This morning we had a little driving tour of Limerick before heading off to the Cliffs of Moher. They are quite dramatic and beautiful. Next up was the ferry to Kerry and then a trip into our base for two nights, Killarney. The scenery was beautiful, what I think of when I think of Irish countryside - rolling hills with stone walls, lots of cows and sheep and lovely country houses scattered about. Our hotel here, the International, is another old one with creaky, uneven floors and a quaint layout that has you going up stairs and down stairs and around corners with wonderful little nooks tucked here and there. Weve been happy with the hotel selection and this one is particularly nice since it is right in the heart of town. We wandered a bit before having a gin & tonic and dinner here in the hotel. Fortunately the weather has cooled down so it's quite comfortable.
Our guide, Liam, is very good. He has a great sense of humor. He's been sharing some of the Irish sayings and superstitions. For example, if you see seven white horses in a day, you will be married (or still married) at the end of the year. If you see a magpie, point it out to another person, or if you are alone, say "Good Day, Mr. Magpie" or you'll have bad luck. And my favorite, when you see an ambulance, touch your collar or you'll die of a fever. One stretch of the motorway we drove along was supposed to go straight through a legendary leprechaun tree, but the neighbors objected. After the Irish workers refused to cut if down, English workers were brought in, but they also refused to cut it down after hearing the story. Finally workers were found, but the machines wouldn't start on the scheduled day, so the company gave up and went around the tree.
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