Dublin's Fair City

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15th September 2000

Hello Günther,

You asked in your last letter what the area I live in is like.

Along the river at night both sides are safe(as long as you stay AT the river and don't wander down any side steets you don't know are safe), between Ushers Quay and certainly as far as the end of Georges Quay. I have never been beyond Georges Quay at night so I am not sure. Past Ushers Quay at night is where many truckers park so there are sometimes prostitutes and others who make the area a little rough. I would feel relatively safe walking at either side of the river within the range of Ushers Quay and Georges quay but it is always better to stay as much as possible on the South side at night. The only time I would consider avoiding walking along the river at night is at pub closing time. Unfortunately drinking and driving is quite a problem in Ireland. You would be unlucky to be run over by a drunk driver even at pub closing time but I avoid walking around at that time anyway.

What makes some areas of the city so dangerous at night is that off some streets are some very rough housing areas. They are generally full of people who spend their lives on social welfare and the areas often have big problems with drinking and drugs. In those places things like attacking people with syringes and broken bottles happen at night. Also stolen cars are driven around there at a crazy speeds. The stolen cars are often set alight which is also dangerous for people walking past. If you are going to be here in the month before Halloween the kids in these areas aim illegal fireworks which they managed to get, at passers by. My appartment is right beside one of these areas and looking out my window at night is better than a circus. These housing areas and the streets near them are the ones to be avoided at night. These people are usually safe enough to be around during daylight hours so go wherever you want then.

I look forward to meeting you and showing you my city.

Please find enclosed photos. (Photos from http://images.google.de/images?q=photos+of+Dublin&ndsp=18&um=1&hl=de&start=72&sa=N)

Mel

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