My Irish Retreat

 I awoke today to a beautiful sunny day. This past week has been mostly overcast, and yesterday was downright rainy, so the sun today was a welcome change.  I arranged for a tour of the Wicklow Mountains, which are south of here. I have wanted to see this area for some time, so when I saw this day tour, I booked it immediately.  Instead of trying to get a bus to the starting point, I took a cab this time. It took me directly downtown, which only took about 25 minutes instead of an hour. There were about 30 people on our coach. The driver was knowledgeable and witty, which made for an interesting day. Our first stop was just 30 minutes outside of Dublin at a working sheep farm. We had the opportunity to meet farmer Michael and his 3 Border Collies. The dogs came running to greet us and hang out with us while the farmer finished some chores in the lower pasture. He showed us how the dogs are trained and the commands they obey. It was pretty amazing. They each know themselve...

While this trip has not turned out as planned, I still have to pinch myself to believe that I am actually in Dublin. It has been my deepest desire to stand on Irish lands just as my ancestors did. I have wanted to sink into my roots, into this land and the people. My time here has given me that opportunity. So with Covid and all my experiences, I am grateful to be here. Today I masked up and took the bus to the middle of Dublin. I spent time walking around and looking at all the beautiful old architecture. I tried to see the Book of Kells at Trinity College, but all the times were filled.  I toured the Anglican St. Patrick’s church. It was fascinating. They had an audio guide. Not only did I learn about the church but also the history of the city. I then took a tour of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery for my son-in-law, Tom, and Dave Wettstein. I knew they would appreciate my newfound knowledge. Did you know Irish whiskey is distilled three times? And did you know whiskey gets its co...

At last,  I am leaving my hotel hermitage. First, I give thanks for this place and all the staff in the hotel, from reception to housekeeping to room service. They all cared for me. While I was in isolation I was never alone.  And I give thanks that I was staying in a hotel with these amenities available! I ordered breakfast this morning, after having survived the last 3 days on my previous breakfast and it did not disappoint!    I packed my extra fruit into my suitcase and backpack. I will enjoy it later. I have become practiced at using the apps to find buses and trains. I found a bus, about a 10 minute walk from my hotel, to take me to Dublin. Meanwhile, Reception called to check on me again and I told them I was nearly ready to go. I almost felt sad leaving my space that had become my sanctuary and headed down to the elevator. I stopped near the front desk and told everyone thank you and goodbye. They all knew me. They call me Miss Eileen. It was sweet parting....

This afternoon, I thought I should venture out to see this place where I had been this past week. It was a way to town from the hotel, but once I arrived, it was so worth it. I was able to order an iced latte and a brownie, sit outside in the town square, and watch the people. Being around people and hearing them talk about their everyday lives was refreshing. Next, I ventured off to a walk around town. After coming across St. Nicolas Church, which is a beautiful old historic church, I came upon this beautiful mural of St. Brigid. I had seen it online with a group in Ireland I belong to, but what a delight it was to come upon it. I got a bit of St. Brigid even if I was not able to go to her shrine. You will note that one side shows her as a saint and the other as a Goddess. Then I wandered down to the river and the bay I could glimpse from my hotel room. The tide was out, but I took some time to watch the birds at play. Then, I wandered into St. Helen’s Park. It is a beautiful park...

 What is next? That is the big question.  I contacted my travel insurance carrier and they said I would need a PCR test for me to be reimbursed for my travel plans. I was able to arrange a test but it is some distance away. It is day 5 since my first test, so I arranged a taxi with the front desk. At 9:30 I went outside with my kn95 mask and told the driver I had Covid and that I needed a PCR test. I was not sure if he was going to take me, but after talking with his boss and deciding it was day 5 he would take me. We left the windows open a bit and I sat as from him as possible. Please pray with me he does not get it. He has had it before and he needs gallbladder surgery soon!🙏🙏🙏 I told him that I am scheduled to fly tomorrow but trying to find a plane for Monday, which will be 10 days since onset. Believe me I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out when it will be safe for me to fly. I have relied a lot on my friend Scotti and her daughter Erin who is in the health...

 I awoke this morning feeling better: no headache, no aches or pains, no coughing jags. My nose is still stuffy, I still cough from the sinus drainage, my chest muscles hurt some from so much coughing these last days, but I can tell I have crossed over the worst of it. At least it would seem so right now. I am thinking about going out for a walk. Today is the first time in several days I have even considered a walk. I have felt too fatigued and miserable.  For several days now, I have watched out my window and wondered about the people who walk with a dog in the field across from me. I wonder where the trail leads and if it leads to the ocean. I wonder when it is low tide and high tide. The ocean is just far enough away that I cannot make it out. The days have been so cloudy it is sometimes difficult to tell where the ocean and sky separate. And then I wonder, if I were to walk, how long it would take for me to reach the ocean. Soon I may know. Soon I may know. I give thanks f...