Nothing to declare

On a fine summer Sunday I decided to take the bus from Mitchelstown to Cork city. Having attended to my spiritual duties, I thought nothing could go wrong. But as the day unfolded the picture changed, much to my surprise. Having boarded the bus with a host of other commuters, I was looking forward to meeting up with my daughter later.

We rolled on through the sleepy towns, whereupon, more passengers got on. The bus was full at this point, all different voices chattering away. The radio was blaring, the midday news came over the airways. The newscaster read out the state of the world, no word about bailouts, contagion or bond holders, they had gone quiet for the Sabbath day at least.

The fields looked lush and green, the animals grazing away, in their silent world. As the bus pulled into the depot safely, thank God, it was time to alight. Having thanked our driver, one by one, we all went our separate ways.

I decided it was time to enjoy a cup of coffee. Then the day suddenly changed, I found to my dismay, I had no money - the shock. Luckily I had a bottle of water and a few sweets, but nothing else. I felt trapped in the city by the Lee. I asked a lady at the café counter, would she give me a refill of water, she duly did.

Yes, you guessed it, I forgot my money, but the only consolation, the sun was shining. I sat down at the outside café on Winthrop Street and sipped my water, as I people-watched. The city was buzzing, with the sounds of different voices, like those of the Spanish students, as they enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city.

From a distance, I saw a young couple coming towards my table. They politely asked if they could sit with me, as it was the only table free at that time. I said of course, they told me they were from Sweden. They were touring Ireland for the first time. They wanted to visit Kilkenny city and they enquired about the idea. I told them Kilkenny city was known as the Marble City, it had a lovely castle and many more places of interest.

Then the lady went up to the counter and ordered 3 coffees, so much to my surprise I got that longed for coffee, from a complete stranger. I thought the day had a heart, after all. I had nothing in common with them, but they had good English, they knew that Ireland was in a bailout programme and that we had suffered as a result.

They went about their business and thanked me for allowing them to share my table, I in turn thanked the lady for her kindness. I sipped that liquid gold slowly and the bottle of water was still holding court.

I dug deep into my handbag and I found 60c, at least I could buy a bag of crisps. When I went to the counter, I bought my packet of ‘cheese and onion’. I munched away and watched the world go by.

Then a poor beggar man, asked me would I buy him a sandwich, as he was very hungry. I told him I had no money, I knew he didn’t believe me. I felt bad, but I could do nothing. I rang my daughter, I said I am here feeling like a beggar. She said, ‘if the cap fits’ but I had no cap, to gather some pence, or sing a song, or recite a poem!

I decided to go walk about, Brown Thomas here I come. I could sample a perfume spray from the ‘free tester’ - at least I’d smell like the ‘House of Dior’ even though I was starving. Penney’s was out, I did not have a ‘penny’. Dunnes Stores was a no go area, I still had my faithful bottle of water, the sweets had long been consumed. I needed to be rescued, then the phone rang - daughter on her way, praise the Lord.

I was taken to a diner, the McDonald’s sign never shone so brightly. The menu was easy to decide on, chips, burger, Coke, all of the above. It would never be what the doctor ordered, but at the time, it was lifesaving food.

I learned so much on that day, I found goodness and humanity, in the strangest situation.