Observation of the day...
1. Overall people in Galway City (women) on a scale of 1-10 are a 1 in helpfulness to American Tourist.!...
2. People are reserved overall in Ireland, they dont ask questions and seem to just keep to themselves. 3. American groups stick out as battered and tattered in my opinion

New Tip! At the three shop we bought souvenires in Clifton today the shop keeper told of a "tax exempt" program for anyone not from Europe... The first two didnt bother to bring it up, I guess assuming we knew about it? (thanks a lot! not!) when we went back to the 2nd shop to get out "form or whatever.... the shop owner there gave us a plastic card to have swiped that we turn in at the airport kiosk to get our taxes paid back

At the 4rth shop the woman there did a "on site/location" transaction and swiped our card and honred the price less the tax...
Well today began with sunshine and temps that felt more warm. Knowing that I have the car for 1 day more I set out to get on the road. Isabel decided to stay back at the apartment so it was just Angela and
I.
First we went to the city center. We got a parking space that was so tight I missed side swiping another car by a hair... nerve racking!

Walking by the bus station I went in and was about to buy monthly passes for myself and the girls. The woman behind the counter loosely and vaguley explained that the passes were only for Galway City and seemed to be discouraging my purchase so I held off. Later I realized what she FAILED TO MENTION was that there ARE special passes available for Tourists online!!!

We walked over to the tourist information center and sat down at the Advice counter where a woman about 60 with thinning over processed blonde hair stared blankly at me when I said "I'm here for advice...what should I do with my daughters, they're driving me crazy"...I continued attempting to help her with a response "should I just send them home on the next flight?"...now beginning to catch my drift she replied "yes, cut their holiday short" we laughed lightly and then I continued with the questions I had regarding the buses and her thoughts regarding buying a monthly bus pass or not etc... AGAIN FAILING TO MENTION the special offer this YEAR to tourists for the The Gathering 2013... Instead she cirled some spots on a map and handed me a couple of Brochures.. I have a right mind to back there and slap her up side the head!

Tourist Travel Passes

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Getting around Ireland has never been easier. For maximum choice and flexibility choose from our three different types of Tourist Travel Pass.

"Gathering" Bus & Rail Pass
To celebrate Ireland’s year of ‘The Gathering’ 2013, a special combined Bus/Rail ‘Gathering’ ticket is available for purchase at main bus and rail stations or online fromhttps://ecommerce.buseireann.ie/asp/ExplorerList.asp.

The ticket will allow unlimited travel on the following:

Bus Éireann scheduled services including Expressway, Stage Carriage, Commuter, City & Town within the Republic of Ireland. (Not valid for Eurolines, DayTours, Special Events).
Iarnród Éireann scheduled services including Intercity, DART and Commuter services within the Republic of Ireland

There are two types of the ticket available as follows:

Standard* 3 consecutive days of unlimited travel for just €99
Standard* 7 consecutive days of unlimited travel for just €199

*One child (under 16 years of age) may travel free with every holder of a standard 3 Day or 7 Day ticket.

The tickets will be available for purchase and travel during 2013 only.

Open Road Pass
The Open Road bus pass allows you unlimited travel on all Bus Éireann scheduled services including Expressway, local, city and town services. These tickets are easy to use, you simply decide when you want to travel and then write the first and last dates of travel on the ticket. Open Road passes are valid only in the Republic or Ireland, and are not valid on Cross-Border services. Buy Open Road Ticket

Irish Rover Bus Only
Valid for travel on all Bus Éireann and Ulsterbus services in the Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland. Also valid on city services in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford & Belfast (Citybus). Buy Irish Rover Ticket

Irish Explorer Bus/Rail
Valid for travel on Intercity, DART, Suburban Rail Services (Iarnród Éireann) and all Bus Éireann scheduled services including Expressway, local, city and town services. It is not valid for travel on services in Northern Ireland. Buy Explorer Ticket

After the tourist info center I went by Budget rent a car to ask about returning the car early for a refund but "your man" told me no, there was a 48 hour notice requirement.. at least he changed my time to return the next day to 12 noon so I dont have to rush to return tomorrow morning.. what a sport ;-)

As we bagan on N59 we saw this Hotel...