Cork International Airport has only two double-door entrances and BusÉirann 226 to Kinsale picks up in front of one. I sit two seats behind a bald, round-headed man. On the way, I overhear him talking to (not with!) a couple across the aisle from him and I am reminded — they speak English in Ireland, but it’s a different language. I could understand nary a word except a repeated phrase, “woined and doined”… wined and dined, I presume. His bobbing head, his sing-song tone and incantations, keep a smile on my face until he presses the stop button overhead. He stands, smiles, nods his head to the couple as he steps off and says, “Right!”
Arriving in Kinsale, the bus exits passengers onto Pier Road.
Weary but exhilarated, I need a hotel. Sleepwalking, I pass Hotel Acton. The front lawn is grand, but the white and gray building with block script looks kinda sterile, more like a hospital. Those tour groups where the leader holds a sign for all to follow in line probably book here. It may be an exceptional hotel … but I’m not feelin’ it. Walk on.
At the wharf and end of the road, I reach the World’s End, as its locally called (how cool is that?! The Vikings named it thus while wintering there) and the Trident Hotel. Its’ old cobbled stones blend artfully with the newer structure — wood with a varnish resembling a yar wooden ship. Unpretentious yet sovereign, it calls to me, “Welcome”.
“I understand this is last-minute but do you have a standard room available for a few nights?” I ask Mary, the young trainee at reception. She seems amused with my “how I got here” story and kindly gives me an upgrade.
This trusting the Universe thing is working ‘Suite-ly’.
“It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine. – R.E.M.
Love Love your blogs – your travels Heidi – reading your post reminded me of one of my favorite songs….
If you smile at me, I will understand
‘Cause that is something
Everybody everywhere does in the same language
I can see by your coat, my friend
You’re from the other side
There’s just one thing I got to know
Can you tell me please, who won?
Say, can I have some of your purple berries?
Yes, I’ve been eating them for six or seven weeks now
Haven’t got sick once
Probably keep us both alive
Wooden ships on the water, very free and easy
Easy, you know the way it’s supposed to be
Silver people on the shoreline, let us be
Talkin’ ’bout very free and easy
Horror grips us as we watch you die
All we can do is echo your anguished cries
Stare as all human feelings die
We are leaving, you don’t need us
Go, take your sister then, by the hand
Lead her away from this foreign land
Far away, where we might laugh again
We are leaving, you don’t need us
And it’s a fair wind blowin’ warm
Out of the south over my shoulder
Guess I’ll set a course and go………Peace and Love on your travels!!!! Love you Heidi!
THOSE are the words?!
Seriously Joanna, “If you smile at me i will understand..” You rock, master maestro jo jo.
Thanks for keeping the touch.
Hi Heidi….post pictures of your beautiful face…love you
Hi Honey! Thanks for the touch. Unsure about photos of self…
Go Heidi
More pics:)
Xoxo
You are a very narrow broad. That makes you different…stand out girlfriend! Elle
I presume you mean physically…!