On Friday, March 6th, Mom dropped Dad and me off at the airport. Once we got past T.S.A, in Terminal Seven, I found a restaurant called Burger Joint. We both had French fries, and it was delicious. Our flight took off at five in the evening. On the plane, I watched the Ryan Reynolds movie IF. To be honest, it was better than I thought it was going to be.
On Saturday, March 7th, Dad and I landed in Dublin, Ireland, at four in the morning. We were thirty minutes early. We sat at the airport until a quarter to six, then walked to the bus stop and caught the 100X Express to Dundalk.
I got off at the Louth Hospital because I was staying with my cousins, Martin, Carol, Chloe, and Kyle. Martin met me at the bus stop, and we walked across the street to his house. After I had a piece of toast and chatted with everyone, I went upstairs into my bedroom and took a two-hour nap.
When I woke up, I waited for the bus in front of the hospital, and rode it into town with my dad, uncle David, and Eimear. We got off at the bus depot and took the next one to Drogheda. I was visiting a relative who was staying in the hospital. They have a lovely sitting room where the patient can sit with their family and enjoy a nice view through the big window.
Afterwards, we took the bus back to Dundalk and had dinner at the Europa, which is one of my favorite restaurants. I got chicken curry and chips. Portion sizes are large in Ireland. Curry is my favorite food to eat in Ireland.
After dinner, Dad and I took an evening walk. We walked to the Marshes Shopping Center. I window shopped in Penneys and Dunnes Stores. Then we walked to Tesco's and had a look at the Chocolate Easter Eggs. One of the big reasons I love coming in March or April.
After browsing, we walked to a local deli and got ice cream. I had a vanilla Dixie cup, and Dad had a Magnum bar. Then he dropped me off at my cousin's house, and he went back to his sister's.
On Sunday, March 8th, Dad and I went to the Dundalk Baptist Church. Afterward, we walked back into town and met Eimear at the bus depot, where we caught the bus going to Drogheda. When we got back to Dundalk, we had dinner at the Europa. This time, I got chicken tenders and chips with a side of curry sauce. Then we took our evening walk up to Tesco's. I bought decaf tea. But sadly, my dad took it home with him.
When I got back to my cousin's house, I tried Chop Sticks. My first time trying beef curry, which was surprisingly lovely. I particularly like it when beef isn't too chewy or cut too thick.
Later that evening, after my shower, I FaceTimed my mom. She was teasing me with her leftover steak. But she's always a happy lady. I stayed up a little bit later and watched some funnies on Instagram, then I fell asleep.
On Monday, March 9th, I hopped on the bus and rode it to the town. David, Eimear, Dad, and I took the bus to the hospital. When we got back to town, Dad and I had the Roma for lunch. The Roma is one of my other favorite restaurants. I had chicken curry and chips. It was the best curry I've had in a while.
After lunch, we took a walk up to Tesco's, and I got myself hairspray and special shampoo for itchy scalps. We attempted to get smooche, which is like a blizzard ice cream in America, but we had no luck. So we walked to the local shop and got an ice cream bar.
I walked back to my cousin's house and chatted with my cousin Chloe. For dinner, Chloe, Kyle, and I had Angelo's, a local chip shop in town. I had chicken tenders and chips with a side of curry. After dinner, I had a shower, came back downstairs, and watched The Great British Bake Off. Then my cousin Carol came home, and we had a cup of tea in the kitchen.
On Tuesday, March 10th, I worked remotely from eleven in the morning til three in the afternoon. After work, I walked to the Marshes with my dad. I window-shopped at Penneys and bought ramen noodles and a new spring coat at the Dunnes Stores.
After we finished shopping, we went to Creme e Gusto, an Italian restaurant and coffee shop. The chicken tenders were amazing. Dad and I went into Deals, and I bought mini Cadbury eggs and noodles. Since it was going to rain and we didn't want to get soaked, we took the bus home. I got off at the Louth Hospital, and Dad continued back to the Bay Estate.
When I got home, Martin made me a cup of tea, and I tried the ramen noodles. They weren't my favorite. Too salty for my liking.
On Wednesday, March 11th, I took the early bus up to town and went to the Copper Kettle for breakfast. I had toast. Since the restaurant was going to close soon, I wanted to make one last memory. When my granny was alive, she'd always take me there when I was little, and we'd chat with her friends.
Later that afternoon, we went to the Europa for lunch. Then dad and I walked around the town and back home.
On Friday, March 13th, I was working in the morning, then I met my dad in town. We went to the Europa for a late lunch, then walked around the town. On our walk, we ran into cousin Padraig. He's the sweetest lad. His friend gave me a balaglava in the colors of the Irish flag. I look forward to wearing that when I'm back in New York during the cold winters.
Then we walked to the Marshes, and I treated my dad to an ice cream. Afterward, we walked up to the shop near Oriel Park and got some snacks for the game. Of course, I can't turn down buttons. They're too delicious.
It was a cold day. I had on two pairs of pants, my sweater, my jacket, then my purple sweater over that, along with my hat, scarf, and gloves. I didn't want to risk being sick. Meanwhile, my dad forgot to dress warmly and was freezing.
When we got to Oriel Park, we window-shopped in the merchandise area. Then we sat in the stands, where the big roof and side windows protected us from the cold breeze. That was an awesome game. Dundalk won five-nil against Waterford. The first win of the season.
Saturday, March 14th, to Monday, March 16th, was quiet. Didn't do too much. Had a chill day.
On Tuesday, March 17th, I met my cousin Padraig for breakfast. I had French toast, and he had an Irish breakfast. I got to hang out with his dog, Blondie.
After breakfast, I stood on Clanbrassil Street with a bunch of other people and got to watch my first official Saint Patrick's Day parade. It was magical. My favorite part was the bagpipes.
In case you are wondering what real Irish people do on Saint Patrick's Day, let me tell you. Everyone wears green and waves the Irish flag, then they go about their day. Some people don't attend the parade; instead, they just treat it as a normal day. The biggest parade is in Dublin. Fun Fact: A lot of tourists fly to Dublin just to see the parade. 500,000 people attend the parade.
Afterward, my dad and I walked to the Marshes and waited for the crowds to disappear. Then we went to the Roma for lunch. I put my New Yorker on and ran to an empty table. Their curry is the best. I ate too many chips, but I couldn't help it because they were way too yummy.
When I got back home, Padraig and Denise came over. That was the first time I've seen Denise since I was a teenager. We had a cup of tea and warm Italian bread. It was lovely to socialize with everyone.
On Wednesday, March 18th, one of the highlights of my day was baking chocolate chip cookies for Kyle for Daffodil Day to raise money for cancer.
On Friday, March 20th, after I finished work, Carol, Martin, Kyle, and I drove up to Carlingford. We got ice cream and took a walk by the sea. It was a clear, sunny, beautiful day. You could see the mountains. Martin gave me some history while we walked.
The weekend was full of getting last-minute stuff to bring back home. But on Saturday, March 21st, I had my cousin Martin's delicious steak with mashed potatoes and gravy. On our last day in Ireland, for my last meal, I had chicken keiv with mashed potatoes and gravy. After dinner, Carol and I went to Starbucks. I brought my own tea bag, and she had her coffee.
