Midterms are over, and it’s spring break! As I write this on my flight from Dublin to Barcelona, I will freshly recap my experiences in Ireland. It all began early Friday morning.
00:45 Caught a cab to the train station across town (Europeans use military time for signs, but speak using 12-hour time—weird.)
1:47 Train departure to Bologna
3:13 Arrival in Bologna
4:12 Train departure from Bologna to Milan
6:45 Arrival in Milan
7:00 Bus departure to Milano Bergamo (airport)
7:45 Arrival at the airport
10:35 Plane departure to DUBLIN, IRELAND!
11:55 Arrival in Dublin
12:45 Bus departure to City Center
1:30 Arrival in Dublin City Center and walk to hostel
Yes, I travelled for over 12 hours using 5 forms of transportation (including foot) just to get to another place in Europe. Should have thrown in a ferry while we were at it, huh? Europe isn’t quite as close and easy to navigate as it may seem. My first interaction with an Irish person was at customs. He was such a friendly gent. He saw my last name, and asked if I was Irish. Luckily, my Popie informed me last St. Patrick’s day that I do have Irish blood in me. The man responded with a, “Glad to have you claim Irish! Welcome!” I smiled as he stamped my passport (first stamp besides Italy—check!) Then my mind started working. Woah! Backup, that’s English. You mean, I fit in here? People have blonde hair? Blue eyes are normal? English is on every sign not just meant for tourists? I can communicate with every citizen in this country strictly through speech. Needless to say, it was refreshing to be in a place that was so English! Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love Italy and wouldn’t choose to study anywhere else, but being able to read signs and talk with the people in stores is refreshing.
Dublin introduced me to hostels. I stayed with friends at a place called Kinlay House on Friday night in a room with 24 beds. It’s referred to as a “Mixed Dorm” because boys and girls occupied the room. It was in a great location and the bathrooms were clean. However, Saturday night Jenna and I were supposed to stay at Camden Hall—another hostel in just a decent location for only 16 euro a night. As we ventured there Saturday morning feeling good about the price we scored, we had no idea that our reservations didn’t really exist. We booked online and apparently the hostel didn’t have any beds available and practically told us we were gonna be out on the streets for the night. Not acceptable. So Jenna and I being the people we are worked our ways and landed 2 beds for the night in separate rooms. But here’s the real kicker—beds aren’t assigned at Camden Hall, so we just took two beds in the same room and put someone out of a bed for the night. We never found out who was bedless, but at least it wasn’t us! (And since I wrote this blog, the hostel replied to my online review and offerred me 2 free nights stay, which I don't have time to use, but it made me feel cool nonetheless.) It’s a survival of the fittest out there. You gotta do what you gotta do! As far as touristy things and sites, I hit all the big stuff except the Guiness Storehouse. I saw Trinity College (just an old pretty college), toured Dublin Castle, meandered through St. Patrick’s Cathedral, ate at Brazenhead pub (oldest pub in Dublin), saw an Irish dance show, attended a pub crawl at the pubs in Temple Bar, and ventured to Howth (an Irish fishing town on the coast with gorgeous views of the countryside). It was quite a full 2 1/2 days to say the least. I really enjoyed Ireland. The people we very friendly and the accents were charming. The men were very attractive, but the old men were creepers. The women all dress up like barbies to go out and aren’t very nice, but who really cares. During our time in Dublin, Jenna and I had a blast! She had already been there for a few days before I arrived, and I flew in with a group of girls from Florence. On Saturday, there was a Scotland vs. Irish rugby game in Dublin, so the city was packed with Scottish people too. I felt like I was truly getting the full UK experience. These Irish men were crazy though! Obviously hardcore fans, they all wore Scottish kilts and rugby jerseys. The pubs were infested with these kilt wearing, stein-of-beer drinking, song singing, rugby rooting men. It added quite a new character to the Temple Bar area. After the Irish dance show we attended, Jenna had a brilliant idea to get a picture with some of these crazies. As we approached the rambunctious group, they quickly welcomed us and asked us of our whereabouts. When I pridefully replied with “America!” one man scowled a bit and replied with, “Oh! Canada!” After bantering for a moment, I was convinced that Canada was a better reply since the Scots like them better and it’s practically our 51st state anyhow, right. This brings me to a point that I can’t resist but discuss. Americans stick out like a sore thumb in Europe. Let me make some generalizations. We are ignorant, loud, stupid and self-righteous. We want everyone to speak our language and know our customs. We make no effort to fit in with any other culture and expect everyone to understand us. Though not quite as obvious in Ireland and obviously not true of everyone, it’s a pretty accurate depiction of Americans in Europe in general. I try so hard to fit in, especially in Italy. Yet, it’s so hopeless. The more I try, the more I stick out. I have accepted that I stick out in other countries, but in Italy, I just want to be Italian. Is that so much to ask? Maybe one day… On with Dublin though! So long story short, these drunken men proceed to tell us they are wearing kilts because they’re fan, give us Scottish temporary tattoos applied with Guiness, and take a picture with us. However, when one man asked if I knew how a kilt was traditionally worn and informed me that they wear no underwear, I didn’t quite know how to react. I’m sure my expression was priceless when my jaw hit the floor. Though I can think of hundreds of responses now, my response went something like this. “Oh. Well. Okay.” And that was that. We left with Chief tats, a pic for memories, and a lesson in kilt wearing.
Another Irish experience was my adventure to Howth with Jenna on our last day in Ireland. It is a seaside, fishing town with gorgeous views of the coast. We basically went to see the Irish countryside. It was everything you think it would be.
After strolling along the coast, taking in the views, enjoying the accordion player on the bay, and rest by the lighthouse, I had my first fish and chips experience at a poppin’ little joint called Beshoff Bros. I couldn’t be in the UK and not eat fish and chips. For those of you who may have heard the term yet still wonder exactly what it is, fish and chips is fried cod and French fries. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s absolutely great greasy food—something I miss from home. It was delicious! Though I was disappointed we didn’t see any seals in Howth’s harbor as expected, I would absolutely go back! I left Ireland with great memories! Excited for a full week in Spain, Jenna and I headed to the airport to deal with crazy loud Spaniards on our cheap Ryanair flight. As I sit on the plane in the middle of tons of loud, Spanish, high school students, I am unsure of what to expect in the country that is home to so many wonderful things. I wonder if all the Spaniards are this loud and wild as all the people on my flight. Some of the older people were even playing ball in the airport. They’re a little out of control. Nonetheless, ever since I was little and played with my mother’s Spanish Barbie brought to her from Spain, I have always wanted to go. I am anxious to see it with my own two eyes! I hope my 3 years of Spanish comes back to me though because I hear that they don’t speak English… Hope you are all having a great day in the states! Miss you all! Love from somewhere between Dublin and Barcelona?
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