Heading for Dublin
Tiffy River in Dublin
At about 18 00 I headed towards the airport to check in for my flight at 21 00. The flight using British Airways (BA) was on time. Then began the long haul to Dublin of almost 10 hours. This comprised lots of sleeping (rare time that I’ve slept soundly in a plane!), having dinner, reading, typing on my laptop and listening to music and watching some comedies. The flight was smooth except some turbulence at some point, where I was woken up to fasten my seat belt and sit up right. I arrived at Heathrow International Airport in London in the morning. That airport is very big. I had to take a base to move from the arrival terminal to the departure terminal. The immigration formalities were quite cumbersome and involved me detained for a few minutes because a transit Visa through London. Asked if I didn’t research on the need for a transit visa, my answer was that I was going to Ireland and not UK! One thing I learnt is the importance of patiently and carefully answering questions which may seem irrelevant. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I was granted a transit visa for 24 hours. At about 10 00, I boarded a plane from London to Dublin. The flight takes 1 hour and there are flights from London to Dublin and vice-versa every hour.
Arriving in Dublin
After a long flight I was finally in Dublin. Dublin is divided into two parts: North and South by the Tiffy river. The South part is for the more wealthy Irish people while the North is for the poorer lot. I was there to attend a UNESCO Seminar that sought to promote North-South Co-operation. I got on a bus from the airport into town. Armed with a map, I asked passengers where to get off the bus so as to get to Harcourt Hotel where I was booked. True as my mother always told me if you know how to use your mother you cannot get lost. After checking in at the hotel, I went to have a meal. Later I went into town to look around. I went to St Stephen’s Green Shopping Mall. It is a beautiful well designed mall with a lot of glass works and flowers. I did a bit of shopping and tried to get a bus to attend a service at Grosvenor Baptist Church. However, I couldn’t find a bus, and as it was getting late I returned to the hotel to meet delegates from other countries. Delegates were drawn from various African, American, Asian and European nations. The session at the hotel was meant to know one another and be introduced to the programme of the Seminar.
Seminar Proceedings
Gabriel with UNESCO participants at Dublin Institute of Technology
The Seminar was officially opened on 18th August by Eibhlin Byrne, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who welcomed delegates to Dublin in particular and Ireland in general. The seminar was held at Dublin Institute of Technology who were also the hosts. The rest of the programme comprised country presentations on the status of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the respective countries. This was followed by a time of question and answer. Later key presentations by TVET experts on various aspects of TVET were made. Group discussions were also held to come up with recommendations on how co-operation among North-South countries could be enhanced. The Seminar organisers organised lunch and dinner, a guided walk into town. This enabled us to appreciate the Irish culture and the city of Dublin.
Impressions of Ireland
Ireland is the third largest island in Europe. It is a beautiful island with friendly people. It would be very ambitious to give a very holistic impressions for a place where one only stayed for four days. However, I can say I was impressed by:
Firstly, the friendliness of the people. Normally one hears of people in the West not being too welcoming. I found the Irish easy to talk and relate to.
Secondly, the cleanliness of the city. Generally cities are known for not being too clean. Dublin is a city that is in the exception. Cleanliness is taken very seriously and one finds workers cleaning the city day and night. I noticed posters denouncing those who love filth. We need to learn that as a nation. There is no virtue in dirtiness or “uve” as the Chewa’s in Eastern Zambia s say.
Gabriel at Trinity College, Dublin
Thirdly, the good maintenance of property. Dublin is an old city. It has old buildings such as churches, colleges, universities, pubs, houses that have stood for hundreds of years. I was impressed to see Trinity College. It is a hive of activity visited by many tourists. It was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth. It was not until the 1970s that Catholics started entering the university, as they were banned by the archbishop. Among many famous students to attend the college were playwrights Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Beckett. Trinity's lawns and cobbled quads provide a pleasant haven in the heart of the city. The major attractions are the Old Library and the Book of Kells, housed in the Treasury.
Fourthly, the passion for tourism. Dublin buzzes with tourism. Certainly Lusaka and other Zambian towns can do much better. We have much to show, don’t we?
I can say much more but let this suffice. However, Ireland like any other nation needs our prayers. Prayer for the gospel to spread its wings throughout the Island.
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