Sir, - Many foreigners travelling through Dublin are overwhelmed by the transport system, be it train, plane or bus. As someone who had never set foot in Dublin before, I wound up in Busaras at 5 p.m. on Friday November 13th. It was a bustling, crazed and crowded place. People had warned me, calling it "living hell", "madness", and the like. Through the kindness of one man, I can amend those statements.
I was scheduled to take the 5.45 bus from Busaras to Annalecky Cross - a small stop in the Wicklow mountains. I was participating in a weekend retreat at the Chrysalis Centre in Donard. Although I was at the gate an hour-and-a-half early, the bus I was due to take didn't have enough space on it. This started a re-routing effort on other buses by Bus Eireann staff, who were shouting out names of towns on the routes: "Who's going to Waterford? to Carlow? To Tullow?" I didn't know any of these towns and kept dragging around my bags and asking "Will this bus let me off at Annaleckey Cross?" "Wait in this line." "Step over to this side." "Hold on just a second, Miss - I"ll go check."
When it came time to board the bus I had been told would take me there, the driver informed me that, in fact, it wouldn't. With all the bus fumes, the people scurrying around with their suitcases, and learning that there were no more buses until the next day, I began to cry. I'm a fairly calm individual but with no place to stay, no friends to call on, and the fact that I was due in Donard that night, I was very upset. No one seemed to know what to do with me or how to help me.
That is, until they put me into the hands of Victor, the inspector of Busaras that night. He said he'd find a way to get me there. He called the Chrysalis Centre where I was expected at 7 p.m. He called Dublin Bus, talked with his fellow co-workers and tried his hardest to find me a way to Donard. When all else failed, he gave me a lift after his shift ended at 8 p.m., after calling his family to see if it was OK. It was a gift I never expected - but was extremely grateful for. I waited about an hour in the terminal until his shift ended, watching the buses come in and out, and watching Victor helping other lost people like me around the station. He bought me a cup of tea and a scone and at 8 p.m. he drove two hours out of his way to take me down to Donard.
On my travels in Ireland, I have been both a witness to and a recipient of extreme kindness. I have been very moved by this experience that started out as a nightmare, but turned into a very rich experience - one I will not forget. Thanks to Victor and the people of Ireland for helping to see that even if you miss a bus, or get lost, there are people out there who will help you find your way. - Yours, etc., Anna Birch,
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA.