Fun, Frenzies, and Fitzgerald's: A Dialogue with Myself

 So with this weekend being such a whirlwind of fun, new experiences I don't want to bore you with story format. How about Q+A style?

  ({Travels in Dublin..and more})

    

What is the best, a.k.a. worst mode of transportation when studying abroad?

            

      Taxis. They're awful, they're wonderful. Yet something about uttering the words "that will be 23 euro" makes me want to throw up, especially when you hear it five times. That's right folks, from out hotel in Blanchardstown to our locations in Dublin, the average far was around 21-24 euros each time. Hooray for free bus passes while in Waterford.

  Where did you stay and what was the best part?

           Myself, Ashton, and two other girls we met in the program resided at the Crowne Plaza of Blanchardstown (7km outside of Dublin). For a 3 star price, we snagged a deal on lastminute (EU version of Travelocity) for a five star hotel. While others hugged the sheets of a gross hostel for the same price we thought outside the box and searched online. The best part? Oh goodness, perhaps it was the marvelous breakfast that was located in the hotel's restaurant Forcetta (not free unfortunately) or the easy peasy access to the largest shopping center in Ireland right across the street.

Mmmmm, comfy and beautiful.

Crowne Plaza, Blanchardstown.

Whoa, careful now. Don't drool.

Did I mention the unlimited espresso machine.

Best meal of the weekend?

     Easy one...veggie burger wrap with mint and cilantro peas. Delicioussssss. My goodness. 

Hey! I told you to stop drooling already.

 Most beautiful sight in Dublin?

      While on a field trip walk with our literature teacher, we had the opportunity to spend a few moments inside St. Stephens Cathedral. I've seen so many remarkable sights while traveling in Ireland, but there's something about high ceilings and romanticized scenes of the beauty of Christ's death for us that brought tear to my eyes. The fact that human hands built the walls of this cathedral all for the glory of God gave me absolute chills.

Whoa.

 Were there any lows while on the trip?

            You would think after a great sleep in the cloud-like downs of the hotel I would wake up feeling renewed. I was proven wrong when a train of homesickness smacked me in the face the next morning. I woke up with the weight of heartache; missing everyone back home and all of the comforts home brings. It was dreadful to be honest, and I let that feeling follow me most of the day. An evening at the movie theater (Despicable Me 2!) and a night with friends numbed me to the feeling for a few hours, but the next morning I once again became weighed down by the feeling. I woke up at 7am and snuck out to have some "me-time". Settled in a Starbucks across the street I stared at the countless gray clouds and drops of rain searching for some feeling of familiarity. I knew in that moment the only place I could ever seek refuge was in the arms of the Father. I came across an online devotional discussing the gift of the holy spirit. Oh man, it was truly a wake-up call. I mean HELLO, God gave us the ultimate helper for everything, and yet I for two days I failed to see it. After reading John 14:16-"and I will ask the Father, and he will give you a helper, who will be with you forever.- I felt the familiar arms of home in the holy spirit. I may be 4000 miles from home, but God is still beside me-no matter the country I may be in. So yes, in one sense of the word it was most definitely a low, but for God he received all of the glory. Sometimes we have to have the low to know what it feels like for Jesus to pick us up again.

God-time at Starbucks.

   

    A joyful memory of Dublin.

        Two evenings in a row we found ourselves at a Dublin-based pub called Fitzgerald's. Featuring a live band and friendly staff, it was nice to be a place that felt personal. Unlike the other pubs on Temple Bar, it wasn't jam packed and the locals called this place home unlike local tourists spots. There was something really cool about feeling like a local - singing along to local songs and seeing the smiles on everyone's faces. In that moment, although we were all strangers from other countries, we were just alike in that joyful moment of life. 

Temple Bar

Fitzgeralds.

  

Love her.

Tell your readers about an interesting "first" you experienced in Dublin.

     I had my first Guinness ya'll. Regardless of all the critics out there who call this crap, I loved it. I was disappointed I did not have the opportunity to tour the factory while in Dublin (my lit. class was on a historic trip, unlike the business class who got to tour and taste). Anyways, I definitely think Guinness will be labeled as my beer of choice. 

Hey, I thought it was good. 

A favorite purchase of the weekend.

    I'm going to name a few actually, because they've been pretty awesome. 

1. Scarvesssss - they're big here in Ireland and well...I did a poor job of packing to say it lightly.
2. Coffee press - whaddup handcrafted coffee; I feel like a pro.

      

1 of 3 (easy to find cheap ones here thank goodness)

3. This purse - it has three forms of protection for getting it open,  so I can finally use something other than a backpack..safe and stylish

mmmmm

50% off too. Ahhh.

     Obviously, I love talking to myself; can ya tell? Well that's about it friends. Obviously there a billion pictures from this weekend, but I included the best ones to keep things lively. I hope you enjoyed Dublin through my eyes, but I do encourage you all to experience it for yourself. It's truly something else. The NYC of Ireland and international meeting center for millions. 

*A few fun moments on the train, etc.*

It was also Sara's Birthday, 19!

Dinner at Fitzgeralds.

My "going out" outfit. Fun fact: You don't have to look like a tramp to enjoy an evening.

Question about my travels? Check out my contact box on the right of my blog. Your message will be sent straight to my inbox! :) 

Waterford bound.

Lovely weekend folks, train bound for Waterford. :) post coming tomorrow about the weekends festivities! 

A Few Days Away

Dublin  for the weekend so just a heads up I will be "taking a few days off" of blogger due to the lack of computer capabilities. However, I wanted to use this post to share a few interesting facts about Irish culture and the strange moments I've had.

•       Toilets...not restrooms, don't confuse them.
•     They do not care quite as much about beauty products...it's crazy hard to find make-up and good hair products here. They keep it simple, and like it that way. My hair..doesn't.
•  By some magical capabilities they must not get sick that often, don't expect to find a variety of medications to suit your ill needs. Also, they only have ONE type of aspirin here.
•   After a friend ordered baileys and coke, she proceeded to mix them: the bar-tenders response? THAT'S BLASPHEMY!
• Potatoes aren't there main deal here, they are a regular item just like everything else.
• Considering there beautiful use of the English language, of course they say things like "mind our children" on street signs. Unlike us where we throw a stick figure up and hope that rings a bell with stupid drivers. 
• It's hard to eat out for less than $15. 
•  The toilets are shaped differently...perhaps this has something to do with American butts. I really would love to know the origination of toilet lid shapes.

   Ok that's it for now. Trust me, I could write a novel about all of the differences here compared to American way..but for now I think i'll keep the ball rolling and see what other interesting facts I find. Until then...have a great weekend! :) Stay dry in Georgia...seems like yall have gotten more rain than we have.

Classes All Day, Locals at Night

   


Simple post today folks. Classes all day, and a local pub for cider and music! The atmosphere was like a movie, I think it's finally hitting me that i'm actually in Ireland! Holy moly....


       Love you sweet friends! :)

Rebellion, Vinegar, and a Side of Castles

                 

 I think it's safe to say that every site we visit continuously amazes me. So there is no sight of boredom in my future to say the least. I'm a little pooped today, so short on the "wordage" and heavy on the pictchas. How ya feel about that? Good, I thought you might like that.


   Sight one, 1798 Irish Rebellion Museum:

* Our tour guide was incredible, his light humor and clear obsession with Irish history made this tour smooth and there weren't even any signs of drooling or nodding off. GO TOUR GUIDE!
* This museum, remodeled just this past year, was packed full of nifty interactive exhibits and a storyline that played out like a movie.

 

Sight two, Vinegar Hill:

*sight two is actually more like part two of sight one. It is the actual sight of one of the most deadly battles of the Irish Rebellion. Chosen on the basis of it's convenient location for long sight range, Vinegar Hill holds not only rich history but one of the most remarkable views of the Irish countryside for miles around.

Our sweet program guide Olivia and program director Dan.

Sight three, Jamestown Castle:

*This was more of a literal "sight to see" complete with wandering peacocks and ornamental fountains, this castle was a picture perfect example of architecture of the era.

Keeping up with it.

   

This is a random little rant. I am actually going to break up today's post into two parts just in case ya want to skip over this part and get to today's festivities.

    With fitness and health becoming such a passion of mine, i've had to remind myself that this isn't vacation. yes! I do want to enjoy myself, but letting myself become sedentary in such a beautiful place; well that would be a waste wouldn't it? With that being said, i'm doing less running here due to the whole "crossing the street ordeal" (learning the lane direction), and not to mention the business of the streets leaves little room for comfortable running. I am however beginning to enjoy yoga. It helps start the day off on the right note. Here in Ireland, they do not ask " have you had breakfast?". They ask "are you set for the day?". They taking their morning routine pretty seriously here so I feel inclined to do the day. Today's workout was cut short due to lack hearing the alarm. To make up for it, a date with Shaun T of Insanity. Max interval training at it's finest. That's it really. But I figured an online commitment in front of all of you readers will help keep me accountable!

   Next, food! Today's highlights were tea at Jameston Castle and the lovely dinner I made myself :)

     Ashton and I have made it our mission to experience every tea room we encounter on historical sites such as these. Tea for two and a split pastry makes the cost efficient and the indulgence light. (Tea , 1.80)

    Dinner, okay to be honest. I kicked butt at this one. Pan fried turkey breast with mushrooms + salad with light honey dressing/hazelnuts + rye bread with sunflower butter and rhubarb preserves.

Are ya from Georgia?

First day of classes everyone, and everything went pretty well. My teachers are amazing and they make the whole transition of sitting in a classroom during the adventure of a lifetime an easy one. So shout out to the faculty---thank you!


     Breakfast- school provided
   

     Lunch- school provided. I seriously wish I would have taken a quick picture though because it was incredible. hand-tossed salad and a whole wheat roll with light butter.

     Dinner- Dinner, on the other hand, was an unexpected treat. After a few errands at the Tessco (european kroger) we decided dinner in town would be a nice way to end the first day of classes. We ended up eating at Bodega! A traditional Irish restaurant with a farm fresh flare. While the meal was rather pricey; it was worth the atmosphere, memories, and service. I had the Lemon white fish which was poached and drizzled with mushroom cream. Served atop traditional irish veggies with a side of mashed potatoes (fun fact--this is the first serving of potatoes i've had since arriving). I paired it with a Takun Reserve Merlot. This meal came out to be about 24 euro. Pricey but worth it!

beautiful chandeliers and candle light

handmade oat rolls with seed oil and vinaigrette 

Lemon poached fish and mushroom cream atop whipped potatoes

:)

***For those of those with quizzical thoughts on the whole alcohol thing, Ireland's drinking age is 18. Yes, my grandparents know i'm having the occasional drink while visiting. I am not ashamed of being responsible and having a drink to enjoy it, not to get drunk. I have more class than that ya know.
:)

Dessert: Just a short way up the road is a popular pub called Geoff's. An important aspect we were reminded of at orientation is that Ireland is only stereotyped as a drunken country. IT'S NOT! Just like the whole sugar concept, Irish locals enjoy things not abuse them. Therefore your local pub is a place for all families and loners. They serve delicious food and even coffee. Tonight we had black coffee with pear and almond tart with a scoop of ice cream. (6 euro)

Not to mention their sweets here aren't loaded with
sugar, but homemade ingredients and light sugar.

Ashton and our roommate Sara!

Tomorrow, castle tour and Dublin weekend planning! Stay tuned folks :)