50 Shades of Green
From what I have discovered in my short time abroad thus far is that the Irish really love talking about the weather. Therefore, this is how I will start the blog of my first week in Dublin, Ireland. The highest recorded temperature this week was 80 degrees with the lowest being 50 degrees. This is a complete paradise considering it has reached 120 degrees back home in Arizona.
Beyond the numbers, the green landscapes truly speaks for itself. Its elegant yet wild demeanor makes me believe that I am dreaming. When the gentle breeze reaches my face, I am instilled with a deep compassion for nature and its million shades of green (maybe without all the bugs…) Each time that I glance outside my window, I feel like I have entered my own version of Middle Earth. This is causing my old childhood dreams to come back in full force. I suddenly have the strong desire to enter a jousting competition or shape a sword from a chunk of metal. Who knows…maybe I will.
Dublin Pride
I spent my first weekend participating in Dublin Pride. This was my first Pride and it was perfect in every sense of the word. Before I continue writing about my experience, I should give a little background information regarding the Pride Parade. For those who are not aware, Pride first began as a riot known as the Stonewall Uprising which occurred in June, 1969. It began in Stonewall Inn (NYC), when a police raid against the LGBTQ+ turned into a violent riot. Because of this, it sparked a new movement that paved way for more supportive LGBTQ+ organizations and Pride was made to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. Although the LGBTQ+ community has publicly grown with more media coverage and local support, there still seems to be a scarcity of support for racial minorities within the LGBTQ+ community itself.
Although these issues have yet to be fully addressed, my first time at Pride left me in awe. Everyone was incredibly friendly and the atmosphere was addicting. From blue glittered beards, rainbow capes, and drag queens, everyone was absolutely gorgeous. This particular experience was very special and dear to my heart and I am glad that I was able to spend it in a beautiful country. Happiness is a very strange thing and it can be found in the oddest of places in any moment. For me, I found one piece of happiness walking side-by-side with my peers, basking in the glory that is Pride Dublin. That day radiated acceptance, love and happiness.
My entire first week was so breathtaking and lovely, it seems just a little bit suspicious and too good to be true. I can’t wait to unravel what is in store for me these next 7 weeks.
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Until next time.
Cheers,
Kazandra Zelaya