#16 - Friday 20/7 - From Cork to Kilkenny

Waking up was pretty hard after a 3am finish to the ADE celebrations last night. It really was an awesome conference. I suppose it was bound to be when you get 213 educators from around the world who are all on the same page with technology, and education. Doug the room mate had to leave for his plane so I decided to remind him many times that I could sleep in, which was a fun game to play for 15mins or so. When I eventually did have to get up and pack, it took a little longer than it probably should have and it was also a bit sad. Each time a bus Run would arrive I would look down and see more faces who I left at the party - they were probably boarding the bus with no sleep or one or two hours... Hard core. Unfortunately I picked the wrong time to go down to see if there was a spare seat on the busses. The last one had left 5-10mins before and the next one was to leave in over an hour. I got a taxi, and a chick from Apple UK shared it with me. She slept through her bus call, so was hurrying along the driver. I was talked into an upgrade for my hire car at the Hertz place. Probably a good idea in hindsight given the traveling I would do. An Audi 1... Nice, except my case didn't fit in the boot. Back seat for it! I also picked up a satnav which I'm sure they charged extra extra for (instead of the 'good price' promised). He was most distressed when I declined lowering the insurance rate. No three strikes here buddy! It's covered on my travel insurance pal. Twit. Once I found out how to go forward (long story) I ventured out there out of Cork airport and onto my road - Seamus my Irisih voice over on the SatNav helping me with directions. Unfortunately it took me 3 goes to find the right exit of the round about outside the airport, and of course, at least a km down the road before I could chuck a U-ie... Great. After using my kilometer allowance on the exit from the airport road, I ventured toward Kilkenny. I decided to stop off in Waterford, and jagged seeing a piddle sign directing toward the Edmund Rice Historical Centre and Museum. Wow! I wasn't sure if it would be obvious or if I would see anything, but was happy with the old 'I was in Waterford, where Edmund Rice formed the Christian Brothers'. This was even better. I found the place after a long walk, and although concerned I'd get a parking ticket the centre was excellent. So much detail and history. I am so glad I went. The chapel at the end of the tour was awesome. So much stained glass and beautiful architecture. Unbeknownst to me, Edmund's final resting place is the chapel - a tomb near the altar. Wow! I continued on to Kilkenny, and although i arrived there, wasn't sure I was there for most of the journey from its outskirts to its centre! I passed St Kierans college, a massive, old school on the same street as my hotel, and the venue for where I would later watch my very first hurling game. The hotel hard to find. Once i got to my room, i understood why. If I was charging the public to stay in that rubbish-heap, I wouldn't signpost it either. I was I the 'premier suite' (if you are in a wheelchair). Handrails everywhere in the bathroom, and a very slow closing door. Awesome. It's not a problem etc, but I certainly wasn't expecting spending €100 a night on that. Should have gone to the B &B opposite the road. I went to that pub, literally after dropping my bag, realizing the wheelchair-ness; the fact I right under the lobby (if I hear any more high heel clip-clips from the wedding party, I'll stab someone with them); the fact I was right next to the 'Kids Club' room; the fact that there was no privacy curtain (just black out curtains) on the windows; and another assortment of surprises I would find later on in the stay. The pub was traditional Irish. Seamus was the bar tender (couldn't write that into script eh?!) and the locals were talking English but I could understand a word of it! Hilarious. They were all super friendly and gave me advice about where to get a feed and pubs in town to go to etc. they assured me I would love Galway which perked me up from my hotel room experience! A short walk into town which included having a 5 year old shove a puppy dog at me (with a 'boo') and me scaring him - with my accent no less,as well as seeing teenagers play a versional of Soccer, Gaelic and Chasey in front of moving and parked cars. I walked into a restaurant who weren't keen on serving me, admittedly it was 9:20pm, so I found a restaurant who was. I even got advice from the table closest who said the lamb was good - and it was. yum. I was the only one left in the bar after I finished my meal, so apologized for keeping the bar tender, however he said they were open for another few hours! Had a big chat with him about what to do on my final 5 days in Ireland and where to hear some 'trad music'. I popped into another bar and the bar man struck up a convo about being 6 weeks into taking over the bar. A 60 year had a guitar and a harmonica behind the mike and the 5 of us in the pub were loving it, but as soon is Mick and I finished chatting and I walked out, I heard the guitar playing stop and a 'back to the CDs, Mick' comment! Must be a popular place! I walked on what I was certain was the road home. It wasn't. So I caught a cab. €5. Bargain. Now, to tackle the room with 6/7 guinesses under my belt. It seems better already!