Tuesday, August 15 - Travel to Different Destinations

 Our taxi driver to the airport was as chatty as the driver the very first day. He told about his travels and travel plans and told me that the Mac Millan in my father's family must surely mean that I am part Irish. I have been given to believe.

The Dublin Airport is customer friendly. Signs, helpful people,  and wide aisles help the customer through the process. We stayed together through the checking in and security steps, as well as sharing sandwiches and a warm drink. We parted when I needed to locate my gate, and she could . before going through US pre-clearance. My gate was at ground level, and a shuttle bus took members of our flight to another terminal called the South Gates. We boarded almost 30 minutes behind schedule and from the tarmac.  It was nota full flight; it lasted about 40minutes, and we arrived around 15 minutes behind schedule. 

There was no immigration control, only a doorway marked " Nothing to Declare". The information booth person was friendly and helpful and directed me to the next terminal and trains. There there was a queue to purchase tickets. The ticket booth person was helpful; he told me that I had time to catch the next train, in about 10 minutes. The lift brought me down to the track, and the car was crowded with passengers.  I Whatsapped Shyamala and forgot to mention which station.. thank goodness the train had WIFI so I could respond to her question about the station. After a couple stops I found a seat and Whatsapped her again with the time. Thevrude was smooth, and the information broadcast clear, and in the same amount of time as the earlier flight we were together!

A short drive to her home and tea and a cracker we talked. I am sleeping in Priscilla's room. It looks out onto the beautiful garden, ringed with flowering bushes, trees, veggies in pots, and lots of flowers.

I accompanied Shyamala on her daily 10000 stepbwalk, on the sidewalks, up hills, past farms and quiet,  and back downhill.  She has lost weight, and she looks great.. An hour and a half outdoors was a great introduction to Shyamala and Rajkumar's home. He was out walking when we returned. We sat a bit and talked. He arrived home, we greater each other, and headed upstairs for a bath.  

Supper was stir fried fresh carrots, broccoli,  and onion. Chicken an sweet potatoes,  cooked cabbage, and a fresh green salad were a feast. After washing up Shyamala invited me to load the washing machine with my laundry. Now I was in my PJ'S as I watched the evening news with them as well as enjoying family photos, especially those on a monthly calendar and devoted exclusively to Asher - a very happy evening memory on which to fall asleep.



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