The Luas at St. Stephens Green |
According to
Google Maps, the walk from Trinity College to St. Stephens Green Park is approximately
twenty-minutes. I pushed my way through Grafton Street and in less then ten
minutes I found myself facing the park’s gate. To the right of the gate is the
Luas station. Dublin has a series of public transportation options, the Luas is
like the T (for those of you that have been to Boston) or I guess you could
just call it a cross between a New Orleans street car and a train. The Luas green line takes you out to the
suburbs of Dublin, and then some. My ticket is 1.60 Euro; I probably could have
gotten away without buying a ticket though.
I was headed for a small suburban town called Dundrum, the last stop of zone 1. I was invited to a house party by a bunch of Trinity college locals. The Luas went faster than I had expected. I gripped the yellow poles in front of me to stop from being thrown from the seat. It did not take long to get outside of the city, we simply crossed a bridge and I suddenly felt like I could breath again. We stopped every six minutes or so, passing chimneys and quaint homes. I sang Chim Chim Cher-ee under my breath.
I was carrying a twelve pack of Heineken and wearing a big black leather jacket and fit-in just fine. This was for a couple of reasons, one being the fact that at 8:30pm, off-peak, it is mostly empty. The people on the train looked city sleek with purple hair, dark-red painted nails and tired faces. The Luas is comfortable with its carpet interior and cushions and with plenty of legroom between each seat . Stops are announced in both English and Gaelic. Most locals don’t even speak Gaelic, and those that do certainly do not only understand Gaelic over English. Even the map of stops is laid out in Gaelic on one side of the upper-wall and then in English on the other side.
Dundrum's Luas bridge |
Dundrum reminded me very much so of my home town in Connecticut. A beautiful suburb with quick access to a large city and nothing todo other than throw house parties or go into the city.
I was a bit confused when you started talking about Oisin. Who is he? Can you introduce him in the beginning, then come back to him at the end after you finish describing the Luas?
ReplyDeleteI didn't understand the twelve pack until the end and then it ended so quickly I didn't quit know what to think. I think the LUAS makes a good topic but I think we need more of it. The last paragraph didn't fit with the rest of the piece.
ReplyDeleteRobert--what else can a 12 pack refer to? Get with it kiddo! I am not sure that it is a good idea to compare the LUAS with the Boston T. First of all, those who have not been there won't see a connection, and those of us who have lived there will wonder what Boston you inhabited. I lived one Block fromthe Boston T for twenty years, and don't see the comparison.
ReplyDelete