Got myself out of bed early the next morning. I had a map of where the job was but no idea of how to get there. It was pointless asking the reception staff, a bunch of South Africans and Kiwis who knew every watering-hole within a 20km radius but couldn’t give a toss about some office block.

Lucky for me there was a convent opposite and I literally bumped into the Irish version of Mother Theresa as I left the hostel. After quizzing me on my spiritual state and my ancestors for several minutes she finally decided that as a Scouser I wasn’t completely damned and directed me to the nearest stop for the bus to Drumcondra.

Sure enough, a 10 minute walk through a park, translucent in the sharp winter sunshine, a 5 minute wait and a 15 minute bus ride through a Georgian South Suburbia landed me in downtown Dundrum and I stepped into my first working day in Ireland

It wasn’t bad as first days go. I was briefly introduced to the team I would be joining. As expected they were all as young enough to be my kids but a bright bunch and they positively exuded esprit de corps; a good sign. The job is always easier when you join a good team.

Unfortunately, the day took a turn for the worst when I was invited for a private chat with the boss, which of course consisted of the obligatory corporate philosophy, organization structure, accepted work practices etc. All the usual guff they feed the new recruits. Department heads are the same the world over. They get so excited at obtaining a new “departmental asset” they forget I’m a mercenary, only signed on for the duration. Thankfully I was rescued by the offer of lunch.

I was careful at the lunch, one glass of wine and a conversation limited to work and cities we both knew a bit about, so the hour and fifteen minutes passed pleasantly enough. Back at the ranch I spent the remainder of my first working day being processed by Human Resources. This was not as bad as it sounds since two of the processors were the kind of girls that make it worth being a male. At the end my boss comes in to tell me that as there was only half an hour left I might as well go home and he would see me in the morning.

It was a cold but clear twilight when I left the office so I decided to walk back towards town and jump a bus when I got tired. I’ve found walking the best way to learn any city. So, with the setting sun on my left shoulder I set off into Monday-evening Dublin.

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