Teachers on Strike

Today the teachers in Dublin went on strike. Just for the day. Truth be told, it was a wonderful day off. The kids were estastic to be able to sleep in and spend the day in the city. It gave me the day to show Rob and Jordan some of the highlights of Dublin.

We started our tour at 10am. My plan was to start at Trinity College where I would show them the bookstore where they could later go back to the see the Books of Kells and the amazing library, if they wished. But, as we got close we saw the doors and gates closed and the teachers on strike. I didn't think about the college striking.

We continued on to Nassau Street where we stopped by the Blarney Woollen store and the Kilkenny shop. I showed Rob where the 15 bus lines would drop him off on Dawson Street. We should come back on the 15 tomorrow so he can see it firsthand. It will drop us off right in front of Starbucks, which is good for him since he is a coffee drinker.

From Nassau we headed to Grafton Street. We spent some time at a shop where I got a few things last week, and we were all able to buy some gifts. While we were there one of the students called to see if I wanted to join them for lunch. They were on O'Connell Street and waiting for a few others. I said to let us know where and when and we would join them. As we got to the end of Grafton I pointed out St. Stephens Green Park and Mall, the Luas high speed line, and some of the eating places near by. As I was pointing out things a woman stopped and asked if I was from Slippery Rock. It turns out she is a teacher at Scoil Carmel and recognized me from my visits. She just wanted to make sure we were ok. I introduced her to Rob, told her we would be visiting tomorrow, and thanked her for her help. I assured her that I was just showing Rob around and that we were in good shape. It was kind of her to stop.

As we started to head to O'Connell Street we stopped at Carroll's for some gifts. I dropped quite a bit of money there last week and manage to spend a bit today as well. This was one of the larger Carroll's and they had lots of great stuff. As we were leaving Luke called again to tell us where they were. It was great timing as we were just crossing the liffey and heading their way. We met them outside of Penney's (a store the students LOVE for the cheap but fashionable clothes, no connection to JC Penneys back home) and headed to the Arlington Hotel. There were nine of us total, and it was nice to spend some time with them. I said my goodbyes to the ones I would not see tomorrow and told them I would see them at graduation. They are sad to see me go (or so they say!).

When we left we continued down O'Connell, past the historic Post Office, and onto the Bus Station. Rob picked up the bus schedules for the various lines he will be taking and then we headed back to Henry Street, another pedestrian only street of stores. We walked it a number of blocks before cutting across to the liffey.

After crossing the liffey we headed to the Temple Bar district and the Temple Bar Trading Post where I wanted to pick up a hoodie for my dad and also my sister. At that point it was around 2pm and Rob and Jordan decided to backtrack to Grafton to do some more shopping and I continued to the Tourist Center for just a few more gifts. I ran into three of our students, and a visiting father of one of them, shopping as well. They went to the Jamison Distillery today for a tour. The students we dined with at lunch went to the zoo, as did a few other students. They all kept busy on their day off.

I got back to the flat around 3:30 and decided I better clean a bit for Rob's arrival. He will move in when I leave. I had a few hours before meeting Lydia. She called this morning and we arranged to meet next door at Jury's Inn at 7:45, when she got off work. We had a late dinner and enjoyed some good conversation before John Nolan arrived around 9pm. They were so kind to have a gift for me as we said our goodbyes. Rob and Jordan, in the lobby to check their email, joined us as Rob had a few questions for John, and John was able to explain to Rob what the four day trip will entail this week. I've been trying to give Rob as much information as I can before I leave. He has asked some good questions and I have been telling him as much as I can remember. Tomorrow will be another busy day as we have six schools to visit and he has to learn another couple of bus routes. We will start at 8am, and may even arrive at Scoil Carmel before the students, but that is all dependent on how the busses are running. I'm hoping for good weather so we can walk from Carmel to St. Colmcilles and not have to connect busses. I've never walked between the two but I think it should be about a 25-30 minute walk. They are in better shape than I am, so we should be fine. Let's hope the daily rain is not falling at that particular time.