Finally Here!

The advice that I got for my actual flight over to Ireland was to make sure that I slept on the plane to reduce the effects of jet lag.  But who could actually sleep on a flight when it's your first time going to another country (Canada doesn't count), and there are countless movies at your fingertips, on a screen less than 2 feet away from your face?  I know I'm not the only one who would choose "The Social Network" and "The Dark Knight" over 7 hours of sleep.


So after 13 hours of flight time, I finally made it.  And although my accommodations were not really quite as nice as advertised online, I've just about settled in.  Apparently they don't heat their apartments during the break.  The first night of sleep included basically all the warm clothes I owned..  Grocery shopping is an ever-evolving art, as is my cooking.  I've got breakfast down I think, and lunch is pretty easy but if anyone has any student-friendly dinner recipes, I'll forever be grateful!  


There is not a whole lot of culture shock to overcome in my opinion.  The language is the same (the slang is a different story, although not too difficult), the people are more welcoming and open than the typical New Englander, which makes asking questions and getting around a little bit easier.  The whole "driving on the left side of the road" thing is still a little bizarre.  One thing that I've noticed about the whole of ireland so far:  Everything is smaller.  The houses are low-profile, the supermarket food portions are much less (no King-size or family size), the cars are smaller, and the ceilings even seem to be lower.


But the bus routes are getting more familiar, Dublin is not as much of a maze anymore, and the 4 of us here from Holy Cross and some other american students are planning our first trip to Kilkenny this weekend.  Let the traveling begin!


Classes just started today. 150+ student lecture halls are so alien.  I don't feel like I'm in class, I feel like I'm in an orientation seminar.  Again, more to get used to.

Bedroom

This kitchen is b**chin

the living room. kitchen behind me