Yes--plural. I had too many to count today. I spent the day with Cristi driving around Ireland and seeing some of the sites. In order to give you the full background behind the multiple near-death experiences, try to imagine the combination of the following variables:
They drive on the left side of the road here.
The driver sits on the right side of the vehicle.
The stick shift is on the left.
They drive on the left side of the road here.
The driver sits on the right side of the vehicle.
The stick shift is on the left.
This was our vehicle:
And this was the driver:
The roads varied in width--the majority of them having no shoulder, no median and being no wider than the bus itself.
Every single time we passed a vehicle my entire body braced for impact. Our side mirrors often hit the brush along the left side of the road and Cristi had this view:
Miraculously I am still alive to tell this tale. It is seriously madness to drive here. Most of the time the speed limit on roads like what you see above is 100 km/h which is about 62 mph. I couldn't go that fast if I tried. Besides being so narrow the roads are also full of curves. In the states the speed limit on these types of roads would be more like around 35 mph. When I get back home I'm going to feel totally spoiled driving my little Toyota on our 6 lane freeways.
Despite the constant fear for our lives, Cristi and I had a great time today. We explored the West side of the island. Cristi grew up in Brazil and we were so surprised to find out that the town of Gort has more Brazilians than Irish people living in it!
Despite the constant fear for our lives, Cristi and I had a great time today. We explored the West side of the island. Cristi grew up in Brazil and we were so surprised to find out that the town of Gort has more Brazilians than Irish people living in it!
We drove through a gorgeous area called The Burren. I love the quaint old houses here:
The most amazing castle I've seen yet:
More green than I've ever laid eyes on in one place. And check out the beautiful skies:
We saw the Cliffs of Moher--the steepest cliffs in Europe.
Thank goodness for signs like these otherwise we might have been in trouble.
This is gorgeous but the photo does it little justice. To get an idea of the hugeness of these cliffs--check out the tiny people on the top right.
Finally we ended the day in the town of Galway.
I was so excited because we found Mexican food in Ireland!!! Oh how I've been missing it..... Unfortunately they have different ideas about portion sizes over here. We paid 5 Euro ($8) for this guacamole:
But I don't care cause you know what? I'm ALIVE to eat that guacamole. :)
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