Kilkenny, Connection & Return

Right after I left the clinic, I flew to a small film festival in Kilkenny, a charming town in the southeast of Ireland. It was one of those intimate festivals where you meet old colleagues, make new connections, and have real conversations in a relaxed atmosphere.

It was also my first public appearance since my relationship, during which I had withdrawn from almost everyone.

A Taste of the City

I wandered through the town, which you can easily explore on foot in less than half an hour. Despite the typically gray Irish weather, Kilkenny felt warm and welcoming. Small independent shops, tea houses, and cozy cafés lined the streets, and I happily sampled my way through the local food scene.

For lunch, I stopped at what was probably the trendiest café in town, Cafe La Coco, where people queued outside for sandwiches. If you arrived too late, you were simply out of luck - the bread and Irish pastries were sold out. No waste.

For dessert, I discovered a beautiful combination of café and second-hand bookshop, The Book & Coffee Shop. Surrounded by antique books, I browsed through literary history while enjoying a homemade slice of cake, listening to the owner chat with a neighbor who had casually stopped by.

Before heading back, I picked up a pie for later. I love pies.

When the Streets Come Alive

By evening, the quiet town - known mainly for its medieval castle during the day -had transformed into a lively party destination. Young women stood outside the pubs in tiny dresses despite the freezing temperatures, making me shiver even more beneath my winter coat.

Back to Life

Then it was time. The first industry festival meeting began.

Suddenly, my nervousness disappeared. So did the fear that I wouldn't know what to talk about. I found myself speaking effortlessly - about where I was in life, everything I had accomplished, the future ahead of me. I laughed. I made jokes.

And the people around me smiled back.

Almost as if they were thinking:

Who are you... and where have you been all this time?

And honestly, it felt as though I had finally climbed out of the deep, dark swamp where I had been trapped for the past two years.

I felt strong again.

Like myself again.

As if I had found my way back.

Back to life.

Filled with gratitude.

With energy.

With bliss.

Be well,

Vaselisa