Day 5
September 4, 2019
Dublin - the last time Karen and I were here, about a decade ago, Ireland was in the midst of a financial crisis; property values which had previously skyrocketed were crashing and banks were failing. Jobs were disappearing and a common cry was "send the Poles back to Poland". The Poles had taken mostly menial jobs - like waiters and hotel maids - they kept the economy running. Pessimism and anger were rampant. Well, that's history.
Today, countless building cranes cover this expanding city. New skyscrapers (and lowscrapers too) are everywhere. So....things change. The evidence appears to confirm that "reversion to the mean" is the real deal, that's how the world works. Boom and bust.
All things considered, except for Guinness Ale, some parks and maybe Trinity College, this cosmopolitan city seems rather dull. The countryside, though is truly a wonderland and worth a serious visit. On a sunny day, the green colour screaming from farmers' fields is so piercing that it hurts the eyes - I speak from experience.
Word of warning - if you drive the very narrow roads of Ireland, which are often closely bordered by ivy covered stone walls, don't stray too far to the left or you might lose that outside rearview mirror.
You met Liam Clancy already - in London (Sept. 1). You will meet him again later. Listen to his Tribute to his friend Luke Kelly. I wish we all could write like that!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAPM4G5PJHo
HOUSEKEEPING -- I have recently learned that if you send me a comment, please know that your comment will arrive here with the sender identified simply as "unknown". In order for me to respond to you please add your name or email address to the text. Cheers.
Dublin - the last time Karen and I were here, about a decade ago, Ireland was in the midst of a financial crisis; property values which had previously skyrocketed were crashing and banks were failing. Jobs were disappearing and a common cry was "send the Poles back to Poland". The Poles had taken mostly menial jobs - like waiters and hotel maids - they kept the economy running. Pessimism and anger were rampant. Well, that's history.
Today, countless building cranes cover this expanding city. New skyscrapers (and lowscrapers too) are everywhere. So....things change. The evidence appears to confirm that "reversion to the mean" is the real deal, that's how the world works. Boom and bust.
All things considered, except for Guinness Ale, some parks and maybe Trinity College, this cosmopolitan city seems rather dull. The countryside, though is truly a wonderland and worth a serious visit. On a sunny day, the green colour screaming from farmers' fields is so piercing that it hurts the eyes - I speak from experience.
Word of warning - if you drive the very narrow roads of Ireland, which are often closely bordered by ivy covered stone walls, don't stray too far to the left or you might lose that outside rearview mirror.
You met Liam Clancy already - in London (Sept. 1). You will meet him again later. Listen to his Tribute to his friend Luke Kelly. I wish we all could write like that!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAPM4G5PJHo
HOUSEKEEPING -- I have recently learned that if you send me a comment, please know that your comment will arrive here with the sender identified simply as "unknown". In order for me to respond to you please add your name or email address to the text. Cheers.
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