You got no idea where I've been!

Where have I been, then?

Still at the Rhine river - but from up in the air...

Familiar old Rhine river.

But no, I still couldn't get that flying potion going, so it seems I had to use an airplane instead.

Glad I had made sure to get a window seat!

About to touch down somewhere...

Flying on an airplane was very exciting and fun, especially the takeoff was amazingly exhilarating! And then I stayed glued to the window the whole time.
But it hadn't been without a little fuck-uppy, during checkup of the plane they found a problem with the braking system and had to fix that first, so the plane kept sitting on the tarmac for another while, and after fixing the problem they had to wait for another opening for takeoff, so in the end the flight arrived two hours delayed - at which time I was supposed to already arrive, after another two-hour bus trip from Dublin Airport, in Belfast, where my friend whom I was visiting was to pick me up.
I couldn't find a pay phone, but I found a very friendly gentleman at an info desk who, after being unable to reach my friend by phone (we later found the reason to be that the number was incomplete, since Belfast is in Northern Ireland while Dublin is in the south, officially a different country), let me use his mobile phone to message Amanda on Facebook and tell her I'd make my way on my own - which I would manage without trouble as I had looked it up on the internet the night before and written out some directions. Messaging her on the mobile phone was a lot more difficult since I had never used one before!

I then made it there without further incident, although I must admit I wouldn't have expected it to be this extremely difficult - next to impossible, really - to find a pay phone or to obtain a city map! The only map I was later able to get hold of was a photocopied sheet from the bus company, given for free but so inaccurate it was hardly any use.

I then had a really great time with my friend and her little son. (Although admittedly a not so great time with her two ill-mannered dogs. LOL)

But the next day we got attacked by dinosaurs!

Attacked by dinosaurs!!

A little boy on the right got killed by dinosaurs!

My friend's son (left) is courageously facing them down.

Amanda and me in center, me taking pics.

The vicious T-rex was charging at us!

I then found some shark teeth, even appropriately labeled
in English. Must have had to do with the fact
that this was in Ireland, they don't do that
German language bullshit there.

Titanic museum in Belfast - we didn't go inside.

As planned, we went to the Belfast Gay Pride parade on Saturday to represent Asexual Pride.
Unfortunately it got a bit hectic as we were running late, and I forgot my earplugs over it. It was so noisy and crowded at the parade that I balked like a startled horse and had to literally run away. And once I start running there ain't no stopping me... so sorry about that one!

Amanda and me on parade day. She got
dressed up, while I'm just my usual self.

Aside from my running away that day, we did have an awesome time.
We did a ritual together too - no, of course no photos of that one!

Then on Sunday I was leaving, and there was another fuck-uppy. I had the timetable for the wrong bus company, for Goldline Express instead of Aircoach, and my return ticket was only valid for the latter which would go nearly an hour later. I hadn't realized this error since I obtained the timetable on that chaotic parade day when I was in a somewhat fucked-up state of mind. But after explaining my problem and inquiring about prices for another ticket, the lady at the office of Goldline Express invited me to hop on board their bus, which was just about to leave at 8:45 - for free! Thank you so much!!!

On the bus back from Belfast to Dublin airport.

Airport selfie. Look, someone's feet are in the bottom
left corner. LOL

Selfie at Dublin Airport.

Back at Cologne-Bonn Airport!

The one thing that hadn't been so great in Ireland was the weather. It wasn't overly awful, it was really ok for April. Except that it was August and not April... fortunately I had been prepared for it and brought several layers of clothes.
Arriving back at Cologne-Bonn Airport and disembarking the plane, it was HOT and I liked it! I was back in summer, it was near 90 F, I could take off my jacket and wear only the tank top.

But all in all it's been an amazing adventure, of course! I'm very grateful above all to my friend who was a wonderful host - but also to all the strangers who helped me out on the way:
The awesome guy at the info desk at Dublin Airport who let me use his mobile to contact my friend.
The elderly couple at a newspaper store in downtown Belfast on parade day who, seeing I was distraught by the noisy crowds, gave me directions to avoid the party zone.
And the lady at the office of Goldline Express bus company who made sure I'd arrive back at Dublin Airport in time, at no further cost!
Some really awesome people there in Ireland. :)
Most of all, of course, THANK YOU again Amanda for inviting me!