Easter

Two weeks ago, I had the best experience ever. It was Easter and everyone was excited because the school was closed for two days- Friday and Monday. I wasn’t too excited because I don’t have classes on both those days. I was lucky to get an internship at a ticketing company and I work 9- 5 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Wednesday, I asked a coworker if we had Friday off since everyone else did. I made sure I was polite about it but I made sure I was loud enough for my boss to hear. I was seriously praying he would give me the day off so that I could catch a ride to Drogheda (my uncle and his family stay there). My plan worked. Getting his attention that is. He joined the conversation and happily and firmly told me that I was expected to come in. I was not too pleased since I had talked to the placement company about it and they had told me I would have both Friday and Monday off.

Ok, I know it seems strange that I am so desperate for an off day. The issue was that, about a month ago, Dublin Business School had its reading week and many people did not come to town. I did though. I went to work as usual. It was only later, when we had our dinner with the internship course professor, we were comparing stories and it appears they did not go to school or their internships that week. Ever since then, I had been trying to keep on top of my days off.

So, back to the story! On Friday, I set out for work as usual, only to find out that it was raining outside, there was barely anyone on the streets, and the trams that went past me were empty. The Capel building I work at was deserted. The receptionist was not there, the coffee shop was closed and all the lights in the lobby were off. When I got to my floor, the door to my office was locked. I started to feel a little worried. I decided to wait a little and leave if no one turned up. I thought it was some sort of April fools prank. To my disappointment, the owner of the company walked into the hallway and unlocked the door. My coworker had come early to open the door but went to the restroom just before I got there. He had locked the door just as a security precaution.

That evening, at about 6pm, I accompanied the company’s part time worker, who happened to be my internship supervisor’s girlfriend. We both have a passion for fashion. She had actually studied it in Germany I believe. She was sweet enough to invite me along to an African fashion weekend show. She had found an article about it in the news paper and thought I would find it interesting. We took the dart going and I found it refreshing. It was not much different from the Luas, and it cost about the same, yet it felt nice to try something new. We didn’t know what direction to take so we followed these two lovely ladies in gorgeous heels. The shoes told us they were heading to a fashion show- beautiful to look at but hard to walk in.

True to African tradition, or what my is known in the States as CPT (colored people time J), the show started about 30 minutes or more late. It was well worth the wait though. The night we went was for press, family and friends, so there were few of us in the audience. The designers were only showing about a third of their collections and the host interviewed the designers to while away time as the models got ready to show another collection. It was well worth the money and the wait.

We took the bus into town and split up. The lady, Maria, was terrified to leave me to find my way home. She wanted to pay for my transportation home, but I was having none of that. She had spent so much on me already, that the extra 1.50 to take the luas home, would have killed me. Town was quite busy and I must admit, I was a little scared. I believe I did a 30 minute walk in about 15 to 20. I all but ran home that night. I was terrified someone would mug me or kidnap me.