As you can see in the photo above, I’m beginning to embrace the rain that has shown itself multiple times this journey (and I’m sure will continue to). And while this photo is a bit silly, I think it develops our answer to the question a bunch of us asked on the first day of class: when does a place become yours? While Dublin is not by any means my place, my becoming familiar with it (slowly buts surely) and not being surprised by its habits, I think, is bringing me closer to becoming one with this place.

Growing up in a tourist area, living near New York City and along the busy Jersey Shore, I became used to the presence of tourists in my places. Their influence is critical to these places, whether their effects are negative or positive. Tourism dictates the economy and infrastructure of a place. From what we’ve seen of Dublin, I’ve noticed the influence we–as tourists–have had on this place. Take the literary pub tour: the effort to preserve an authentic Ireland and memorialize Ireland’s most impressive names is, in part, for its people, but appears to mostly be constructed and maintained for tourists.

However, tourism may perpetuate the Dubliner’s idleness that was described in the texts we read this morning, begging the question: what is the effect of Dubliners having a major part of its economy dependent on its history being encapsulated? I’m hopeful to see examples of history being written for Dublin. What will tour guides be saying about Dublin 50 years from now about 2017 Dublin?

I wish I could remember which student said this, but I heard today that the Irish find it humorous how excited Americans get when they see sheep. Today, I was one of those Americas—(points for me for filling yet another American stereotype while abroad!).

Upon first walking into the Archeology Museum, I did not think I would enjoy it. The amazing aspects of the taxidermy animals made me uneasy. However, the more I interacted with the pieces, I began to appreciate the work done to preserve and showcase the beautiful creatures. Most of these animals we have encountered, whether that be through the internet, a zoo or the wild. Something is different when they are no longer living, however. For me, the preserved bodies provide a sense of the past, whether that be immediate or distant. These creatures existed at one point or another, and while most were not native to Dublin, their (as does all existences) left an impression upon the places they inhabited.
Afterwards, we found ourselves in an ornate, corky pub with neon chairs and rainbow wallpaper that somehow managed to not be overdone. While in the pub, interacting with the classmates that we are all still coming to know, I realized how we were establishing “places” within Dublin, even though we are foreigners. Immediately, we all took out our phones and cameras to take pictures in this abstract setting to preserve it in our memories—to make the place continuously tangible for us after we leave Dublin.