Traveling in Europe on a US passport affords one the unique experience of waiting in line for Passport Control with anyone else who falls into the "Non-EU" category.
Just think about that for a minute.
Suffice it to say, it is a very "global" experience.
However, since we were coming into Dublin with something like thirty thousand Americans to watch an American college football game, there were many more travelers sporting Fighting Irish and Navy gear than turbans and burkas.
And Dublin made us feel more than welcome. It seemed every native we encountered asked, "Are you in town for the match?" And for the most part, we resisted the urge to correct them and explain that we call it a game.
Every pub in Temple Bar had its windows painted with the Leprechaun, the Goat, or both. The excitement about "the match" electrified the whole town.
We noticed a distinct new paint smell in the pub where we enjoyed our first Irish dinner and realized as we surveyed the several-hundred-year-old walls that they'd recently been freshened up in blue and gold.
Saturday broke clear and warm with bright blue skies and a dazzling orange sun. We literally followed the crowd as we walked to the stadium feeling as though we were heroes in a victory parade.
Aviva stadium was standing room only and the energy was palpable. Navy brought about a thousand midshipmen to the game and as they marched on to "the pitch" the Leprechaun, Irish Guard, and cheerleaders saluted. A lump rose in my throat and my eyes filled. My heard swelled with pride in these young people that so beautifully and honorably represent the country I love.
As we awaited kickoff, we got to know some of the fans seated around us. To our left was a group of retired Navy seamen who'd only just arrived at the stadium. They had left home Thursday but encountered delays and flight cancellations only to arrive in Belfast at 9 that morning. They rented a car and drove the three hours to arrive in time for kickoff.
Behind us a group of Texans with no connection to either ND or Navy had come just for the experience. They boasted of spending Friday night with representatives of the Irish Navy tasked with boat-sitting the U.S. destroyer docked in Dublin harbor whose crew was enjoying the game. They worried that these poor Irish seamen might be nursing wicked hangovers due to the Texans generosity of the previous evening.
The game was a solid win for the Irish, but there really was no loser that day. I was a little sorry Colleen couldn't be there to enjoy it with us, but I know someday she'll have a similar opportunity and that she'll appreciate it even more than I did.
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