I’m headed to Ireland. Well, by the time you read this I’ll most likely be in Ireland. As I type this I’m on the plane from Seattle to Chicago, where my connecting flight is to Dublin. What’s in Ireland? Other thn the factory where the greatest liquid is created (Guinness) my father lives there now. Originally he was from Belfast, then 30 years ago or back to Ireland. Instead of living “back home” in Belfast, he’s about an hour north, in Ballycastle, a seaside town that’s almost like a resort. He’s come back to Seattle a few times, visiting family, but this is the first time since he’s moved back to Ireland that anybody has come to visit him.
Let me provide a little bit of background on my dad. He’s one of 11 brothers and sisters. Not all are alive at this point, but many of them are in Belfast, with a couple in Ballycastle. Also, at some point or another, about half of the family has lived in Seattle, where two sisters and two brothers still live. There is a major connection between Belfast and Seattle, specially with my father’s family.
And so I am going to Ireland to visit him. The timing is a bit weird, but it is the best there is. It would be nice to be able to bring the whole of my family, but that’s financially impossible. With my work schedule, Laura’s work schedule, and school, this was the only week that I could go. As it is, I’m skipping out on a day of work from my job as a crossing guard. The week that I’m gone is mid-winter break for Seattle Public Schools, technically a week off (but ask any parent of multiple kids, and there is no such thing). Laura doesn’t have work because of the school break, so she would be able to watch the kids.
Leaving Friday the 12, I have to be back on Friday the 19th, since Laura has class on Saturday the 20th for her Master’s program (getting a teaching degree with a reading specialty). This doesn’t give me much time in the country, but it’s enough for a nice visit. I’ve never been to Ireland, which is odd, considering that all of my brothers that were born in America have been at least once if not multiple times. My brother and sister that were born in Belfast, of course, go back every few years.
I considered flying into Belfast, but the tickets were $1300, which was just too much. I found a flight that gets into Dublin for $700. There is a regular bus that runs between the Dublin airport and Belfast – every hour. It’s fairly cheap as well, and since I wanted to visit Dublin as well, this seemed like an ideal itinerary.
I’ll fly into Dublin, arriving on Saturday the 13th at about 8:30 in the morning. I’ll catch the bus to Belfast… well, actually it’s a Coach. The distinction is that busses are for city travel and coaches are for regional/national transportation. I’m hoping to get through customs and baggage claim quickly (ha) and get a 10am coach. That would put me in Belfast at about 12:30.
This trip was originally going to be a surprise, but somebody along the way spilled the beans and my father knows I’m coming. This works out well since he’ll be at the station in Belfast when I arrive.
I have but two concerns for this trip. The first is my flight from Chicago to Dublin being delayed. A large storm has dumped inches upon inches of snow across the Atlantic states. While this doesn’t necessarily affect Chicago directly, airports have shut down, which sends a ripple effect throughout the country and world. While the worst of the storm seems to have passed, there is the fear of lingering travel problems.
My other fear is more of a concern than anything else. I worry (needlessly, I know) about finding the coach to Belfast from the Dublin airport. I would hate to miss it by a few minutes because I was wandering around the wrong direction then have to wait for another hour.
As I sit on the airplane between Seattle and Chicago, everything seems to be going well. the weather in Chicago is cooperating (so far) and I’ve been directed by a couple of people on where to go to catch the correct coach outside of the Dublin airport.
I suppose I should start worrying about my liver now…