Thursday, November 1 – Early Morning

I apologize for the lack of blog updates, but things have been a bit hectic. As of the last time I updated the blog online, you (the reader) were aware of Caitlin and Catherine's poor health. Both of them, ultimately, made the decision that they could not join me in Ireland. Since I basically found this out last night, I was pretty freaked at first. Now that I have all of my accommodations lined up, however, I’m a bit more at ease. Still, the prospect of spending 6 days traveling by myself is not so exciting. At the same time, I’m ready for a break. Though Cambridge was fun, it was, in many ways, a college experience. When I graduated from Williams I knew that I had to be done with that. This experience has only reaffirmed my earlier feelings.

I am writing this at 5:20 am in the London-Stansted airport. There is a certain stillness so early in the morning, even in a crazy airport. There are people here, but a certain calm seems to envelope us all. Maybe it has something to do with the thick layer of fog that is sure to delay my flight. I had a 3 am wake up to make my 3:40 am bus. Though I took half of an ambien last night, it was a sweaty, difficult night, partially due to stress, and partially from trying to go to bed at 9pm. Also, Catherine’s neighbors decided to have a Halloween party, which made things even more difficult. Regardless, I woke up feeling not half bad. In other words, I’m not worried about the short drive from the airport to my B&B in Kinsale where I plan to take a nap and operate on my own schedule. Hopefully everything goes fine getting the rental car. I’m sure that if I keep my mouth shut that it will.

Yesterday I went into London relatively early to meet Annie for the day. My train ticket was almost 10 pounds more expensive than on Saturday, and the woman gave me only two trips on the tube instead of the full day pass. I had no problems meeting Annie in King’s Cross. It was really great to see her, a friendly and supportive face goes a long way on a big trip like this. Annie and I took the tube up to Camden to check out the Camden Locks Market. We had a bit of trouble finding the market, but ended up walking through Regent Park up there, which was beautiful. Once we found the market, we quickly realized how crappy it was…mostly permanent stalls that were a mixture of gothic clothing and bongs. We left and took the tube down to the financial district near the Tower of London. We stopped and had a wonderful lunch of Indian food. They had the best, puffiest Naan I’ve ever had. After lunch we headed on down to the Tower of London. Though admission was expensive relative to the free museums everywhere else, it was probably worth it just for the weirdness that is the Tower Of London. I’ve never been somewhere so fundamentally male. Big giant gun racks, armor, swords, and millions in pillaged jewels. Oh and lest we forget the toilets from which the waste runs down the side of the castle. I’m sure Christopher Wren loved his windows covered in that. Once we were thoroughly weirded out, Annie and I walked along the Thames to the Tate Modern where we enjoyed creamed tea and scones (It was so good, I just had to go back.) Then we took the tube back up north and parted ways. I headed for Cambridge as I freaked out about going to Ireland by myself. Whatever, it is what it is. There’s probably nowhere else I’d rather be alone.

Once I returned, I made some frantic calls to B&B’s and got all set. That basically brings us up to date. Hopefully I’ll have internet at Walyunga B&B in Kinsale.