Dear Nan,
I’m on the first of 2 buses, headed to Ballydehob-
I overslept this morning, so I didn’t make it to the Botanical Garden… When I pulled myself awake + looked at the time it was already12:08 and I had to catch the bus at 13:00!
So I just threw on my clothes from yesterday, grabbed my bags and stumbled out.
The host was sweet, didn’t charge me for late checkout, and called me a taxi. Luckily there was no traffic (like the anti-immigration protest blocking the road in and out of the airport the day before, our bus sat for 1.5 hours waiting) so I was able to get a hot chicken BAP, and some Euros from the ATM because my bus didn’t leave until 13:30.
I’ve dozed most of the ride, the view wasn’t that interesting from the highway at first…
~~
Nana! Miracles!
So. I arrived on the bus to Cork at about 17:00, hurried towards the bus station, (had to run back to the bus because I forgot my big suitcase under the hold) and discovered that I missed the last bus for Ballydehob, next one is tomorrow…I sat down for a moment, wifi wouldn’t work, so I walked to the nearest hotel. They said they were booked full, as was everything around, except for the Hotel Metropole which had 10 rooms available as of an hour ago. I started walking quickly that way, crossing a bridge over the river with my heavy backpack, shoulder bag, tote bag, dragging my suitcase…
My body welled with anxiety as I walked, thinking of the money I’d have to spend, basic hotels being 200$ nowadays at least…with no wifi I couldn’t call anyone back home for moral or financial support, nor search online for cheaper accommodations…
I got to the front of the Metropole Hotel and could tell it was much too pricey for me, (plus they’d likely need to put a hefty deposit on a card + I just don’t have that option available) so I was fretting….
A few doors up ahead I saw a sign for a pub, a giant Guinness in the sky, so I decided to calm down, have a beer and see if they had wifi…
The bartender reminded me of my childhood friend Tracy, I ordered a pint and as I was paying she commented on my luggage, asking if I had just now arrived? I began to answer, but my lip trembled, on the verge of tears while describing my predicament…
Right away she said she’d been in my position while traveling, she understood completely and would I be able to afford a hostel? Yes! She called one just down the block to see if they had any beds available. Could I afford 35 quid for a shared room? Yes! I ran down the block with just my backpack and shoulder bag, secured my spot, and now I’m back at the pub, drinking my beer, flooded with relief and feeling like Jess the bartender is a fucking angel.
Travel adventures of a solo-woman-artist!
There was a moment where I imagined myself sleeping at the bus station, I’m really glad it didn’t go that way.
~~
I’m at a Japanese restaurant down the block from the hostel, just ordered salmon nigiri, seabass + chives uramaki, shimeji mushroom tempura AND a hot sake…I’m so hungry all of a sudden…
I took my bags to the hostel, carried everything - including my 50 lb big suitcase up several short flights of steep stairs-
The room has 4 beds, 2 bunks, and when I came in there was a lump sleeping under the covers in one top bunk, and a queer/NB young person sitting up reading in the other. I was assigned a bottom bunk…
I saw the lump when she woke- I’m definitely 20 years older than both of them , that plus the stairs and big bags reminds me that I’m doing something most do when they’re younger, that I would have done when I was younger- and oh how happy, grateful I am that I’m doing it now while my body still can…
I ordered too much food + too much sake, but I’ll take my time, it’s incredibly delicious…and aesthetically beautiful…
After hauling my stuff up, I realized there were lockers on the ground floor- something I hadn’t thought to ask or look for because I’ve never stayed in a hostel like this before…
So I brought my big bag back down and put it in a large locker, so that I wouldn’t have to drag it half-asleep in the morning.
I can’t wait to get to Ballydehob tomorrow and be in one place for 27 days!
Turns out I didn’t order too much at all, I finished eveything…
I’m grateful I have a bed tonight-
I hope I sleep well there, it’s a bit awkward with the silence in the room, making any sound feels so intrusive….