Monday, August 30, 2010
Late night out...
... became best night yet. Today was basically comprised of lots of orientation, followed by a hop on hop off bus tour. It was really informative and fun. We mainly spent our time lounging on the green playing fields at trinity college. Then, I took a nap in the hostel and went out to "coppers" a well known night club in dublin. Just got back, it was extremely fun. We befriended the "garda" or police officer who instructed us on safety through arcadia and hung out with him, which was lots of fun. Now I'm going to sleep, and tomorrow we have lots more meetings and then we're seeing a play, and then most likely going out again. I love Dublin, but am really looking forward to finally getting to Galway wednesday morning.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
It's 6:25 pm and I've already been to 3 pubs...
... but don't worry mom, I've only had two drinks! I got judged for getting a rum and coke while everyone else got beer and guinness, so then I went for a baileys with ice at the next pub. I guess the beer drinker in me is yet to come out... but I'm still patiently waiting!!
Today started with me waking up and lugging my two huge suitcases downstairs for Arcadia to take to Galway. Then two of my roommates got in around 9ish so I chatted with them... both are extremely sweet. Around noon we went to lunch with everyone in the Arcadia program, and I just happened to end up sitting at a large table with people going to Galway. I've met a bunch of really cool girls, which makes me happy because I was, and still am, nervous about meeting people.
Afterwards we were set free for the rest of the day, so we decided to watch the soccer-esque sport that was happening (apparently it's a big deal in Ireland... some rivalry... I don't know, I'm not a sports person). We went to a pub that seemed relatively empty so we could chat, and then of course ended up next to these extremely boisterous irish men and one Portuguese woman who were all out drinking together. They had been there for two hours, and they were absolutely hilarious. After some fun chats with them, they went home to sober up, and we went to another pub down the road. The next pub called The Quay, I think, was so much fun. There was a woman playing a violin or a fiddle, I wasn't sure, and a man playing a guitar, and they played Irish and American songs. They played break even by the script!! I filmed it. I couldn't stop smiling, and throughout their whole set everyone was singing along and bursting out into dances. Then we went to Temple Bar, a famous bar in Dublin, which has a beer garden where we sat and drank and chatted with some more people we ran into from the program.
I've decided that I'm not a huge fan of the modern aspects of Dublin - the parts where there are busy streets, crosswalks, etc... but the side streets are absolutely charming. Full of pubs, shops, colorful storefronts, and street performers. From what I've been told, Galway seems to fit that description exactly, more of a college smaller city as opposed to the mix of side streets and city aspects that Dublin has.
Regardless, I am extremely happy here and I will definitely be visiting Dublin again after we leave on Wednesday. Tonight I will be getting dinner with the same girls I've been wandering around Dublin with, and then meeting up with Jen, a friend from GW who is studying at Trinity this semester.
Today started with me waking up and lugging my two huge suitcases downstairs for Arcadia to take to Galway. Then two of my roommates got in around 9ish so I chatted with them... both are extremely sweet. Around noon we went to lunch with everyone in the Arcadia program, and I just happened to end up sitting at a large table with people going to Galway. I've met a bunch of really cool girls, which makes me happy because I was, and still am, nervous about meeting people.
Afterwards we were set free for the rest of the day, so we decided to watch the soccer-esque sport that was happening (apparently it's a big deal in Ireland... some rivalry... I don't know, I'm not a sports person). We went to a pub that seemed relatively empty so we could chat, and then of course ended up next to these extremely boisterous irish men and one Portuguese woman who were all out drinking together. They had been there for two hours, and they were absolutely hilarious. After some fun chats with them, they went home to sober up, and we went to another pub down the road. The next pub called The Quay, I think, was so much fun. There was a woman playing a violin or a fiddle, I wasn't sure, and a man playing a guitar, and they played Irish and American songs. They played break even by the script!! I filmed it. I couldn't stop smiling, and throughout their whole set everyone was singing along and bursting out into dances. Then we went to Temple Bar, a famous bar in Dublin, which has a beer garden where we sat and drank and chatted with some more people we ran into from the program.
I've decided that I'm not a huge fan of the modern aspects of Dublin - the parts where there are busy streets, crosswalks, etc... but the side streets are absolutely charming. Full of pubs, shops, colorful storefronts, and street performers. From what I've been told, Galway seems to fit that description exactly, more of a college smaller city as opposed to the mix of side streets and city aspects that Dublin has.
Regardless, I am extremely happy here and I will definitely be visiting Dublin again after we leave on Wednesday. Tonight I will be getting dinner with the same girls I've been wandering around Dublin with, and then meeting up with Jen, a friend from GW who is studying at Trinity this semester.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
After many hours of traveling..
... I've arrived in Dublin! The man at immigration was very grouchy and then the airline broke one of my suitcases... so not the best start. BUT, I finally dragged my two huge suitcases to the bus and then down the streets of Dublin to my hostel and got settled. It's a pretty nice hostel... I'm in a room with 2 bunk beds and I'm the only one here so far, so it's nice to have some alone time before everyone gets here.
So far I've explored the streets near my hostel and grabbed dinner at a cute little cafe. It was a bit lonely eating by myself, but I had a book and I people watched. I'm going to sleep early so that I can get up early to bring my suitcases downstairs for Arcadia to bring to my housing in Galway.
So far I've explored the streets near my hostel and grabbed dinner at a cute little cafe. It was a bit lonely eating by myself, but I had a book and I people watched. I'm going to sleep early so that I can get up early to bring my suitcases downstairs for Arcadia to bring to my housing in Galway.
Safe and sound...
...in my yotel in heathrow airport,London. Writing from my iPod because my mac charger doesn't work with these plugs. The room is small but surprisingly nice. Nap time!
Friday, August 27, 2010
After many hours of online research...
... I've decided that going into London is probably too risky with my time limit, and far too stressful. So, I looked around for other options and now I'm getting a room in the "Yotel" at Heathrow. It's a place where, if you have a long layover, you go and you can sleep, shower, watch tv, go online, etc. Essentially, just a mini version of a hotel for Heathrow. It's gotten great reviews, so I think I'll be fine.
I'll be seeing London soon enough, but not on a time limit and not half asleep after a 6 hour flight. Now, when I get to dublin I'll be refreshed and ready to wander the streets!
I'll be seeing London soon enough, but not on a time limit and not half asleep after a 6 hour flight. Now, when I get to dublin I'll be refreshed and ready to wander the streets!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
I'm leavin' on a jetplane...
... tomorrow at 6:30 pm out of dulles. I've been pretty anxious for the past week or so, but today it has evolved into more of a pure excitement and a need to get outta here.
I've said the majority of my goodbyes, the only ones left are my gw sirens (the all girls acapella group I'm in at GWU) and my parents. Both will be difficult, but I know that it will be worth it once I'm abroad and having all of these new experiences.
I'm arriving in Heathrow on saturday around 7 am, so I will be taking the tube into the city to do some walking around and to see some sights. I leave Heathrow at 4:15 pm, and will be getting into Dublin at 5:40 pm. Then I'll be going to the abbey court hostel, which is apparently extremely well located. Then Arcadia's orientation begins!! I've already started talking to people going through arcadia from different schools, so I look forward to meeting them in person.
Tonight I will be going to the Vapiano's in chinatown, one of my favorite dinner and drinks spots, to have a final hurrah with my GW best friends. This summer has definitely become a contender for best summer of my life, and I'm leaving Maryland feeling very happy, very lucky, and very optimistic about this year.
I've said the majority of my goodbyes, the only ones left are my gw sirens (the all girls acapella group I'm in at GWU) and my parents. Both will be difficult, but I know that it will be worth it once I'm abroad and having all of these new experiences.
I'm arriving in Heathrow on saturday around 7 am, so I will be taking the tube into the city to do some walking around and to see some sights. I leave Heathrow at 4:15 pm, and will be getting into Dublin at 5:40 pm. Then I'll be going to the abbey court hostel, which is apparently extremely well located. Then Arcadia's orientation begins!! I've already started talking to people going through arcadia from different schools, so I look forward to meeting them in person.
Tonight I will be going to the Vapiano's in chinatown, one of my favorite dinner and drinks spots, to have a final hurrah with my GW best friends. This summer has definitely become a contender for best summer of my life, and I'm leaving Maryland feeling very happy, very lucky, and very optimistic about this year.
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