Last Day...

Last day in Dublin. It's shocking. Everybody says this, but it really feels like just last week that I was settling in and consulting my map constantly to get around the city.

I'll backtrack a few days. We had our final showcase on Wednesday. Rehearsals were a bit nutty because our instructors tend to be disorganized. Also, I hit my head really hard when I slipped in the shower on Tuesday and it left me with loudly ringing ears and a massive headache that made it difficult to focus in rehearsal so I had a few rough run-through moments. The showcase itself went fine. I didn't fall on my bum during the movement piece so I considered that a success.

Thursday I went to Avoca with Peter and Katie, where they finished up some Christmas shopping. Then Peter wandered off and Katie and I went to Habitat, an interior decorating store, where I discovered something really neat: Pocket Gardens. We had a final lunch at Queen of Tarts and I started feeling really sad because I knew I would never be coming back to that particular restaurant. That afternoon was the reading of Peter's adaptation of The Seagull. Later that night we had breakfast for dinner at Katie & Rachel's apartment. Sweet crepes with Nutella = delicious.

This morning I awoke with a unique sense of panic that I needed to see everything in Dublin one more time. This didn't quite happen. I did do a few things that I'd wanted to do, however. Peter and I strolled through St. Stephen's Green one last time and then took an ecocab. These are free, emissions-free bicycle cabs that will take you pretty much anywhere. Our 'driver' was very friendly and took us to The National Library where we saw a spectacular exhibition on the life of W.B. Yeats. I learned so much about the poet and it was well organized.

Then it was back to Temple Bar where we stopped at our favorite gelateria for the last time. I wanted to get my last cup of Butler's Hot Chocolate but that didn't work out. Perhaps I'll be able to get it at the Dublin airport tomorrow.

I have to leave early tomorrow to get to the airport with time to complete tax forms, go through customs, etc. I can't believe that it's all over.