Ireland

I got off the airport shuttle bus, and a man in his mid thirties intercepted me and started asking me questions: Where I was from, what I was doing in Ireland, etc. Just normal friendly touristy stuff. Then, out of nowhere, he asks "So what do you think of George W. Bush?". This question came right out of left field, so I was caught of guard. However, I didn't want to talk politics with this guy, his faded and torn jean jacket, scarred bald head and curled lips putting of a very bad vibe. So I said, quite innocently, "Hmm...He's the president of the states or something right?"

I swear the line was so convincing, I should be an actor. But I digress. He said to me "Oh yeah he is, and I bloody love him! He's out there cleaning up the world for us white folks!". Now, I do happen to like G.W.B., and in my opinion he's NOT just out to "clean up the world for white folks", but again, I didn't want to get involved. So I said "oh how nice for them!" and walked away, but he followed. He continued on with his neo-Nazi tripe for another block, when I finally had enough. I said "Look mate, I'm not a big fan of the neo-nazi movement, so if you wouldn't mind I have things to do"

It was like flicking a switch, he turned on me instantly, yelling at me, hurling death threats, etc. I was quite concerned. So, I carried on my walk, when a couple of blocks later I saw he was following me, about a block back. So at the next left, I ran like the wind, then hung another left and ducked into a supermarket of some kind. I grabbed a box of hair dye from the shelf, ran into the men's room, and went to work. In 10 minutes, I was a fair haired young man with glasses and no ht with a black coat and silver backpack, miles away from the Fedora-clad, black backpack, red-coated Canadian I was previously. I exited the store, and BAM, ran right into my Neo Nazi buddy! He was certainly bent out of shape about something, as he grabbed me and threw me out of the way and ran into the supermarket, looking around (I assume for that Canadian Backpacker). So I was safe thanks to too many spy novels! I ran into the guy again that night around temple bar, but again he didn't recognize me. A certified nut, and not the kind of chap that you want on a welcoming committee! However, after that it was smooth sailing. Pictured above: The Four Courts at night, right across from my Hostel (which I shared with a group of Czechoslovakian nudists--it was rather awkward at times!)

A live band playing Irish Music in the Temple Bar area.

Glendalough, a stunning place that my Aunt took me to.

That's about all I did in Ireland. I went out to County Tipperarry, to see some of my mom's relations, and spent a great deal of time outside Dublin with my Dad's relations, and I went to the zoo. I would definitely go back, but there is one reason that Ireland was good for me: My family that was there. My aunts and uncles and cousins took great care of me once I got out of Dublin, and I absolutely loved it. It made me realize the value of family--even though I hadn't seen these people for 4 or 5 years, they were still there to make sure I had a good time and gave me a place to stay and everything. It was great, but short lived, for in a week I was off to Paris!

Before I get to that, though, I should mention something: I called the girl responsible for the trip on my second day in Ireland. Here I was, acknowledging that time apart was probably good for us, but who knew what would happen when I got home, Right? Maybe we could have something--anything. A friendship would have been good. The conversation went something like this: "Hey ******* how are ya?" "Hey Craig! oh man! how's your trip going!" "Great, I'm having a b--" "OH MY GOD GUESS WHAT! You'll never believe it...I MET SOMEBODY! It's so cool!"

You can imagine how that felt. So I said I had to go, hung up, to digest this new information that was so lovingly thrust in my face without regard. The next day, and e-mail: "I'm sorry that's the first thing I told you...I'm just so happy...he's so amazing...I hope he calls...I'm so excited" etc. A few more about how she's really falling for this guy and it's about all I can take. So, Away I went to the bar, downing far too much in far too little time, smoking like a chimney the whole way through. Total count: 2 hours, 8 drinks, 2 packs of cigarettes (I don't smoke). Kids, this ain't the way to deal with things, but it's what I needed at the time. I telephoned her again, and told her I never wanted to see her again, then hung up the phone.

II had done the proverbial "letting go". And she never came back. I've not heard a word from her since, and it's probably for the best. My thoughts were very focused on her for the remainder of the trip, but in many ways Ireland was the closing of the book. But, I had an adventure of a lifetime to get on with, and that I did (after, of course, the wickedly horrid hangover faded!)

Click here to see pictures of the only lone tourist in all of Paris!