So as we are nearing Kilkenny on M9 I was starting to feel much more comfortable with Bandit and the roadways. I think Lisa was feeling more at ease as well because I noticed that she had pulled out Rick (Steves) and started looking stuff up. So as far as that all goes, it's gotten better.
We roll into Kilkenny and pretty much the second turn google maps would have been putting us the wrong way down a one-way street. Now we had to improvise. So, I ended up taking quite the robust right turn into a short road that took us into what looked like an apartment complex. "I don't give a fuck, I'm parkin' it right here", I said as I popped Bandit in reverse and pulled in. Lisa resumed trying to figure her way around the map and I awaited my directions. So here goes attempt two at getting to our hotel. So we back track a little and we come to what looks like a main intersection. After taking a very brief moment to locate the traffic signal, which was more like a light post on the corners, my light was green and I'm turning left. I'm telling myself in my mind to "stay in the left lane" over and over again. The temptation to always end up in the right lane after a turn was still tempting me. But, no worries. We roll down one block and Lisa hurrily says "turn right here!" Ah shit man, that abrupt stuff is not cool, but I totally understand that it wasn't on purpose. I can't even remember if I checked for cars mainly because I couldn't remember where the hell to look for them that quickly. So I just went right onto the next street. Lisa is now telling me to stop, repeatedly. Ok, she's feeling stressed, but there is no way I'm stopping in the middle of the street so I immediately began scanning the area for somewhere to park it. I was coming up to another lighted intersection and my random choice I decided on left. As I rounded the corner my option was quickly denied as the blind corner showed to be a dead end. So I began to merge back into traffic only after pissing a cabby off, getting honked at, and getting a stank-face from his passenger. Oh yes, gotta find a place to park, remember? Lisa spots as set of handicap parking spots along the road and tells me to park there. I was hesitant, but whatever. I put it in park. Traffic infractions 3 and 4 complete. No ticket. Ha.
Lisa was able to work out a better route and after a few more moments Bandit was parked in the hotel lot.
We get ourselves checked in, grab our belongings and head to the second floor to get to the room. It is tiny, but newly decorated with a lot of mirrors. How to get the lights on? Couldn't figure it out. Tried everything I knew if. So did Lisa. What the hell? I couldn't get the TV to turn on either. Now it wasn't a question it was a statement. What the hell.
I had to piss so I turned to the flashlight on my phone and closed the bathroom door. Plenty of mirrors made it plenty bright enough to. As I'm in there the bathroom light comes on and I hear Lisa begrudgingly say through the door "That is fucking ridiculous". So as I walk out of the bathroom she explains to me that there is a card reader just as you enter the room. You have to put a card key into it and then you get power. Well, needless to say, I agree with her sentiment.
After we get settled in its finally time to see Kilkenny on the safety of our own two feet. It is a very old medieval town the proudly boasts a large castle on its main drag. We are hungry and really wanting a pint at this time so the whole touristy thingy is just going to have to wait. Lisa's blog entry is quite descriptive and I honestly don't think I have anything to add. Son with that, I will conclude and say that at this moment, she is getting herself ready for the day and then it will be my turn. We get a complimentary full Irish breakfast from the hotel so we shall be hitting that up before we embark for the next chapter in this adventure, The Rock of Cashel and Cork. Lisa is driving this time. She's a little apprehensive. But she's got this. Wish us well...
No comments:
Post a Comment