Spring has not quite yet sprung in Ireland. There are only a few early buds beginning to emerge on otherwise bare tree branches. High temps continue to be in the single digits C / mid to upper 40s F. The weather has been alternating between bright chilly days and grey rainy days.
Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine continues to be at the forefront of the news here, along with concerns about the looming economic impacts from sanctions and breakdown in trade. Petrol (gasoline) prices have risen to over €2.00 per litre, roughly $8.50 a gallon, which has spurred the government to curb excise taxes in an attempt to offset at least some of the increased costs to consumers and businesses. Inflation is also besetting the Irish agricultural sector that relies on fertilizer for crops and fodder for animal feed from both Ukraine and Russia. Despite these economic pressures, Ireland is 100% in solidarity with Ukraine. All across Dublin there are displays of the yellow and blue colours of the Ukrainian flag. So far over 2,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived to Ireland, with estimates as high at 100,000 for the total number that will eventually make their way to Ireland. Earlier in the week, the Irish Red Cross set up a website where people can register their pledge to host Ukrainian refugees in their homes or offer other forms of accommodation — there have already been 12,000 pledges made in just a matter of days. Local councils in Dublin are even entertaining motions to change the name of the road where the Russian Embassy is located from Orwell Road (a rather fitting name) to “Zelenskyy Road” or “Independent Ukraine Road.”
Last Saturday I went to see the new Batman movie with my friends CJ and N. A solid superhero action film with a runtime of almost 3 hours, it provided some much needed escapism from the doom and gloom of current events. Afterwards, N. and I made our way to the Pennylane bar off Capel Street for a post-movie debrief over a few beers. The bar was packed, and Panti Bliss, the drag queen proprietor, was DJing from a small mixer against the far wall. Then at some point after 11:00pm I noticed a table of about 8 or so people gathered next to Panti and two VIP celebrities — Alan Cumming and Graham Norton! Apparently Alan Cumming had been a guest on the Late Late Show on Friday evening, which explains why he was in Dublin, and of course Graham Norton is Irish so he seemed right at home. I snuck a quick photo but didn’t want to be rude and gawk too much. The Irish are very nonchalant about celebrities, which goes hand in hand with a culture that does not look kindly on anyone who rises too high above their station.
I’ve begun counting down the days until my trip back to the U.S. All travelers arriving into the U.S. are still required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test the day before their departure, so I am planning on limiting my social contacts and risk exposure in the coming days. The virus is still circulating widely, and I’ve known at least four people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Ireland has lifted all its travel restrictions for incoming travelers — there are no more testing requirements or vaccination status checks.
Mid-week, I took another trip down to Dalkey on the DART commuter rail line to meet up with my landlord, C. It had been a very rainy day and so I was not particularly looking forward to making the journey, but it turned out being an enjoyable evening. We met at a local pub that was showing a football (i.e., soccer) match between Real Madrid and the Paris Saint-Germain teams. C. is a big Real Madrid fan, and despite an early pessimistic outlook, they managed to turn the game around and win the match. In between the more exciting moments, we chatted about a variety of subjects — from current events, to the economy, our careers, and respective divorces — over a few rounds of Guinness. I have to say, it was one of the more “authentic” pub experiences in that it was a very everyday sort of thing that Irish do and not in any way touristy. I continue to appreciate the friendly relationship I have with C. that goes beyond tenant and landlord.
Until next time….
