Dublin Escapade

Last week I went Dublin for a few days. Here is an entry I wrote while I was there, but was unable to post at the time.

I left my journal at home I wish I did not. Unfortunately it was too heavy for my bag and for that reason I’m glad I left it at home (since my shoulder is killing me from carrying my bag all day with my laptop.

Yeah so I’m in Dublin tonight. I leave tomorrow to head back to Cardiff. My flight got delayed on Monday I was supposed to leave Bristol at 7 and get to Dublin by 8 pm. We didn’t leave Bristol airport to head to the Birmingham airport till about 11:00 where we took off at about 2 am. (The airport plane landing system was not working and since it was heavy fog outside, the planes could not see where to land in Bristol).

I didn’t get to the youth hostel till 5 am in the morning. Omg so the man says breakfast starts at 8 a.m. so I figured I would go ahead and stay up till then since I was hungry. Breakfast was quite disappointing. So I grab my things and out the door I was by 8:30, without any sleep for the past 24 hours.

I didn’t realize till I started walking that nothing was open. So I went to Tesco (grocery store) grabbed a morning drink and two pastries. Then I decided to go to Dublin I.T. University. I felt like my Uncle Ron as I sat there. I tried to go to the library, but was unable because I didn’t have an ID card, so I headed down to the student union, where I sat on a couch and took a short snooze. At about 10:30 a.m. I left the union, determined to make the most of my day in Dublin.

With only 75 euros left in my pocket, I knew I had to spend it wisely. So my first idea was to walk everywhere and not take a taxi. And that’s what I did. Needless to say I got lost a few times and my feet are worn out from the day, but it was not so bad since in Dublin everything is pretty much near each other. I think I seen enough of Dublin from the Dublin castle, city hall, river bank, various arcades. I know God has been with me since I been here down to smallest things like the lady charging me 5 instead of 9 or me going to gourmet burger expecting to pay 12 and only paying 9. I even bought my mom, sisters, and granny a keepsake and I still have euros left, which I intend to exchange to get my British Pounds back at the airport.

Now lets talk about the hostel, I learned hostels are definitely not for me. I did not like the way my room smelled, which why I haven’t had any sleep. I also did not like bed, I don't know it was something about it. I would rather fall asleep in a chair in the living room.

On another note my family does not know I am here, so I decided to mail them a Dublin postcard. I can't wait to hear their reaction. I know they will be surprised.

So I guess for the night you can say I am a black girl in Dublin. Overall jumping on a plane to Dublin feels empowering, because I came by myself. It's like I really have developed the 'I can do all things through Christ' mentality- It's a way of life for me over here. Certainly people say that scripture, but it's a difference between saying it, knowing it, and actually living it. Every morning I wake up with new obstacles no doubt it and sometimes they seem conquerable and other times they do not at first glance. But at the end of the day I know that whether the obstacles get conquered today or have to wait till tomorrow, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that it is conquered or I overcome it, not the when or the how.

Quote of the week: "When life gives you lemons make lemonade, but not just any lemonade. Make it sweet lemonade, then sip and laugh in the face of adversity."

- Cheers

Black Girl in Dublin