It was a very busy first day in Dublin. The flight from Glasgow was uneventful, but Zach ended up having a great time last night at a Pub. From what he tells me, he walked into a small neighborhood place and as soon as they figured out he was American, they started treating him like royalty and buying his drinks. He had a wonderful couple of hours with them and was back at the hostel early, since we had an early flight. I am sure he will give you more details on his own blog entry. I was pleased that he handled this so well, and in a very mature manner.
Today was all about getting settled into our new weekend home at the International Hostel in Dublin. We went on the tour of the Guiness plant, then met a former co-worker of mine in the afternoon for coffee. I quickly found out that her going away party from Microsoft was TONIGHT and I was invited. Since I was the one that transferred her to the Dublin office in the first place, I was honored. Zach and I split up for the evening - no sense dragging him to a cocktail party full of middle-aged geeks. Fortunately, he met a couple of guys in the hostel and they decided to go into Temple Bar together for the evening. I am guessing he will be back late. :)
We got inexpensive cellphones today, so are able to keep in touch when separated. He will likely sightsee Dublin on his own tomorrow. He's showing a lot more independence now that the "new" has worn off of the whole "international travel thing". I've come to discover that he's very much like his father was at that age - and likely a reflection of his grandfather as well... confident to the point of arrogance, and convinced that nothing can ever go wrong. I remember myself at that age - most young men believe themselves to be bulletproof, 7 feet tall, and covered with hair. :) I love that he is so confident, but I worry that - not knowing the limits of what bravado and bluff will get you - doesn't yet know how far is too far. Again, this is a common feature of most young men - I had it in spades until life finally decided to remind me that I too was mortal.
This trip is turning out to be not only a learning experiences for Zach, but surprisingly for me as well. In watching Zach and coaching him through this experience, I'm learning that there are some unresolved things about my passage into middle age that I'm finally being forced to take out and look at closely. I'm not quite ready to share, but suffice to say for the first time in my life, I feel - very completely - my age. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad.
More update tomorrow. Don't expect a post from Zach until tomorrow afternoon.
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