Ireland, the Devil, and Me

The Irish have a saying, "May you already be in heaven before the devil finds out your dead." Our bus driver told us that as he dropped us off back in Dublin after a long day out in Northern Island with a quick ride through Belfast, and up along the northern coast to the Giants Causeway--a span of basalt pillars reaching out into the sea.

Maybe I was expecting too much. Maybe I've been spoiled by the Grand Canyon. But I found the Giants Causeway somewhat unimpressive. It was weird shaped rocks by the sea basically. I will admit the overall tour was pretty good. We saw the peace walls still separating the Catholic and Protestant sections of Belfast. And we got to see a bunch of trees that were apparently used in Game of Thrones. The weather started bad but ended up prettying itself up quite nicely. The tour itself was only 50 Euros--probably one of the best tour deals I've ever been on.

Incidentally absolutely no passport checks entering Northern Ireland (UK). There was a sign and everything started costing pounds instead of Euros. It was... civilized.

Anyways as we're heading back I'm checking prices on the bus's on-board wifi. This much to Edinburgh, this much to London, this much to stay in both places. It started to nag at me... a certain feeling. The feeling that I'm making a huge mistake.

I love travel. Well, I detest travel, but I really like being in new places so I cope. If you're a regular reader of this blog you might remember an opportunity I was waiting on before I left. That opportunity has since evaporated. I always knew it might not happen but in the back of my head I believed it would and that, come January, I would have a steady source of income instead of the parched patchwork I deal with now.

As I started to bang together the numbers for the European 'leg' I kept staring down the barrel of a lot of money. More if I felt luxurious. Double that if I added Asia on to the itinerary. That's a lot of money. This is money I have. But its also money I'll surely need in the future. Perhaps sorely.

So... decision time again. Continue on boldly letting my money drain as I pursue a trip that will last maybe three more months tops. Or stabilize back home, and make outings as I can.

Anyways I may be home a lot sooner than I thought. Or maybe not. Maybe this is just trip fatigue setting in and I'll feel better after a nap.

Ireland looks the part but it's not heaven, and money may be the devil that's already found me.

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