As I was still thinking about my vacation, I realized I was going to put in some "Interesting Facts" about what I observed over those 5 days so I have dedicated this entry to just that. (I do apologize if some of my "facts" are repeated...think of it as the "best of", LOL)
Interesting Facts (from holiday):
1) It is called a "holiday" not a "vacation" - for some reason people look at you funny when you ask where they are going on vacation...weird
2) When we touched down at Dublin airport, we heard a bugle call (kind of like a "ta-dah") to indicate that Ryanair had had another successful, on-time flight...it was so unexpected, we just had to laugh
3) We were almost certain, when we arrived, that people drove on the left, but imagine our joy when we saw the taxi with the steering wheel on the left! Then, imagine our confusion when we got to the motorway (i.e. highway) and he drove on the left. It was VERY scary!
4) Bigger cities, including Dublin and London, have indicators painted on the road to let pedestrians (especially tourists) know which way to look before crossing..."look left" or "look right" which helped us immensely
5) To cross the road, you would push a pedestrian crosswalk button and wait for the indication to walk. In this case, in Ireland, it's the sound you would hear when playing Pac Man and he's had one of the pellets and is going after the ghosts. It was definitely funny!
6) There was a convenience store in Dublin that had Tim Hortons products and advertised this outside the shop. (The difference: you had to pour your own and it was double the price) Although I thought it was cool, the girls weren't too impressed that I didn't get as excited about seeing it as they did.
7) While staying in Cork, the girls went to a pub where a gentleman by the name of Patty O'Brien sang to them...how much more stereotypical can you get (LOL)
8) You can definitely understand why Ireland is called the "Emerald Isle". With all the dampness/rain they get, the grass and trees are such a vibrant green that most golf courses would be "green" with envy. (I just feel sorry for anyone who doesn't like the colour green...it's EVERYWHERE!!! Well, that along with sheep - but they are either black or white in colour)
9) In Ireland, the term "bold" is used to describe someone who doesn't listen to or is rude to their parents...but it sounds so cute: "My...isn't she being bold?"
10) They use the term "fecker" instead of "f**ker" - or maybe it's they way they pronounce it - but it sounds so much cuter
11) The term "taking the piss" at someone is not to be mistaken for "taking a piss" at someone - one means to make fun of or joke with, the other means you can't control your bladder
12) NEVER associate being Irish with being English - they get just about as offended (if not more) than if you call a Canadian an American
13) We might laugh at those from the UK who will close schools for a bit of ice or a little bit of snow, but they Irish laugh at us for those who close schools (especially near London/Kitchener) for fog
14) The showers in the hostels consisted of a button on the wall you had to press every 5-10 seconds to get the water to come out...unless you had the knack of knowing when to push it to get a "steady" stream. It was hard adjusting to not having to push a button for my water in the shower when I got back home...but don't worry, I easily adapted to it ;)
15) Although my experience with the flight attendants going to Dublin wasn't all positive (recall the guy who glared at me for taking photos), the return trip was much more pleasant. The head attendant was hilarious making comments like:
i) Although we apologize for being a little late leaving, I'm sure we can all help to get there faster if we move our feet like they do on the Flinstones to help propel the plane
ii) It is a non-smoking flight. If you are caught smoking you will have a 3000 Euro fine and let's face it, if you really wanted to spend that money, you would have flown with a different airline carrier
iii) Your yellow life jacket can be found under your seat. If yellow isn't your colour...well...you're out of luck, that's all we have
iv) Don't inflate your life jackets in front of the exit doors as you will be blocking the exit for the flight attendants - who will be the first to get off
v) If the oxygen masks fall from the ceiling, stop yelling, crying, grabbing your neighbours leg and put it on...
vi) We will be heading to London Gatwick airport, but if we pitch in 50 Quid each, we can add more fuel and head some place warmer...any takers?
vii) Any items left on the plane when you leave will be collected and divided out amongst the crew - this does NOT include husbands and children...they must leave with you.
That definitely made my journey home MUCH more enjoyable and gave me a better image of Ryanair
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