We Answer Ireland’s Call

We took off from Central Wisocnsin Airport on Good Friday.  Previously we have driven to Chicago, left the car, and flown out from O’Hare, but this time the economics worked out to about even, and considering a late flight out of Chicago, it worked out nicely with a 3 PM flight, a healthy layover in Chicago, and a flight that would get us into Dublin later in the morning, meaning less time to kill before getting into our room in Dublin for a necessary nap.  

Conventional wisdom says do not go to sleep when flying eastward, but adjust your circadian rhythm before.  Tried it, but adjusting the rhythm sounds easier than it truly is, especially with pre-travel lists, preparations, and one spouse working.  Perhpas easier after Jim retires, but from what we’ve seen so far in Paula’s retirement of three months, time seems to speed up, leaving less time in which to do more.  So we met John and Lynn at the airport, arriving within minutes of each other, checked in and sat in the concourse for a while, boarding for Chicago in a smaller United Airlines jet, where even the small rolling suitcase couldn’t fit in the overhead.  Kinda nervewracking, parting from overnight necessities, just the stuff that seniors require like meds and stuff that has to be segregated from the clothes in overnight kits. 

Uneventful flight down to Chicago and transfer to the international terminal.  We fly Aer Lingus once again, since their food has been good, the seats are OK but no different space-wise from domestic flights, the cabin staff is good, and the Celtic jewelry selections in the in-flight magazine are strangely tempting.  In Chicago, we are told that the flight is being delayed, apparently due to strong headwinds for the incoming flight.  We have had a couple of days of rain and strong winds in Wisconsin the days before, and these have apparently drive east and into the Atlantic and will help us on the way east.  

Nothing in the booking or the boarding passes has posted anything about a meal on the plane, so we eat at O’Hare.  Nice meal on the concourse, and then some time to kill before boarding commences.  John feels the need to keep moving, and strolls off a couple of times, and is gone when the first boarding call is made.  Lynn rolls her eyes, and more so when our section is called, and at just the right moment, John appears and we’re on the plane.  

When the door closes, all that is forgotten is forgotten, cuz we’re headed for feckin’ Ireland. 

The Flight

the less said about current air travel, the better.  Whether it’s domestic or international, it’s cramped, uncomfortable, unhealthy, and unrelaxing. On the other hand, shortly after wheels up, the dinner service ia announced, with a salmon or a ravioli entree.  Being well fed, Paula and I agree to share an entree between us, just to sample the food, and when the attendant finally understands that we only want one tray, she takes exxtra pains to persuade us to accept the second dessert, and the second 3 ounce cup of water.  

Lynn and John are sitting a couple of rows back, and they have no interest in the food. John’s video screen doesn’t work, so sleep seems the best alternative. That, of course, is hampered by the tight sitting quarters so that knees and hips eventually scream loud enough to wake the dead. I manage to watch The Imitation Game which we missed in theaters, and Cumberbatch is great to watch, once I get the sound to work. This involves trotting out my own earphones, an inexpensive pair of Skull Candys, because the set supplied by the airline were apparently made with piano wire and tin can rejects. Even listening in only one ear is infinitely better.  Note to self: rig up a set of earphones with separated stereo plugs for future in-flight use. Eventually we are both snoozing. No-one can call it sleep. We fly into the rising sun and a breakfast ham and cheese croissant with coffee tides us over until touch-down, and we’re in Dublin airport.