I survived the first right turn

After a rest from all that walking and standing around, I went for another walk. This one was more directed, because I was going to go rent a car. It was a half hour walk, and I've learned enough in my 29 hours in Ireland to know it's a good idea to carry an umbrella no matter what. As it turned out, had I walked slightly slower I would have really needed it. As it turned out though, the downpour started about 3 minutes after I arrived at the garage.

I got the car and ventured out into the wrong-side world. There's a reason that there are signs that say "Look Right" at the corners and that even the rental car itself has a sticker on the windshield that reminds you to drive on the left. It's simply unnatural to drive on the left. That's why nobody else in the world aside from the British and their acolytes (willing or unwilling) do it. It's against God's plan. That makes it inherently dangerous.

So out of the garage I drive, into the pouring rain. Fortunately, I had to go straight for a few minutes, which was enough for it to let up. I finally reached a turning point, and patiently waited to make a right turn through traffic. Honestly, I think that letting people like me who've never driven like this rent cars is insane. All my instincts are going to be not only incorrect, but the exact opposite of what they need to be.

I did make it back to the hotel unscathed, so that was good. We then walked down to the famed Temple Bar area, where it seems like every rowdy college kid visiting Dublin was milling around. We had no particular interest in joining in, but walked around until it began to rain, at which point we headed back to the hotel. Again, good to bring an umbrella everywhere, so we were fine. I've noticed though that, I guess because of the combination of locals and tourists, that there's no instinct for passing on the sidewalks. The locals want to veer left and the tourists veer right, so there's no flow.

At that point, we were kind of pooped and not wanting to stand and watch more music, so we ate at an actual restaurant, which was very good. Then back and to bed. It was a pretty long day and tomorrow will be even longer. So far, jet lag isn't preventing us from sleeping and being awake at the appropriate times. Hopefully that will continue.