Ireland 2016: we're off!
After breezing through O'Hare security so fast PopPop almost didn't get back from parking the car, we did hit a travel snag at Dulles. We were on the plane and ready to go when they announced a 20-30 min delay for mechanical repair. That stretched into 90 min before they decided to put us on a different plane. By this time it was midnight local time. The boys had watched a movie during the delay and were ready to crash.
After all the senior citizens used the wheelchairs to get from old gate to new one and down the jetway, I asked to use one to move Edward for boarding. This produced a rush of aid and sympathy from the staff still on duty at 1 a.m. and they scurried about trying to find pin-on wings and other United swag. Edward woke up and decided to walk himself down the jetway. He was back asleep before takeoff. Daniel and I slept also, though D woke up after only 2 hours thinking we must be "almost there." He watched another movie and then when Edward woke up they switched seats so Daniel could try to sleep flopped on me and getting an back rub. He then slept while Edward watched the movie.
Amid all this, there was a medical emergency of some sort on the plane that required paging for a doctor among the passengers and then all the crew being occupied with caregiving. One member was dispatched to bring cups of water around, but she could not deliver the breakfast. I think the passenger was OK--she was awake and upright when they took her on the wheelchair to the front of he plane to meet the waiting paramedics in Dublin.
The boys and I navigated the airport and found the bus to City Centre, managed to get off at the right stop and then let Google Maps guide us to the hotel, where John happened to be coming in on break from his meetings just as we were getting our key.
We decompressed a bit and then headed out to the nearby Leprechaun Museum (one of the only things open that late in afternoon.) (The flight delay cost us about 3 hours in Dublin.)
John skipped the tour to head back for his group's cocktail hour with the Lord Mayor of Dublin followed by dinner. We enjoyed the fun storytelling and background on the folklore and tradition.
Then we walked across the Ha'Penny Bridge and found some fish&chips (chicken for boys) for dinner. We were trying to stay up until at least 8:30 and it was still only 6:30 so we picked ourselves up and navigated (no Google!) to St. Stephen's Green. I was sure there must be a playground in the vast park and sure enough after we followed the paths around a bit there it was!
We found our way back to the hotel and discovered a powerful incentive for showers: hotel robes & slippers! Now hoping for a solid night's sleep to be ready for a full day of Dublin fun on Tuesday.
