Travels in Eire #52

As they finished their lunch the rain had stopped and Cailin had used a few minutes to pull some dry clothes out of her backpack and use the restroom to change into some dry clothes.
“Quite the fashion statement,” Ryan smiled and commented as she came out the door to get into his SUV. It was an outfit that Ruth had helped her choose.

Cailin laughed, “Sorry, I just couldn't bare to get those wonderful leather seats all wet again.” And she climbed into the vehicle.

As they headed down the road Ryan was quiet until he blurted out, “Do you like sports? You are from New York City, right?”

Cailin didn't really follow sports too much, but she could carry on an intelligent conversation about sports in general. She was wondering if Ryan thought just because she was from New York City if she was involved with the sports teams there.

“I know about sports, Ryan, why do you ask?” she was trying to be considerate of his interests.

“I follow a lot of American sports teams and wondered if you did too?” Ryan explained. “I'm a big Celtics fan. But that's a Boston team.”

“Ohhhhh,” Cailin responded. “Do many people here in Ireland follow American sports? I had never thought about that. Darren never really mentions sports too much. Mostly he talks about music and concerts.”

“You should have Darren bring you to a Gaelic football game. Now there's a sport!” Ryan was almost beaming. “I used to play some myself. In my younger days that was.” Cailin could see how Ryan was proud of his country's sport and that he had played. He had the body of an athlete, but looked more like a runner.

“Ryan, our American football players are all bulked up, you look like a runner. It is very different that American football?” Cailin was doing her research.

“Actually, I am a runner. when I stopped playing footy, I started running to stay healthy. Running is a huge thing here in Ireland too. We have lots of competitions throughout the country. With the running my body shaped changed. And I can run when I'm traveling. No equipment needed. Except a GPS that is.” Ryan was slowly opening up and chatting more as they drove. This quiet man was now feeling comfortable with her and she was please with that.

The ride to Mullaghmore was quicker than Cailin had expected. She pointed out Connor's pub and B&B to Ryan and he pulled up front to drop her off. Cailin offered a drink for her driver, but he declined.

“I accept that for now Ryan, but the next time you have a chance to come up to Derry, you have an open invitation for dinner with Darren and I? You have no idea how much I appreciate this.” Cailin wanted to make sure Ryan understood her appreciation.

“Now that sounds like a plan. I will hold you to that. I hope you can cook,” Ryan chuckled and smiled as he pulled away back in the direction they had come.