Travels in Eire #32

Cailin woke up early the next morning feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the goals that she had set out for herself. Her first order of business was driving back to Dublin, dropping off her rental car, and getting settled in a hotel so she could do a little souvenir shopping for friends and family before heading home tomorrow. It was less than an hour's drive, but she wanted to take time to check out Dublin as she never stopped there when she arrived in Ireland.

Before heading out of Mullaghmore, she wanted to say her last good-byes to Rorey. As she headed downstairs with her bag for breakfast those familiar smells came wafting up the stairs at her. She knew that Brendan would have breakfast ready for her. And breakfast was not the only surprise. Rorey was sitting at the bar waiting for her already. There was no need to find him.

“So Cailin, did you sleep well last night?” Brendan placed the Ulster Fry down in front of her.
“Brendan, I did at that. It was lovely,” Cailin was full of smiles.

“So girlie, what's goin' to happen now?” Rorey was wanting more detail about Cailin's plans.

“Rorey, I'm going to go back to New York and try to convince my boss that I can work remotely from Ireland. I sure hope he goes for it. If not I'll have to create Plan B.”

“And what would Plan B be all about?”

“Rorey, let's just hope it doesn't get to that. Right now I'm all about this Ulster Fry. It will be the last one for a while and I want to enjoy it.”

As Cailin ate, there was chatter and laughter between her and Brendan and Rorey. She realized how comfortable she felt in this situation. Like she belonged here.

After breakfast Cailin said her good-byes and headed back down the road to the M-50 leading into Dublin, dropped off the car at the airport and caught a taxi into town. She had called ahead and made reservations at the Adams Trinity on Dame Street. Nothing fancy, but sufficient for the night. Cailin also made arrangements with the cabbie to pick her up early the next morning to take her back to the airport.
Adams Trinity was located centrally in Dublin so it was only a 2 block walk to Temple Bar, a few blocks to Trinity College, and the same to the Tourist Office. Just down from Trinity College was a Blarney Woolen Mills for some great souvenir shopping.
Once Cailin was situated in the hotel, she headed out toward Trinity College and the Blarney Woolen Mills. Her purchases were many, but small so she didn't have too much to carry home. Her one suitcase was already bulging. And while she tried to stay away from the breakables, she couldn't resist a jar of whiskey marmalade for her granny along with a Guinness shot glass for her dad. For her mom she needed to get a hand-made scarf. Cailin was a great shopper carefully looking at all the labels of the gifts she purchased to make sure none of them said “Made in Japan”.

Armed with all her souvenirs in her handy backpack, she headed toward Trinity College to take a look around. The visitor line to see the Book of Kells was longer than she was willing to wait, but the grounds and buildings were amazing. From there she headed down O'Connor Street and off to the Ha' Penny Bridge. Temple Bar was between Dame Street and the Liffey River. On her way back Cailin stopped in Gallagher's Boxty House for an early dinner. A small restaurant full of Irish charm. And although the boxty was delicious, the homemade ice cream with a wine poached pear was even better.

On her walk back to the hotel, Cailin looked around her. It seemed like she should feel like a stranger in a strange land, but she didn't. She could spot the tourists as if she was a native. Something had really happened to her while she was here in Ireland. There was no describing it, but she knew something had definitely changed.

Back at the hotel she repacked several times to make sure that any breakables were safe and that everything fit easily into her suitcase. She would carry on her backpack. When she finished she showered and slipped into bed with her cell phone to call Darren.

“ Hey there, Cailin,” Darren cheerfully answered his phone. “How was the day in Dublin?”

“Darren, I can hardly believe that this vacation is over. I'm very sad. I feel like I'm going away from home rather then going to my home,” Cailin was already getting weepy.

“Cailin, now don't start that. I'm already too far away to comfort you on this. You have got to be strong on this,” Darren was upset he couldn't do anything from Derry to help her.

“I know Darren. I miss you too, if I haven't already said that. There was no one to share my day with today.”

Cailin and Darren talked for a short while and said good-night. Cailin promised to call Daren before she got on the plane the next day.

The next morning came quickly after a restless sleep. Cailin barely ate breakfast. She met the cabbie at the front door and headed to the airport. She was a little early but figured there was nothing else she needed to do and could wait the extra time at the airport. She had just paid the cabbie and was starting in to the airport when her cell phone rang.

“Cailin, where are you?” Darren asked.

“I just go to the airport, Darren. Is there a problem?”

“No, just where are you. Where are you exactly?”

“Darren, what a strange question. Okay, I'm outside gate number 7. Is that specific enough?”

“Then I think you had better turn around.” Darren said in a cryptic tone.

As Cailin turned around she was face to face with Darren and a huge hug and loving kiss.
“What!!” Cailin screamed in surprise.

“Cailin, I just couldn't let you leave without a proper farewell.”

“But...but you are supposed to be a work. How did you do this? When did you come here?” Cailin was full of questions.

“Cailin, none of that matters right now. I just wanted to see you off this morning. I couldn't bare to leave you like we did the other day. And mostly I wanted to make sure you were still wearing the Connemara marble heart that I gave you.” Darren finished reaching to Cailin's neck finding the heart necklace still where he had put it when he had first given it to Cailin. She had never taken it off.

Hand in hand they walked into the terminal and got Cailin checked in. They would have to part at the security check point and lingered there as long as they could. With a last loving kiss Darren said good-bye to Cailin and wished her well on all her plans in New York.

All that Cailin could think of as she walked toward the plane tears welling in her eyes was how fast could she return to Ireland.