The Yankee Banshee: Summer in the City

Tourists to Ireland can be assured of at least two things in a given visit -- the Guinness will taste better here than in their home country, and the weather will be changeable. And by changeable, I mean that they may well live four seasons/weather fronts in a single day.

I hadn't realized how inured I'd become to this meteorological schizophrenia until my visiting sister-in-law, Danielle, remarked that, for an island so frequently visited by rain, very few people seemed to bother with umbrellas. And it's true. I don't own an umbrella. Because I know the rain is either (a) the light, insistent, infuriating sort -- depression-inducing, but not enough to soak me or (b) will be over in ten minutes to make way for the next front of Mother Nature's choosing.

However, there is light at the end of the grey, wet tunnel -- a brief period each year when the sun shines consistently with actual warmth and residents flood outdoors in a be-shorted, barbecue-crazed fever. To the wrath of students nationwide, it generally comes about in late May-early June, coinciding with the key period of study time for the Leaving Cert, the school exam that determines university placement and, more broadly, future life success. To the joy of potential tourists, it's as tidy a guarantee as any as to when they should book Irish travel.

The good news? It's happening RIGHT NOW. Since Thursday, Dublin's been awash in sunshine, bare legs, sunscreen, ice cream, sandals and all the things we associate with a different type of island life entirely.

For my part, I've eaten mango for breakfast, painted my toenails, slathered myself in SPF15 and worn just about every sundress I own. Maybe it seems like I'm taking it all a little too far too fast. But I'm not missing an opportunity to wear open-toe shoes without fear of blue feet.

So without further ado, time for the beach and a glass of sun tea...