Gatwick Airport was the same as ever with the added bonus of the Gatekeepers now warning people that keeping liquids in their hand luggage will result in a 25 minute wait (or something like that). Somehow, life takes on a more surreal slant, when you gaze upon your deodorant, toothpaste and shaving foam in a transparent bag.
The walk to the runway provided me with an idea for a narrative based upon what looked like a discarded pregnancy test. Perhaps, all relationships should be conducted on runways between take offs and reentries?
I sat in the wrong seat on the plane before marvelling at how quickly I arrived in Dublin (the plane was late taking off). Upon arrival, I activated my Dublin Pass, enabling me to use the Aircoach to Dublin City Centre. There seems to be a presumption that the passenger knows where they are going. Fortunately, I chose the right stop.
As I was feeling hungry, I went to an Italian restaurant and ate calamari and salmon. My friend text me during the meal explaining where we would be meeting and after dropping off my suitcase in the Castle Hotel's luggage room (well, technically outside of it as a gentleman informed me, a lady was changing in there), I headed out. I was amazed how Dublin reminds me of Amsterdam and Barcelona. The quays providing the arteries which keep the city buzzing and provide the directionless with a lifeline.
The artists in the Filmbase (where I met my friend and her daughter), Adrian and Shane were performing an installation called 'Zoo'. Essentially, creating on the spot for several hours a day using props provided by visitors. Site specific creation under the watchful gaze of cameras etc. A social media experience.
After going to the Irish Film Institute for a drink with my friend and her daughter and spotting a celebrity we couldn't identify, I headed back to the hotel.
My room is enormous. It has a double bed and a single bed. Several mirrors for me to hide from and chairs for profound thought.
This evening, I attended a production. The first of the Tiger Dublin Fringe shows I have booked to see this week, 'BlackCatfishMusketeer'. I found myself walking into unknown streets to find the Lir Academy. The production was a chirpy and intelligent exploration of relationships borne of online dating sites. The mechanics of such online dating was also represented by a character who visualises the sharing of web links etc and offers verbal asides. I found the production excellent and unusually, there didn't seem to be much variety in the age of the audience. I was probably one of the oldest there. Not that that matters to me, but it is interesting to consider the demographic that the playwright and/or production team are aiming at.
I got massively lost on the way back, stumbling on the Docklands area, which looks very impressive at night with its shiny modern buildings. Lanterns for a future that has already past. My experience of being lost got a little scary when I encountered people arguing with one another. Definitely lots of drunk people, stumbling around the streets.
My overall impression of Dublin on my first day is primarily based upon my walking around as I have only just touched on the cultural. Tomorrow, I hope to see some more sights. Today was about getting and losing my bearings.
Barry Watt - 19th September 2016.
Photographs.
Side of Blooms Hotel. Named after the character in James Joyce's 'Ulysses'.
Castle Hotel. Lovely Georgian facade.
Film premiere for 'The Siege of Jadotville' at the Savoy Cinema.
The Lir Academy where I saw the production.
No grave digging or burying unwilling relatives.
The Docklands by night.
Oddly intimidating building in the Docklands.
Street art encouraging the ancient art of perambulation. Personally, I prefer walking.
Afterword.
The Dublin Pass is a card which gives you discounts on a number of attractions etc. It is not free and can be purchased for various lengths of time.
https://www.dublinpass.com/?aid=270&gclid=CKy7-erlsc8CFcUK0wodoocEIQ
Aircoach is basically a coach service in Ireland (a one way trip into the City Centre is included with the Dublin Pass using this service).
http://www.aircoach.ie/
Castle Hotel is an excellent hotel located in the northern area of Dublin.
http://www.castle-hotel.ie/?gclid=CN6SsMfmsc8CFcSRGwod6AEAfQ
Filmbase is an organisation that encourages filmmakers. It offers courses etc and provides equipment for filmmakers for a small fee.
http://filmbase.ie/
Irish Film Institute is pretty much the same as the British Film Institute. They work to promote independent film and preserve old film etc.
http://www.ifi.ie/
Tiger Dublin Fringe seems to be a yearly fringe theatre season. It ran this year from 10th-25th September. Very eclectic programming.
http://www.fringefest.com/
'BlackCatfishMusketeer' was created by Malaprop and the play was written by Dylan Coburn Gray (I saw another of his productions later in the week. Very talented writer.)
http://www.fringefest.com/festival/whats-on/blackcatfishmusketeer
Blooms Hotel (as shown in photo).
http://www.blooms.ie/?gclid=CNnGyuXosc8CFU48Gwodi8EEQQ
'Ulysses' was written by James Joyce and of course, it will pop up as the blog entries continue. It is published by a number of publishers.
'The Siege of Jadotville' which premiered at the Savoy Theatre. Basically, it's a Netflix film I believe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_JHsiQTTmg
The Savoy Cinema is a cinema in Dublin I didn't go in there but it looked okay from the outside.
http://www.imccinemas.ie/home.asp?venue=savoy
BW.
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