Europe's Kentucky

Sociologists have identified two ways in which people interact with one another – gemeinschaff and gesellschaft. Gemeinschaff is how people related to one another in rural places. This interaction is based on sameness and continuity, and defined by primary relationships. Contrasting this relationship is gesellschaft and defines how people interact with one another in large cities. In these interactions, there is significant visual stimulation that decreases primary relationships and leads to people having many secondary relationships.

London operates under the large-city mantra – gesellschaft. Before learning this, I assumed that the lack of interaction with one another was just London, but now, I am interested to see how cities like Munich and Paris compare. This week, Maddi and I traveled to Dublin, Maynooth, and Bray, Ireland where the refreshing gemeinschaff relationships and interactions reigned.

The city of London is composed of nine million people while the entire country of Ireland has a population of four million people. Therefore, even the ‘busy’ times of Dublin did not begin to compare to normal London traffic and movement. The pace of life in Dublin is very different from London, and I do believe it is Europe’s Kentucky. Although there were many people of the street, they were not as focused or determined to travel from point A to point B, rather, the Irish gave every indication that they were enjoying the journey. In London, enjoying the journey is silly and the enjoyment is found in reaching a destination quickly and without interruptions. When you bump into someone, you do not apologize because a) you move too quickly b) it was the other person’s fault for invading your path. In Dublin, it was refreshing to receive and give an apology when you bumped shoulders or to speak with someone as you waited in line.  On the ride to Maynooth, the Ireland vs. Scotland rugby game had just ended and people were piled on celebrating (loudly) with one another. Although we had no idea who won, we joined in on the conversations and enjoyed the nine little boys who sat behind us trying to fit into two seats (my favorite comment – May I put my elbow in your eye?). The boys also really enjoyed the passing man, kilted, who mooned the train. This was the loudest, most rambunctious train ride of my life, and it would not have been possible in London. (Firstly, the children would never consider being that loud. Secondly, the parents would have swiftly reprimanded the children and would not have joined the chaos. Thirdly, the passengers of the train would have been too consumed to watch a man outside the train moon them) J

Ireland was magical, exhausting, easy traveling, and fun. On Saturday, we took Dublin by storm shopping on O’Connell Street, touring Trinity College, visiting the Archaeology Museum, stepping on the grass in Merrion Square and paying homage to Oscar Wilde, crossing the Leap Year bridge in St. Stephen’s Green Park, wandering the Temple Bar area where we ate lunch at an outdoor market, touring Christ Church Cathedral, sampling homemade desserts on mismatched plates, playing at Dublinia Museum (if only I was a teacher in Ireland, this would be a yearly field trip!), trekking up Michael’s Tower, exploring the Dublin Castle and eyed throne of King George III, crossing the dozens of bridges in Dublin, and learning from the Famine Ship and Memorial! When I bought a postcard at the end of the day, I had seen every site included on the front. It was a pretty good feeling. The day that began at 2:30 AM was fantastic.

There are oh so many bridges in Dublin, and I think we crossed most of them. We really did Dublin ‘right’ and we were able to see many of the Dublin classics, as well as, local favorites. Stopping at a local pastry shop, I ate THE best chocolate fudge cake with cream – WOW. Also, note that Dublin has real castles!

While we were in Dublin, the Ireland vs. Scotland rugby game was taking place. This meant that there were dozens of men in kilts; it was fantastic! Who knew you could were long socks and sneakers with a skirt?!? Needless to say, Maddi and I booked train tickets to Scotland the next morning!

The Dublin Castle was very large and has a great history. Inside one of the rooms was a throne that King George III used when he visited Ireland. All the grass is ridiculously green, and the castle’s church was breathtaking. 

Although I am not interested in painting my future door this bright, the Dublin doors were fun! 

Sunday was a very different day but rivaled our Dublin ventures as we traveled to Bray, Ireland. It was a stunning sea-side town that included a rocky coast, sand beaches, and a summit adorned with a cross. While here, I heard about people’s trips to Florida to visit family while waiting in a café’s line and the Irish spoke of how wonderful the states were. I was asked if I was on holiday, and I was able to talk about both of my homes – Centre and Alvaton! By the end of the day, we had enjoyed lunch on the beach – albeit chilly, saw the green rolling hills of the Irish countryside, touched our feet in the Irish sea, climbed the summit (which resulted in my needing new boots as my current ones have holes), talking to Irish hikers, and enjoying the view of Bray from a few miles above sea level. The day was so full of joy and it was relaxing. When we made it to the top of the summit, Maddi, Lane, and I sat on a rock, ate lemon digestives (cookies), and just watched.  There was something very beautiful and relaxing to just sit, enjoying the moment, and awesome landscape without technology or the noise of a large city with friends. 

Bray, a seaside town, was the perfect way to end a wonderful weekend. Everything was so awesome, and the sun was even out for a few hours in the morning!