Have you ever met a stranger...

and felt an instant - I don't know, "connection" is not the word I'm looking for... more like "friendship at first sight" (except not exactly). Anyway, that is where I will begin the story of our day in Ireland. It was raining when we arrived at Blarney Castle. Many people had umbrellas, but we did not, so we were more than happy to enter the castle and get out of the rain for a little while. There was already a line formed for people waiting to kiss the Blarney Stone. Although Fortitude and I had no intent on kissing some stone that was covered in germs, we had to wait on the line too if we wanted to climb up to the parapet. It did not take long before the stairway became narrow and the ceiling very low. Fortitude, as claustrophobic as she is, was not very happy and had thoughts of turning back before it was too late. As we were discussing this, a man just behind me, put in his two cents, "don't worry. It's bigger up ahead," he said. I recognized him as the man who was sitting 2 seats ahead of us on the bus. "It's like the leaning tower of Pisa, except that it's not leaning, " he continued. This did not give us any sort of reference whatsoever. Neither of us had ever been to said building, and I was pretty sure Fortitude would not have like that one either. But he went on, comparing it to various buildings he had been up in, and just the diversion kept F's mind on something other than the confinement of the space we were in. Plus, we had not talked with anyone our own age in almost two weeks, so that was a nice change in and of itself!

There were also some windows along the way, which added some light to the cold, stone stairway. And the conversation with the man behind us continued. Once he ran out of buildings to discuss, he moved on to the kissing of the Blarney Stone, first joking about the diseases one could catch, then making up staements for the T-shirts they should sell (e.g. "I caught Herpes from kissing the Blarney Stone"), and finally trying to tease us into kissing the stone (it didn't work).

Before we knew it, we were at the top, looking down into what appeared to be a small courtyard (although, I think it may actually have been covered at one time).

The view from the top was absolutely breath-taking! I think even Fortitude thought the climb was worth the view. =)

As for our friend... well after climbing back down with us, he had to wait for the other three men he was travelling with. Fortitude and I went on to explore the extensive gardens surrounding the castle. We wandered around for a while, taking pictures whenever the rain let up. We were standing on a small foot bridge (I was taking a picture and F. was posing for me), when suddenly, we hear "it's the Blarney sisters!" (that was the nickname he gave us). W e were really surprised to run into them again, considering how expansive the grounds were, but it was a pleasant surprise. We walked with them to the Stone Tower, the Witch Stone, and the Wishing Steps. The last one was interesting... Legend has it that anyone who makes a wish while walking down the stairs and back up again, backwards, with their eyes closed, will have their wish granted. As clumsy as I am, I knew I'd never survive, so I just watched (and coached) while the others did it. The guys wanted to get back and catch the 12 noon bus, but F. and I still had more pictures to take, so we parted ways. We never asked their names and they never asked ours, actually, we do not even know where in the world they were from (though I think they live in the States based on their accent). So, that's the story. It was short-lived friendship that ended as quickly as it began, but is was fun while it lasted. =)