In Dublin's fair city

 Dublin was a genuine getting to know the locals experience! A  few vignettes of life playing out on the poorer north side of town as we drove in from the ferry; 3 cops - one with a pushbike- apprehending a middle aged suspect and hurriedly picking up the piles of $50 euro notes scattered around his feet; young people scavenging through rubbish piles; clothing styles both revealing and ragged, graffiti, beggars. Learning the local lingo on my bus rides around the city- “is absolutely spilling a doun” means it raining hard.  And it was! To make up for it the people are so kind and friendly. Even the elderly tramp who stumbled onto the bus on crutches to sit down next to me, wearing torn dirty clothes, socks stuffed with paper and clutching a large blue rubbish full of cans, was offering his seat to any new passengers.

Again Kainga ora could consider the housing design this time from around the 60s. Rows of 3 bedroom housing, all with walled private outdoor space and off road parking for 1 or 2 cars. Outdoor space for a small garden where kids and pets can play, washing can be hung out and one can sit in the sun is so important! Because sometimes neighbours just don't get on and kids aren't safe at the community park.

Different uses for walled backyards


Feeding the birds


Kids' play or dog run 

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