Welp, here we go.
By the time you get this, I’ll be on my way to Ireland. We start in Dublin for a day to recombobulate, then to Cork for a night, then last stop Ballymaloe.
(Have you been wondering how that is pronounced? Baa-lee-mah-LOO)
The past couple of weeks have involved a LOT of Anticipation, which starts with A, as does Anxiety, with which it is conjoined in my head like siamese twins. I’m alternating between the A+ excitement (the cows! the butter!! the fish!!! THE KNIVES!!!!) and the attendant guilt (Bill eating his lonely burrito in a silent house, colleagues being harassed by frustrated students, uneven boat lineups, the elves alone!1) and the abject terror (what the fuck have I actually done). The As have a way of nibbling away at one’s insides.
Meanwhile the school has set up a Telegram group for all the students, so we can communicate about travel plans and arrival times and such. I have been studying each post and profile picture with a veritable microscope to learn what I can about the group. So far there are three to four women for every man, and everyone appears either very young or very well maintained in their profile pictures. The latter typically also come across as tres bon vivant, hoisting glasses of wine and such at the camera. There is much arranging of rides and excitement.
Meanwhile, everyone at work has been so nice with well-wishes and hugs, and my rowing pals gave me an Irish-themed sendoff this morning, complete with Kerrygold and a rowing leprechaun.
The Charles also got in on the act.
(don’t worry - there will be plenty of pix of the Emerald Isle, but this was such a nice morning!)
Our friend Andy, wondering about the impact of my departure on our household, has imagined Bill here all alone, quietly reading his New Yorker while I’m off in beautiful wild Ireland having a torrid affair with the stable boy. Noting that there are no stables at Ballymaloe, I suggested it might have to be whoever takes care of the cows or the pigs.
Stay tuned for photos of pig boy.
I can tell already I am going to love YOUR adventure! Can't wait for the next installment.
And she’s off! And the rest of us live vicariously. And invite Bill to dinner. ❤️