Day 08: From Dublin and back to Killarney

Date	Aug 21, 2022 (Sunday)
Total Ireland:	37 miles.
Total All Caminos:	1657 miles
Lodging:	Railway hostel @ 20€
Total Lodging:	$ 495
Buses / Trains / Taxi:	$ 35 (taxi) + $35 (bus)
Total Transport:	$ 235
Food:	$ 35
Total Food:	$ 165

Meaningful Moment

Saying so long for now to Carlos and Adriana at the Dublin airport.

The horror stories about the check-in and security process at Dublin really had me nervous.

We arrived early, 4 hours before take off, to find no lines at the airline check-in or at airport security.

Everything went great and they proceeded right on through.

Just sitting in the airport now waiting for their plane to take off, and then I'll head back to Dublin and from there to Killarney to begin hiking again tomorrow after a bus ride to Glenbeigh.

Not as complicated as it sounds.

Received a text from Adriana a little later that they also cleared United States immigration and customs here at the Dublin airport. Having United States customs and immigration here in Ireland at the Dublin airport is a real time saver when you land in the states. You land as a domestic passenger

Having spent the past week with my amazing son and absolutely wonderful granddaughter, I felt that I was choking up a little bit, knowing that they were headed home and I would continue hiking on my own.

*****

In a very funny twist of fate at the Dublin bus stop for Killarney, there was a lady who spoke no English, only Russian.

The situation was confusing for her, but I used a little bit of my Russian to help her understand what was happening.

I explained that the bus was late, why the bus was late and the new arrival time at her/my destination so she could call her daughter, who is waiting in Killarney, and explain what was happening.

I honestly haven't used any Russian in years but to struggle through the translations, as basic as they were, made me feel good about myself that I could help someone else.

Random Thought of the Day

It's been a curious experience hiking in Europe this year.

Been thinking about the differences between my 2022 caminos in Spain and Ireland, and my other past caminos - 2017 not included.

And the big difference comes down to one thing: Hiking with my special partner - Deb - on the Camino Madrid.
Hiking with Carlos and Adriana on the Kerry way.

I spent essentially the month of June crossing Spain from Madrid to Leon with Deb, covering 220 miles in about 16 days.

I just spent four days, walking 37 miles with 4 steep mountains, on the Kerry Way in Southwest Ireland with Carlos and Adriana. I'm very proud of them as this hike, I think, would be classified by most people as arduous.

Hiking with partners is very different from going solo.

Although one does not have the usual opportunity for introspection when you're with partners, one also does not feel alone.

In fact having a partner can make an arduous trek seem a bit easier.

Anyway I'm returning to the Kerry Way to continue hiking alone now for somewhere between another 4 to 8 days, depending on how I feel.

On the Road / Notable memories

6:00 a.m.: wake up

6:30 a.m.: leaving for the airport

6:45 a.m.: at the airport

7:15 a.m.: Carlos and Adriana are through security.

11:15 a.m.: plane is off. Heading to bus.

12:30 p.m.: bus # 1

1:15 p.m.: at transfer point.

2:15 p.m.: bus to Killarney leaves 45 minutes late. Major roadwork.

6:30 p.m.: Arrive Killarney.

7:00 p.m.: Railway Hostel

	Carlos and Adriana are ready to head through airport security.
	I'm officially on my own now for the rest of the Kerry Camino.

	I was thinking that only in a few places do Inter-urban buses stop for the cows coming home.