Biting the bullet
I'm still full of snot, but we have decided not to postpone our trip. So we're going to hop on a plane to Chicago, and then jump on one going to Dublin. I'm so excited - I haven't been to Dublin since 2000, so I know things have changed a lot. I did my third year of college in Dublin at Trinity College, and then spent the summer of 1999 working there. My friends from those days are scattered to the wind, but by some chance my friend Andrew will be there the same time as me. He's been globetrotting in Italy and India the past couple of years, and he's only home for a couple of weeks before heading out again. So it seems as if the fates are smiling, and I'd be silly not to go. I'm feeling better, but I still have the stupid cold, so hopefully I won't infect everyone on the plane.

We are staying at the new Quality Hotel Leisure Centre in the docklands, so I'm expecting a decent trudge into the city centre every day. With us booking a hotel at the last minute, we didn't have many options for cheap(ish) hotels. I've heard some pretty good reviews of this hotel, and it is #19 out of 163 hotels in Dublin on Tripadvisor. Better yet, it has a pool, sauna, and whirlpool. I'm thinking that those amenities might help clear up my snot situation, as well as give me a little relaxation.

I think we're mostly going to kick around Dublin, but we might make our way out to Howth or Malahide for a little sea air. I don't know if Dublin is still as full of bus fumes as it was when I lived there, but if it is, we may need a break from that.

Anyway, I'm really excited, so here's hoping it's a good trip!