At home abroad: 07/01/2009

July 28, 2009

The U2 experience on the Dublin Luas

This weekend the city of Dublin truly belonged to U2. The big event was possibly only overshadowed by the long awaited opening of the ikea store on Monday. Apart from that the city belonged to U2.
I went to see U2 on Friday for their opening gig. Just to put things into perspective: I am not really a fan. I do like the music, but I had to get the new CD just before the gig to prepare myself for the big event.
When I rushed from the office on Friday it was rainy and cold and I was wondering a bit what the evening will bring. Once I sat in my seat (situated roughly 5 km above the stage in the nosebleed section) I gazed down at the gigantic spider looking construction (not entirely sure what to think about it yet) and the sun came out turning everything into a golden light.
U2 was very good! They played a great mix of songs, really engaged with the crowd and kept the preaching to a bare minimum though it was noticeable that the crowd really started to join in once U2 had played through the first set of songs from the new record. Standing ovations started in my section after "Elevation".
After the gig it was all happy faces and despite the big crowd everyone walked peacefully home while humming a U2 song.

Now even after the concert there is just no escaping U2. For the entire weekend every pub has played exclusively U2 and every time I step onto the Luas they are already there; people wearing their iPods humming away to yet more U2 songs. I am still enjoying the after concert happiness and hum along when I hear the music, but sometimes I wonder where this will all end?

Intro

In Ireland I was once told a story. A Spanish man travelling in Connemara asked what the Irish word for mañana would be. He was told “Oh no, we don’t have a word describing such a hurry here.”
I tried to keep this story in mind on my way from Cork into Dublin on Sunday evening.
It seemed to me like even the roads were in a hurry. Cars where changing lanes like mad and honking was the only accepted way of communication.

Ireland is a lovely country, people are friendly, the weather is mild, the countryside is gorgeous and in general not much is working in this country, but Irish people are way to relaxed to keep complaining about this too much, which is a very good skill to acquire when you move here from lets say one of the Scandinavian countries.