Sleeping in Your Car and Other Life Decisions

All the traveling and driving was fun, but I often found that I hadn't reserved a bed and breakfast for the night because I wasn't sure exactly where I would end up. If I did reserve one in advance, I would have to drive hours farther than I was prepared to or stick around somewhere I didn't necessarily want to be. The worst night for that was in Ennis, Co. Clare.

Earlier in the day, I had visited Glenstal Abbey, the city of Limerick, and Bunratty Castle. Bunratty was really cool; not only was the castle available for viewing, but a village was recreated so that we tourists could see what town would have looked like at a certain point in history, as well as what kind of houses people with different wealth and occupations had. There were even descriptions that listed the county from which these homes were based.

Glenstal Abbey: does your abbey have a cannon?

Irish Revolutionary. I think this was a memorial, not his grave.

me in The Lady's Garden

Bunratty

S/O to my PA folks

Guys, there was a fire pit in the middle of the grand hall. The picture totally doesn't do it justice.

kitchen area

#ARLAND

One of the village houses

After Bunratty and a quick stop at Durty Nelly's where I got hit on by a 35-year-old Brit (If you know anything about my life, you know this is noteworthy because he was under the typical age range I attract: men aged 43-56 years. Also, I was looking rough--no makeup, work boots, muddy khakis, and a clashing outfit--while he was wearing a white button up.), I headed off to Ennis. I didn't really have a reason for going there, and I certainly didn't have a place to stay yet. Thinking back on the recommendation of said Brit to just stay near Bunratty for the night, it seemed like a stupid decision to drive to Ennis, but onward I journeyed.

This happens kind of a lot when you're driving here: BOOM! Something gorgeous and historic! Old Franciscan monastery

Look, it's fall!

I asked around at some B&Bs in town, and they were all booked. I asked a group of three men walking on the street if they knew of any bed and breakfasts. One said to me, "We're on our way to a funeral; we can't help you." Another said, "You want a bed? I've got a bed for you, and I'll cook you breakfast. Wait there." Sadly, it took me a minute longer than it should have to catch on to what he meant. I never know with those 70-yr-old men. They can either be real jokesters or dead serious. By the way, either that church was hosting criminal activity or regular civic events because it was a hive of activity well into the night.

Another man, a restaurant manager, suggested I stay in a hotel down the road. I had already tried The Old Grounds hotel in the middle of town, but it was 120 euro per night, and this man told me if I instructed staff that I didn't want breakfast at his suggested hotel, I could get away with 60 euro per night. That sounded good to me, so I headed toward it. Now let's talk about crime. I had to park in a field off the side of the extra car park; that's how busy this hotel/bar/night club/maybe casino was! I honestly don't know what was going on there, but they were busy. They didn't have a room for me, so I decided to change into night-club-worthy attire (not that I really brought that with me on my farming and mission trip) and see what was happening. I figured I could just sleep in my car for a couple hours after the bar closed since no one could tow me because I was parked in a field. I eventually decided that this was irresponsible, that I don't know the towing laws in this country, and that having a bed and bathroom should be on my personal list of necessities as a 26-yr-old, first-world adult. I went back to the expensive hotel and requested a room. And wouldn't you know that getting "bar ready" saved me 25 euro when I checked in! Note to self: dress up for discounts with hotel staff, dress down to get hit on in local bars.

At the hotel bar, where I finally went to eat and listen to trad music, I met Jim and Maureen. They bought me several glasses of wine and gave me the address of a school friend of Maureen's who runs a B&B in Galway. Galway was my next night's stop after I went to the Cliffs, you see. And I actually stayed four nights at this terrific B&B for 40 euro per night because I enjoyed Galway so much and was tired of moving around. Look at that! Thank God I chose not to sleep in the car, and I'd especially like to give a shout out to Deacon Dave Galvin for burning it into my mind that sleeping in my car is not acceptable behavior!

Onto the Cliffs!