Emma in Ireland: January 11, 2011

            The great comedian Christian Lander informed me that white people love study abroad. As a good “white person”, I knew I had to embrace this opportunity. I of course wanted to combine this with backpacking across Europe and embracing first world travel, so I turned my focus to the European continent. Since my only language is English, my possibilities were further limited. Since I once visited England for a week, why not try somewhere new. You know, I’m a little bit Irish; I’m a fan of Garth Brook’s song “Ireland”. Why not try Trinity College in Dublin?!

            So, after a somewhat detailed application process (and an entirely too long waiting period for Trinity to actually accept me) I’m finally here in Dublin, sitting in my room looking out my window into the city streets and across to the main campus. It’s only orientation week so far, but it’s shaping up to be a good semester. Those who know me and my weather preferences will understand my utmost joy that we have miraculously had blue skies for most of the days I’ve been here. I know it probably won’t last, but I’ll take the sun while I can.

            I arrived last Saturday after a full day (couple days; day and a half? Dang those time changes…) of travel. I arrived at campus after everything had closed. In a display of my genius, I hadn’t thought ahead to find out how to locate my key once I got here. On the bright side, my cab driver didn’t want to leave me locked out of my building and so flagged down an American student who happened to be leaving, entrusting this random person to find somewhere for my stuff and help me get my key. Thoughtful of him, I know. What can I say, the Irish seem friendly so far. My new friend Sean (many thanks to you) and I then proceeded to drop my stuff in his room and try to find someone to help me get keys. The accommodations offices were of course closed, but we noticed a security guard in the courtyard of our building who was able (thankfully) to pick up my key and welcome packet from a front desk somewhere. I was in! I had no phone, no Internet, and no concept of location, but I had a key, some Euros from the airport ATM, and enough sleep from the plane to keep going for a bit longer. I saw a little of the city, found dinner, and then headed back to my new room for real sleep. Thus ended the first day.

            Sunday was my Grand Shopping Adventure. I had a lot to accomplish and so made sure to get an early start. I bounded out of bed at 11:30 then hurriedly dressed and raced out the door…or something like that. I was pretty sure I knew roughly where I needed to go, so I headed out. My superb sense of direction (thank you Meredith for letting me borrow it temporarily) and memory from the night before led me to Grafton street, a major shopping area near Trinity. My first stop was for a cell phone. Good news, texting to other Irish phones is cheap (often free) on my pay-as-you-go phone. Bad new: it’s been a long time since I didn’t have a full phone keyboard, and I will be THRILLED to get mine back in the States. No one said life can be perfect…My next step was a mall at the head of Grafton street. I found a café for coffee and a scone while I tried to figure out my phone (unsuccessfully at first I should add). I then headed to Dunnes (which I have no clue how to pronounce), your basic everything store, for the essentials (bedding, shampoo, etc.). Laden with packages, I headed back towards Goldsmith Hall. I was a seasoned Dublin pedestrian now and was confident of my direction…and then I was lost. Luckily, I was more mentally lost (didn’t recognize my surroundings) than physically lost, and I somehow ended up back at Goldsmith without any breakdowns or calamities.

            That night was the official welcome for the Semester Start-up Program, basically a weeklong orientation for Trinity international students. I met some other students in the courtyard of Goldsmith and we headed over for pizza, wine and welcoming.

            SSP has been good so far. We (the American students) are now experts on modern Ireland, Jonathan Swift, the art and architecture of Trinity college, the layout and location of Trinity, and a handful of other topics. Last night we went on a Literary Pub Crawl of the city. Two actors took us around to four local pubs and a couple other historic Dublin landmarks around the Trinity area. We heard snippets of Becket, Shaw, and other Irish greats (I probably should have added them to our list of mastered topics above). It was a definite fun time, and one I would recommend to anyone who isn’t ashamed to be immediately recognized as a tourist. My thought is, embrace the tourist identity this week since it’s hard to avoid notice traveling in a large group of American students. There’s a whole semester ahead of me to try to blend in.

            Today was a definite highlight and a destination I would recommend as (so far) the number one thing to do in Dublin. It also gives me another topic to add to the Mastery list: Irish sports. Today we traveled across the River Liffey to the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). The Gaelic Athletic Association includes Hurling and Gaelic Football, both distinctly Irish sports played throughout the country. The stadium is impressive in itself, but the sports played in it are incredible! Seriously, go look up Hurling and Gaelic Football. You’ll probably be jealous you didn’t grow up in Ireland playing these sports. I know I was. More than just a sports organization, the GAA is also a huge promoter of Irish culture and has a rich personal history that weaves into greater Irish history. Written description isn’t doing justice to the GAA, so just take my word for it and book a tour if you make it to Ireland.

            Other than the highlights reel there have been a lot of café/restaurant and pub trips (since no one has gone grocery shopping…and we’re in Dublin!), though these will sadly slow down when the semester actually starts on Monday (must they??). Life is good and I’m looking forward to what the rest of the semester brings. I’m still Internet-less (I’m planning an exciting visit to technical support sometime soon) and I feel like I may be getting scurvy from a lack of fruits and vegetables (about which I’m only half joking; I miss you California produce!) but I’m thrilled to be here!