Shona shops and Mike drops (26th July)

We say goodbye to Scotland, catching the 6:40am bus to the airport. A quick flight across the Irish Sea brings us to the land of leprechauns, troubles, Guinness, sexy accents and U2. Mike isn't feeling too well and the idea of a 2 hour walking history lesson does not appeal. So he arranges the hostel check in, while Shona catches up on history learning about Ireland's past. There is the ongoing religious and political fight between England, Protestants and Irish, Catholics. Given that the country is 80% catholic it is interesting to learn the Protestants have had the most power since the 1600's. We've arrived at an interesting time. Firstly we are in town on the wrong day because U2 played a concert the night before and are playing again on Monday (the night we are in Derry). Damn it because there were still GA tix available! Secondly because July is the time that the Protestants march in Northern Island to celebrate the battle where King William of Orange (Protestant) won the battle against King James (catholic) and from then on Ireland was under Protestant and English rule. The afternoon is spent shopping for a new pair of jeans for Shona. Mike puts up with me as first I find two charms for my pandora bracelet - a Scottie dog and four leaf clover, second a Christmas decoration for our tree (the keepsakes that I want from our trip). After wandering around 5 different shops and trying on 10 or more pairs I find some jeans at GAP, at an outrageous price that wasn't in the budget, but I'm happy (says Shona). Mike was very patient with me and he still loves me (just!)