Sunday, March 17, 2013

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Somewhere during the height of Europe's big Foot & Mouth Disease problem in the early 2000s, Doctor-Friend (who then was a poor medical student) called me up:

Doctor-Friend:  Wanna go to Ireland?

Me:  Aren't they having some kind of plague or Black Death going on there right now?

Doctor-Friend:  EXACTLY.  Airfare is super cheap and I have a great bus tour we can do.

Me (hesitantly):  Bus tour?

Doctor-Friend:  It'll be greeeeeeat!

Me:  Ok, Tony the Tiger.  I'm in.

Everywhere we went, there were signs posted to not veer off the path or step onto the lush green Irish landscape.  Naturally, we faltered. 

There's no real point here except to say how much I love Ireland, its people, and my Doctor Friend who made me go.  I'll save the story about the hostel experience for another day. 

You owe me, Doc.  BIG.

Happy St.  Paddy's Day everyone!
 
We traveled with a heavily tattooed and pierced British man, a handful of Australians, and several other individuals whom I can only assume were on the lam. 

Marianne:  "I think I have strep."  Doctor-Friend:  "Have some Sudafed and we'll get you a Guinness later."  She was practically Doctor Kildare. 


I think my life of not following directions started at this exact moment.


25 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. THAT'S why you were treating me for a cold....I clearly misspoke! (; You were and still are my favorite "Guinness as Cure" doctor! xoxo Mar

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  2. hmmmm....I went to France in college. I could totally talk about that, except I think I may have blocked it all out due to some alcohol-induced trauma, like taking the Metro in the wrong direction.

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    1. OH KIRBY. WRITE IT. TODAY. I would LOVE that post!!

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  3. Traveling with you could be quite the adventure I think! I have heard that Ireland is a lovely place to visit.

    betty

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    1. Over the years, I've learned I am very well-suited to travel with certain people. Sadly, my children do not fall into that category. Ireland is beautiful and the people are just marvelous - think about it one day!! Mar

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  4. Love this!
    In honor of St Paddy Day, I am writing this just a little drunk and just had corned beef.
    You are welcome.

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    1. This is EXACTLY how I write every day, Kari! Well done & Erin go Braugh!

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  5. What a fun tribute! Happy St. Patty's Day a day late!

    Have an Irish Facebook friend I met on a cruise last summer. In a Facebook chat recently, she said, "How are you keeping?" I think this means "How are you doing?" Any translators out there?

    Hugs,
    Carol

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    1. How are you keeping? I LOVE that and will try to ask at least 5 people that very question today, Carol. Thanks for the tip!

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  6. Did they make you wash your shoes everywhere you went? At the zoo near my house they had big signs and I think I recall having to step in disinfectant before going in the farm section. Or maybe I'm making that up

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    1. That sounds vaguely familiar, Cynthia, but I really can't remember for sure. I'll blame the time lapse, but we really know the truth, right? (think: Guinness factory).

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  7. Ireland! I went in high school and couldn't believe how nearly tropical it was. I didn't kiss the Blarney stone or get foot and mouth disease. So, win.

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    1. Definitely a win, Vesuvius! I sort of regret kissing the Blarney Stone once I heard a few tales, but no permanent damage done, right? Waiting for you to post some pics now!!

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  8. I'm totally ready to book our vacay together now. Wanna come to Berlin next month?

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  9. Steve and I are heading to Ireland in May. Can't Wait!
    And, I loved traveling with you. Paris and Greece will never be the same after our momentous trip :)

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    1. Oh gosh - have a fantastic time! You don't have to admit it here, but I know nobody can compare to the awesomeness that is me traveling with my Caruso curlers and causing a power outage on a Greek ocean liner. Just TRY to tell me Steve is going to be as story-worthy (or likely to be the impetus for an emergency evacuation). Take pics!! With PEOPLE in them!

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  10. That van doesn't look shady...nope, not at all! I always keep ginger ale in the house incase of tummy troubles (and also because we like it), but now I have to get Guiness incase of sore throats!

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    1. They used to give it to pregnant women to strengthen their uteruses, Andrea! The stuff is MAGIC.

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  11. You are so bad stepping on that grass...so bad.

    P.S. I could not be more jealous right now. Ireland! So nice.

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    1. Can you tell how barely my toe is crossing the line? I'm such a nerd.

      Ireland is marvelous. Road trip? Oh, wait....

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