Chilling out?

A deliberately easy-going and quiet weekend became all the quieter when both my Saturday and Sunday day-time programmes alike were cancelled shortly after one another. Though slightly regretful of this unexpected turn of events an entirely empty weekend is and will be a true rarity, forcing me into chilling out to the max. So when leaving work at a respectable half past four in the afternoon on Friday I was facing a Friday night full of books, music, peace and quiet. Yet I couldn’t. I find that I have so much energy here; energy to do stuff, to be assertive and to go explore and to live. Beside the energy I derive from Dublin and her lovely surroundings it must also be the total absence of energy-draining elements in my life here; no hours-long commute, no NS, no diary full of dates and meetings and what not equally divided over 4 different cities in three different provinces, still no NS, no boiler-issues in poorly isolated houses... None of that. So Friday, yes. Against my better judgment I went for an extended run along the river, which, if anything, only added to my yearning to do something that night. Hence I decided to attend the weekly couch-surfing meeting, held every Friday at another venue, this time being The Czech Inn. These meetings feature members of the couch-surfing community –(semi-)permanent dwellers of Dublin, travellers, backpackers, hosts and friends of friends- getting together and having a good time. Which is what I did, chatting away happily with people from all over, enjoying my Pilsner Urquel. My souvenir of the evening is called Julie and she’ll by staying at our place for a few nights before continuing her euro trip.

Saturday I took on another of my cycling trips (see map) with James (my bike) – well documented in the previous posts – and although the weather was as capricious as I have ever experienced in Dublin it was decent enough for cycling in the end. I found myself particularly fortunate both in terms of time and place when I was chilling out from a steep climb at one of my favourite spots in Dublin; up on a hill and overlooking the entire city with Howth and the bay all the way up to Malahide. Dublin was bathing in beams of sunlight while ominous clouds were gathering behind me; the usual intersperse of sun and rain. Hence I found myself in the slightly paradoxal state of looking at a brilliant blue sky ahead of me, while to my right waves of rain washed the hillsides clean and forced fellow-cyclists into dismounting and hiding. My spot was particularly convenient; shielding behind a huge tree, with a double layer of leaves safeguarding me from the rain. I may as well have been under a slatted roof as no single drop of the torrential rain touched me. See attached drawing for clarification ;)

Physically and mentally satisfied after this trip I joined Bo (the gf) and Bo (her friend visiting) to The International Bar which regularly features comedy nights. The gig was alright and the crowd cramped into the limited space of the attic enthused, which made along with a few pints of Carlsberg for an entertaining evening. Quote of the night while watching a bunch of stout women march into the crowd: 'They look like a rugby team' (slightly mocking undertone). The evening's host, 5 minutes later: 'And a warm welcome to the Irish ladies Rugby Team tonight!'

And now, believe it or not, now I am truly at ease, having read in bed in my newest book until noon, eating and drinking and listening to Einaudi playing the piano while occasionally thinking of Bo and Bo who as we speak are battling rain and wind in their cliff walk. Ghi ghi. Super-relaxing Sunday. I guess I earned it ;)