D Is For Dublin. 040722

Welcome to the fourth installment of (missing) travel adventures in Morning After Thoughts. What's on your mind this morning? Here we go, Day 41!

“Temple Bar, January 2020” Photo by Nice Bartender

1. I don’t know if I have any Irish heritage, but my Nana lived in Dublin after her London home was bombed during WWII. I did my Junior year abroad at American College Dublin, and it truly felt like home. I take a pilgrimage to ring in the new year every January (at least I did until the pandemic). My first trip in the real world again will be to Ireland. My hero, Anthony Bourdain, sums it up perfectly.

   “If you've got any kind of a heart, a soul, an appreciation for your fellow man, or any kind of appreciation for the written word, or simply a love of a perfectly poured beverage, then there's no way you could avoid loving this city.” - Anthony Bourdain

2. A couple misconceptions about Dublin. A) It’s a terrible city for food, especially good vegan food. This is simply not true. Over the last decade the food continuously gets better and more vegan restaurants are popping up. Even at the most traditional pubs, they’re serving up vegan cuisine, and it’s delicious. B) It’s a city full of drunks. This is also simply not true. The people in Ireland definitely love to drink, but you don’t see rowdy crowds like you do in many other places in Europe. People may drink all day, but most people are laughing, and bars close early. (So it’s only half true.)

3. One of the best things about Dublin is that conversation is something to be savored in a city like this with so many authors, musicians (omg, the music!), artists, creative types, and drunks. I may have gotten a specialization in International Education while studying in Dublin, but I got life lessons in pubs. Another wonderful thing about Dublin is you can walk everywhere. I’m not one to jump in a car, ever. (I have not driven since November 3, 2007, another story for another time.) My point is that Dublin is so pedestrian-friendly and beautiful, even in the winters. I cannot wait to go back.

   (Bonus Thought- Guinness is good for you.)

   

   “The Long Hall” Photo by Mr. Snugs

From sex and family drama to work woes and hangovers, what's on your mind today? Welcome to a space to reflect light on three things, and please share if you're comfortable doing so.

Cheers,

Jess