Ireland March 26

Leaving Lombard with the Glenbard West Marching Band, Orchestra and Choir -120 teens with 20 chaperones.

Last view of the school and snow.

Loading 4 buses for the ride to Ohare Airport

It was a good flight, a little turbulence.  We're getting used to the level of noise 120 teen agers can make talking, laughing and giggling.  All well behaved.  One of the chaperones said they are all scared of Jon.  A proper attitude for this undertaking.

 Not much sleep.  First view of Ireland

Oh, the differences from our last 2 months.  Arizona, not much green, average age 75, now average age around 17 not counting chaperons who are in the minority.  Lots of water and green, way different mountains, and significant volume of chatter.  All traveled well.

Waiting to load the 4 buses at the airport.  Organized chaos with instruments and luggage

We're bus #3. Off to tour Dublin.  Everyone is jet lagged.  The plan is to keep moving till supper time to get everyone back on Ireland time.  

 Wait.... palm trees in Ireland!!!  Yes, Ireland is on the gulf stream which brings warmth and there is a lot of rain.  Jerry, our tour guide says they will grow here but they don't look happy.

Must be a cousin.

 Traffic is heavy on these tiny narrow streets
 

Ist stop  Howth, Ireland which is on the Irish Sea, just north of Dublin.  We're all pretty sleepy but this stop had several fresh fish shops and of course, coffee and tea!!!

 Too early for crab cakes, but I bet they would have been really yummy.

Flowers already.

Irish speak.

It's really Saturday April 4 and Jim and I are hanging out in Wicklow, Ireland resting from the marathon tour with all those energetic teen agers and their busy sight seeing and performance schedule.  I'll catch you up on all we've seen soon.