Dublin

I hope I’m not solely to blame for the volcanic activity that has grounded European flights for almost a week now. I was just joking in my last post when I hinted that my sin might be so grievous as to warrant death by airplane crash as a punishment.

At any rate, our one-day layover in Dublin last Thursday has been extended to a week-long stay, with no hope for escape. We were originally slated to fly out on Thursday the 15th, but arrived at the airport at 6:00 to learn that flights to Edinburgh had been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Nervously, we told the people at the Ryanair information desk that we needed to get home by Saturday for a flight to Athens. She helped us book a flight straight to Berlin, leaving at 9:15. We got through security, and rushed to the gate. At 9:00, people lined up to begin boarding, which should have begun at 8:50. At 9:10, people were still standing, and we were told that the flight to Berlin had been canceled. So close.
We then booked flights for Friday, which were canceled later that night. Flights were booked on Monday the 18th, but those were cancelled. After two more rebookings, our current flights are for the 22nd. Unfortunately, we learned that those were canceled last night over the radio.

I keep seeing the same people here. At the airport, we met three backpackers. They looked about 18-20 years old. Due to the uncertain expressions on their faces but familiarity with camping paraphernalia, I pegged them as being from the Pacific Northwest. They were in line with us on the morning of the 15th, when the flights were first canceled. They were also there two days later, when we tried to rebook our flights. And yesterday, I saw them in the city, aimlessly walking with their backpacks along the Liffey.
We split a Taxi with a young couple from England to get our early flights on the 15th. They also couldn’t get out. We saw them again in front of our hotel.
I also have seen a couple of familiar faces walking around the city.
The city tourist busses are now empty. Everyone here has seen Dublin. Including us.
Yesterday, we took a day trip out to Kilkenny, where we were unimpressed with another castle and charming small town.
On the way, I began reading Dracula by Bram Stoker. I figured it would be a good way to spend my time. And it would kindof close the circle of our European adventures. The first trip we took was to Romania, where we visited Dracula’s castle in Bran. And now, we’re stuck in the birthplace of Bram Stoker. As I drove in the bus through the Irish countryside, I imagined what he must have been seeing as he wrote his novel.

Well, we'll see how long it takes for us to get out. But as for now, I'm trapped. Me and Jonathan Harker.