3BT – Dublin (Tuesday)

1. All my journey segments go smoothly. We meet up as planned. There are no delays, no problems, everything goes perfectly.

1b. A symphony of swear words makes me smile then a few more silly swear words make me giggle out loud.

1c. I overhear a mother and her young daughter speaking French in the toilets. I’ve been working on my reading/writing rather than speaking/listening so it takes me a while to process the words: I repeat them to myself and in doing so, realise what they’re saying. It’s simple stuff but it makes me feel like my recent learning is more than just an academic exercise.

2. It takes me a minute but I get my bearings and once I do, I feel safe in navigating us around the city.

2b. I see a “Lagunitas” bar – the first real life reference I’ve ever seen to them – and inwardly exclaim: “they’re keeping pub in public radio!”. This American Life has clearly got to me.

3. I wish Leeds and Bradford had parks in the centre like Stephen’s Green: it’s lovely to see so many people relaxing and enjoying the early evening sun.

3b. The round hit of complex flavour in the middle of the chicken breast.

3c. More so than the expected Brits or Americans, the city seems filled with Spanish tourists. Between their voices, the low golden sun, the wide boulevards (like in Madrid) and us having tapas for dinner, my brain keeps getting confused about where I am.

3d. The shapes hidden in the glass at the monument.

3e. Another little garden, this time at the back of the castle. My mum takes some lavender seeds from a plant for my dad. The smell from them scents the hotel room.

3f. A free shot of peppermint livens up my hot chocolate.