8 August 2019
It’s about time… For a new adventure, that is. But also to get that dreaded international flight behind our backs.
I originally started considering a trip to Ireland well over a year ago. Eventually we decided that there is no use not including Scotland as well. And finally, all the many months of planning brought us to our arrival in Dublin this morning. And we have the advantage of not having to hit the ground running. An old childhood friend of Niel’s met us at the airport, and was kind enough to allow us to invade their home for the night. It is always wonderful to be getting some inside information of the country you are about to explore. Not to mention the sharing of good old childhood memories.
We decided to at least venture into the city, and take a trip on the Hop-on-Hop-off bus. That way we can get a fair idea of what the city is about. The plan is to spend more time in Dublin a little later in our trip.
I have to admit that I was rather ignorant as far as language goes. I was blissfully unaware about the fact that English is not actually the principal language in Ireland. That would be Gaeilge (or Irish, but not Gaelic, which would be the Scottish version in stead). And Gaeilge is a language like no other languages I have ever seen, stemming from common Celtic, which came from Indo-European. I’m fascinated by it!
Apart from the obvious sightseeing, I spent quite some time watching people today. And I just love how the Irish mostly have their own individual identities. It’s as if general fashions and styles just don’t apply. I get a sense that Dublin is the place where you can absolutely just be who you are. No questions asked. And sitting looking out of the window over a late lunch, a roadsign caught my eye. A No parking sign, with a note at the bottom. Ag am ar bith. Not at any time. A good motto to live by, I thought. Don’t ever allow yourself to stagnate. Not at any time. Life is too short and precious.
Tomorrow we set off for Galway, so an early night it should be.
