04.16.18 | Cork > Tralee | 09:12

This next leg of my journey is my dear friend Colee’s fault. From the time I met her (in the late 90s, while living in Logan, Utah), she always said she wanted to go to Dingle, Ireland. This is because she grew up in Dingle, Idaho. When I was planning this part of my trip, I remembered her saying this. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t get there before her and rub it in her face? To Dingle, I go! By the way, this is an item on my bucket list!

As with most new places that I visit, I didn’t Google any information. I don’t want the surprise spoiled. I’m pretty sure there’s not much going on in Dingle, though. I’ve been told it’s absolutely beautiful if I’m into hiking. Since I am, let’s just all cross our fingers that the weather allows me to do some exploring over the next two days.

The train doesn’t go all the way to Dingle. For this reason, once I get to Tralee, I’ll have to find the bus that will take me the rest of the way. I’m so glad I decided to keep my phone on during this trip. In the past, I really wanted to avoid any international fees with AT&T, so I kept my phone in airplane mode the entire journey and only connected to WiFi hotspots. I’m really not sure how I survived without my G.P.S. directions.

Tralee > Dingle | 10:58

My train arrived just before the bus to Dingle was scheduled to leave. I was initially planning on waiting in Tralee for about three hours. This means that there is no time to get something to eat.

Dingle, Ireland | 21:39

When I got off the bus, the wind and rain were so strong that my umbrella was instantly destroyed. I’m not talking about just being flipped inside out, but then a bunch of the little metal spokes (I don’t think that’s what they’re really called) got busted. My umbrella is now in umbrella heaven (or maybe umbrella hell, depending on the life it has lead).

I had no way of getting into the hostel, so I walked down the street and found a restaurant called The Wren’s Nest. I enter and order an egg salad sandwich. The guy makes it right there, over a little George Foreman-type grill. There was no kitchen to go in to prepare the food. He just did it right in front of me- it was the weirdest thing!