First Rain

So today was the first day I saw rain in Ireland... it was REALLY windy this morning, but then the wind died down and the rain kept on trickling.

I went to NUIG for a historical talk on Galway presented by a retired lecturer. It was really interesting. Whereas Kansas City only recently had its bicentennial, Ireland has a rich history dating back to the Mesolithic period and Galway has a pretty rich history itself. Plus, the lecturer was pretty b.a. because he himself had, in his younger years, been part of underwater excavations that proved Normans had come to Galway centuries ago.

The tour meant to happen after the talk was canceled by accidental communication. Instead, I joined a couple of people and we did our own exploration, beginning with lunch at a cute bakery. I had a delicious veggie wrap and the treats in the bakery made me think fondly of both Costa Rica and Paris (and warmer days). Then we wandered about the city center and somehow made our way to the Galway City museum and checked that out for a bit. An interesting and warm break from the chill. Then we did a bit of shopping for a combined dinner... I also bought warm fuzzy socks that look like they should be for little girls, but they keep my feet warm so I don't care. Oh, speaking of shopping, we found a couple of really neat fair trade stores. I think if I crack down and decide to buy a scarf (I have so many at home and yet I forgot to bring one!) that I will buy a fair trade one, yay! The fair trade store also made me happy and think of my Gittingers!

We came back to my apartment and a new friend cooked up dinner while I helped with clean up: veggie sausages and sweet potatoes with feta cheese, yummy! We hung around for a bit, enjoying some Will and Grace when my roommate came in. Slightly awkward, sad to say. Her name is Irena, she is from Italy and seems like she is nice. Sadly, her smoking habit and my lungs and allergy induced asthma don't really get along. I felt bad admitting this and even worse finding out that the other flatmate smokes as well... it'll be interesting to see what happens... I mean, I'm not as bad as I was when I was little, oh Lordy I'd be dead by now, but it still really bothers me and I could feel my throat tightening when she was smoking in the kitchen. The nice bit, though, is that they only smoke in the kitchen, not the bedroom. Bad thing is, I also go in the kitchen... maybe we can figure out an open window option... I'm not sure. All that I know is that their right to smoke and mine to breathe sort of conflict and I don't want to be rude/a pain/a bitch... what a great first impression I must've made.

To avoid awkwardness, my friends and I headed on back to the city center to go to a pub. There they got dessert and at another a drink. Didn't stay out long... oddly sleepy here in Galway. For now, I blame the cold and the rain, once I know more people and can get some dancing mates I'll be set to stay out longer.

Tomorrow is the first day in which I don't have anything planned for... except figuring out this smoking situation, oh joy...