Impressions of Dublin -- things I love most (Ⅲ)

No. 3 Food

I love the food in Dublin just from the aspect of its security, which, I have to admit, is very worrying in China at present. But it is big issues - nobody does not care about her/his own health.

As some of my Irish friend have told me, Ireland is an agricultural country in some extent. It remains a large proportion of agricultural production like planting and farming, so the Irish people can enjoy lots of fresh vegetable (mainly potatoes of course), fruit, eggs, animal food and its sideline production (e.g milk). They plant and produce these food within the country, which allow them to implement the food security standard and control the food quality easily. They do not need to transport these food, which also reduces the possibility of bringing in virus.

Yes, they also import large amount of food. But they mainly import from EU countries, and you know, Europe is always very strict to the food security. So the security and quality of imported food can also be guaranteed.

It feels very good that you do need to worry about the security of food when you buying them in the supermarket, so food is one of things I love most in Dublin.

Travel and Food in Ireland

(Finished)

Impressions of Dublin -- things I love most (Ⅱ)

No.2 Environment

• City Environment

Dublin is not polluted by the manufacture. The few factories are all located closely to the sea, far away from the city center. Even if there is air pollution, it will disperse very soon, because the wind can blow it away. Since Ireland is a small island, I guess a big sea wind can change the air all over the country in one day. The first benefit the wind brings to the Dublin is the clean and uncontaminated air. I like to breathe the air in the city. When cycling to work in the morning, I try to breathe heavily to enjoy more fresh air, which tastes like a light jasmine tea. You can also the sky here is clear and low. It seems that you can catch and touch the clouds in front of you if running fast enough.

The rain is another free purifier. It works very day -- actually, this is why I do not like it generally -- to clean the streets, architectures and moisten the plants and grasses, which keeps the city clean and nice-looking. There are lots of plant and grass in this city and the frequent alternate appearance of rain and sunshine makes the them grow well. They return fresh air and fine scenery to the city. I have to mention the river traversing the city, Liffey Reiver. The water in the river changes every 2 or 3 days as the ebb and flow of the sea. This makes the water in most of river within the city keep flowing and the city full of vigour.

• Human Environment

The environment mentioned here mainly referes to the non-human environment, but I can still talk about the human environment I have felt on campus--anyway, it is impossible to know much in such a short period. Firstly, people are treaded equally here, just as what I mentioned in the talk of people. So you generally have the same chance as others to do what you like and be successful.

Moreover, the academic atmosphere relatively open and free. People are open-minded to the new ideas and those they are not familiar with. They are willing to listen to the new ideas and will not deny them at first sight. Thus, as the students can be curious and think what they like, their curiosity can be well protected and even encouraged, which, I guess, is one of the primary reason that they can have more innovative talents.

Finally, let me talk about the competition. People from the countries with high competition like China tend to believe that Ireland is not a so competitive country, but I have to say "It depends". It depends on the environment you are in and the people you are with. Generally, you can live a not so competitive life if you want. But actually, competition happens everyday. If you apply for the research funding, you will find lots of colleagues have the same idea. If you go to the public hospital, you always have to queue for a long time. And you may find that the prices of the dailies are lower than before nowadasy, which may make you, the consumer better, but actually indicates that the competition among sellers are more severe.

Dublin The Impression - SunCity

(to be continued...)

Impressions of Dublin -- things I love most (Ⅰ)

Being in Dublin for 4 months, I am asked the feeling of this city sometimes. To answer questions like this, I tend to list the things I love most and least of the city.

So far, there are three things of Dublin I love most.

No. 1 People

Irish people are friendly and of spirit of equality.

If you ask for directions in the street, you will always get an answer to make you better off. Even if the person you ask does not know the way to the place, he or she will help you to google it with the phone or ask somebody else, or at least tell you to whom you can turn for better help. Anyway, you will definitely get some improvement by asking them. Moreover, they are responsible for what they tell you. Once the person who had showed me the way a moment before ran to stop me just for checking whether I really understood him, because he found the way he had directed tended to confuse me after discussing it with his workmate.

I work with some Irish guys. They are always very patient to help me. They answer my questions about the language and local lifestyles very detailedly and graphically so that I will not be confused or embarrassed. Sometimes I cannot express my ideas clearly, they try many ways to catch what I mean and then teach me how to express in the right way. They are also considerate. If they find I have not said anything for a long time during the conversation with lots of people, they will change to the topics I know more so that I can join the talk.

They will never ask you to change for them, and at the same time they will not change for you. If you cannot understand them well because they speak fast, they will repeat again and again or change the way to explain it for you, but they will not slow down. Because they respect their own right to keep the ways they speak as well as they respect your right to understand them. Once you join their society, they treat you as a equal member as themselves. Nothing will change to meet your special requirement or discriminate you. The shop will not charge you more because you know less about the local price level. The taxi will not take the longer way because you are not familiar with the route. Likewise, your IT Services will not install a Chinese operating system in your computer especially. Even people walking in the street will not give you a second glance because your nose bridge seems lower than theirs. They have their own paces, nobody will speed up or slow down because of you.

(to be continued ...)