Memory Card Special : The FÍS Travelogue : Day Four

My final day in Ireland started like all the others : waking up much earlier than I’d like to so I could get breakfast. I crammed everything back into my bag, now with enough space for my book thanks to security throwing out my soap, and went down for breakfast.  I had the same fried assortment and thought to myself, it would probably kill me to eat like this every day, but since it was my only real meal it was fine. The black mushrooms were not there on this final outing, replaced with slices of flat mushrooms that were good in their own right.

After breakfast, I handed my key in and asked the morning reception staff about arranging a taxi to my coach stop later. That went well, so I broached the topic of the previous night, where I’d eaten something disagreeable but couldn’t find any help. The man at the counter was happy to oblige and called over his manager when she was free. There was another staff member behind the desk who went as far as to suggest that my meal might have been contaminated with garlic, something the night staff would have never dared acknowledge. She was passing around a birthday or farewell card at the time.

Once again, I sat in the lobby and waited for the staff to talk with the kitchen. The morning manager came to me and said she was happy to provide a refund for the meal. Seeing as it was €26 and I’d only ordered it since I was told it would be safe, I was glad of this. I asked for her name, explaining that I would be writing about my experience and she was happy to oblige. Her name was Carla and she was single-handedly responsible for salvaging my experience at the Radisson Red and saving the hotel from a negative review. 

So comfortable did I feel with Carla at this point that I also told her about her misgendering colleague from that night. She told me that she had many friends in the queer community and would never do it herself or be so callous if corrected for it. We agreed that “they/them” would have been perfectly suitable in that case, but I also showed her the photo of my outfit that night just for context. He had no excuse. Carla even gave me her email so that if I went to the Radisson Red again in the future, I could make her aware so I could have the best experience possible. Sometimes you really do have to speak to the manager to get a decent experience! I waited for my taxi with my book and a clear mind.

The first thing I did after getting off the coach to the airport was make sure that I could get disability support on my way back. After that, I tried once again to find a garlic-free meal, this time a chicken burger that fell apart. Service was far less personal and everyone was rushed off their feet at all times. Although it was still a €20 meal, I felt like I was back in the real world.

There isn’t too much to say about the rest of the journey back. I spent my flight blocking out the flight staff’s persistent attempts to sell duty-free cigarettes with various albums. Von Dutch by Charli XCX played as we touched down, which could only have been better timed if this was a work of fiction. Beyond that, I got support getting on and off the plane, almost forgot my bank card in the Sainsbury’s I stopped at and narrowly caught the train back from Manchester. I had a shower as soon as I got home and slept for 16 hours.

I’ve had many adventures since my trip to Ireland, but this is where we part ways. I have plenty of writing in the works, even outside of what I’ve promised here, so please look forward to new instalments of Memory Card over the coming days and weeks. Not sure if I’ll get back to weekly-ish instalments until I’m done with my deadlines, but I have no shortage of things I’m working on right now. See you soon!

Thanks for joining me on this journey. If you'd like to support my writing in future and get access to my work one day early, consider backing me on Patreon. If you have commitment issues, I also have a Ko-Fi for one time donations. And thanks, Carla.