"The tart with a cart"

I have been told that’s the way Dubliners call the statue of Molly Malone.
Molly was a fishmonger’s daughter, very pretty and very young when she died. It seems she was only seventeen when she died of un incurable fever.
According to the legend, she was a very hardworking woman: selling cockles and mussels during the day, pushing her cart along the main streets in Dublin. She had a second job though: prostitute at night.
Lots of girls like Molly quite likely populated the streets of Dublin in the past centuries. So I believe that that is the reason why there is a statue of her in front of the Trinity College. She represents part of what Ireland and the Dubliners were in the past.
There is also a song telling the story of Molly and that is considered the unofficial anthem of Dublin city.

Here is a link to youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdxLxnhGnvo

19.03 Dublin

I spent my day walking up and down Dublin: starting from Christ Church cathedral, the Castle (that seemed to me an unusual combination of medieval and modern – both in terms of colours and architecture), down Dame street til Trinity College, Merrion Square, back along the city quays to Temple Bar and - last but not least, St. Parick's Cathedral. Again, I avoided the map unless it was strictly necessary.
“My feet started aching again. Changing shoes was a good thing to do, but they probably need flip-flops rather than trainers. And less walking. I am resting them at the O’Donoghue's..” – I remember reading on the guide that this is one of the singing pubs of Dublin..not that I wanted to stop here, it just happened – “It is quite dark inside, low lights and heavy wooden stools. Along the walls, framed black and white pictures brings you to a time of simplicity and happiness made of no possessions. Behind the counter of one the Irish prides is showing off its shiny beauty: bottles of whiskey are lined up upside down, ready to entertain customers to their liking.”
Few people started gathering in the backroom. Half an hour later I could hear Irish music being played. A violin, a flute an accordion, a banjo and pints of Guinnes: no need for anything else.

19.03 morning

It was a good night of sleep, considering that the hostel was pretty central and I was in a 10-bed mixed dormitory. Wearing earplugs before falling asleep was a wise decision. When I woke up though I had a headache.. could not really understand why. Few minutes later headache changed into “hangover”.. that’s what it was..
Before leaving Howth I stopped at the “Bloody stream” (a very nice pub close to the Dart station) looking for some good food. I took my time reading the menu on the wall and some men started chatting with me. A first laugh and a first Irish coffee. And the another one. And another one again. So I ended up spending my night with these three Irish men, still trying to recover from St. Patrick’s day, who kept on feeding me with Irish whiskey. I have been asked if I can cook and – having the feeling that there was a joke/hidden meaning lying somewhere, I said that I am a great cook. Here is what one of them asked me next “ So.. would you like to cook me breakfast then tomorrow morning??” If he only were 15 years younger…!!!!

After breakfast and before exploring Dublin – the city – I stopped at a supermarket and bought some paracetamol and water. A hour later I was ready to go. The sun played hide and seek with the clouds but it did not rain nor it was cold or windy.

Second stop: Howth

Not even the time to stop at the next station, that the weather had already changed: spitting pestering rain and cold wind gave room to warm, clear sunlight (it kept me company for the rest of the day!).
It took me half an hour and a snooze on the train before getting off at Howth station.
“What a beautiful place to live! So relaxing! I walked all the way up an down the pier, along the coast, discovering and photographing details and breathtaking views. No rooms for worries here!”
“At sunset my feet started aching. It has been a long day of walks for them! On the way back from my random wander along the cliffs, I stopped right at the edge of one of them. I sat down, took off my shoes and socks and let my feet be healed by the sea breeze. My eyes enjoyed the spectacular view of a bay and its harbour dotted with artificial orange street lights. The sunset was lingering over them.”

First stop: Sandycove, Joyce's Tower, Dalkey

When I first saw the sea, far out there is the distance, I felt I was under a spell. It always happens and I have never understood why. Could it be because I am longing all year long to rest my eyes, my ears and my sense of smell on its colours, sounds and scents? Quite plausible.
I started walking from the train station down to the coast and kept following its figure for the rest of the day. It was quite wet and windy, cant say though that it was cold.
From Sandycove down to the Joyce’s Tower. To be truthful- and according to my research, this imposing and stout tower was first built as a “defence device” from Napoleonic invasions. Later on, Joyce decided to live there for a brief time and got inspired to write the “Ulysses”. So the tower changed its name from “Martello tower” to “ Joyce’s Tower” and changed its purpose too: from war to culture (it is in fact a museum now).
I kept on walking along the Dubliner coast, taking pictures of seagulls standing perfectly in a queue, fishermen’ boats and nests, laughing in wonder at the sight of seals by the little harbour – I was so surprised!!, cleaning the lense of my camera every other minute cos it kept on spitting.
Eventually and somehow by chance – as I did not have a look at the map since I bought it, I reached Dalkey, a pretty and picturesque village. It took me less than 10 minutes to walk around it. Was really small! Better that way: I had only few hours left before darkness and I got back on the Dart, this time heading for the northern littoral.

Dublin: the DART

The weather was as I expected it: grey clouds, quite cold. I spent 8 euros on a map of “Greater Dublin” that I hardly ever used, checked in at the hostel and left it straight after in search of a Dart station.
I was not going to stay in Dublin: good friends of mine advised me to explore the coast on the Dart.
I was trying to figure out my way on the map, I knew I was in the right place but I could not spot any Dart stations. Having given the gift of speech, I asked a passer- by for directions and he walked me there, he had to take the train too.
Bought a day pass: I was not going to stop until the ed of the day!
"Here I am on the DART, getting closer and closer to the coast".

18.03 Thursday

An Irish friend told me “you are going to Ireland after St. Patrick’s day! Everyone will be hangover!!” Fair enough, I thought, I am sure I’ll find something to do anyways.
I left Oxford at quarter to six am. I fell asleep on the bus to the airport. The early morning, light blue light with its pink shades (dawn in sight!) relaxed me a bit too much.
Well, once I got off the bus I realized that I had to wait at least two hours before boarding. The airport was quite small and I got bored quickly. So I bought a newspaper. There was not a single encouraging or positive news within the first ten pages: “..soldiers killed in bomb blast..” , “.. more that 1 in 4 adults are not working..”, “..cut of fundings for universities..” , “ legal drug mephedrone kills teenagers..” : what a picture of the UK now! I decided not to read further.. quite depressing!
Eventually “my time came” and got on the plane.
MY JOURNAL : impressions from a plane
“Ireland: a patchwork of fields. Trees are the sewing thread. Few minutes before landing currents of air teased the plane and tickled it making it move roughly from left to right, up and down. Unsteady staggering, leaving empty spaces in my stomach. Will I land safely?”
It remembered me of my flight to Brisbane. It happened the same.

EIRE: early birthday present

At the time when I booked the flights, I did not even know if I was going to have the money for this trip. I had the feeling I would but I was not 100% sure.
But I have dreamed of Ireland for such a long time, so close and I never able to put my feet on its soil. The deal on the flights was really good, so there I was happy and still incredulous.
It took me weeks to plan the rest of my “early birthday present to myself”.. I wanted to fit in, in those 4-5 days as much as I could. I may not have another chance to go there!
I packed more clothes than those needed – as usual, I forgot some essentials – paracetamol, and made sure a pen and a booklet were in my bag. I also made sure I had and extra set of rechargeable batteries: my new camera may need them.
I have been asked with some kind of worry and questioning look “Why are you going there on your own?” like if it were somehow unnatural to travel by yourself. “Why not?” has been my reply.
I like traveling alone, it is time I take just for myself, I only follow my needs and my curiosity.
I spend everyday of my life worrying for the others or doing things for others. At least on holiday I want to look after and to take care of myself.

My baby...

I love her. She is everything I need.
The perfect companion on solitary walks and travels. Never tired, never a complain.
She only asks for little care and a soft touch.
She is the prettiest thing I could ever have. I smile at her and I kiss her. She can give me so much joy! Tonight she amazed me.. she is unbelievably skilled and clever.
I was so happy I started singing!
I’ve seen her around a few times, but I never felt brave enough to approach her directly.
I asked a friend for advice, we spent an afternoon discussing on what was best choice.
And then I made the first step.
I met her – finally! On a Tuesday morning, I was so impatient!
And there she was, still unknown but beautiful..

24x optical zoom, 12 megapixel, full manual (P A S M) and automatic controls, 16 different scene settings, control and choice of white balance, five colour modes, ISO sensitivity ranging to 1600 at full resolution, RAW file shooting option, 720pHD video with sound, 26mm wide angle lens, 3.0 inch LCD monitor with 201,000 dot composition…
And a lot more! It isn’t a compact and it is not a DSLR. It is something in between, it is in fact called “bridge camera”. After this one I’ll be ready for a proper DSLR.

My old camera stopped working properly few months ago and I have been waiting and waiting for a good camera to be on the market and replace the one that gave me a lot of satisfaction and never let me down.. not even after having fallen off from the bed or the table..
It was worth waiting! J