Saturday, 19 August 2000
10 a.m. -- A bit of frustration - no self-service launderette around here. The laundry downtown wanted 11 punts to wash, dry and fold. The hostel will do my laundry for 5 punts, but they don't separate colours from whites. You pile it into one basket. Guess I'll have to do that, even though Deva clothes tend to run forever. [But, that's my favourite brand of clothes, the most comfortable, so I live with it.] I need a shower, too. Had hoped to get on the tour bus this a.m. but laundry and shower come first. I'm down to my last outfit. I'm at a little coffee shop on McCurtain St. - McCurtain Pizza...fancy that! ;-) Breakfast is 2 good-sized muffins and 1 mug of coffee for 2 punts & 80 pence.
It's a beautiful sunny, mild day. As I was toting my laundry around, looking for a laundromat, I came upon a brick archway piercing through the "business block" of buildings cheek by jowl on McCurtain St. Peering in, I saw a greenery-bedecked courtyard and an elegant couple eating breakfast at a round glass table. Ferns were growing out of the stonework and there were trees in urns and half-barrels of flowers. It was easy to imagine a carriage passing through that archway years ago, back before the stableyard was gentrified.
Hiked back up to Sheila's and put my wash in their basket. It'll be done "around tea-time." I've got a choice on film developing,-pick up on Monday (No, I won't be here) or 20-minute developing at huge cost. Nope! Have to get money changed today, too. There is no American Express office available and cash gets a better rate at Shiela's, so I'll change that.
11:50 -- Strange shower, you have to keep pushing the knob to start it up again, like those lavatory faucets that turn off when you are only half-rinsed. It runs about 10 seconds at a pop.
Time to do some planning: Bus Eireann has an Irish Rover pass for 30 punts that gives 3 days' travel anywhere in the Republic within 8 consecutive days. My cash-on-hand has to last till Tuesday as Monday is a Bank Holiday. So I'll go over there and get my ticket and then stroll around town.
There's the "Rose of Tralee Festival" going on at the "entry-town" to the Dingle and the place will be mobbed with drunks. This was told to me by a man from Kerry who came to Cork this weekend for peace and quiet.
1:30 p.m. -- at Gallagher's for thick, creamy mixed vegetables pureed soup and brown bread. YUMMMM!!!! The bus goes to Dingle on Sunday at 9:15 a.m.
9:45 p.m. Just got my laundry back only lost one sock and only the waistbands and collars weren't dry. Ugh! I've been pleasantly inquiring ever since "tea-time." [Got the sock back next morning. The young man bringing it was profusely apologetic. What service!]
I've chatted the past couple evenings with Mary, who has a thick West Cork brogue and talks fast, so my ears have had a job deciphering her. She is a neighbor and friend of the hostel owner, and comes over for tea and socializing. She is on disability, and would spend the days alone in her apartment otherwise.