Since I've escaped back to Europe, I can't help but stop and appreciate some of the small joys that come with living in Dublin. Here's how it's been.
Although I live in Dublin, the neighbourhood I've been calling home is Portobello. And fun fact for the fam: back in the day, Portobello used to be referred to as "Little Jerusalem". On a sadder note, most of the Jewish population has moved away due to the dwindling community and I have yet to go to service at the local temple. Whoops. Fortunately, the neighbourhood has managed to keep the history and memories alive by turning it's original synagogue into a Jewish Museum. And of course I went to it so I feel like that should earn me some points.
As for the rest of Dublin, I cannot emphasize enough how much I missed the European culture. And I know what you're all thinking, which is why I've strategically placed these memes in the beginning of the article to get it out of your systems.
But no, that's no longer me (mostly). What I'm referring to is an overall sense of relaxation and immersion. To make it easier, I've outlined my loves below.
1. Walking
Holy mother of all that is good in this world I love walking. It gets me moving, it gets me exercising, and there is nothing more satisfying than taking out your Fitbit, iPhone or Stepper at the end of the day and comparing with your friends the distance you each walked. Just to give you an idea, 3 or 4 miles is a slow/ bordering-on-unproductive day.
2. Pubs
I know, I know, this seems like it should be the first one on the list but alas it is the second because it isn't free. People and travel websites are not kidding when they say Dublin is the "City of 1,000 Pubs" (which technically is inaccurate because according to Google it's only 751, but hey, who's counting?). Although most pubs have more or less the same feel, I love the unique, old, and quirky aesthetics that come with them, especially ones with the wooden coves carved out for intimate yet boisterous friend gatherings. Some of my favorites include The Hairy Lemon, P. Mac's, The Bar with No Name, The Barge, Blackbird, and Doheny and Nesbit. Some even supply board games so make sure you keep an eye out for Jenga, Scrabble, chess and many others! Oh, and I still haven't been to Temple Bar. Whoops #2.
3. International
At any given moment, I will hear a myriad of languages being spoken from one country or another and it just gives me all the cultural feels. Have I started conversations with random French people? Absolutely. Do I watch my Netflix shows in Spanish and German? Definitely. Am I any more refined and cultured than before? Probably not, but here's hoping. Either way, Dublin is the perfect mix of Irish and international and I hope I haven't scared any of my new friends away with my Americanness.
4. Transportation
If anyone is still contemplating how I, a film and photo major, could've left the sparkling city of Los Angeles, here's your answer: I. Don't. Have. To. Drive. Besides walking (have I mentioned I love walking?), there are so many other ways to get around the city or even the country whether it's by bike, bus, tram, or train. And although Dublin is by no means lacking in traffic, I have certainly come to appreciate the variety of options here. It's the little things.
5. Well, it's Europe.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but I can't not mention it. As crazy as it may seem, I have not left my small island for any glamorous European trips...yet. That being said, it's exciting to know that there is a whole continent out there with dozens upon dozens of sights to see and places to explore, each with their own culture and history and language and food. On top of that, it never ceases to surprise me how much more relaxed people are here. You feel like clubbing on a Tuesday night? Go for it. Want to have a glass of wine with your lunch break? Help yourself. But it's not the partying or the drinking culture I'm trying to get at; it's the sense that the people here live their lives openly and unapologetically and I sincerely wish America could take a page from that. We are not born to work and then die. We are not machines that need oiling but souls that need filling. I will stop my rant there and end with this PSA: come visit me so we can make memories and take even more pictures to post on my blog! That is all.
Until next time,
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