The Wanderlust

I feel more at ease here in Dublin then I have ever felt back in the states.
No one is in a hurry here. Everyone takes their time and really seems to enjoy and appreciate everything. 

I now know what it feels like to be foreign somewhere. Everyone loves talking to you when they realize you are an American. It is incredibly endearing. I must look lost a lot. People are always asking me if I need help. I can only laugh this off, because of course, I usually am lost. 

I am starting to enjoy tea and also starting to get why it's such a thing here. Just the ritual of sitting and talking or sitting and relaxing is a wonderful practice. 

I have not been anxious here. It's an amazing and liberating feeling. I have also never been uncomfortable here. 
I am learning to love walking a lot and have no fear of getting lost. Walking around here at night is normal and safe. The cold doesn't bother me much either. Although it is much colder then I am used to, I almost enjoy it. It makes the air somehow fresher. 

The people are so trusting too. People don't act like there is someone always out to get them like we do in the states. People don't run by you and try to steal your phone. People openly leave them on tables and walk away without worry.

Yesterday I walked around the city center. Looking at shops and enjoying company of a friend. I must admit I am not taking as many pictures as people back home would probably like. I am too selfish in my enjoyment of these first moments. Everything is so fresh and new to me I don't want to share them.

Harp Bridge over the Iffy

 

Protest we stumbled upon in the North Side

I do hope I don't eat so poorly my entire time out here. It's hard not to try all the food though. Stopped at a chipper and got chips and chicken for dinner. I could barley eat any of it, it was so greasy. Although very delicious.

Chips!

Today is my last day before class starts and I have to get down to business again. At least before next weekend. I have four day weekends and am planning to travel as much as possible. Hopefully I can find someone to travel with. 

I decided to walk around the area I am temporarily staying in today. Just enjoying the air and the parks. I stopped and got tea and a pastry in a small shop. Everything is just so fresh and delicious here. 

Tea and a Cream Cake. The cream cake was amazing. 

Dublin is slowly writing it's name on my heart. 

Until next time, 

Cheers. 

All Along the Banks of the Royal Canal

You know the feeling when you are parched of thirst, and it then begins to rain?
That is what Ireland is like. When you need something, it comes to you here.

I think I am in love with this country. The people have an optimism that is lost to many Americans. Everyone is so helpful and lovely.

It has taken me a few days to update because of how much I have been doing. On Friday I got to explore campus for the first time. It its very beautiful there. There are two large lakes in the middle of campus where these HUGE swans reside. They are very mean creatures too. It is very funny to see people avoiding them.

I got all of my classes and also found permanent housing on campus! I move there next Saturday. I get my own bedroom in an apartment with 5 other people.

Friday night I had my first night out to the pubs. I met up with a friend who lives here. It was a blast. Found an old Rockabilly bar where I fit in quite well at. We went to a few other pubs, but I honestly didn't pay much attention to their names. In one pub we went into, there was a man playing an acoustic guitar singing pop hits. Everyone in the bar was drunk and singing along with him, which was very fun. Overall it was a very grand time. I am pretty sure I drank enough pints for an entire year.

On Saturday I had booked a tour with my school to go explore the city. Turns out we were only going to the Guinness Storehouse and Croak Park. I was very tired and maybe a bit hungover. But I pulled myself together as best as I could and went on the trip. The Guinness Storehouse was great, the food there was amazing. I also made friends with some nursing students from the midwest who were studying abroad for the semester. They were quite nice people and it was nice to meet them.

My schedule is still really off and I am sleeping at strange times, but I will adjust eventually.

Dublin has been good to me.

Tomorrow I will explore the city some more.

Rocky Road to Dublin

Mood:Chilly 
Listening to: Sometimes I Just Go For it- The Used

The last month of my life has been spent selling, storing and packing everything I own. I was accepted into a Masters Program at UCD in Dublin, Ireland. It has always been a dream of mine to come to Ireland and now I had a chance to do it.

This will be my way to update everyone. Hopefully I will have the time to write at least weekly.

So where to begin, I have been saying my goodbyes to people for the last month. It hasn't been nearly as hard as I thought it was going to be. I am leaving everyone, but people will still be around and doing well when I come back.

Goodbye Bonfire on My last Night

Empty Room 

Now After packing up and saying my goodbyes I began my 15 hour traveling adventure to get to Dublin. I got very lucky and made friends with the ticket counter lady on my first flight and got upgraded for free. Nice big seats, a whole row to myself, and an open bar. 

I spent most of the flight sleeping, drinking, and watching movies one of the easier long hauls I have had to take. Then we began landing in London. I looked out the window and saw this. I was already excited and nothing felt real yet.

 In London it was raining when we landed.

Finally after landing we got to the terminal. Whoever built this airport is a jerk. there are literally signs telling you the amount of time it will take you to walk to your gate. Mine was 35, a 35 minute walk through a foreign airport. So after this 35 minute walk, carrying two bags, and three security check points later. I got to my terminal and badly made my flight to Dublin. This was a quick and very empty hour flight. 

Finally I had made it. It was just as Green as I expected. More walking through airports was required and then I collected my luggage and went to find a Taxi. I apparently found the most eccentric driver in the whole city. The man was making jokes about the government and Americans. It was an interesting drive. He also got lost many times on our way. Finally I made it to my hosts home. 

She has been wonderful to me so far. She made sure I got fed and settled in. After talking with her for a bit and having some tea and biscuits I went to my room to shower, unpack, and sleep. 

I am writing this post after having slept for 12 hours. It is around 7:30AM and still pitch black outside. This sun doesn't rise here until about 8:30AM or later in the winter time. Today I begin learning the transportation system to campus. Try to get my phone service up, and go out to the pub with my one friend here so far.  It's about 38 degrees and raining here, so time to bundle up. 

So far Ireland has been warm and kind to me. Hopefully it continues. 

Cheers, and until next time.