Goodbye Dublin

I was counting down the days since three months for an occasion that would mean that the routine i have done day in and day out for two and a half year stops. It was pretty exciting at the same time saddening as well.
I did a few things to make these last days in this great city stay cherish able.On the last but one weekend in Dublin.I took part in the Frankduffy 10 mile marathon. The very marathon that i took part last year which I completed in 1 hr 58 min. it was a pathetic time , but for a first timer its fantastic time. This year i did train well and then i must say that I am impressed by my own time though its not the target I wanted to achieve. I out did last years time by 18 minutes!!
(www.dublinmarathon.ie/results select frank Duffy 10 mile and race number is 7776)
T my surprise the next day i had no aches or pain what so ever!!



The days in office went on and a leaving lunch was organised and I did not want to go to an Indian restaurant again. So we all went to Maiya, and italian restaurant. Had a wonderful Veg pizza and on the way back did the most instinctive thing that I always do, peer into the glass front facade of the Mercedes showroom and this time I saw a bicycle. its a Merc Bike priced at a reasonable 1300€.
The weekend has dawned once gain pretty quickly and i remember that onceI had promised my good mate Antony and his girl friend that I will come over to their place and show them how good ol Kerala puttu is made. So on the final weekend I headed down to their gaff. Gewn who is half Italian was making cheese raviloi an Italian dish and an Irish veg soup and chicken stew. The puttu was ready and I was delighted to know that enjoyed it and ate it with their hands which is the right way. There is something nice about squishing banana into the rice and coconut for a great taste.
Then it was my turn to set up the leaving drinks day. Had to co-ordinate with two other best buddy's of mine Paula and Noreen for a date and it was the Monday. which is definitely not the day anyone wants to out for a Drink here. The fact that we had the entice Paddy Cullens for ourselves was a testament to that.
None the less, nothing can stop for few good lads having fun. Anthony always cracked us up with this is hilarious ways of narrating prosaic stories. Everyone was keen on buying me a Drink and i had to play along and trust me the next day i did feel that I must not have played along.
Noreen, Richard and I made sure that the pub as closed well till 12:00 am after finishing out heated debate and argument about religion and faith because we had catholic,a Hindu and an atheist!! perfect concoction for a great debate.
The final day, 31-st of August flew past me as it was the busiest going about doing the regular business of coding and then the gong had struck to bid my final good byes to all. My client managers had called to thank me and it felt so good to hear that. managers whom i have not worked with since one year called me up to say at any time they would be proud to give me a reference. End of the day thats all what I needed. With gratitude to a great institution instilling a hope that i will be remembered in there for a good work.
I love this city so much and more so the people so much, that I dont mind saying I am an Indian and an Irish :-)

For more pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/badri.nair/LeavingDays#