Cautiously I walk into the jostling pub, trembling underneath my confident facade.
I stride up to the bar, pretending I have done it several times before and am not embarrassed about being alone.
'One pint of Guinness thanks', I smile and request from the barman.
120 seconds to serve the beverage, the only information retained from the brewery trip, is now flashing in my mind.
Two minutes to stand here and look busy... scout the surroundings.
Breathe, I tell myself, you're all good.
Finally the pint arrives, along with some friendly conversation from the barman.
A local Dubliner, we get to the part about who I'm with, of which I say 'solo'.
With a cheeky smile, eyes that dance like magic and an accent of joyful melody he says;
'Ah las, you'll be married with one on the way by the end of the night... don't you worry!'
I laugh and stand there nervously, unsure of my next move.
'Take a seat and stick with me love, it would be a pleasure'.
Relieved, I sit and drink the Guinness too quickly.
In between serving, we talk about Dublin and the characters it has.
The band comes on, local folk tunes their only repertoire,
and before long I am dancing some Irish jig with the crowd.
The barman is my mate for the night and checks on me in between pours.
He smilies and claps as I mix with the locals, 'becoming one of us' he shouts gleefully.
By the end of the night, I am contently merry and all danced out.
I give my saviour a cuddle before I leave and head back to the hostel.
An evening started so unsure, yet ending in travellers bliss,
I proudly know I can do this.
Guinness in one hand and my 'gift of the gab' in the other,
I can walk into a pub on my own... and leave with friends.
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