Venturing Out

17-08-2025

While getting a mani/pedi, I meet Patricia.  Patricia is a dear Irish lady close to my age who has kissed the Blarney Stone not once, not twice but many times. She sat in the chair next to me and started talking.  I know about her husband (he must be a dear man who has little to say), her grandchildren, how she hurt her big toe, how many times she’s been to Disney World (lots more than me), what are her favorite rides at WDW, her dogs and why I should visit Tramore and its wonderful beaches.  She also introduced me to most of the staff at the nail salon. She would ask me a question, but before I could answer, she was off on another story. I haven’t been called darling so much in years. She is certainly one of my Irish characters. She was quite a delight and oh so Irish.

I took my first train trip on Irish Rail, which was quite enjoyable. The train was comfortable

Train Car

and well-utilized, with cars arranged in groups of four seats—two facing two, with a table in between. The car design accommodates luggage and bicycles, particularly foldable electric bikes. I noticed many passengers bringing their e-bikes on board and eagerly unfolding them as they disembarked to head to their destinations. These e-bikes are much used here.

I watched the Irish landscape roll past. It is at least forty shades of green dotted with cattle, horses, and sheep. The only crops I could recognize were corn and harvested hay. We also rolled through small villages with either stone cottages or white cottages with black trim. It will be interesting to obverse if these architectural and agricultural features continue throughout all of Ireland or change with the regions.

Flowers on a Dublin Pub

While I was in Dublin, I attended to some business and then enjoyed a delicious lunch at a nearby pub.  I had Guiness and beef stew which was remarkable, I must get the recipe.  However, eating out has been challenging for me. One issue is I always eat alone, which is very seldom fun and frequently boring.  In addition, I have not particularly enjoyed the food.  Every meal comes with potatoes and in my very humble opinion, Idaho potatoes are vastly superior to Irish potatoes. The cuisine tends to be quite heavy – potatoes with every meal contributes to that. Ireland is renowned for its beer and whiskey, and I suppose with enough of either, any meal can taste good. I have only tried a handful of restaurants in Ireland, so I’m hoping my dining experiences improve. To be fair, Dublin -- and likely a few other cities -- boost Michelin starred restaurants.

With numerous items to address before I can truly feel at home here, I sometimes feel like I'm playing Whack-A-Mole. Just when I manage to check one thing off my list, another pops up. I have made some progress.

I've found a doctor. Given Ireland's shortage of medical professionals, I was concerned about finding a doctor. I've heard stories of people waiting months to secure a physician. During a stroll around Waterford, I came across a medical clinic and, on a whim, decided to stop in and pick up the registration forms. I need a doctor to provide new prescriptions for my medications. This past week, the clinic informed me that I am now registered as one of their patients, and I have an appointment to see the doctor on Friday. Check off get doctor.

When I decided to come to Ireland, I wanted to take a course at Trinity University. This week, I enrolled in a class called "US History: Power, Politics, People." I'm intrigued to explore US history through an Irish and European lens. I just hope I’m not the only American in the class; I’d prefer not to have to justify all of US history! This course is part of Trinity’s short course program aimed at retirees. Check off take a course at Trinity

I plan to attend class on Monday and then have lunch on Grafton Street, Dublin’s main shopping thoroughfare. I have a feeling Mondays will become a pleasant highlight of my week. Hopefully I will find my good meals here.

I did hear from Irish Immigration this week. On Friday, they were to issue me a grant letter, I think that means they are granting me a 0 Stamp visa and will be returning my passport.  Now if I can just manage to get the passport from the An Post, I can check another item off my list.

Before I give you the Waterford weather, Ireland is going through a touch of a heat wave. Note our high temperatures.  Southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece) is going through quite a heat wave with temperatures in the 100+ (34+C) and for most no air conditioning. They are suffering.

Waterford weather:

High: 71 F (22 C),  Low: 60 F (16 C)

Sunrise:  6:15  Sunset:  8:48 (20:48 EU time)

Hours of Daylight:  14:33