Registering with Immigration

(10am this morning) I am currently waiting at the Garda to register with immigration. Like the DOL this place is depressing and dull. Hundreds of people, sitting in rows of uncomfortable chairs. The news is on, images of the protests in Egypt and the surrounding countries flash across the screen. Unfortunately the sound is off, so my soundtrack is at least 4 crying babies, and the guy to my left who is speaking into his phone far too loudly in some foreign language. I have 50 people to go until my number is called. Fifty people who are visiting, studying or moving here, all waiting to pay upwards of 150 euro for their visa. I wonder where all these people are coming from, what brings them here. Why Ireland? Why now? many of the names being called out are accompanied by Pakistani or Tunisia national. It makes me wonder if the images I see on the tv screen are connected to the reason these people are sitting here, in their black and grey coats, in these uncomfortable chairs, waiting.