Day One!

Hey everyone! I made it safely! Today was my first day in Dublin and I had a ball. It was so fun seeing the city and meeting a few locals. I found myself wanting to engage in conversation just to hear them speak! J 

Here are some of today’s points of interest:

-Dublin has many of the same stores that we do! We saw Forever 21, H&M, Papa Johns, McDonalds, Burger King, Starbucks, Sbarros, and Subway! Also, they have a line like TJ Maxx called TK Maxx. It was nice seeing a little bit of home along the bustling city streets.

-When we went shopping at a big retail store called Penneys, I noticed that the cashiers were sitting down behind the counters! Omg! So jealous. I worked in retail for 5 years between Polo Ralph Lauren and Nike, and we sure never got to be seated during a shift! Those lucky ducks!

-There are coins here that are worth $2. They seem to be quite common! Many times I have expected to be given back singles but instead have been handed coins.  

-Doors here are all different colors! I didn’t yet take any pictures, but they’re striking and endearing. Some are red, some blue, but there are no two alike. Each house has its own personality and I really appreciate that about this city.

-And speaking of doors, the key to my room is a legit skeleton key! How cool is that?

Okay, enough with the highlights. Here are a few of my observations from today!

I know everyone always says this…but wow it’s hard to figure out traffic patterns here. No wonder so many tourists/pedestrians get injured when they visit Orlando! The way the roads are designed can really throw you off, with quick turns around corners and one way streets. Not to mention, they drive on the opposite side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right! At least at the stops in Dublin, the concrete is painted “Look Left” or “Look Right.” It really helps, even though staring down at the ground before every crosswalk is definitely a sign that we are foreigners.

We ate at a little corner side café that had adorable vintage armchairs as the seats. It was so quaint! Of course we made a total spectacle out of ourselves walking in that tiny place with huge bags, bumping everyone and definitely sticking out like sore thumbs as Americans. Oh well though, the people there were very helpful and kind. This has been the general trend so far and I am certain it will continue!

For only having been here one day, I feel pretty comfortable with how to get to the city center and many restaurants, shops, and pubs. We did so much walking that my blisters have blisters! I am loving every minute of it, though. We picked up a pay-as-you-go phone to stay in contact with each other, some towels and sheets, and of course a curling iron because I can’t go two months without one. Come on.

This next part is a humorous and tragic tale I like to call The Story of How I Ate Frozen Pizza and Smirnoff For My First Dinner in Dublin. The other students and I were really tired from the Jet Lag and felt that we should take a nap before dinner. By the time we got up and ready though, it was already 9:15! We could barely tell because 1.) Our internal clocks are messed up right now and 2.) It doesn't get dark here until 10-11 p.m.! So, we strolled to a nearby pub hoping to get some Shepherd’s Pie (or another hearty and warm Irish dish!) and maybe a Guinness to celebrate our arrival. When we got to the first restaurant though, we were less than pleased to find out that they don’t usually serve food in Ireland after nine. I guess the American way of serving food until close isn't the universal way. One of the other students joked, “They can drink all night, but they stop eating at 9!” We were pretty bummed but had to find a Plan B. Then, we saw a little convenience store on a corner near our apartment and stopped in. They had frozen pizzas, drinks and other typical gas station supplies so we made our selections and headed home to cook. When life gives you lemons… Who am I kidding? I’m in Dublin! There are no lemons to be given here! J By the way, the ovens are in Celsius... This semester should be interesting!

Tomorrow we will do some more walking around. We are being escorted to our internship locations to make sure that on Monday, we are all early and know exactly where to go! I’m excited, but my feet aren’t. Like everything else, it is something to adjust to but this experience is such a privilege.

If today was prophetic of days to come, I know I will be very pleased with my stay here. The city is lovely and the people are just as kind as you hear they are.

Thanks for reading! Until next time!

Xox,

Alyssa