Dublin First Time Around

As previously mentioned, I decided to base myself in Dublin to start with, and see where that took me. This was the email I sent a couple of days after arriving.

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Geoffrey Campey" <geoffrey_campey@yahoo.com.au>
> To: Almost_evri1
> Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 4:17 AM
> Subject: Allegences are a fickle thing
>
> Howzit.
>
> Just thought I would check in and say that yes, I am
> still a bum (unemployed) but I have had a couple of
> interviews (and looked pretty swanky in my new suit I
> reckon!) so hopefully something will come up soon.
>
> The primary reason for writing however is to open
> declare that I will be barricking for Ireland in the
> Six Nations (starting this weekend). For those that
> don't know, this is a rugby tournament, played between
> Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, France and Italy
> each year. My reasons for barricking for Ireland are
> thus:
>
> 1. Australia doesn't play in the Six Nations
> 2. England - not bloody likely
> 3. Well, I live here, so it would be a bit rude to go
> for Wales now wouldn't it
>
> So, when Ireland win, I can say that I was right all
> along. If, by some chance, Ireland is robbed
> (according to the guys at the pub, that is the only
> way they could possibly not win) then I will be able
> to drink large quantities of Guinness/Beamish (another
> stout, which is pretty damn tasty)/ Bullmers (cider)
> and commisserate another year without Six Nations
> glory.
>
> Ten brief observations about Ireland/Dublin:
>
> 1. I don't understand Gaelic. And Gaelic doesn't
> translate to english very well. Eg. the word
> "taoiseach". Pronounced teesetch ("Prime Minister" for
> those that care). Now how exactly does "taoi" spell
> "tee" in any weird combination of english phonems?
> Even after 5 pints, there is still an "ay" sound in
> there.
>
> 2. Dublin is expensive.
>
> 3. Immigration offices are one of the most depressing
> places on earth, even more so than welfare offices. At
> least in welfare offices the people have some idea of
> where they stand in the country. In the immigration
> office, people are worried whether they are going to
> be deported in about 20 minutes. Not a pleasant
> experience.
>
> 4. Did I mention that Dublin is expensive?
>
> 5. The Irish people are a funny bunch. In one
> millenium, they produced James Joyce and U2. In the
> same decade, they produced the Corrs. Thats karma!
>
> 6. Expensive.
>
> 7. The European Union has bucketloads of cash.
> Everywhere you go around Dublin, there are roadworks
> and building sites and tram tracks being laid, all
> with these little signs next to it say "This project
> has been funded in part by the European Development
> fund for <insert previously abjectly poor social group
> prior to EU membership>"
>
> 8. One Australia dollar is worth 60 Euro cents. Most
> expensive pint purchased in Dublin so far: E4.95.
>
> 9. Wearing cling-film and a plastic bag into the
> shower is not the most attractive look in the world.
> It also makes for interesting sounds when walking
> (think shell suit against velcro).
>
> 10. Inflation is bad.
>
> Ok, I am off to try and find a cheap pint (cheapest so
> far is E3.95) and discuss the pros and cons of "Get me
> out of here, I am a celebrity", a show that has
> consumed viewers in the UK/Ireland - think Celebrity
> Survivor, filmed outside Cairns. The girl who won it
> is the wife of some dude thats in Westlife. That
> should indicate the quality of the show. The only
> thing that scares me more than that is that one of the
> "celebrities" was Peter Andre. Yes, the ab dude, that
> we shipped out to the UK after he released just one
> really annoying song. I don't know how he made it back
> into Australia, I would've thought he would have been
> sent straight to Nauru.
>
> Something that is slightl comforting is the ongoing
> wholesale destruction of UK/Ireland taste in
> dramas...yes, All Saints is on the telly here! Now
> bloody Georgie Parker can win the gold logie over here
> and leave it for someone in Australia who deserves it.
> Come back to us Kerri-Ann!
>
> Oh, and to the person who enquired as to my move into
> professional crowd motivation/riot inciting, it isn't
> going to well. Apparently they have a good riot over
> here all the time, mainly based in the northern
> counties though. The good thing is, its pretty easy to
> get involved. They even have uniforms! The only
> drawback is that I have to wear the stupid Orange
> outfit, being protestant and all. What exactly goes
> with orange this season?
>
> Till next time, behave yourself all (or don't, as the
> case may be).
>
> Geoffrey
>

Aye, that was fun, now take me back to Eiranne