I zoomed around taking pictures, without actually really looking at the place. The Cathedral is supposed to be one of the few gothic cathedrals in Scotland, especially one that is whole and still used. It was built in 1471 and really is a fine example of gothic architecture. I wished I'd had more time to actually look.
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| Ireland 2007--Glas |
After that we tried to find our way back to Will and Erin's. Unfortunately I'd forgotten their phone number. We also got lost because a helpful lady had told us what bus to catch back but it turned out there were two buses with the same name and a different ending, thus splitting and going varying routes. Which meant backtracking.
My sister was done. We had to walk about three blocks to catch another bus, after doing a partial return route. She thought we'd been walking for hours when it was less than ten minutes. :) A very drunk Scotsmen chatted with us (we had to catch a bus outside a pub, of course) and it turned out it was the other bus stop across the street from the pub. So he was a very drunk, yet helpful Scotsman.
So we finally made it back, with Will and Erin wondering what had happened to us. The next morning we flew out on Air Transat but not without issues. My sister had called them several times before she'd left and confirmed how many bags she could take on the plane, and on carry-on. She confirmed with the person on the phone and asked about leaving from Scotland. He confirmed with his supervisor that yes, she could take a bag and her camera bag as well.
Well, it turns out they have their own rules. My sister ended up paying overweight baggage because of it and was rightfully furious because she had to pack one back into everything else. My recommendations: don't fly Air Transat if you're flying more than two hours. The seats are small even for someone 5'4". If you need a special diet, they'll lose it or muck it up badly. And someone travelling with you will probably get a special diet they didn't order, as I did. They'll tell you one thing and do another and not be the least helpful or apologetic for it. The seats cost extra so that super cheap flight turns out not that cheap in the end.
Europe and Great Britain especially have tighter baggage allowances and the airline won't always know what it is or get the info confused. The attendants on Air Transat were very nice and helpful but everything else convinced me I won't be flying with them again.
At least the return trip was more pleasant. The plane wasn't completely full so I went and chatted with this Scottsman, Ian MacIntosh who lived in Calgray. That way, my sister and I both had extra room.
Over all, Ireland was a great trip. The trip was from Sept. 26-Oct. 16 and it's taken me this long to post my pictures. I want to go back and explore more of western Ireland and some of the south. I think I'd fly into Wales and then from Wales to the west of Ireland. Of course I'll have to buy a camera again, but that's a tale for tomorrow...
