Part 11: Dublin - Sláinte!

(18.08.2022-22.08.2022)

After a long ride on the ferry, during which I prefer not to have a conversation with two retired right-wing conspiracy theorists, I arrive in Rosslare in the early afternoon.

Eine kleine Mütze Schlaf, nach einem sehr anstrengenden Gespräch

I continue by train to Dublin, where I arrive tired late in the evening. I lie down early on the top floor of the bunk bed in my hostel to be fit for tomorrow. At about four o'clock local time, the door of the dormitory opens and someone enter. The person odourly gives the impression of having spent his evening in one of the local pubs. Flashbacks to Rostock make me a little nervous, but soon I fall asleep again - not. What follows is something quite different. A symphony of nocturnal lullaby. From the classic rooooaah-chhhh rooooaah-chhhh, to progressive ro-roaa-ar-ooao-roaa-aah-huuuh tones, to roaraoaroaoraora-huuuuuuh tones that make the walls of the dorm tremble, to finally the heavily suffocating sssSSSsss-sss-. ...-....-ROAOAORARORAIURAHJGNJKHNAIOUTHN!!OOO-huuuuh - this artist has every kind of snore in his repertoire. Surprisingly, I'm not even pissed off - kudos to this chap, that actually put a smile on my face. Surprisingly, I manage to get up in the morning without much trouble or residual fatigue.

Deliberately avoiding classic sightseeing, I try to catch a bit of the Irish spirit - a pub quiz, a Flogging Molly concert, a free tour of traditional Irish music. All the good stuff.

Dublin seems like the perfect city for me - extremely cosy pubs everywhere, most of them with regular live music. Not once do I hear the pop or electro stuff that often annoys me at home. The prices here are surprising, though - Amsterdam was a piece of cake compared to this. Thus I'm a bit reluctant to participate in too many costly activities here.

Over the last few days, my mood has deteriorated somewhat - since Hamburg, my motivation to travel has steadily decreased. But here in Dublin, where I should feel better than anywhere else, I am beginning to have the most doubts. Not infrequently I think about moving back home soon.

Perhaps the reason for this lies somewhere else - namely, the reason of why I'm actually here. After being offered the prospect of sailing as a teacher on the Seas Your Future Summer School sailing trip, I came here on the off-chance. After waiting for further news during the journey to Dublin, the confirmation of the expected - the cancellation - comes only here now.

Of course, a small disappointment - but I don't give up that easily. I definitely want to see Seas Your Future up close - and I get the chance. In Bristol, UK, the Fridtjof Nansen is waiting for helpers with her refit. I waste no more time and set off. I can't wait to leave travelling behind for once and do something with my hands - something meaningful! And the actual sailing will come...sooner than expected...