I kissed the Blarney Stone

Earliest wake up yet to get to the bus from Galway to Cork, leaving city centre at 7 am. I got a little nervous b/c my travel buddies, Mandy, Caitlyn and her new roommate Chelsea, got there just in time. That's right, in Ireland, I am early (shocking, I know!).

So we took a 3 hr or so bus to Cork. I stayed awake for a good bit of it and was amazed by the scenery along the way---it was pitch black to begin with... thus sleeping... but later on it was beautiful landscapes of green. We made a pit stop in Limerick so I guess I can say that I've "been there." In Cork we explored the shop street area for a bit before catching the bus to Blarney. Almost afraid we wouldn't fit on, but yay for standing space... on a half hr bus ride...

In Blarney we followed the whole bus full of people towards the castle. Once on the estate, we took our time being full tourists and taking pictures of everything! The Castle is so impressive! We started out at the dungeons area. I went back a ways, but once you had to crouch down or crawl to go I stopped... mud, big backpack, small spaces, I'm sorry, I took a picture but didn't go much farther. Eventually, after checking out the inside of what used to be the watchtower we entered the castle.

The castle is interesting in that you can see through three floors or so at a time because the old floors/ceilings are no longer there. So, at the base I could see the level that held the family room and where that fireplace used to be, then above it a ways another fireplace for the banquet hall, and then yet again above more evidence of another room. It was really neat walking through the different rooms and reading the signs, especially those that helped explain how such and such was made in order to help beat back attackers on the castle. EX: an area right next to the kitchen from which you could pour boiling oil onto unwelcome visitors.

At the top we got in line to kiss the stone. It was a most beautiful day, and we had perfect timing b/c sprinkles just started to fall as we neared the stone. I was first to go and sat down while the guy held onto me, grabbed hold of the two bars, leaned back/crawled down and kissed the stone before being helped back up.

After fully exploring the castle we checked out the grounds. We went to Rock Close, a place that really did feel enchanted (as cheesy as it sounds). Following the arrows we saw ancient rocks forming Druid's Circle, within which it is believed that you are protected from evil spirits. We climbed the wishing steps, checked out the Witch's fireplace and hugged a couple of awesome trees. The natural beauty was phenomenal. Not that Galway City isn't lovely, but I was needing me some trees and greenery!

Then we waited around for the bus back to Cork. Ate and bought a hoodie in Cork (I didn't pack right at all for Ireland but can justify buying clothes if it is a hoodie/souvenir... it's green and says "Ireland" on it of course). Then the bus ride back. First half sleeping, second half talking with Mandy and Chelsea, sharing stories about our pets, friends and families. I miss you all!

First adventure within Ireland outside of Galway was a blast!

I saw the Sun!

No classes today.

I got up and tried to work on homework. Read about the tragedy of the commons... it takes a lot of effort to get hw done here and I didn't give it much effort. I took a nap, yes, I took a nap after only 2 hrs of being up... Irene was still sleeping, I didn't feel bad about it. I had a 12 noon appt with Immigration, which is conveniently right in front of my apartment.

The Garda who took care of my paperwork was quite friendly. The guy who gave the talk at orientation made it seem rather scary, far from the truth. The worst part of it was paying the 150 euro fee. My guy was nice, he awkwardly said, "Now Jillian, I'm afraid here is where we have to ask you to pay for the pleasure of your company here." At least I walked out of there with a cool immigration card, and not a bad picture.. .or at least I've had worse.

I met up with Mandy at the Square. We bought our bus tickets for tomorrow, 10 euro more than what it said online. That lady, however, was quite unpleasant. Boo to her. We then made our way out to the bay to explore in the sun, sans the hurricane winds. I will soon post pictures of Ireland in the sun (after the Blarney and Burren trips).

Once we started venturing out onto the rocks, it began to hail. It was Ireland's way of saying "get off the rocks you silly Americans." So we listened, then went grocery shopping (I already ate all the grapes I bought... sad). On my way back I visited Caitlyn who moved to a closer apartment complex.

Nothing exciting tonight. I need to do hw, so far I have eaten, gotten online, eaten a bit more and then watched Bones. Now I'm going to start my homework... for real, I swear!

Bought my boots!

Today I got up at 7, that's the earliest so far here!
I went to school early in order to get one of the International Students' Society's 11 euro tickets for the upcoming (next Friday) trip to Conemarra. turns out the SocBox didn't even open until 10. But I worked on my Irish while waiting, I can now remember the simple greetings, can't tell you if my pronunciation is right but, "Dia duit" is May God be upon you, aka Hello. And "Is mise Jillian" is I am Jillian. Too bad Irish doesn't sound like it reads... I can't even begin to explain how that first one sounds... The second one is sort of like "ees meesha..."

So I was late to my Social Stratification and Inequalities class, but you're given a 10-15 minute period in which it's definitely ok for you to be late within so all was good. We actually had a lecture in this first class. A small seminar, I think it will be interesting, especially once I get over the fact that my professor has the most horrible comb over ever... Cheap shot I know, I like the guy ok though so it wasn't meant to be malicious.

Then I had Irish. I like that class a lot. Dathi, pronounced da-hee, is our professor and is very energetic and just good at teaching Irish. We get some of the grammar but it's mostly about talking, which is what languages are for- I'm waiting for language teachers in the US to realize that...
After class I stayed around at the library until Mandy was done with hers so that we could go get our mountaineering gear together. We wound up getting the same boots, cheapest ones at 75 but we got 10% off so wohoo! We then proceeded to get me a rain jacket, her waterproof pants, we split a package of socks and we both got pretty kick ass (aka huge) beanies. Now I only need gloves, I wish I'd though to have those shipped, oh well!

Then return home and not much else done. I attempted homework, ate a ton of pb (it's terribly addictive, and what's this I hear of a salmonella breakout in the PB at home?!). I did a wee bit of hw and then got online- found out that one of my scholarships is in limbo b/c it needs to be signed for... -, lost track of time. I did figure out the buses and times for the Blarney Stone adventure on Saturday and am now ready for the hike on Sunday to The Burren so all was not lost!

Two parties in one night, I sound like I have a life!

So on weds I don't start until 2. So I spent the morn researching Cork. I believe I might be kissing a stone this weekend... and possibly be granted the Eloquence the Blarney Stone is said to bestow.

I had my first class of Irish today... yeah, I don't remember hardly anything, I remember how to say hello, which in Irish actually translates "May God be upon you" but I feel as though I'm pronouncing it not quite right. Well, I've got it again tomorrow so we'll see!

Then to Developmental geography, with a one hr break, and then developmental geography again. Does that make any sense to you? It doesn't to me either... So far, the most frustrating thing about classes is that all the teachers keep saying they will post notes/assingments/readings on Blackboard. I can't access Blackboard until I register for the classes... next week. Ugh.

So anyways, I came home, ate, talked with Caitlyn about the Saturday excursion to the stone and then somehow saw time pass until I had to make my trek to the city center for the Hispano Society's party at Bar 8 and then the International Students' Society Party at Paddy's Pub.

The Hispano Soc's party was lovely! Very chill. I got there and they provided sangria. I quite enjoyed it, very fruity, and not high on the alcohol content so it was easy to drink a few. I met some really awesome people. Surprisingly, most of the people I meet aren't Irish, although half of them here were, but I met a few Germans at the welcome party. then, of course, I met some Spaniards and even a French guy. Quite the international shin dig, lots of people like Spanish I guess. It was nice, I really enjoyed the conversation. I feel likeit was a nice alternative to the drunk sillyness that followed at the ISS party. Plus, one girl at the Hisp Soc gave me further incentive to backpack through Latin America b/c she did so just recently, 6 months (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela) and had a blast! I also keep finding out how small the world is b/c there she met some Irish guys also backpacking and come to find out they knew some of the same people.

Anyways, I left there after about an hr and a half to meet up with my friend Yeekay (pronounced as if you say the letters "E K") at the ISS party. Met some new people there, danced a bit (horrible music but fun times) and then left. Now I'm looking at my calendar and figuring out when I'm going where... homework will wait for Friday I think...

Presidential Inauguration!

Tuesday classes: Cooperation and conflict and econ. I'd planned on going shopping for mt club gear with Mandy, but the rain made me so cold and I, stupidly, hadn't worn my boots and so I felt more like staying inside. So the library kept me warm and I read about the ivory trade.

At 4:30 the College Bar had an inauguration party. I should've gotten there early, it was packed! But oh so good! Yay President Obama! I'm pretty sure he almost brought me to tears at one point, go ahead and laugh, I don't care, it was brilliant! Although I must say, could they have picked a bigger weirdo for the prayer?

Anyways, after the inauguration party at the college bar, I went with two others to the King's Head pub in the city centre. There they were watching it as well as the follow up. I got to see Bush fly away, it was spectacular!

From there I returned to campus for the Film Society's showing of Amelie, an adorable French movie. Located in Paris, it was really exciting to be able to think "I've been there!" or "I love Montmartre!" After that, I went on home, talked with Caitlyn a bit and have possibly decided to go down to Cork this weekend, we'll see. I think our schedules conflict but I'm still going to look into it. I sort of wish I hadn't been so cold and eager to go home and warm up, or that maybe I'd turned my cell phone off of silent b/c I'd missed a text and call from Mandy. Evidently they found a pub with trad music and dancing! I'm here for more than 4 more months, I'll get to it, no worries.

Sad: I lost one of my hoop earings... damn
Happy: I got a package from home! Thank you! But come on, only 5 pictures? Oh well, I've got tons on the computer, the 5 are definitely an improvement! Thanks, I truly appreciate it!

Mountaineering Monday

Sunday: Mass here is different. No singing, dull, and not very "praise the Lord" ... not quite a fan... but maybe it'll grow on me. I can also look for another one. The priest was quite droll. Only interesting bit was that the "Our Father" was in Irish.

Monday:
Classes: I'm a nerd and I think I'm going to keep the globalization and democracy class. Econ is neat as well, although not half so much. Library: damn people checked out the class book I need... and I kind of refuse to buy it so I'll try again tomorrow. Also, grr to the library and being an international student b/c my ID doesn't work yet and I couldn't check out books on the ivory trade.

Came home, enjoyed some convo with flatmate Rachel. She's quite interesting, hehe. Ate dinner, went out for the mountaineering club's free slide show. There, the treasurer, Danielle, who I'd met at clubs day, gave me an old pair of waterproof trousers (one less thing to buy, yay!), so very kind of her! We saw four different presentations. One person hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro... totally want to do it now. The other three were climbers... that's a bit too much for me. Although the pictures and stories were great, I prefer keeping my feet on the ground, plus, upper body strength is kind of lacking. I think they've got an excursion this weekend and if I can find boots, a rain jacket, hat, and gloves I'm totally going to be there!

Saturday= hurricane like winds

Friday night recap: the people I was with are silly. We met at a pub called the Skeff, good central location. After walking around town, in and out of pubs, where did we wind up, the Skeff! I returned home sort of early, wasn't tired and so I tried my first surfthechannel viewing. Apparently one cannot watch tv shows for free online when outside of the US, thus surfthechannel. But you can only watch 72 mins at a time... I definitely hadn't reached my 72 minutes before it kicked me off of my NCIS viewing, so I stayed up another 54 mins to wait to finish my show... it was worth it though.

Saturday
After a 15 min battle against wind and rain, I gave up on my walk to the square for an exploration of the Claddagh region of the city. I just couldn't do it. Later on, around 3 we tried again and I managed to make it to the centre before hail started to fall. What the heck?! I left tornado alley back in the states, what's with the winds and the hail? Anyways, Mandy, Chelsea and I braved the winds and checked out the Claddagh 'museum' and then crossed the river to see the, now more modern, Claddagh region.

The wind was so bad it was comical! We seriously couldn't walk forwards at times. We took a path towards the beach area. We discovered that if you jump, the wind would move you. A dog we'd seen at the centre was in the field and he came over and sort of worked as our guide along the beach area. It was so pretty and the view of the mts in the distance was beautiful too, but I could barely steady my camera in order to take a picture, the wind was so bad!

Although the wind is against me on my way to the center, it pushed me home... almost into the street at one point, but home nonetheless. Back at home i didn't do much until Caitlyn invited me over. We just hung out, ate dinner, and surfed the tv. Kind of boring but good company.

Then, highlight of the day (not that the exploration and wind battle wasn't awesome) was my first talk home! Yes, I'd only made one previous phone call home in the 11 days since being here. My parents, with Kayla's help, finally got Skype and I got to talk to all three! I even 'heard' the dogs bark.. and then Mom actually got them to bark. It was fantastic!

Sunday
Went grocery shopping and am doing my first round of laundry; I stuffed that little machine... it reminded me of the one in Paris, but it's not a washer and dryer all-in-one so I have a little more faith in it. I'm headed to mass at 6 at the cathedral and I'm pre-praying that the wind and rain will stop between 5:20 and 6 while I walk there and then please be calm on my way back!