Dublin, first glances

Ah, Ireland.

My love affair with Ireland as a country stems back to my childhood, when my world revolved around a steadfast ambition to become a world-class writer. The rich and mysterious nature of Celtic mythology inspired my insatiable imagination to no end; the dark yet beautiful tales of trickery and magic were a welcome change for a child fast outgrowing the likes of Disney. As I continued to write and learn, Ireland morphed from a rural, mythical place into a powerful emotional source of motivation and insight. Without setting foot within the place, it was within Irish culture that I cultivated my first big ideas; funny now that I come back to it with my newest career dream.

In college, I updated my idyllic perception of Ireland by taking an Irish literature course that gave me a more contemporary look at this country as it stands now. I’m glad I did. This city is as many of its famed poets, writers, and lyricists have spoken of—oh yes, Dublin is a dirty, dreamy place. At the moment, it reminds me of frumpy, London with a quirkier, angrier attitude and a shorter stature. There are lines of short, stone buildings with chimneys with five or seven stout smokestacks that spit into the sky and trash that punctuates the sidewalks and gutters. You pass pubs, ethnic restaurants, and foreclosure signs while going from point A to B here; Irish is written on every sign, and if that wasn’t purist enough, folks have taken the courtesy to be the voice of Ireland on many of their high, iconic stone walls.

Yet for all its outward grittiness, there’s creativity in this town that’s undeniable. Whether it’s from a young population shortchanged on the economic front or maybe something intrinsic buried in Irish blood I don’t know, but there’s something about Dublin that pulses beneath the grime of city—and tells you, you’re in for a fantastic story. Yes, this experience will prove to be much different than Sweden. Aside from being on a stern career mission, this is an entirely different place.

My housing will definitely be different. Annika’s flat afforded me many amazing luxuries, aside from the beautiful home; I really really miss her. This time, I will be staying in a dirt-cheap two-bedroom flat in the middle of Dublin 8, with three Brazilian girls and two Mexican girls, where space is tight but the atmosphere is warm. At first, I was really reluctant; I have less space here than even my college dorms. But the girls come and go (English school), so between the exotic food and not paying for the DART (expensive!), I think living here will be like living in a big Latina family.

But—just in case I didn’t want to stay with the crowd—I did spend much of my time this weekend looking for outlets. Behold my list of discoveries:

 

Closest Grocery Store: 1 block east

Closest Wine/Liquor Store/Dry Cleaner Combo: across the street

Closest Closest Bus Station: 3 blocks east

Closest Dublin Bike Station: 8 blocks east in Christchurch (lame)

Closest Catholic Church: St. James’ Church, 3 blocks east

Closest Café Worth My Time: Cafe Noto, 8 blocks east

Closest Museum: Irish Museum of Modern Art, 3 blocks west, 1 block north

Closest Park: Phoenix Park, 1 km northwest

Closest Bar: The Guinness Brewery (behind the house)

In any case, I'm excited. The next three months are going to prove very busy for me. Tomorrow, I start work at one of the revolutionary science museums in the world, and begin construction on what I hope will not only be a wholesome graduate thesis, but a credo for the rest of my career. In addition to the work I’ll have at the Science Gallery, I’ll have written reports and essays for Gothenburg University, and contributions to Pacific Science Center as they prepare for their first annual Science Festival this summer (yet another side project...oy). Combine that with my goal to see Galway and other Irish communities, I have a feeling I will be much busier in the next three months than nine months in Sweden ever made me.

Well, we'll find out. :) 

Massive Update: Summer.

I have to tell you, I really thought I left this blog in a more concrete place than where I did. Apparently, this blog post will be one of the biggest updates I’ve ever had to give—but hey, at least it’s given, right? ;)

I had an exhausting but rich summer season back in my hometown. My job as a Lead Teacher for Pacific Science Center's summer camps—solar cookers and Legos and submarines, oh my!—was a feat that drained me often of patience and energy, usually simultaneously. Kauai was also beautiful and a fantastic way to get over jet lag with the rest of the family (what better way to do it than be exactly 12 hours different?). Living in South Park/Georgetown was positively delightful: such an underrated community, rustic and humble and crazy (taco trucks, Vietnamese and Mexican neighbors, exiled Seattle artists, women walking wolves, an indoor volleyball court amiable toward graffiti, and a beautiful little sherbet green house...)

All in all, it was a well-deserved break. Here are some highlights:

•         My baby brother’s graduation and consequent grandparent visit
•         Snorkeling with the octopi in the clear, clear ocean of Kauai
•         Weekend morning markets in Georgetown and Ballard, with borrowed glasses and amiable pals
•         Pulling back the dusty tarp on my beautiful red scooter
•         Meeting kids and hating kids and dismissing kids and loving kids
•         Blissful Whidbey and dancing in our seats in the setting sun
•         Waiting on the curb of 201 Elliot Street for a maroon Nissan Maxima
•         Seeing an old friend join the rest of the cool kids in Seattle
•         My first viewing of Pulp Fiction in the cool night air
•         Port Angeles dreams and Kingston realities
•         Honing my car make-up skills and morning coffee technique
•         Realizing the full compassion of my parents over sushi
•         Whole Foods raids and cart stealing 
•         Meeting David Flopster Wallace and getting margaritas
•         Tandoozy and the smell of Theo’s
•         Seeing my Swedish and Seattle life merge at the Crumpet Shop
•         Painting dragons and dancing in the kitchen
•         Appreciating science at New York’s American Museum of Natural History
•         Cocktails at Louis and a late-night pizzeria bathroom run
•         Sunshine and moonlight cigs on the stoop of South Director

And now, ladies and gentlemen: Ireland.