Our New Home in Rathmines

Greetings from an eternal Ireland where the sun still refuses to set despite the fact that we are coming up on fully 9:30 pm local time. Colleen and I have arrived in wonderful spirits, though a member of our team- my much needed checked baggage- seems to have stayed in Boston or worse, made a trip to somewhere OTHER than Dublin, Ireland. Aer Lingus, our carrier, insists  it will be at least 24 hours before they can even tell us what happened to the bag. Seems like once you hand your luggage over to an airline there is simply no knowing how raucous and poorly behaved that bag can become. For all we know, my 21-inch Revo travel bag is kicking it poolside in the Bahamas. Which brings me to my second day of these colorful blue boxers.

Apart from my luggage gripes, Dublin is stunning. We were on the first bus of the day from the airport (to the north) into Dublin (to the south). The airport is under some substantial construction, and there is very little guidance about how one- who may or may not be visiting Dublin for the first time- can procure transport from the carpark to say, Dublin City Centre. While wandering through the chewed up parking lots and vacant terminals, I candidly remarked to Colleen that “this place is in shambles…” She has enjoyed giggling to herself over this comment ever since.

On the way into Dublin, I harassed the bus driver for the things we were going by. In the distance, I saw what looked like some ominous clouds, which according to the Shuttle Driver are actually MOUNTAINS. “Does it snow up there?” I asked. “Oh no” he told me, “they’re only good for getting some clean, crisp air. And maybe the rain is a little colder.”

We disembarked at O’Connell Street. We saw the Dublin Spire. We crossed the Liffey and saw the Four Courts that Michael Collins destroyed in the Irish Civil War. We made our way to Trinity College and, eventually, bought a “mow-bile” phone for use on the island. If you need to get in touch with us here, the number is 086 227 9822, or if you are calling from the States, 00353 86 227 9822.

With keys from a friend of a friend for a cottage just south of the city, we set off for Rathmines in Dublin 6. It is a charming little spot with a wonderful clocktower/town hall. Our cottage, affectionately referred to in several emails as “Granny’s” is an absolutely delightful place with two bedrooms, a kitchen, a miniscule back patio, and a shower you need to hold over your head to wash with. We have photos and video of all these adventures to come. For now, know we are well and living the high Irish life in Dublin 6.

-ZM