The best laid plans....

I set off from Dingle with plans of going to Clear Island for two nights, Cork for two nights, Dublin for two nights, then onto France. Ah how plans can change. After taking a bus to Tra Li I was informed that the bus does not go to the town where the ferry to Clear Island is. I had researched this though and it said that it did but, the gentleman at the bus station told me I was misinformed. Interesting to note that the town is called Baltimore. (:

It was then time to rearrange my plans. I decided within 5 minutes to hop on a bus to Cork and I would figure out the rest later. While on the bus I consulted my guidebook for ideas on where to stay in Cork and decided to splurge on a hotel. I was done with 6 bed dorms for two nights. After arriving in Cork I left the bus station and was crossing the bridge when a young local who had never been to a dentist with young girlfriend and one year old child in tow approaches me.

Young Local: Where are you from?
Me: ummm
Young Local: You aren't from around here are you? F-ing foreigner.

Wow. Then he walked away. I was aghast! I guess my ginormous backpack gave it away. In the two days since I come up with a multitude of comebacks such as:
I am here spending my money fixing your economy!
Go to the dentist!
Go in peace!

These comebacks obviously would have totally impacted his life.

I found a room for a moderate price in a two star hotel in the city center and took a deep breath. So nice to have my own room! Who cares if my window looks onto a wall and that the paint is peeling and that there are stains on the carpet? I have my own room! It had internet so I was finally able to chat with Dad and Grammy, both of which helped me to feel better because I was having a bit of an emotional moment. I was not impressed with Cork, trash everywhere, graffiti, and that welcome soured me a bit. Dad suggested I go to the seaside town of Kinsale the following day and what a great suggestion it was.

Kinsale is a short 45 minute bus ride from Cork and world's apart. It is a very picturesque town on the water with two 17th century forts on either side of it, and wayyy to much shopping. I bought more in that small town that I have bought this whole trip. The first store I went into I found great Christmas presents, which here are apparently called "chrissy pressies." After a bit of shopping I toured the Desmond Castle which was an early 16th century house that was a jail as well. Very interesting to note that American Revolutionaries had been held there.

Post castle it was time to go to Charles Fort which was about 2 miles out of town. Along the way I stopped to enjoy my lunch which I had bought at the fantastic English market that morning. The English Market in Cork is the best thing about Cork. It reminded me of the market in Vancouver BC called Granville Island. On the menu for lunch was a baguette, goat cheese, basil, olive vegetarian pate, an apple, and potato chips. Yum! People were fishing nearby where I was eating and their springer spaniel kept coming over to inspect my meal. (:

Charles Fort is in really good condition for how old it is, it was built around 1601. They have a bunch of interesting exhibits and the views were gorgeous. After fort exploration I walked back to town and did a wee bit more shopping. Post shopping it was time for carrot cake & tea. This carrot cake was amazing, and I love how everyone takes tea breaks here, it is fantastic.

It was then back to the bus to head back to Cork. I had a mellow evening, ate at Wagamama which is my new favorite noodle restaurant (apparently there is only one in the states, Boston) and went to bed early.

This morning I went on a self guided city walk, saw the house of the first woman who entered Ellis Island. That is quite interesting. Also went to the butter museum. Now that was not so interesting, but the 18th century jail that I went to afterwords was. They had a self guided audio tour with realistic statues of the prisoners. Really quite sad. being my third jail that I have been to here, think I am done with touring jails now!

Now on a bus to Dublin, where I will catch another bus to the Wicklow Mountains and spend two evenings there. After that it is on to Dublin for two nights and then onto France to meet up with Grammy!