DAY 8: We Made It to Ireland!

Observation of the day: TSA (Transport Security Administration) in the U.S. has quite a bit to learn from Heathrow security. We have been impressed all week with the intelligent way technology is used in London, e.g. buses & the Tube only take a pre-paid card that you tap against the screen to pay. Today, when we went through Heathrow security on our way to Dublin we were once again blown away by their advanced use of technology. A picture taken at check-in was double-checked as you boarded the plane to make sure it was you who checked-in and you who boarded. In addition, we were blown away by how EFFICIENT it all was. Less labor, but better done. TSA could learn A LOT.

While there's not a lot to report today as it was a travel day for us, there is one biggie -- WE MADE IT TO IRELAND and there still may be hope for JM and I to run the Amazing Race as we didn't crash on the roads nor argue when we missed a turn. Big thumbs up!

We landed in Dublin promptly at 3pm today brought by the ever-efficient British Airways. As we headed to collect our bags and our rental car, JM decided it was best for him to navigate & for me to drive. I think the signs in the restrooms which kept reminding visitors that "we drive on the left here" made him make that final decision.

Luckily, we did great. With JM navigating, and me driving, we made it out of Dublin and across the country within a little more than two hours. By 6:15pmish we were pulling into our seaside town of Salthill, just outside of Galway.

We made it to Ireland! And, yes, it's cold!

On the Salthill shore.

A rare moment of peace.

We were immediately greeted by our apartment's owner, Sean, and found out he actually owns the entire building of holiday rentals in which we are staying. Salthill is a about a mile walk from Galway along a beach promenade, but due to our late arrival, we decided to take Sean's recommendation and take the 5-minute walk to Salthill instead. We're so happy we did.

While overcast upon our arrival, Salthill is a sleepy kind of seaside town. It may have had a heyday at one point, or maybe it happens more in the summer, but it's current quiet nature suits us just fine.

Look to the left to see the blessed bonfire built in a  half drum. Behind the odd, modern
statue, the priests blessed the Easter candle before lighting all our candles.
Photo creds: HM.

We decided to go to Easter vigil mass at the local Catholic Church at 8pm and while our stomachs were grumbling throughout it, we all agreed it was one of the most beautiful and meaningful Easter masses we've ever attended. Our church was exactly as it should be, pretty but humble. We had a duo of priests and one "in-training" presiding over the mass.

There were many special moments but two of our favorites were the communal lighting of candles to depict darkness into Light and a baptism of a sweet baby boy in honor of Jesus' resurrection.

After the outdoor candle lighting, we all processed into the church.
Photo creds: HM.

The first occurred when the priests asked us to join them outside as they blessed the "new" fire (a bonfire built in a drum by the priest-in-training and a deacon). Afterwards, the priest lit the Easter candle from the blessed fire and then subsequently, lit individual candles given to each of us to hold.

We processed into the church this way, and then the dark church was "lit." Needless to say, it was a beautiful tradition.

After extinguishing the candles at a later point in the mass, we relit them at two other points from the same Easter candle, with one parishioner "passing down" the "light" to another. We loved this.

And we also loved the baptism of Leo. Leo was the cutest Irish baby we'd ever seen. Granted, we've not seen many babies yet, but Leo was just gorgeous as was his mum, who looked liked a picture-perfect Irish lass. Because of our seats, we couldn't see Leo's dad too well, but we'll just assume he was a good-looking dude based on his son's looks.

Apologies for the picture quality but as I was accused of being a "creeper" by my oldest,
I couldn't really get a great shot of Leo, but I think you can see from this shot how unbelievably CUTE he was as was his Mum. We all loved watching him, especially when he decided his new shoes which had been clearly bought for the occasion were much better in his mouth than on his feet.

Leo behaved incredibly throughout the 1.5 hour mass and didn't even cry when the baptismal water was anointed on his head. It was a sweet, poignant moment & even the priest said he'd never had a baby behave so well in the 47 years since he's been at his post.

Yum. Yum. Yum.

After mass, we went directly next door for a late LATE dinner at Galleon's (http://thegalleonrestaurant.ie), another recommendation from our landlord. The food was STUPENDOUS and it wasn't just because we were really hungry after our travel day. It was a wonderful introductory meal to Ireland!

Tomorrow is another "nothing on the agenda" day. We've all agreed to sleep & then head to Galway to explore.

Girls have gone to sleep but EM wanted to report that although we didn't walk as much as in London, we still broke 13,000 steps today!

Random pic of the day

Although Luna was more interested in dipping her head & looking "beyond" us, she still gave us a
warm Irish doggie welcome!