Also see Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7

Day 8: Connemara to Galway
I had officially run out of cold medicine the night before, but fortunately one of the hostel employees hooked me up with some amazing Canadian drugs that relieved the symptoms a little bit. Plus we were heading back to Galway this day, so I knew I could stock up. First though, we were stopping at Kylemore Abbey.

It’s a huge beautiful (and functioning) abbey that used to be a castle. From across the lake it’s almost haunting, especially when the mist is covering the hills above. We were excited to walk around the grounds. We did get to go inside, but it was a limited tour – obviously we didn’t get to see the parts where the nuns actually live.

I also have to quickly show you this photo because I think it’s so funny. I feel like total shit, I look about the same, but damn it I’m in Ireland and I WILL enjoy myself! Can you read it in my face?

After touring the abbey, we walked down to the chapel. It looks like such a gloomy day, but it really made the whole experience more beautiful and surreal.

I believe the chapel was built for the original owners of the castle, a couple who commissioned this huge “home” and probably had their own personal church services just down the path in their own personal chapel.

After the chapel, we continued walking to see the small family mausoleum. Then it was on to the gardens. We were in a bit of hurry at this point because we had to catch our bus back to Galway soon, and we were still eager to check out the gift shop. Our walk through the gardens was rather quick, but I did take a few pictures on the run.

Turns out we needed not be in such a rush. Ray, the best driver in the history of drivers, had driven us to Kylemore, but another bus was picking us up. Apparently this was an almost-full tour bus that we were just joining. And because we were late-joiners, we had to stand outside the bus until everyone else had boarded. Which took FOREVER! So there we are standing in the cold and the drizzle, half of us sick, feeling like second-class citizens.

The driver even said, “We have to let everyone else get on, then if there’s enough room, we’ll take you.” Um… and what were we supposed to do if there wasn’t enough room? Walk back to Galway? We ended up getting on eventually, but oh hell, it was the most obnoxious bus ride ever. The driver allowed people to get on his PA system and sing. Yes sing. Which, that’s nice and all, but not when you’re sick, you’ve been on your feet all day, you’ve been made to wait outside in the cold and rain, you’re trying not to get car (or bus) sick, and you just want everyone to shut up so you can focus on not being miserable.

Back in Galway we went to a highly-recommended fish n’ chips place for dinner. I only managed to eat about six chips and a glass of water. And the chips came sans ketchup because they charged about 25 cents for a each small squeeze pack! Here’s one thing about Ireland: they sure don’t like their ketchup they way we Americans do. Every place we ate, it was a struggle to get enough to appease the seven of us. The server at one place we stopped later in the trip happily brought us several troughs of ketchup throughout themeal and believe me, we tipped her good.

After dinner we tried to stop at a pharmacy for some much-needed cold meds, but guess what? Bank holiday. Everything was closed. I had truly taken for granted how easy it is to get some Sudafed at home when I need it. Never again. Anyway, back at the hostel I called the Giraffe and we talked for a minute, long enough to tell him how much I wished he were there to rub my back and make me soup.

It was another early night for me.