May 21, 2006
From Dublin to Paris
Two weeks away it feels like the whole world should've changed
But I'm home now
And things still look the same
That was the feeling I had when I came back home from Ireland. France had not changed a bit during my trip. So much that I didn't even take the time to post more about Dublin.
Dublin is poles apart from Paris. Dubliners are lively and smiling people. They have an active life, visibly both working and enjoying life. Office and apartment buildings are raising around the city and the country. Many European nationalities - the Poles and the French seem to be the most numerous - gather in the same desire to earn their living through hard work. Poles apart from France.
So, here's a little retrospective of my week spent in Dublin. And my comeback to France. No glory, no welcome.
First, some views of Dublin: Temple Bar, the Liffey, Trinity College, the Ulster Bank Towers, the Luas.
This one simply could not be imagined anywhere in Paris:
James Joyce, the Spire, Temple Bar again.
Captain America's, Grafton Street.
Christ Church Cathedral, St-Patrick's Cathedral, Oscar Wilde.
Pigs everywhere!
Now now, the time to go back to France approaching, we had to find some comfort... er, I mean, taste local drinks.
They really did!
Unfortunately, the time to go arrived, too quickly, and we left, certain that we would come back.
Then, coming back was not exactly disappointing, in the sense that we found France the way we left her, and were welcomed at the airport with a good dose of what I will call Frenchness.
Pictures of de Gaulle with Khrushchev, Hassan II, Houphouët-Boigny. An empty airport (it was only 10 pm) and an empty information desk. French art and French piping (Polish plumbers anyone?).
Time to leave, time to leave. Never to come back.
(Thanks to Hervé, as always, for the video. And the shamrock.)
Posted by Carine at May 21, 2006 09:35 PMRef the US flag outside the Gogarty place, did you happen to ask if there was a particular reason for it being there?
Posted by: Jay at May 22, 2006 05:30 AMPS: I like the shamrock.
Posted by: Jay at May 22, 2006 05:31 AMThat statue of Wilde is wild. I thought those Catholic folk didn't appreciate homosexuals in any shape or form much less erect (pardon my...pun) monuments to them. Well, I guess they're more tolerant than I'd imagined. Heh. Heh.
Thanks for the pix. :)
Posted by: Valerie at May 22, 2006 07:15 AMCarine,
I remind you there are more Irish in America than Ireland. So your move to Dublin is good practice for coming to America.
As Sarko says: France, you can like it or leave. Bye-bye.
DGB
Posted by: Damian Bennett at May 22, 2006 11:44 AMWow! A short trip for a couple of weeks to another world! I had heard Dublin was booming. Now, with the quick light rail and the EU passport everyone will be able to see the black hole in the middle of Europe where the politicians dote on themselves and no one's at the information desk at 10 p.m. at night to assist incoming travellers or to welcome them to France. France has forgotten how to be hospitable. They need to take courses on how to treat clients. Eventually, no one will bother to go there, even to visit.
Posted by: foreign devil at May 22, 2006 03:43 PMJay,
Ahem, I'm afraid no. But many pubs fly the American flag along the Irish flag. Dublin was certainly the second place, after the United States, where I've seen so many American flags.
Posted by: Carine at May 22, 2006 10:47 PMGuiness... Yak ! (or beeerrk as you want )
I prefer Carling ! ;-)
Posted by: Stéphane at May 24, 2006 12:18 AMI forgot to add : Carling "The taste of Britain"
Well of course, it's not as good as a good old Fischer, but I like it !
Posted by: Stéphane at May 24, 2006 12:20 AM
