Planes, Orientation and [Irish] Automobiles

So I'm finally at my student housing and it's wonderful. I shouldn't really say finally or make it italicized since that makes it seem like the journey to get here was not enjoyed when in fact it was. I guess I'll start with my flights.

 My first flight from San Diego to New Jersey wasn't too bad, but wasn't that great either. First of all, going through security and all that wasn't that bad which was my biggest fear (besides getting lost and breaking down and crying in the middle of the airport [which didn't happen]). After I found my gate I went to get a bottle of water which was ridiculously priced at $3.19!!! They should not be allowed to charge that much for something that's a necessity. Stupid airport. The airline also changed my seat from an aisle to the middle which sucked terribly. I could not find a comfortable way to sit or sleep and I was getting warm, but it's pretty much impossible to take off a sweater when you're sitting in the middle seat on a plane. At least I was next to two not fat guys so they weren't oozing over onto my side, and they both slept/read so I didn't have to try to make conversation with them.

flying out of New Jersey

New Jersey again

and again

Flying into Dublin! haha

and again

When we landed in New Jersey I immediately went to find my gate for the group flight which took a bit of time. I showed some lady my ticket and she told me to continue going the way I was going and when I got to another lady she pointed me in another direction, which was the correct one (thanks first lady). So I went through security again, found the study abroad group lounge/meeting area, and sat to wait for my flight. This flight was so much better. First, I got a window seat, second the middle seat was empty so I and the girl with the aisle seat had so much room! I got to sleep against the side of the plane and put my feet up on the seat, it was grand!! Then the food they gave us actually wasn't that bad. We had a dinner which was this chicken teriyaki type bowl with rice and veggies, salad, a roll and a cookie. Then we had a light breakfast which was a croissant and a bowl of fruit.

So we landed in Dublin at like 7 in the morning (which is like 11 pm in California) and were met by the study abroad people and got on coaches (buses) to be taken the the O'Callaghan Mont Clare Hotel where we were staying. The first thing I noticed? The COLD!! HAHA it actually wasn't AS cold as I was expecting, but then again we were walking very fast to the buses and carrying all our luggage so maybe I just didn't notice how bad it was. But you could see everyone's breath even inside of some of the walkways, it was cool.

There was nothing really planned for the first day in Ireland except for a dinner at 5 so we had all day to do whatever--not sleep because we wouldn't sleep that night! I went out with a few girls who were at the orientation and went to this little restaurant called Lemon. I had this mint tea and it was delicious!!! But while we were there I started to feel a little sick--most likely from all the traveling and such-- so I went back to the hotel and did what we were advised not to do-slept. haha! I didn't even go to dinner cause I slept through that!! Bad me. Oh well! So over the next couple days we had orientation things and such, but I was still feeling just off cause of traveling and time difference so I really didn't go out and do much, which I was okay with since I'll be able to actually do that stuff when Olivia, Mum and Mac come over in April!! So I didn't feel bad. But I did have the hotel room to myself since the girl who was supposed to be my roommate dropped out which was kinda nice cause I was able to throw my stuff everywhere for a couple of days. haha!

Delicious mint tea!!!

On Wednesday we left Dublin and went to Galway (I was the only person in the orientation group not going to the University of Galway, but went with them anyway). Maria, one of the study abroad leaders went with the group to Galway and then she and I came down to The Burren on Thursday (today). Maria and I stayed at Menlow Park Hotel in Galway which was really nice. I got my own room and there was even a queen bed which I got all to myself, it was lovely! Maria and I ate in the hotel restaurant and I ordered my first Guinness and drank a few sips and never touched it again. Then I met up with a few of the Galway students from orientation and we hung out for awhile before I went to bed.

In the morning, Maria and I left for Ballyvaughan! It was my first time in an Irish car and I wasn't as thrown off as I thought I would be. Probably cause I was with an experienced Irish driver and wasn't worried. I did find myself walking to the right side of the car a couple times though which Maria said was fine if I wanted to drive. No thank you! haha! I had never been on a roundabout before and today I was on like 7, it was quite the experience. So this whole area around the Burren is amazing. There's a bay and you can see Galway across the water, the stony mountains and the little town is so quaint. (Maria told me not to blink cause I'd miss it).

We drove to the school I'll be attending to meet up with the lady to bring us to my housing. It was so beautiful! Everything is made of stone and there's field of cows right in front and the mountains in the back--it's gorgeous!! I live in the student accommodation called Orchard House which holds the largest amount of people (which is 12 haha) and it's so nice. No one else is here since the rest of the students are arriving tomorrow, but I get to get all settled in which is nice. I have a single room with my own bathroom which is also nice, and there's so much space in the whole house. There's a tv room, then a little sitting room attached to that, and then another room, a sun room, the kitchen is huge and there's a washer/dryer in the storage/garage area a few feet from the house.

Before Maria left we went to get lunch at one of the pubs in town and I had this delicious vegetable soup and brown bread! So good!! The pub was so cute too, we sat next to this little fireplace and the entire pub smelled like burning wood. After that I went across the street to a little convenience store to get some things and found out that they don't give you your stuff in plastic bags. You have to pay for it so I had to carry my stuff out in my hands--which was ok cause I only got a couple things. Now I'm sitting in my room in the Orchard House just settling in. Anyway I think that's enough for now, I wrote like an essay. The next couple days will be the school orientation so I'll let ya'll know how that goes! Check ya later!

P.S. I tried milk in my tea for the first time on Tuesday and it's amazing! I'm addicted!

P.S.P.S. I will be posting photos of my school and housing in the next blog when I get some better ones. I was rushed today!

guess who's having tea with milk in the morning?

assisance?

took me forever to figure out you need to put your 

room card in the slot to turn on the lights.