I don't really know where to start.
I know that i haven't had a real post for a few days now, but that's because i've been going nonstop since the plane touched down. Today i finally hit a wall, so i took it easy, knowing that i will probably keep going full tilt when i do have the energy again.
From Thursday morning through Saturday we had a lot of time taken up with orientation. This wasn't a bad thing seeing as how the staff (all three of them), are the best! We also got hooked up with free meals and planned excursions around and outside the city.
We were taken out to dinner at two really cool restaurants, we familiarized ourselves with the academic center, and we went over procedures. All of these things, in my opinion, were wonderful, but what we did in the gaps of time around these planned out blocks got me really excited about what i'll find here in Ireland.
After our first day of orientation, but before the first dinner, we were let loose from the schedule for about 5 hours or so. Champlain had put together a scavenger hunt for us. Something to help us learn about Dublin and how to get around, while at the same time showing us some of the sights and historical parts of the city.
Interest in the hunt (at least for me and my group) lasted about as long as it took us to get outside.
After quickly stuffing the list into my backpack we dove head first into Dublin.
In just a few hours we covered a good chunk of the city. I had done some exploring on my own a few days before, but this adventure was a little different. We went and saw the Book of Kells. The book was very cool, but to me, what was even better was the Old Trinity College Library. You couldn't take pictures, and there were security personnel all around to enforce this, so hopefully this picture off the interwebz will show up to all you outside followers. I'm still working out the kinks with pictures.
At that point, this was the coolest thing i'd seen in Ireland.
Before the the Trinity Library we wandered around St. Stephens Green, and Merrion Square Park. The second park is where the Oscar Wilde statue lazily lounges on a rock face near the pathway.
The best part of Dublin (at least for me), is that you don't need to be at the Book of Kells, or the Guinness Brewhouse to feel like you're seeing amazing sights. Every cobble stone street and back alleyway is an adventure. Yes, it is true that Dublin is a very westernized, and that parts of it are quite modern, but everywhere you look there's something that throws you back in time. Be it a church that's hundreds of years old (they're like a dime a dozen! and they are beautiful! We walk past St. Patrick's Cathedral on our way to school), or row houses that sweep around corners and snake around the city, and there are always pubs. Lots and lots of pubs.
The next day blew any of the previous days out of the water.
By a long shot.
When we flew into Dublin last Tuesday morning the sun was just coming up.
While we waited for room on the runway we looped out over the Irish Sea and as we flew back towards Dublin we saw from our windows this peninsula of land north of the city. It was almost completely dark, with lights only covering a sliver or the coast.
Hannah and i wondered what it could be. So close to the city, yet seemingly so remote.
Well on Friday we were given an answer!
On the north shore of the knob of land is the seaside fishing village of Howth. Pronounced like "both".
After another morning of orientation, our director, Dr. Stephen Robinson, led our group to Pearse St. Station handed out a return (round trip) ticket to everyone, destination: Howth.
We all hopped onboard the next train and "DARTed"* out of Dublin and up the coast.
*(Dublin Area Rapid Transit)
Upon arrival, we took a few pictures with the group, and then Stephen, Lilly, and Claire (the other two staff) waved goodbye and took the next train back.
I feel like this is where another chapter would start in a book.
It was BEAUTIFUL weather. We walked down the pier/street towards the water, looking at the fish mongers, and the seals chillin' in the harbor, and we took loads of photos of the Eye of Ireland, a huge island offshore to the north.
One thing that we didn't do was look behind us. If we had we would have seen the ever changing Irish weather closing in fast. By the time i turned around the rain was charging down the pier (that we were trapped at the end of) and before we could really react at all it was upon us.
Here's my favorite part. Basically everyone was thrilled to get caught in an Irish rain storm!
Nobody seemed to mind a bit, and that in many ways, set the stage for the rest of the day.
From the pier we headed for the cliffs.
At THAT point the Trinity College Library couldn't keep up.
I know for a fact that it'll be mundane soon enough, but i'd never seen anything like it.
I'll let the pictures explain. (tomorrow)
We had an amazing afternoon, and then we headed back to town for dinner.
The next day was the last bit of orientation and then we had the rest of the afternoon to explore, and i took off alone.
That will have to be another blog. I'll post about my solo trip to Greystones tomorrow, but i have my first class bright and early so i need to get to bed.
Oh and by the way. As of right now, the trek to Greystones was by far the best thing yet.
You'll see why tomorrow.
Let me try and upload one picture here...
(that was on Howth)
stay tuned.
be happy!
Andy
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