In the city...

I have always prided myself on my since of direction. I am good with picking out landmarks and not getting turned around and if I do I can usually find my way back. Maps have always been fun for me and I take pride in being able to navigate through cities.

Yesterday I arrived at the Avalon Hostel around 11:15, I stored my luggage and headed out with a map that my cab driver gave me while in route to my hostel. I headed north west towards the city center and immediately got myself lost, I decided not to look at my map and instead just kept walking. I ended up running strait into the main drag Grafton St, which is a posh walking street with shops like Armani and Lacrosse. Each city seems to have one of these. I ducked off of it as fast as I could and headed for the park, typical…

I ended up hitting most of the large tourist attractions south of the Liffey in Dublin’s city center, The National Gallery, St. Stevens Green, Merrion Square, Grafton St., Trinity College (including the book of Kells and the famous Library) Powers Court House, Bank of Ireland, etc.  After realizing that I had been walking in circles for a while I decided to head towards my hostel because I was starting to wilt.

 I stopped and grabbed a cup of tea as the rain that had been threatening to break loose all afternoon finally came down. I snuggled into the coffee shop’s couch and reflected on how rewarding traveling by myself has been. I can stop, have a cup of tea and sit and read my book or walk through the park and people watch. Tourist buss passengers wave to me thinking I am a local and I am treated as one until I open my mouth. I can spend as much time in a museum as I want. I don’t feel the need to stare down each painting I simply skip the ones that don’t appeal to me and absorb those that pull in my attention. I am never waiting on someone else or having to consider what they would want to do. It is rewarding and refreshing. I have never in my life been able to be totally selfish and self absorbed. I have always had obligations to someone or something other than myself. I am able to feel what is comfortable for me and make it happen.

That evening I was exhausted but had planned on going on the pub crawl that my hostel hosted. Waiting for it to start I decided I needed some food, I got a recommendation from the cute Irish guy manning the desk, who I could not understand, and headed out. Only to find that it was poring rain. I walked a few blocks, drenching my pants and ducked into a 24hour convenient store.

Deciding on a hearty dinner of a French roll, some onion cheese spread and a strawberry yogurt, I stuffed it into my purse and ran back to the hostel. After inhaling my food I read a bit of my book and passed out on my bed in my still wet jeans and sweater. Later waking long after the pub crawl had commenced to yells from the street from over zealous international frat boys.

I headed downstairs and got into an intense 30 second dance competition with two guys playing pool, not a word was spoken. I grabbed my dry sweats and headed back to bed. Over all it was a rewarding and productive day!