Europe
Category: Ireland
Can Your McDonalds Pass the Pickle and Onion Test?
Years ago a friend’s dad was in the drive through at KFC and made a detailed request to change his order from the standard options on the menu. Then the dad said, “You’re going to get that right aren’t you?” Without delay the voice through the speaker said, “If I could, do you think I’d be working at Kentucky Fried Chicken?”
In the States the Mother of Giants finds that it is not likely that the McDonalds staff will be able to make two changes to an order. She does not like pickles or onions on her Bigmacs. What does she do? She orders them without onions and removes the pickles herself – usually offering them to her husband that politely declines them.
A McDonalds in Dublin passed the pickle and onion test removing safely both items without adding something else (often the items are removed and the employee then adds something as compensation or out of spite – you didn’t get this so I’ll give you mustard…)
And the double win was when after a dumbfounded staff member couldn’t understand the request for a drink refill a fan of Texas jumped in and gave the Giants a soda refill. European restaurants normally doesn’t do refills. He recognized the Houston namesake hat and showing kinship provided extra soda!
No Giants rating given since not all Goodmans were there. Some were finishing laundry.
Ode to Hotels with Washers and Dryers
The Epic Camp Goodman travelers have planned out their adventures to when and where to wash clothes. In Ireland machines in the hotels couldn’t be found for the stay. For those living in Dublin that don’t have home machines they use road and store side units installed by Revolution Launderette.
- First thing in the morning, hours before most Giants awoke the Father of Giants went out with the 5 days of clothing of 6 Giants [7:05am].
- Arriving early the machines were open and the darks were loaded into the large machine (huge really)[7:20].
- Finding that the credit card function would not work it was back on the road with the darks and whites to get change (24 euros in coin needed) [7:22am].
- Traveling to get coins as directed by Google Maps led to a dead-end instead of Circle K [7:30am].
- Coins found, two washers loaded at the Giants were on their way to have clean clothes [7:45am].
- While the first load was in the final spin cycle up road a man on a bike with a bag as large as the smallest Giant. No worries since the washers will be available to him soon. Worry should have been had since quickly and without discussion the new man on the scene loaded a third of his bag’s contents into the dryer [8:12am].
- The man was of few teeth, a nice demeanor, an Irish accent, kindly shared where the other machines are located in the area, and even directed which units will possibly be free. After the second machine finished washing the wet clothes was loaded for what would be a few attempts to find a free dryer or two. No worries was the thought since with a van the Giant clothes could be transported more easily than the man could move his giant bag by bicycle [8:22am].
- Three stops later (a Google map fail and a location full with others waiting) a free machine was found with two ladies there with one washer in final spin. What a relief to find that the women planned to dry their laundry in the warm Irish sun [8:45am].
- Drying takes time, lots of time so air drying helps [9:15am].
- Fifteen minutes drive to pick up other 5 Giants and much is still wet [10:30am].
- All six Giants find a free dryer later to finish the fun of not living in filth or dampness [2:36pm].
- All done and dry [3:35pm]!
We Started the Fire
The Dublin, Ireland Billy Joel concert was a hit with the 69 year old star concluding with The Piano Man. The Giant kids are most familiar with this tune and We Didn’t Start the Fire. Giants come prepared to get their songs played:
So when Billy had said his goodbyes to Dublin we pulled out our signs and begged for an encore:
He came back onstage and rocked it honoring our request first!
Anticipation and buildup with excitement for the show got the best of some Giants making it so the event couldn’t possibly live up to the hype. For others it was awesome, amazing, wonderful, great, and many other high words of excitement. The Giants together rate the Billy Joel concert:
Fancy words like Dynamic used to Trick
Ever hear of dynamic currency conversion?
500 Euros and you think, “How much is that in US dollars? Quick math to calculate this isn’t easy for everyone. So foreign merchants will often offer to perform a dynamic currency conversion, even calling it DCC. This service immediately converts the foreign amount to dollars, giving you a better idea of how much you’re about to spend. Sounds great, right? There’s a catch. Merchants aren’t offering this out of kindness—they charge a significant fee for DCC, as much as 7% of the purchase price.
We knew there was a reason this is offered, not until researching did we know the high price of convenient conversion.
The Goodman Giants are going to IRELAND!
The Goodman Giants will visit Ireland (not to be confused with Northern Ireland of the United Kingdom) this summer as part of EPIC Camp Goodman! If you are looking for some distinct insight from a real family about travel then please check back and see how we blog about activities, chocolate, friendliness to tourists, transportation, food, and the quality of the water.
Houston
We Didn’t Start the Fire, yet the Goodman Giants are excited about going to see the guy who did perform in Dublin! Our Activities expert has memorized most of the songs we will hear that night.