Back in Back-Pack
Eventhough I was a bit nerveuse about the new endeavours it meant; going to Dublin and dealing with the whole lodging issue, I couldn't help feeling a slight excitement when I began packing the old back-pack again. I love the packing, the preparations; even for a short trip. It's therapeutical to pack, to picture the voyage and the new situations put before you; because travelling is all about one word: New. And this was.
Also I love a trip on short notice. The "just grab your gear and let's go"-attitude is something I'd love to allow myself to practice more often. I guess life gets in the way most of the times.
You know the story of the following few hours. Car, check-in, board, newspaper-book-Mp3, arrive, bags, exit, bus. Dublin. And I'm there.
Interlude:
Why did I go to Dublin?
Compicated question. The answer could be: Because I didn't have a room. It wasn't quite as simple as that though. I also wanted to know where I wanted to live and with who. Something that I din't know when my flight took off from Arlanda Airport.
I had a room in mind; my friend Regine is moving back to Switzerland and her room became availiable. I basically just had to seal the deal with her room mates. But unforseen events occured...
I arrived in style. Self awarely displaying all the small flags on my stuffed back-pack. Feeling cool and back-packer like for the first time since back from Asia (I've missed it!). Met up with Regine outside my hostel (old time favourite: Oliver St. John's Gogartry), and left my bag. We went for a bite to eat and some catching up; as everytime we meet we marvel at how much alike we are. We get along so well eventhough we haven't seen eachother since December.
After a pep talk we went over to her place to check out, what I then thought would be my future room, and to meet up with flat-mate Conal. My meeting/interview with Conal went well (I think) and at that stage I though I had it in the bag, all that remained was to meet up with the other flat-mate Selina.
Naturally Regine and I decided to celebrate our quite unexpected reunion and we did it Dublin-style; hitting the pub. The night began at our all-time favourite and frequently visited and beloved "The Celt". Where once-upon-a-time we actually met. Some memories in that place I tell you. I half expected to see Conor in every corner. Sadly he took off for Germany the same day. Our meeting up will have to wait a while longer.
It proceeded to be a great evening. Making a stop at Doyle's (another favourite) to check out "Dublin's hottest barman" (according to Regine) and ending up on the dance floor in Q-bar, made it a real "Welcome Back!"-party.
The next day, spiced with a throbbing hang-over, turned the events. I had received unexpected information from Trinity Hall (student accomodation) that I got a room in the second round. Something truly unforseen since I had applied and gotten rejected in the first round and the statement led "Students be adviced, at this point it is wise to start looking for alternative accomodation". Thus I did.
Finding out I had gotten a room in the second round really turned my head.
I faced a very unexpected dilemma: Now I had two rooms instead of none. Which one to pick!?
You trusty readers will have read my previous note on the matter of getting rejected from Trinty Hall. You will remember me saying that I was happy I didn't get a room and that I'd never want to stay in such a "day care"/"kindergarden"- type of place. Well at the time I believed this. I was as sure I Didn't want the room then, as I was sure I Did want it the day before. You following me? I had told myself so many times that I didn't really want the room that I started to belive it. Now, when I got it, I didn't know what I wanted anymore.
Interlude:
Why did I settle for Trinity Hall?
For in the end; that I did. I went to the accomodations office in Trinity College. I went to look at Halls (it's nice). I went online and looked up info and debates on "pro or against staying in Halls". I talked to people. I even asked people I found on Facebook and I began to remember why I had applied in the first place. I made a +/- list comparing Halls and Reginas room. Regine's room won a landslide victory. But Halls had three important + sides that Regine's room lacked:
1. Friends. I will have a ton of friends without the slightest bit of effort.
2. Safety. It's scary to do this. I admit it. This was the safe option.
3. Now or Never. 2nd year students can't applie for Halls unless they've stayed there previously. This is my one and only chance to live campus life. I had to take it.
When all the decition making and practical matters were taken care of I could relax and enjoy being back in Dublin. Me and Regine hung out 24-7 and had a blast. Walking and talking on the ocean walk between Graystone's and Bray; some DART-sightseen. And of course hitting the pub every night and having an absolute blast. Not that I ever forgot; but now I definitely know why I am going back to the Green Isle and Dublin City. Because that's where the craic is!
Happily taking off again; but just to return. Now I'll enjoy my last few days back home.