Derry

A creative writing teacher once asked us to write 500 words on an article of clothing. I wrote about my 8th grade gym suit, others wrote about concert tee shirts. I now have a new favorite article of clothing from my trip to Derry, Northern Ireland. I’ve seen all kinds of US attire since I arrived in Ireland: New York Yankees ball cap, Nike apparel of all types, North Face jackets, and even Nirvana tee shirts. But this one article has stayed with me for over 24 hours. 

A 20-something young man with cargo shorts, Nike shoes, and a grey hoodie boarded the Galway #64 bus with me and many others in Derry around 3:30pm.  Los Angeles Lakers was written in Canterbury script, and the back explained who the Lakers are. Well, sir, you certainly captured my attention and have now made it on my blog. I was too respectful to interrupt the sports conversation he was having with the mate behind him on the bus to get the story. If a person is wearing Lakers gear, there is no reason to explain who they are. You, sir, have eclipsed the other intriguing clothing I have seen in Derry including the dozen school girls dressed identically in royal blue blazers with chest pocket patch, matching sweater or “jumper”, and lighter blue button down shirt, black short skirts, black hose and shoes. School attire doesn’t hold a candle to the off brand Lakers swag.