Journey to Ireland: Day 4! Meeting the group etc

This is how my day started.. 3 am...
Email to Paul...

We are having fun but I woke at 3 am and could NOT go back to sleep. I have to return the car so now I am going to have to learn the bus system... agggghhhh!

I am also freaking out about what the girls will do while I am in school I hope they find something they like :-(

Isabel spent the entire day alone yesterday even though I invited her to take a ride to clifton.

It is beautiful today but again I feel like I am going to be junk early in the day and the kids NEED me to entertain them...

Good news is the weekend you come I am free Fri-Sunday...

You guys could go off and do whatever you wanted.

I am debating about getting a car again for you but Im nervous about YOU driving!

I looked at the tours for the Inishbofin Island on Monday but I dont know if you will want to do that? The group goes on Monday and I am already "in" for transport.. of course we could meet there as a family but it is a 1 1/2 hour bus ride to the ferry in Cleggan

I felt pretty good yesterday...now as I said feeling worried

I ended up going back to sleep finally around 7.. then woke at 11... in a frenzy we got dressed and out the door to return the rental car by noon.

Relieved...I then went to the Bus Station again to look around and try to figure things out as far as monthly passes to hop on and off the local bus. I was prepared to be VERY direct and firm with the girl behind the window. She became agitated with my frankness at calling her out regarding her lack of guidance. I tried to reason with when she repeatedly asked "where are you going?" that I was in the city for a whole month and I didnt have an exact itinerary for every day...that I appreciated her trying to save me spending the money etc however I would appreciate some suggestions. She printed off a bunch of stuff from the internet and thats whenI told her that she didnt have to give me an attitude that obviously I was new to the area etc... voices were raised and I ended up telling her she was an ASS...

Next I went over to the tourist office desperate for some help... I asked the man at the table if he had time to help me out.. he said yes. I shared my frustration with him and he agreed that the website AND the people at the office were not helpful in assisting people who couldn't simply go up to the counter and give their SPECIFIC request...

Anyway we chatted and come to find out he had lived in Dorchester and South Boston in the last 10 years or so.

Next the girls and I went to get breakfast... then walked over to the University which ended up being a real pain in the butt because no one could help is find the building I was looking. For for about an hour we walked around the campus asking every person we could. It was funny that my daughters found it so surprising that I didnt KNOW where I was going etc etc. Guess they are so used to me being so in charge and in control...

Later the group met up at the meeting spot. I told the girls they could walk "home" which they were happy to do and I was happy to be free from them. Saying there was some tension is putting it mildly..

It was refreshing to have some adult company for a change...

WE had a brief orientation followed by a barbecue dinner...

Once I left the group I walked back from NUI for the first time to the apartment.. a ten minute easy walk.. relief again..

Back at the apartment the girls were doing "their thing"

Angela and I went over to the Shopping Center and went to the Arcade.. played a game a pool then came home again.. Hoping for a good night sleep.. I have my first "class" at 10:30 tomorrow.

Still hoping the girls can find a way to have fun but as one of the participants in the group said ot me "YOU have fun for YOURSELF" ... good advice.

Night

My flags for Independence Day