Enter Your Own Damn Title
I was thinking that this week was relatively quiet but as I look back I realize it’s actually been quite booked. While I did spend Monday and Tuesday watching Dirty John (a little too ``Lifetime Melodramatic” for me) and season 7 of Drag Race, I did venture out of the house a few times. I am still trying to find that ability to allow myself some personal time to sit down and post on here but at least I am posting so that’s a win. Maybe by the time I leave Ireland I’ll finally get into that groove.
On Wednesday, while Veronica was getting her hair done I spent my time walking around the town of Enniscorthy. Think Warren, Ohio built on the side of a steep hill and a less depressing atmosphere. I started with a walk along the River Slaney. It was a nice quiet trail/alleged cruising spot (I have yet to prove the latter point so that remains to be seen).
The town of Enniscorthy is quite cute and full of cute little shops, such as Sophia’s Choice. A children’s clothing store… mhm mhm yeah. Let’s just move pass that. Cute town. Cute shops. Large hill. Larger catholic church. Good times.
On Thursday evening, Veronica and I went to the theater to see a new Irish horror film titled The Hole In the Ground. Before I get into the movie, I just want to state that in Ireland a large Coke slushie comes in a cup that Americans would recognize as “complimentary cup of water” size. It was upsetting. As an American, I don’t deserve to be treated that way. The movie however, was great. Think Babadook set in the middle of the woods starring Irish versions of Michelle Willams and 90’s Haley Joel Osment. Without getting into specifics,, it’s about how tragedy affects us and can change us. Highly recommended.
Friday saw Veronica and I heading up to Dublin to attend the Time 4 Change protest for International Women’s Day. Located on a rather busy bridge, it started simply on the sidewalk then eventually spilled into the streets (and in front of a couple buses). As terrifying as it was at first to see a bunch of people jump in front of a double decker bus, I was a bit relieved because the sidewalk was getting a bit claustrophobic for my liking. There was a great mix of people and the atmosphere overall was very supportive and pleasant. Despite it being a protest, there was no anger. Everyone was in good spirits and encouraging to each of the speakers, including singing Happy Birthday to a speaker who was celebrating her 16th birthday that day. I’ve been to many protests in my days but you never think about the bigger picture, like outside the bubble you’re in I mean. Attending a protest in another country that is protesting the same things you’ve rallied against before (equal rights, the pay gap, sexual harassment, etc.) really puts things into perspective. You break out of your bubble and realize “Fuckin a. This world is terrible. How could we have all fucked up so bad?”
I headed out with Jay on Saturday for a little hike along the River Sow in Edenvale, a wooded area outside of Wexford. We actually got lost along on the way there as Jay had never taken this particular route and of course I was of no help because I had no idea where the hell I was. I have a vague idea of how to get to Enniscorthy but I wouldn’t bet my money on it. The struggle was worth it in the end because the trail was rather lovely. It’s relatively unknown and the entrance is just a gate off the side of the road so there was hardly anyone there. Being early March, there wasn’t much in bloom but the green of the ferns and moss that filled the woods gave it an almost prehistoric feel. There’s a few little waterfalls along the way but at the end of the trail is a large, multi level waterfall that is just amazing. There’s a water pump station at the bottom but at the top are the ruins of an old water mill. I was tempted to climb up and over to the ruins but it was far to muddy, which makes me paranoid that I would slip, fall into the river, hit my head on a rock and either die or get amnesia. So maybe next time. I’d love to go back and see how much it changes throughout the seasons. I’m definitely heads over heels in love with the nature of Ireland.
