Ahhh comfort food. We finally got into Dublin and sorted out at the B&B and took a three minute stroll up to Mary Mac’s a nearby pub where we partook in a few ciders (Bulmers, Aim’s favorite which she can’t get att home), a few pints of Guiness along with tomato (pronounced toe-mat-o here ) and basil soup and cheese, onion, ham, tomato sandwiches. It was delightfully comforting and cost us only 10 Euro more than our 2 half pints at the cafe right outside Monte Carlo.

Last night we ended our time in France with a nice light meal of pizza and wine on the dock in Villefranche. It was the same place we went to the previous night after the train station fiasco, and were waited on again by the same kid. He remebered us and was pretty happy to see us which waas nice after some excellent dessert and a couple of cafes (some of you would probably balk att the size of the coffees here as I did tthe first time over to Europe because they’re espresso/shot size, but the coffee is so much better that its actually worth it) we headed home and got an early night’s sleep.

We arrived at the Nice airport extremely early but basically zipped all the way down the bas corniche road from Villefranche Sur Mer to the Nice airport with zero traffic. The Nice airport was fairly smooth and uneventful as was the 3 hour flight to Dublin. It wasn’t until we hit Dublin airport that things started to suck. We landed early at just before noon and finally arrived at the doorstep of our B&B around 3. It took at least an hour and a half to get through immigration and get our passports stamped and then collect our passports. Anyway, after all the waiting it was a relief to get on thhe Air Coach bus and make our way to south Dublin.

As we rode along and we were chuckling at the names of the pubs and how poorly we copy them over in the States (we get the look right, but in my experience they’re all actually clean here as opposed to the ones at home!) when I realized how woonderful it was to once again be literate. I hadn’t fully realized, except in retrospect, how difficult it was to find my way around France until we got here. I remembered the same feeling when we got back from Italy a few years ago, but in the North East we havee such a strong Italian influence that most things were pretty easily recognizable. I was completely illiterate though over in France and I now feel badly for anyone who is at home. I have no idea how they would have any idea where the hell they were going when driving!

Anyway, Aim is taking a quick and much neede nap, travel days are always a bit stressful. After that we’re headed over to the city centre for some traditional Irish music and some traditional Irish food for dinner. Looking forward to it and honestly looking forward to coming home to sleep in my own bed and use my ‘new world’ shower

We have tons of pictures but rather than spend time struggling to get them uploaded on this little netbook, we’re going to wait until we get back home and can use the iMac to

See you all in a few days.

Bri