The Long Walk Home

Have you ever taken the long way home just to think about things? That's what I did today. After finishing my exams I stayed at the IPA to finish my final paper on Irish elections. By the time I finished and started home it had just barely gotten dark. I took a step outside and felt the crisp winter air hit my face. I knew this was my last walk home. In the distance I heard the shouting of the water protesters and felt as if I was in Cathleen Ni Houlihan hearing the shouting over the hill. I started down Lansdowne Road, but something was different this time. I didn't pick up my quick pace as normal but instead found myself strolling along taking everything in, not worried about my face going numb from the wind. I walked by the Clydecourt and Ballsbridge Hotel. I crossed the inconvenient intersection on the Pembroke Road. I noticed the green glow on the wall of The Den Bar. I walked by the knock-off Chipotle and stopped at the ATM for hopefully the last time in Ireland. I turned left at the Wellington and began my journey down the canal. I watched the water lap against the bank through the reeds. I noticed someone had picked up most of the trash in the reeds. I watched the ducks float leisurely around. I watched the water flow over the lock, which I never actually got to see in action. I criss-crossed through traffic to avoid the missing piece of sidewalk. I watched the bikers fight the wind as they went by the Barge. I walked all the way home, noticing the paint on the houses and lack of leaves on the trees. It's crazy how much goes unnoticed on the roads you walk every day. Finally I turned towards home on Rathmines Road.

I'm going to miss this home of mine.


From Dublin, With Love.