Sunday 2nd September 2018
Everything happens for a reason
Everyone always says that as you grow older you appreciate your youth /childhood more. I know I definitely do. I think we underestimate just how much of an idol social media can be in our lives.
Gone are the days I would sit and immerse myself in new books, avidly flicking the pages whilst patiently waiting for the story to come to an end…(or a cliff hanger). Social media manages to gradually drain people, of their patience, their attention span and eventually their personality. Fight me.
A few weeks ago, I decided to reduce my social media consumption, or in fact how much social media consumes me. I think we feel like we are in control, but for me personally I know I wasn’t. Even this time I’m dedicating to writing this post, I would ordinarily have been scrolling relentlessly through Instagram or Snapchat. However, I currently find myself snacking on a packet of sour cream and onion pop chips,whilst allowing my pen to frolic on the pages of my blogBook to explain in the briefest of words (or maybe not explain but instead leave the brain open to ponder)why, ‘everything happens for a reason’.

I am currently sat perched, with two fluffy pillows behind my back on my hotel bed in Dublin. As usual the plans I had pre-ordained for my trip didn’t come to pass. Last night I spent some time looking at ‘what to do in Dublin.’ As you ought to know I’m a foodie and anything that involves the possibility of consuming great food sounds like a good thing to do to me.
Upon searching I found that September 2, 2018 was also considered “India day.” This is to celebrate India’s independence with Indian folk and Bollywood dances, fashion shows, concerts; most importantly delightful Indian and world cuisine. #SOLD
Of course when I arrived at my hotel room a little before 11 AM, googled how long it would take to get there; this idea no longer sounded so great. Walking would take me one hour and 32 minutes. Whilst the taxi would only take 20 minutes, even an Uber fare was calculated on a meter and estimated at €42. Obviously I was hungry, so I searched for the next best thing (an alternative choice of food). I found an Italian restaurant 280 m from my hotel (two minute walk). It has a 4.3 out of 5 rating from 202 people on Google and from the pictures, the food looks authentic.
At 11:51 AM I left my hotel, stepped 1 foot outside the building making my way to the restaurant when a big green bus caught my eye, it was stationed briefly just to the right of me. I got on just to query how much it would be, so I could find out for the next time I’m here. The driver told me “ €20” and that the entire circuit would last approximately two hours 15 minutes. By 11:54 AM I had decided, I was going on a hop on, hop off bus tour of Dublin; excitement pulsing through my veins as always when fulfilling or satisfying my travel bug. Then it’s time for payment, I only had my card and they only accept cash. My heart sank.
He told me not to worry, just “get on, Find yourself a seat, come down and see me at stop 12, there’ll be a card machine there.”
The bus took me to the location of the Indian independence festival. Which was being held at the ‘Phoenix Park’, the largest enclosed park in Europe. It can fit Central Park inside it three times and Hyde Park five times! I was grateful I saw the park from the bus. It would have been too far to walk and I would’ve been hungry and fuming when I couldn’t find it trudging accross all those acres. All the fun facts were worth it, and the driver was hilarious. Though the bus did have headphones to listen to prerecorded audio tour. He instead opted to talk through his microphone for the whole journey, with a humour that would charm the queen. I’d definitely do the bus tour again but actually hop off.



I’d agreed to meet the crew I flew out with at 3 PM and arrived back at my hotel at 2:05 PM. Which enabled me to write up until the previous paragraph of this blog post before meeting them. We decided to eat at a fish and chip shop called ‘Beshroff Bro’s’, the chips and garlic mayo, to die for, the fish. Not seasoned to my west Indian liking but this is the uk and you get what you’re given.
Dublin, until we meet again
Peace and good vibes xx
