So these last two days have somewhat mushed together into one since we haven't actually slept.. After a rushed goodbye at the airport Sunday afternoon I boarded the plane. I got there just as the last few people were boarding (New York traffic is the WORST) and barely slept the entire flight. The first cultural difference that stood out was a few hours into the flight when dinner was served. When I was served my dinner it was assumed that I would then chose which type of wine I’d like to accompany it. I obviously did not hesitate and the small bottle of red helped me relax for the rest of the trip. We arrived at Heathrow around 2 am US time and grabbed some breakfast (note to self, porridge is delicious and fun to say but when made with milk it hurts your stomach). We then had a quick flight to Cork, which I was able to sleep through. However, I woke up just in time to see the green hills from above which are just as breathtaking as I remembered. On arrival, we met our tour guide Shane and the other American API students, they seem nice.
Needless to say we were exhausted, however we were placed in cabs and told we had two hours to drop our bags and freshen up before our first orientation. The cab ride was fun, especially riding on the other side of the road. I asked the man if I could try driving and I THINK he almost let me.. but didn’t. However, I told him that I would eventually and he said he believed me. We had an interesting talk about my views on American gun control which he had a lot of opinions about, surprising me a bit. I did not expect Irish citizens to care so much about our government and policies. We also discussed the differences in our drinking laws.. He then quoted “a wise philosopher” who said “Alcohol is the cause and solution to all of life’s problems.” Homer J. Simpson, HAHA, felt good to hear a reference from home so soon.
The apartment is nice and it seems like there will eventually be 5 of us living here total. The other girls are from all different areas (Belgium, Connecticut and Australia so far). I have my own room with my own bathroom, which is AWESOME. It is great to have my own personal space to think, I am hoping that it doesn’t get lonely though. ...........
After a long half-listen (too sleepy) to a presentation from Shane while we toured parts of downtown Cork and UCC, we were allowed to go explore on our own. We chose a lunch spot called CocBull (very fun to say LOL, but it stands for Chicken and Beef). I had a delicious salad with quinoa, roasted chicken and asparagus (**Take more photos of your food). I was elated with this option because I think that means eating the way I’d like will be an option! (3 cheers for veggies and quinoa!!). Sarah told us that her uncle actually died from eating red meat in Ireland, so I am hesitant to try anything.. however, proceeding the story everyone else continued to order burgers “well-done” just to be safe HAHA.
Us girls then went to Penny’s (inexpensive department store) to get bed linen (do I sound European yet?). I have zero idea of how much items should cost over here... I do the rough conversion to American money in my head, but it is just SO DIFFERENT. I would like to know if I am getting a deal or very ripped off, so hopefully I get the hang of it soon. I got a comforter which is very Boy in the Stripped Pajamas-esk, but it’ll do (lots of light blue stripes/ that comparison is probably inappropriate). The shower water is warm, the pressure is good as well. The mattress sucks and the pillow is thin, but I am in my OWN ROOM and officially LIVING IN IRELAND.. so no true complaints!
We did a little grocery shopping as well, where I found out that cartons of eggs here are not refrigerated and all nutrition labels are done by 100 grams.. UGH. I was stunned when my peanut butter read 600+ calories (kcals?) and 1 gram of salt (AHH), but then realized it was for 100g of pb... which is like 6 tablespoons. WHY is it like that? I seem to be very hungry here, but I suppose that is because my body has no idea what time it is (neither does my head). Mitch helped me figure out all of the math so I knew the macros, sugar and salt for my new items (xo), but the peanut butter is still not great. I am a pb feign and would LOVE some Nuts n More (hint hint, LOL).
We decided since it was our official first night in Cork we should go celebrate. So the girls went to the local “off license” (package store) and all got wine. When we came back, all of the students on our floor met up and socialized. We compared difference in popular music by country and got to know a little bit about one another. Next we wandered downtown and found a small pub called the Washington Inn. We struck up conversation with a young man at the bar who told us that he was a professional Hurling player, he even pulled up a newspaper with his name in the write up (bragging), which I had never even heard of. He showed us videos and explained that it was as popular as American football is for us and a sort of mixture between baseball + lacrosse. (Note to self, research popular sports before you meet any more famous athletes). We continued on to a larger bar after where we danced and made friends with some locals. We returned to our apartment around 2:30 after the bar closed and thanks to the Red Bull (Jagger bombs.. remember for the future that you think these + Sambuca shots are gross) I was wide awake. So I FaceTimed Mitch for a couple hours and drunkenly unpacked my entire two suitcases. I woke up the next morning slightly dehydrated, but completely organized #winning.
Bye for now!
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