Finally, I'm in Ireland since Monday.
My best friends drove me to the airport to Duesseldorf and I left Germany with a 22 kg luggage (yes, it actually works to pack
just 22 kg for a trip that might last about 1 year; many thanks to TFG ;-)
).
After saying Goodbye to my friends I received a small hugs&kisses box from my creative and lovely friend Insa. It's filled
with hugs and kisses from her and if I'm feeling bad or sad, I can take some hugs and kisses and I'll feel better.
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| My hugs&kisses box. I did't reckon that I needed it on the same day... |
My first station was Dublin and I stayed there for three days. My journey literally began with a big bang and I let end my first day
with a big bang as well...
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First big bang or how to get your luggage easily back?
The first big bang was that I banged my head really hard at the
boot lid from the bus...
The bus driver felt sorry for me and touched my head but I couldn't
stop laughing. The good things was that the bus driver still remembered where my luggage was:"Ah, you're the one with the head injury! I know where your luggage is...". Honestly, I had no clue at
all where I stored it...
Well done, my journey could begin! What about the second big bang?
You'll find it out later in this post...
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| Stepping into my journey... |
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First things to do: My catwalk
When I arrive either to a new or familiar place it's one of my
habits to do at first my catwalk. What does that mean?
Well, it means I check out the surroundings like a cat and memorize
special points. But I refuse to mark them like a cat...
In the following pics you can see some of the special points in
Dublin. My starting point was from my hostel.
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| Good to know! Garda is the Irish term for police. Even better to know where you have to be nice ;-) |
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| Dublin Castle |
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| Molly Malone - What might be her most touched part? Hard to say... |
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In 2009 my second pub - It still reminds me about my bad hangover on the next day... You should have a look inside. They have an amazing collection of beer from all over the world. |
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Of course, never miss the Temple Bar - great live music and you have to sing with the crowd. Doesn't matter you have a voice like Bono or just like Dieter Bohlen... |
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Two of the famous Dublin doors. Why did the Dubliners painted their doors? Just briefly: it was the only part which was allowed to change and get a bit of individuality. For more see here. |
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| Small and nice street in Dublin with a lot of alternative shops. I love this kind of exploring, |
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| Exactly my cup of tea - small shops with kitschy things :-) |
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My impression about my first day in Dublin
I'm pretty happy that my English courses and constantly listing to
English radio paid off now. Well, I'm proud that I'm able to communicate in a proper way and it feels great!
Admittedly, sometimes the Irish accent is really a challenge but it works. It's also very important because the Irish people are very chatty.
When I bought a sandwich in a bakery an old gentleman talked to me very kind or even if you just looking in your guide book people will come to you and ask you if they could help you. That's one of the reasons I love Ireland. And I'm glad to see it's still the same.
Admittedly, sometimes the Irish accent is really a challenge but it works. It's also very important because the Irish people are very chatty.
When I bought a sandwich in a bakery an old gentleman talked to me very kind or even if you just looking in your guide book people will come to you and ask you if they could help you. That's one of the reasons I love Ireland. And I'm glad to see it's still the same.
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The second big bang or what my body wants to tell me...
Firstly, I wasn't sure if I shall mention the following but I
think it could help people to avoid doing the same mistakes which I did... Anyway, I haven't reckon that I would need the hugs&kisses box on my first day in Dublin.
It was really a great day and I was quite happy to be in
Ireland. Of course, I wanted to see a lot at my first day and I did. Later back in my hostel I fell very fast to sleep.
But during the night I felt very sick, rushed out of the room
and find myself in the shower room.
That was definitely wrong but before I could go the room
where the toilet was, my body decided it was too much movement and I passed out...
I had no clue at all how long I laid on the ground but when I
woke up, my head and neck hurt very much, my knee was scratched and bloody as well my knuckles. I think I looked like a fallen boxer...
Finally, I joined my forces and went to the toilet. I'll save
the details. When I relieved myself I felt very bad, helpless and very lonely... I was afraid that I've to go into the hospital and my trip would be over before it really had
begun.
Actually, I stopped myself to get in panic by thinking about my
mum's voice which told me "if you feel
bad doesn't matter where you're, I'll come and pick
you up even if I've to come by bicycle" and in my mind I took a lot of hugs and kisses from Insa's box. It really helped me to clear my mind, stand up and lay down on my bed.
Fortunately, it didn't happen anything worse, just a hurting
neck and slightly sickness during the next day in Belfast.
What's my
lesson?
Apart from the knowledge that I've apparently a hard
head I learnt that I've to take time for myself and
shouldn't set myself under pressure by doing a lot of things. I have to listen to my body which means if I'm tired, then I've to sleep. So easy!
Hopefully the easy going attitude of the Irish people will
be rub off on me one day...
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Thanks for reading my blog. Take care and relax :-).
Write a comment
f (Tuesday, 11 November 2014 21:14)
Anonymous 30 January 2014 09:39
Hi Janine,
you're really a braveheart! It doesn't matter when you fall, the only thing that counts is that (and how) you stand up again.
Stay as you are!
Peter
f (Tuesday, 11 November 2014 21:15)
Jeanine 30 January 2014 10:20
Hey Peter,
That's pretty kind and lovely from you! Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it. :-)
f (Tuesday, 11 November 2014 21:15)
Insa 1 February 2014 18:14
Even more hugs and kisses to you. :*
f (Tuesday, 11 November 2014 21:16)
Jeanine 1 February 2014 19:40
Thanks to Skype I received some from you almost in real :-*