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I've been in Ireland for almost a whole week now and have been really enjoying exploring a new country and getting to know the rest of the students.
We arrived on Monday and I had two girls doing SIT on my flight, which was a nice surprise. When we arrived it was pretty awkward because no one really knew each other, but as the week's gone on we've gotten closer. We were in the countryside at the Glencree Reconciliation Center, exploring Glendalough and Bray, and having lectures and meetings. We went to our first pub, Johnny Fox's (huge tourist pub), and had a really good time getting to know some locals (and of course having our first pint of Guinness or in my case Smithwicks). On Friday night we met up with our Dublin host families. I am staying with a widow named Carmel who has four kids living throughout the world. Across the street is a fellow program participant, Carly, from Texas, which is really nice. On Saturday most of the group met in Dublin to watch the Ireland vs. Italy Six Nations rugby match, also a lot of fun, even if the day felt like 20 questions since we kept asking where to find this place or that street! I hate being a tourist. I ran into an alleyway to avoid pulling out my massive map of Dublin when we got lost, hoping no one would see and make fun of me! Saturday night Carly and I went to a bar in Dundrum, just a bus stop away from Ballinteer (where I'm living). We're just exploring the local area this weekend, tomorrow is our first class day and we'll all meet up in the city at 10:30. Our bus ride in is about 45 minutes with little traffic so we'll see how long it takes tomorrow.
I tried to see a local "Ga" (Gaelic Athletic Association) match this morning but the weather was horrid. It's known as football here and is unique to Ireland. It's aka Gaelic Football. As a result, the Irish call soccer by the same name we do. Rugby and curling are also very popular.
I've been having stew, potatos, sandwhiches, and meat pretty much every day so of course I love food here!
The group is 15 people, only one guy, and gets on pretty well so far. Mix of people, mostly from the east coast. My house is a cute two-story place in a development only 7 mi or so from the city. No internet so I'm at a cafe nearby. Some thoughts:
1) It's rainy. A lot.
2) It's windy. Even more than it's rainy.
3) The Irish are very friendly.
4) The Irish really do eat some variety of potatos almost every lunch & dinner. They don't tend to do a big breakfast. They LOVE stew.
5) Lee: OJ is not hard to find haha.
6) A pint is usually £4.90. But if you're like me, you only pay for your first drink, and then random men feel inclined to buy your next two rounds.......no complaints.
7) The exchange rate is BRUTAL.
8) I could spent the rest of my life in the Irish countryside, I've never seen a more beautiful place, other than southern France, but it's a different kind of beautiful. It's an earthy, mythical, and gentle beauty. It just feels like home.
Where I stayed:
Carmel's House
Latest Comments (2)
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Good to hear (reply)
Feb 4, 2008 17:18 EST by deegee
It was sooo good to hear everything is going well. You're right, Ireland does have a timeless, mystical beauty. But is the OJ canned or semi-fresh? Take care and stay warm. Lee
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Ireland Sounds Wonderful (reply)
Feb 4, 2008 09:48 EST by awashburn
Summer, it sounds like your having fun so far. I hope that your first day of classes has gone well. So tell me about the lady you are staying with. Do you have your own room? I am looking forward to pictures. Be sure to post some.
April Washburn
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