Arrival in Dublin

We landed in Dublin at 11 local time and got to experience Irish hospitality and first aid at its finest. Colby turned white, said he didn't feel well and nearly collapsed as we walked off the plane. Thankfully there was a wheelchair nearby and some very helpful airport workers rolled him in. After some fresh air, water and a bathroom break, he seemed ok. I think he is dehydrated and a bit nauseous from the long trip.  Scary start but the people were totally on it.

After the easiest breeziest customs clearance, we arrived at baggage to learn that while we barely made the plane, our luggage did not. Even though we waited for connecting luggage, evidently that was not ours. That's what I get for saying that out loud. Had to wait in another long line to fill out paperwork with our hotel information and finally made it to the bus for a trip into town.

First impressions of Dublin: it's a big city. It's crowded, dirty in some places and filled with too many American chains for our liking. But look closer and you see a 500 year old church sitting snug between that Starbucks and a local pub. 

We forced ourselves into the streets for some food and to catch a couple sites (churches mostly). The boys are dropping - all 3 of them. Jet leg is winning right now as i type this and they are sprawled on the beds. 

Lessons learned:

1. Hydration and forced plane sleep is the ONLY way to survive this kind of a journey. Pack earplugs and eye masks and ridiculous looking neck pillows. They pay off.

2. Always pack essential items in your carry on because you never know when you will be parted from your luggage. Thankfully I had stressed this when we learned our original flight was delayed so we are all not too stinky. Just marginally so.

3. Teenagers simply have to learn the hard way. Doesn't matter how many times mom/dad tell them to eat/sleep/drink, it has to be their idea.

4. Eat when meals are in front of you. Otherwise, it could be 3 am on an airplane when your stomach finally realized that it's hungry.

5. There is music everywhere here, including out our window, in a theater just behind us. Loving that part!