I’m aware that every travel story must have some glitches but it wasn’t our arrival in Dublin (just).
We arrived on schedule (mid-day in Ireland) to a lovely AirBnB apartment a stones throw from Halfpenny Bridge. The potential glitch of not knowing the location of our lodging was averted due to the wonderful promptness of our apartment manager in replying to our panicked text message asking for an address. Derek, ordinarily superbly organised with spreadsheets but sleep deprived after 18 hours in an air-born cylinder, didn’t realise that he had in fact written down the address, so we hopped on a shuttle bus from the airport and texted our AirBnB host on the way.
After settling in we walked to St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Ireland’s largest church, built between 1191 and 1270) for an evensong service. The usual choir was on recess and we had the privilege of listening to the magnificent Houston Church Choir . The atmosphere of the otherwise reverant service was occasionally altered through enthusiastic tourist clapping. There were two readings and we said the Apostles Creed.
The day concluded with grocery shopping, all by 4am Perth time. Special dietary considerations (coeliac) are both advantageous and a spoiler. On the up-side, we save time and money through enforced planning, and self-catering. On the down-side, we’re heading to Paris…
Later in the evening (Ireland time) we could hear a sing-along through the open window of our apartment from somewhere else in the complex. We woke to the birds singing.
In the posts to come, in keeping with Irish culture, I promise (to the best of my ability) eloquence, considered arguments, historical anecdotes, in-depth summaries of world affairs of great significance, and perhaps in a moment of weakness, to let you know my steps for the day.
It’s a time to evaluate, ponder and listen. Listen to God, and listen to the quiet part of my brain that doesn’t usually get a hearing in my task-oriented life in a fast-changing world.