Exhausted and Sick

24-10-2025

After informing my guide that I wouldn’t be continuing the tour due to illness, I lay back to sleep when my phone rang. It was Ciara from Vagabond Tours, checking in on me. I told her I was very tired and just needed to rest. Ciara asked if they should extend my stay in Dingle or help arrange my return home. I explained that my plan was to head back to Dublin to rest in a hotel for a few days before returning to Waterford. I preferred a hotel in Dublin because I could lie in bed, watch television, and order room service. Unfortunately, the television in my apartment was inadequate, with only a few channels, most aimed at children or primarily in the Irish language. Additionally, there was no television in my bedroom.

Ciara offered to help with bus or train reservations, but I explained that I wanted to hire a taxi to take me from Dingle to Dublin. When she mentioned that it would be expensive, I reiterated that I simply wanted to get into a cab and not move until I arrived in Dublin. I was in the process of finding a ride. She stated that Vagabond would try to find a ride for me using their connections.

Ciara then asked if I had seen a doctor, to which I replied no. She informed me that Vagabond had arrangements with a clinic in Dingle. I insisted I was just tired and needed rest, not to go searching for a medical facility.

Ciara then suggested using a telemedicine service and began to set up an appointment for me. After navigating several steps—most of which I struggled to remember—about 45 minutes later, I still hadn’t managed to speak to a doctor and was feeling frustrated. Ciara ended the call, promising to ring me back with any updates.

As soon as I lay back down to rest, my phone rang again. It was the telemedicine office, reporting that my US phone number was causing issues. I provided them with my Irish phone number, and they informed me that the doctor would call me in about 30 minutes. I settled in to rest again when my phone rang yet again. It was Ciara, eager to try contacting the doctor again. I gratefully informed her that I had already spoken to the doctor’s office and would be hearing from a doctor soon.

Ciara inquired about my travel plans, and I told her I had received several quotes, planning to accept one unless she found a better option. Unfortunately, my quote was the best. Frustrated, I told Ciara that if I didn’t hear from the doctor soon, I would be going to bed and would try again in the morning. I needed rest.

Eventually, the doctor called, and we had a pleasant conversation. She prescribed several medications for me to pick up in the morning. Finally, I was able to head to bed around 10:30 PM.

The next morning, I met my driver for the next seven or eight hours, Fergus Fitzpatrick. You couldn't find a more quintessentially Irish name than Fergus Fitzpatrick—unless it was Patrick Fitzpatrick—or a more Irish person than Fergus himself. I decided to ride in the front seat of the car instead of the back; after all, we would be together for the next few hours.

After picking up my prescriptions, we set off from Dingle heading to Dublin. Fergus started talking and didn’t stop for the next few hours. I learned about Fergus’s parents and their breakup, his older brother who can be difficult, his older sister who is a cold fish just like their mother, and his younger brother, who is his best friend. I also discovered that Fergus has lived in both Sydney and San Francisco. Though he’s never been married, he dotes on his younger brother’s daughter, Posey. Fergus and his brother spend much of their free time building things for Posey—one lucky little girl.

As we zipped along, I noticed a sign that read “Obama’s Ancestral Village.” I did a double

Cardboard Cut-out of the Obamas at the Barack Obama Plaza

take and managed to ask, “How does Obama have Irish roots?” Then it dawned on me that Barack Obama’s mother was white. The taxi needed to be charged, as Fergus's vehicle was electric, so we stopped at the Barack Obama Plaza in Moneygall, Co. Offaly, right in the middle of Ireland. While Fergus recharged the taxi, we enjoyed a cuppa coffee, and I grabbed a Krispy Kreme donut (what a treat, it was even hot). At this point I got Fergus’ contact information because I knew I would be using him again. Then, it was back on the road to Dublin.

A few hours later, we arrived at the Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin. Despite sitting for over seven hours, I was exhausted. I reached back to grab my suitcase and wheel it into the hotel when Fergus took it from me and led me inside. At the reception, Fergus instructed the receptionist to ensure my bags were taken to my room.  I felt like an old, worn-out princess.

Once settled in my room, I did minimal unpacking, took some cough syrup, and crawled into bed. I found a program on television and quickly fell sound asleep. When I woke up, I ordered a hamburger and a Coke. I managed to eat the chips (fries), but I just couldn’t manage the hamburger. However, I did enjoy the Coke. Aside from breakfast, my next few days followed a similar pattern. Eventually, it was time to return to Waterford. I had arranged for Fergus to pick me up and drive me back.

I made a decision while resting in Dublin.  I am missing home and so I am coming home on November 23^rd. I had been planning to travel over the Christmas period but realized that I couldn’t take a tour where we stopped every day. It was too difficult for me. As interesting as these locations sounded, I wanted to be home.  So, I changed my flight.

On Saturday morning, we left for the two-hour drive. Fergus continued to talk, I don’t think Fergus even knows that I have two children and six grandchildren because I’ve never had a chance to tell him. I think Fergus may see in me a reflection of his elderly grandmother (if he has one, I don’t think he told me), he insisted on carrying my suitcase up to my apartment, which I greatly appreciated. Back at the apartment, I did minimal unpacking before crawling into bed. I was coughing and had a horrible runny nose; I couldn't stop blowing my nose. I needed to get an appointment with my doctor but couldn’t do so until Tuesday since the doctor’s office was closed on Saturday and Sunday. I had an appointment with immigration on Monday in Dublin, so Tuesday was the earliest I could schedule a visit to the doctor.

I really wanted to hire Fergus to drive me from Waterford to Dublin, but the expense didn't seem justifiable. I could easily get used to having a chauffeur. On Monday morning, I caught the train to go to Dublin. Due to work on the tracks, I had to take the bus to Kilkenny and then transfer to the train. Fergus met me at the train station and took me to the immigration office.

Like most government offices, the immigration office operated on a number system, so I took a number and waited and waited. The immigration officer said I needed to be fingerprinted so I waited for about thirty minutes to get the fingerprints done. Then the Immigration Officer told me I didn’t need to be fingerprinted so I could go. In about a week, I should have my Irish permanent resident card. Afterward, Fergus picked me up from the immigration office and took me back to the train station. By the time I arrived back at the apartment, I was exhausted.

First thing Tuesday morning, I called the doctor's office. They informed me that I needed to have a Covid test before they could see me. Since I also needed to buy a few groceries, I decided I could pick up the Covid test at the pharmacy after shopping. Grocery stores don’t have pharmacies in them; they always separate businesses. I prefer the US system.

I managed to schedule an appointment for Wednesday afternoon. I took a taxi to the grocery store because I wasn’t sure I could manage the walk. The pharmacy was on my way back to the apartment, so I walked there afterward. After purchasing the Covid test, I cautiously made my way home, taking my time, and thankfully arrived back safely. I was exhausted but found the energy to take the test, which came back negative.

On Wednesday afternoon, I walked to the doctor’s office. The doctor examined me and reached the same conclusion I had: I had a really bad head cold. She called in two prescriptions—one for an antibiotic, which I knew I needed, and the other for steroids, which I was reluctant to take. However, the doctor emphasized that I needed to take them if I wanted to avoid a hospital visit. I understood. Since, my appointment was late Wednesday afternoon, I had to wait until Thursday to pick up my medicine. I walked to the pharmacy that day, and the walk was challenging. After getting my medicine, I took it as soon as I got home. I am now feeling much better.

A few lessons learned:

Leaving the tour was unsatisfactory but the right thing to do. I was so tired.

I should have seen a doctor earlier.

I did try to cancel my immigration appointment but couldn’t. You don’t mess with immigration officials.

A pleasant driver is a big help

It’s nice to be treated like a princess, even an old, sick, bedraggled one

I don’t like being sick, especially in a foreign country.

Waterford Weather:

High  54 F (12 C),  Low 44 F (7 C)  Cloudy

Sunrise  8:09       Sunset   6:12 (18:12 IDT)

Hours of Sunlight  10 hours and 5 hours