Getting Drunk on Dublin
11. Sep, 2008 
13 Comments
I’m nearing the end of my time in Europe– for now. So it’s not without a bit of sadness, that I find myself saying goodbye to Europe, via my trip to Ireland. Is this the last cafe? The last pint? The last time a cab driver will refuse to give me a ride, because I’m only a mile from my destination? Or has Dublin put me under a spell?
The city reminds me of a mixture of Seattle and Boston. Seattle for the weather, that alternates between sputtering rain and tentative clear skies. Boston because of it’s strong Irish ties, and coming here, I feel like I am seeing people I know at every turn. Is that someone I went to high school with? She looks just like my old coworker… and so on. Until they open their mouths. Instead of Boston accent they have that thick Irish brogue, that when done well is lilting and intoxicating, or otherwise it can be gravelly or mumbley or even worse whiny. If someone has the right accent, I could fall in love– instantly. Other European accents don’t seem to have the same effect. I can attribute all kinds of good qualities to someone based on their brogue, and when my cab driver spoke, I thought he loved me too.
Clearly, you can see reason behind the name of this post. I am punch-drunk and just plain drunk. I went to the James Joyce center and watched all three videos. I read the author’s entire timeline. I bought an annotated copy of Ulysses. Yes, I thought, now, this week, was a good time to start reading what is considered the best but most difficult novel of the 20th century. Just a bit of light reading really. 250,000 words from a vocabulary of 30,000. Cake.
I watched football. Not in an ironic, look at me I’m much better than this kind of way– no I was at the edge of my seat, silently cheering on the Irish. Then I had a little conversation with myself. Christine, why do you care if the Ireland wins? Good question. Maybe it’s the Guinness.
So I’m working out some things with Dublin. I don’t want to leave Europe. I don’t want to stay either. So I’m having a final affair. Dublin is getting all my repressed affections, and I can’t help but wonder if my new attitude is rubbing off on the locals. People are starting conversations with me on the street. I’m sharing a pint with a group celebrating a birthday. I spend an hour talking to a medical student who has 300K in student loans and smokes like a fiend.
My overall impression of Dublin? Weee! But I might not be the most reliable source.
(Note to my husband: any mentions of "love" or "affair" are purely fictional in nature and don't mean for a second that I seriously thought of leaving you for the cab driver. That would be absurd. No one does that.)
Hey there,
What a Jet Set Life you are leading! Great writing! I felt as if I was sharing a pint with you and could feel the rain hitting me. We have yet to make it to Dublin to shoot for Jet Set Life but based on your post we may be moving it up the ladder. Thanks for the inspiration.
Rob
I, too, love a good accent. A girl from Dublin just started in my office – I could listen to her talk all day. A man with an accent is a dangerous thing indeed!!
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Christine, this post made me laugh and it broke my heart. I fell quickly and deeply in love with Dublin and with Dubliners… as did DP and the four high school boys on our school trip. Everyone was so lovely to us and we wandered around Dublin in a state of blissful shock. By God, they’re charming!
I can’t believe that your time in Europe is almost over! Europe (Barcelona, in particular) has been good to us and we are going to stay a while longer.
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Ireland was my first trip abroad. I stayed with a host family in Dublin and loved it. The whole country has a special place in my heart.
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Even drunk your writing is exquisite. In a month or so I am going to have a week to kill in Europe. Your post has me revisiting my strong desire to visit Ireland.
Justin.
Justins last blog post..Our first mistake
Ha! The draw of the Irish. Loved this post.
Never been to Ireland but did live with my Irish aunt (from Belfast) for two years!.
Lolas last blog post..Postcard: Worlds Collide
I live vicariously through you! Sounds like an amazing adventure…kudos to you for leaving the corporate world! I left too (don’t miss the politics and egos one bit) and launched a women’s site my inspiration lounge — I have your feed on the See The World page to inspire other women to get out there and live life!
Check it out when you have a moment!
http://www.myinspirationlounge.com/recommendations/see-the-world.html
Hey there! I loved this post too. I am an italian guy and I moved to Ireland almost 5 years ago. To be honest, the irish accent gave me hard time when I first arrived and the annoying weather can still make me sad at times, but beyond this there’s something about this city. It may be its human side, the people, the atmosphere, the guiness. I definitely don’t know what it is tat makes you fall in love with the place. As I said, i have been living in ireland for 5 years now, but initially I only had come to stay for 3 months to improve my english
Funny, isn’t it?
Emanueles last blog post..When Brazil Meets Cuba
Loved this post, Christine! The ending made me laugh out loud.
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Christine,
Wow! I can’t believe your time in Europe is almost up already! Sounds like you’re going out with a bang, though
Tanyas last blog post..Five Days to Go
I am such a sucker for an accent. Especially in the UK and Ireland – I think it might be too dangerous for me to go there because I will instantly liquify into an adoring puddle of anglo/ireland- philia.
I feel the same way every time I get ready to leave Europe.
At least that feeling always makes us go back!
i couldnt believe this when i read it