Bundoran (Ireland) | A Lesson From Buddha - Day 19

I wake the next morning, stiff as I am most mornings now. Today feels different though. Despite my stretching, nothing is articulating properly. Every step with my right leg is a painful struggle, a reminder I am not well. I can barely put any weight on my right leg. I feel tired and lack the clarity that I usually have in the mornings. My routine over the past week has been to wake, stretch, meditate, make a loose plan, and enjoy what the day brings. Today, I'm struggling with simple things, a destination, a purpose, a place to stay, and breakfast. Just before 11 am, I settle on eating breakfast in Sligo, perhaps I can regroup there. I close my laptop, check out of the Airbnb, and make a short painful walk to the car. Sligo is a lovely town, modern and lively, even in the morning. Around every turn, I see evidence of strong music culture with local pubs advertising music 7-days a week. A quick aside, Sligo is known for its music and is a great destination town if you plan on visiting Ireland. The local brewery White Hag has one of the best Irish Red Ale I've had. 

I end up downtown and pass by my breakfast destination, I can't find a place to park. The streets downtown are narrow. There is ample parking in parking structures. None of which are anywhere near the restaurant. They all appear to be at the top of the hill too. I circle multiple blocks, but no luck. I'm in no shape to walk any distance today or up and down hills either. Finally, I decide to head out of town, to a little cafe in Strandhill (as spelled). I thought the cafe was too far to go initially, but I'm 20 minutes closer now. The thought of easy parking is extremely appealing right now.

I arrive at Shells Cafe and to my surprise, it is right across from Strandhill Beach. Perfect, a huge bonus, the ocean is a great way to recharge. Even better, there's a parking spot only a few feet from the restaurant entrance. I step out of the car, wow! My body is really not cooperating with me today. I hobble into the cafe and order a vanilla chai. I  can't wait to sit again. The menu looks good. However, I spot the special menu board, Irish potato cakes, bacon, eggs, and toast. That sounds perfect! Oh my gosh, I am unprepared for the burst of flavor and delicate heavenly texture of those cakes. What a delight! The potato cakes are hidden under the bacon and eggs in the photo to the left. Inside the crisp crunchy exterior, a fluffy whipped chive-potato texture that is perfectly seasoned explodes in my mouth! Absolutely divine and one of the best breakfasts I have ever had! I'm not sure if potato cakes always taste like this, but I don't want to ruin this experience by ordering them again elsewhere. They are that amazing!

Still without a plan and battling my body, I spend the next few hours in the cafe working on my next post-off-line. I eventually decide to leave and make my way across the street to the walkway that overlooks the strand. As I pass the car, I open the boot (trunk) and grab a trekking pole for assistance. It might only be 30 feet to the other side of the walkway, but it takes everything I have to get there. My leg is locked up. Even with my best efforts, I cannot consciously get anything to relax and articulate. My foot, ankle, and knee seize up every time I lift my right foot. The struggle is real today and it is wearing me out. The view below is looking northwest from the bench across from Shells Cafe along the walkway.

I sit across from the incoming tide and enjoy the view of the crashing waves for the next 20-40 minutes, or perhaps longer, I am not sure. I'm feeling unmotivated to do much of anything today. I am not looking forward to standing. How can this be such a struggle, when everything moved so well yesterday? I was cautious and mindful not to overdo it yesterday. I can't understand where the struggle is coming from today. The view below is looking directly across the strand. Notice the clouds. They look like a painting! I find comfort in watching the waves crash on the strand. I do my best to recharge from the beautiful site and fresh air.

As the rain moves in, I decide to leave. My body is clearly not still not cooperating, I'm feeling rundown. Already? I stop at a gas station to use the restroom (Irish call them toilets). Every single step hurts. I can barely take two steps without stopping to try to get my leg to articulate. I'm baffled at my experience today. Once back in the car, I pull out the laptop again and try to find some inspiration for the day. I can go anywhere in Ireland today I tell myself. I'm in a blank fog, unmotivated, uninspired, and in pain. It's now 230 pm. I finally yield. I'm done trying to fight through this. My body is clearly telling "I'm not going to work with you today." My heart feels uninspired. So be it. A rest day it is! I open my laptop and find a place for the night, just down the road in a little town called Bundoran (buhn dur en). It's only 32 euros, close by (about 25 min north), I can check-in at 3 pm, and follow the coast to get there. Heck, it's also an opportunity to do a proper load of laundry too.  

The struggles continue. The first self-serve launderette I get to in Strandhill is packed. Despite several back and forths with the host of my Airbnb, my reservation isn't confirmed till sometime after 4 pm. So much for that early check-in. It feels like an uphill battle against the universe today. 

Instead of fighting, I choose to let go again and move on. While driving through the little town of Streedagh (as spelled), I catch a fleeting glimpse of a beautiful Spanish Armada mural, painted on the side of the building. I need to circle back and get a photo. I wonder if this is related to Killybegs? Unable to find parking, I pass it again on my way back into town. I shake my head and laugh, why is everything so difficult today? I turn back north and finally park on the sidewalk in front of another car. Don't worry it's common to do in Ireland. I'll only be here a wee bit, I tell myself. I hobble across the street to the mural (pictured above left). 

This one is even more beautiful than the one in Killybegs. Then, I notice that additional information appears on the adjacent walls. The picture below shows the wreck sites of the ships that were lost on the coast of Ireland, notice the yellow dots. Streedah Point (Strand) is the location where three ships were lost on that ill-fated return trip to Spain. Unlike in Killybegs though, where the Spaniards were helped by the Irish folk, the survivors at Streedah, like most everywhere else in Ireland, were slaughtered by English and Irish as they washed ashore.  

These three ships were La Lavia, Santa Maria de Vison, and the identity of the 3rd was thought to be La Julianna, however that wrecked ship has recently been confirmed along the coast of Donegal. The third ship is now believed to be the San Pedro, though that remains unconfirmed. If you are interested in additional information follow the link to some interesting videos Spanish Armada

As I pivot back to the car, feeling great about the stop, CRACK! My right knee belts out a crack, that sounds like a sharp bolt of lightning. I've never heard it crack that loudly before. Instantly, my articulation is back. The walk back to the car is a fraction of the struggle it was earlier in the day. I climb back into the car. I can already feel the blood rushing back into my knee, bringing with it an easing of the pain and relaxation of the muscles. Well, that was a fortuitous stop. 

I drive past Bonduran, and head straight north to Ballyshannon (as spelled) and the 24-hr launderette. When I arrive, I have the whole place to myself. By the time my clothes are washed, my Airbnb confirmation is received. What just happened? By letting go, and accepting the day, my whole day and struggles just turned around. 

Outside the door to the Airbnb sits Buddha. This is my kind of place. I'm reminded of Buddha's teaching, The 4 Noble Truths - Life is Suffering, There is a Cause to Suffering, There is an End to Suffering, and The Way out is the Eightfold Path. 

The Eightfold Path is as follows:

1. Right view 
2. Right intention 
3. Right speech 
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort 
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration

Another mystery I can't explain. Of all the Airbnb's I had a choice of? How do I book one with a gentle lesson sitting at the front door waiting for me when I arrive after a difficult day? I waste no time trying to explain what has just transpired. I think to myself, I am particularly fond of this version of Buddha (below). I ought to find one like it when I'm ready to settle back in. For now, I reach down, thank him for the gentle lesson, and rub Buddha's belly before walking in. According to legend, rubbing Buddha's belly, brings forth wealth, good luck, and prosperity. 

I am a few miles outside of Bundoran, so I decide it is best to grab an early meal at a local pub. Tonight's dinner, is a cajun Tomahawk pork chop on top of mashed potatoes, with broccoli and carrots. I forget to grab a picture, I'm starving and dig right in. One of the most tender and juiciest pork chops I've ever had. Fueled up, I head back to my accommodations to enjoy what remains of my rest day. I take a few moments to reflect on the day. It started off so difficult and revealed some unexpected gifts. I simply needed to open myself up to the day.