Ireland II: The Odyssey begins . . . .

 After leaving Seattle, flying 10.5 hours to Paris, finding our gates in a quick layoover, boarding an Air France jet to Dublin, renting two cars and having one driver named Debbie doing "wrong-side" driving for the first time, checking into our Hotel Mespil in Dublin, five of the six of our family group walked the streets of Dublin last night, enjoying fresh air and our first taste of what I'll call "Ireland, the Odyssey II."  Our walk took us past the homes and professional places with lovely door fronts.  We moved on to St. Stephens Green (Ireland's Central Park) where people were enjoying the colorful Irish spring.  Then, on to Grafton Street where people from all over the world move through the shopping area and the street entertainers.  My department store door  man with the Top Hat, whom I photographed in 2011 had just gone off duty.  His replacement was proud to tell me that he had served for seven years as one of Queen Elizabeth's guards at Buckingham Palace.  He thought that fact would make up for my not seeing his colleague. 

Bill and Debbie, enjoying our walk and the first fresh air we had breathed in nearly 24 hours. Bill's sister Margaret had "hit her wall" by the time we arrived at the hotel, so she was headed to dinner and bed as we left the hotel for our walk. 

Birds of a feather at St. Stephens Green. 

Downtown Dublin near Trinity College:  Dad Love, Willie, Annie and Debbie.

Bill enjoying the tulips and hyacinths at St. Stephens Green

An older part of downtown Dublin. Annie's taking a close-up of the door sign. 

 Bill forgot deordorant, so he purchased some at Hickey's on Grafton Street.

Archway at Trintiy College. Will took a survey during our walk and noted that at least ONE other person in Dublin was wearing shorts. 

Twins Bill and Margaret just before they headed toward Paris from Seattle. 

A Guinness is a good way to top off any day in Ireland.