk]

I awoke to chills and body aches last night. They have subsided a little now. Stacy feels better and is almost ready to move to the new b&b. Tara feels okay she says, just snotty. I may just lay out today, rest for tomorrow's train ride. 

Galway is cloudy today and near freezing.

[Greg]

I feel so bad for you. It makes me sad to know you aren't seeing anything but the inside of a crappy B&B. I hope the next one is better.

[Drunk Monk]

We have been strolling Galway all day. The sky cleared and it's not freezing. The whole family is out and about and we're being total tourists - shopping, eating, etc.

Tara went for a cheaper claddagh - the Thomas Dillon ones were really pricey and she wasn't that into it. Apparently claddagh are 'in' with her gen right now.

Saw your feckin Lynch window. Gotta admit, the skull underneath was super cool, like the gargoyles on your Lynch castle.

[Greg]

I'm not saying it's a fake . . . . 

Well, I hope you get to see more of the environs. Have you noticed the Whiskey Trail plaques on some of the Pubs? I know there are a couple near Eyre square.

[Drunk Monk]

I thoroughly investigated the whiskey trail pubs. I even did the whiskey museum just now, which was touristy yet quite informative, and you get 4 samples plus a souvenir glass. Amusing. I knew very little about Irish whiskeys. I know even less about Lynch's window but will wiki it later.

We are back in Dublin at a nice hotel. Tomorrow is T2T2. Unfortunately we could not book another tour unless it was super expensive or took all day so we will try do it by bus. Itll be an adventure. That'll be our final full day in Ireland.

With my coughing and the jet lag, I have not a good nights sleep in two weeks. Maybe I'll sleep on the plane on Monday.

[Drunk Monk]

I think I've had only one semi-decent night of sleep over the last two weeks and it's taking its toll on me. After a wicked night of coughing and misery, Stacy is taking over the T2T2 expedition and I'm staying back to rest. I have a few final errands today and maybe that finale play (hopefully). Feel sad about missing out on the T2T2 but I gotta just take a moment to chill and heal. Fortunately this room is really nice.

[Drunk Monk]

I just drew the finale card. Turns out Stacy taking over the T2T2 is a blessing in disguise. I have less than an hour to compose myself. At least I got a short nap. 

More to come.

[Greg]

Oh, sure. Enigmatic works.

[Drunk Monk]

Dim sum with the Badlands stunt team.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNUZ9t8AZUe/

S&T are still at the Hill. I must rest now.