On Loving Ireland

My love for Georgetown, and for DC, is an aggressive love. It was instantaneous and fierce. Most frequent thought during my first two years as a Hoya? “I’m so freaking happy.” When I arrived, everything was new and shiny. I didn’t recognize a single brand in the grocery store – or in the vending machine. I had to get used to a new brand of English. I had to get used to being in The Greatest Country in the World. I wrote an article for the Georgetown Independent during my first few months and described my state as being ‘in love with convenience.’

I cannot say the same thing for Ireland. I’ve expressed my vitriol for the inconveniences already. My love for Trinity, Dublin, Ireland, unfolded itself slowly and sneakily. Perhaps because I felt more naturally at home here than I ever did in the US. Cadbury chocolate fills the vending machines. I get to say “chips” and “lift” and “rin-aay-sance” instead of “renaissance”. I know immediately which way to look when crossing the street, the childhood “left, right, left again” sing-songing in my head. The feeling of homeness here exists even in solitude. My Georgetown experience is so defined by strong (even overbearing) friendships I find it impossible to separate the place from the people.

Because I didn’t feel an immediate and stark difference it took me a while to become sensitive to how attached I’ve grown. Just halfway through my stay here, I am more and more anxious about saying goodbye.

More things I love.

There are cafés here. You get your coffee in a cup which isn’t disposable. (This option exists in Starbucks here, too.) Sometimes they even come to your table and serve you. The bill comes when you ask for it; not when they want to kick you out to make room for the next customer.

Same sort of thing goes for pubs. Being here is teaching me to slow down, where American taught me to hurry up.

Trinity bureaucracy drove me crazy, until I learned to go with it. Sure, I’m still not certain I’m officially registered for any classes. But dropping a class took one e-mail, no paperwork, and no terrified due-process looks on any administrative faces. I didn’t quite manage to hand in a form on time. So what? Fantastic.

Being outside of The Greatest Country in the World takes the pressure off. Ireland isn’t the alpha male, neither is South Africa. I understand better how to function in the mode of underdog. Criticism of all types is easier if you’re not beholden to being the Best.

Tea and biscuits is big here.