08-25-2023, 04:00 PM
May 17-18 Travel home
I didn’t want to go, but it was time. We made our farewells to our great hosts. The trip to the airport was uneventful. The Queen and I were extra early because the Queen Mum departed several hours before our flight left. I left them at the curb with the bags while I dropped off the car at the rental agency. Good-bye, Portage
We couldn’t hang out in the United Lounge because I guess we only had the first level of premium. You needed the Polaris level to be in the lounge. We went back and hung out with the hoipolloi. We had breakfast at what had to be a mob run restaurant. You had to order via phone and there were no substitutions. At least the food was horrible. It made me long for any of the traditional Irish Breakfasts along the way. I miss you Strand River Restaurant.
The Dublin airport allows you to go through US customs at the airport. Sure you get to go through a screening twice at the same airport but you don’t have to do customs when you get off the plane.
We didn’t have the same cool seats as we did on the flight out since we weren’t on a 787. We also didn’t get a goody bag. The entry back into the real world was harsh. At Chicago, the United Lounge was packed and we all yelled at a man who cut in line. The worst was getting off in San Francisco and waiting for what seemed days to get the shuttle to the cut rate parking lot. We must have seen ever other parking lot shuttle bus pass us at least twice before our Travelodge bus showed up. We almost got a taxi. There was nothing sadder than the sight of the Travelodge with all the traffic on 101 screaming by.
From the beginning we knew we would spend the night in Burlingame rather than driving straight to Raymond. Our hotel was a nondescript box also by the Freeway. The Yeti was kind enough to meet us for breakfast which took a bit of the sting out of the homecoming. After we dined with him, we popped into to see my mother. That was it’s own state of horror. Although it was amusing to see her try and surreptitiously grab a N95 mask from her purse when we mentioned we were still dealing with terrible colds.
The final indignity greeted us at the house. Our dog Maeve was in a terrible state. Her behind was all matted and covered in poo. I do not blame our house sitter for letting it get into such a state. I’m sure he didn’t realize. The first thing we wanted to do was clean Maeve up before letting her into the house. When the Queen sprayed water on her rear, hundreds of maggots flowed off the dog. That was unexpected. We cleaned her up as much as we could. I cut away a lot of Maeve’s fur. We made plans to visit the vet in the morning.
So, that was the trip. I already know I need to go back. I feel like I didn’t solve the trip or maybe do the trip the right way. There are things I wanted to see but didn’t . There are things I did see but didn’t explore enough. I should have just wandered around Dublin for a week. But then I think I’ve missed out seeing things I love beyond the Pale. I don’t when I’ll get back there. But I know I will.
I didn’t want to go, but it was time. We made our farewells to our great hosts. The trip to the airport was uneventful. The Queen and I were extra early because the Queen Mum departed several hours before our flight left. I left them at the curb with the bags while I dropped off the car at the rental agency. Good-bye, Portage
We couldn’t hang out in the United Lounge because I guess we only had the first level of premium. You needed the Polaris level to be in the lounge. We went back and hung out with the hoipolloi. We had breakfast at what had to be a mob run restaurant. You had to order via phone and there were no substitutions. At least the food was horrible. It made me long for any of the traditional Irish Breakfasts along the way. I miss you Strand River Restaurant.
The Dublin airport allows you to go through US customs at the airport. Sure you get to go through a screening twice at the same airport but you don’t have to do customs when you get off the plane.
We didn’t have the same cool seats as we did on the flight out since we weren’t on a 787. We also didn’t get a goody bag. The entry back into the real world was harsh. At Chicago, the United Lounge was packed and we all yelled at a man who cut in line. The worst was getting off in San Francisco and waiting for what seemed days to get the shuttle to the cut rate parking lot. We must have seen ever other parking lot shuttle bus pass us at least twice before our Travelodge bus showed up. We almost got a taxi. There was nothing sadder than the sight of the Travelodge with all the traffic on 101 screaming by.
From the beginning we knew we would spend the night in Burlingame rather than driving straight to Raymond. Our hotel was a nondescript box also by the Freeway. The Yeti was kind enough to meet us for breakfast which took a bit of the sting out of the homecoming. After we dined with him, we popped into to see my mother. That was it’s own state of horror. Although it was amusing to see her try and surreptitiously grab a N95 mask from her purse when we mentioned we were still dealing with terrible colds.
The final indignity greeted us at the house. Our dog Maeve was in a terrible state. Her behind was all matted and covered in poo. I do not blame our house sitter for letting it get into such a state. I’m sure he didn’t realize. The first thing we wanted to do was clean Maeve up before letting her into the house. When the Queen sprayed water on her rear, hundreds of maggots flowed off the dog. That was unexpected. We cleaned her up as much as we could. I cut away a lot of Maeve’s fur. We made plans to visit the vet in the morning.
So, that was the trip. I already know I need to go back. I feel like I didn’t solve the trip or maybe do the trip the right way. There are things I wanted to see but didn’t . There are things I did see but didn’t explore enough. I should have just wandered around Dublin for a week. But then I think I’ve missed out seeing things I love beyond the Pale. I don’t when I’ll get back there. But I know I will.
As a matter of fact, my anger does keep me warm