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| Day 1: June 29, 2002: Landed at Dublin Airport 7 1/2 hours after leaving Chicago. The flight wasn't nearly as horrible as I'd imagined it would be; it was an overnight flight, so I slept on and off through the whole thing. Upon landing, I make it through immigration, continue on to get my bags (making sure to walk on the special foot-and-mouth mat), and get through customs. My passport is now adorned with its first ever stamp! All I can think is, "Oh my god, I'm in IRELAND!!!!!" |
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| Coming in for the landing... |
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| I'm finally here!!! |
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| Only in the European Union! |
| After a 3-hour bus ride to Derry, I'm greeted by my friend Kathleen at the bus station. We haven't seen each other in 14 years, and it is a joyous reunion! She whisks me off to her house and I'm no sooner through the door when I'm handed a 16-ounce can of Guinness! After a couple of those, we head over to the church for Caitin's (Kathleen and Kevin's 8-week old baby) Christening. There I meet the rest of Kathleen's family - finally after all these years! |
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| Kevin, Caitin, and Kathleen Watkins |
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| The happy parents and the newly Christened Caitin, with the priest |
| ...and now the party really gets started!!! Click map to continue! |
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