Travelogue Final Chapter: Dublin, Ireland

Dear Readers,

I began with jet-lag and I am ending with jet-lag. This has been the longest gap between chapters. Some two weeks I think. My apologies. It wasn't that i didn't have internet access it was that events were such that I was confounded and didn't know what to say. So much happened... and yet so little. The trip from San Fran to LA was pretty crazy. We made a diversion to Santa Cruz on the way which lasted far too long - purely on account of great charm of the person we were going to meet there: A rich model who studies psychology and fancied Robert (Yes, a female model!). Leaving Santa Cruz was the most dangerous leg of the journey we undertook (minus Dave - soon to be on his way by train to meet
me in Portland Oregon) because it was late at night, the fog had fallen, and we were on a twisting hair-pinned road that had real elk/deer-things running on it and no street lights. To cut the story short, we made it in the very nick of time for me to fly to Portland (thanks Rob) and Robert didn't score because someone's granny died.

In POrtland Oregon, two very unexpected things happened - firstly Gabrielle had an unprompted complete change of heart, regretted the break-up at the beginning of our trip and said she was still very much in love. So I gave it a second chance. The other unexpected thing was also of a romantic nature: Dave and Kerry (improv comedienne, told you before, stayed with her in POrtland the first time, we like her etc.) shared a mutual appreciation of the beauty and goodness of the other, and oh, oh it was so romantic and wonderful. I wholeheartedly approved because they're both just fabulous.

Myself and Dave both extended our stays in Portland for the sake of our love-lives and for me, it meant that my trip to NY was cut short to six very fun hours with Erin, (which was sad - but you have to do what you have to do) and spent whatever money I had left booking the new flight. I did however honour my promise to go to Cole in Louisianna, where I had the most striking American
experience of the trip. Summarily, the highlights of it were shooting fire-arms, horse-riding, sailing on the bayou, eating alligator, and meeting the smallest dog I've ever seen - and of course it was great to see Cole again.
Cole is the second person I claim to have matched-maked (with the lovely Sharon, FYI) in the last month. Unfortunately this coupling was also of residents of opposite sides of the atlantic ocean so sadly it also was cut short. What a peculiar speciality I have.

There is alot more I could say about all four places, but I'm eager to cut to the confessional. The end of my trip was so different to the road trip that it hardly seems to be part of it. So a word about each, the road trip: great; the emotional trip: tough.

And now for the outlook. Firstly, I have a deeper knowledge of, and a fluctuating mixture of respect, admiration, and affection for my travel-companions... sorry it's too late for me to think of a gag to sneak in there. I think my friendship with the pair is now well-secured. Secondly then, a reflection on the reason i went to America in the first place: the girl. What can I say? What's appropriate to say? I'm sad about what has happened and I
can't really brush over that. Here I am back in Ireland, with my original expedition seeming to have failed in a most tantalising way - a profession of love and commitment five weeks and a lot of heartache too late. It feels like time and money have run out. What's in the future? No really tell me - that wasn't a rhetorical question.

I graduate Monday - so that should be fun. Y'all know how much i like to dress
up.

Thanks for reading I hope to be in touch with you all soon.

James.