A city is a city now give me some green
Trip Start
Apr 26, 2006
1
2
8
Trip End
May 07, 2006
Dublin, Ireland
Friday, April 28, 2006
When I got to Dublin after getting my disassembled box and panniers, I started searching for a relatively free area to unpack the bike pieces and get to assemble my transport. After wandering around for a bit, it seemed best to do it outside as the sun was out and the weather was warm. I found a patch of sidewalk on which to settle for a bit and got to work. Things seemed to be going alright initially and then quickly became more frustrating. I could not figure out the right way to attach and calibrate the rear derailleur (gear shifter.) I must have spent at least an hour just with that piece alone oblivious to everything going on around me. At one point I looked up and masses of tourists could be seen embarking on jumbo tour buses and eyeing my curious self. Covered in grease, dirt, and sweating from frustration I was the sight of focused grimy determination. Eventually I had a stroke of genius and the bike was up and running.
The way into Dublin center proved much more confusing than I realized. I did tour a good chunk of the suburbs though. The city itself is quite clean, delightfully quaint while still maintaining a big persona. While touring around for hours mesmerized by the streets, parks, churches, and pedestrians I managed to get hit by a woman in a red Jaguar. Well not so much hit as bumped into. The incident caused my back tire to go out of alignment which I spent 1 hour realigning this evening. I've never had to "true" a wheel so it was quite the lesson minus the appropriate tools.
I decided to high tail it to the west coast after spending the morning and afternoon in Dublin. I had an amazing lunch at Cornucopia, a vegetarian restaurant in a posh district, with dizzyingly imaginative food and packed with loyal patrons. So I am in Killarney which is just spectacular. The light this evening as I arrived coupled with the looming mountains, greens pastures, and strolling locals was just the sight I was waiting to see. This town is filled with Polish people which was very surprising and I am almost sure they outnumber the Irish. I'm even staying at a hostel run by a Polish guy and with almost all the guests being Polish. This is not by choice but out of necessity as most of the other hostels are filled with college kids. I just can't fathom dorming it with young adults on their spring break. Aside from that this country is expensive. I'm glad I brought a jar of peanut butter as now all I need is some soda bread for impromptu cheap eats.
Total Kilometers biked today: 41.5
