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So I didn't actually get on yesterday to write about the trip, but I'll put that in this blog along with todays adventures. So yesterday was actually a lot of fun,,. I got to sleep in a little and then Jill and I walked (i mean trekked) onto campus to meet the bus to take into the city. While we were waiting for the bus we met some new friends (Lauren, Daly, Erin, and Erin) and we ended up hanging out with them all day yesterday and today. Once we got into the city, we hustled outselves to get to the tour bus, but in the end we had to wait an hour for the next one because it was full from all the people who got on ahead of us. While we waited we went for a short walk around and as you can see from my pictures we wandered around St. Mary's Cathedral and then we stumbled upon an Interantional Fair from behind City Hall. Oh, a guy named Dan actually joined our group too, that way he wasn't by himself while we waited for the bus. The International Fair was really cool and unexpected and we got to see the African-Native American-Ninja-Hut. I have no idea what it actually was so if anyone knows and wants to tell me that would be cool! After we walked around for a bit it was time to take the tour of the City. The tour was cool, we drive around and around through all these blocks and saw a ton of stuff and I must have heard at least 200 names fo streets, bridges, buildings etc. It was fun though, especially because we had friends with us. After the tour we ate lunch at this little Fish and Chips place (luckily they had other food too!) and then poked around this mini-shopping center where Jill and I just grabbed food for that nights dinner because it was a little expensive. Then we walked back to the bus stop and took the bus back to the University. Then once we got back we all went to our apartments to unpack and what not and then Lauren and Daly came over for dinner at our apartment (the Erin's were still full from our late dinner). It was really nice to actually meet people (even if they are American) and have them over for dinner. Once we were done we all decided to meet up outside our building and we went for a walk to go see this really cool lighted bridge thats on campus (there are pictures of it posted).
Today was a VERY CRAZY day, that I hope doesn't ever repeat itself, lol. Jill and I got to sleep in again (since we stayed up late last night) and then we caught a cab to the Crescent Mall with Lauren, Daly, Erin and Erin so we could do some shopping. I was able to buy a pair of sneakers for only 4 Euro, so about $8. I forgot my pair and I;m taking a gym class so I kind of need them, lol. I haven;t been able to find a pair of boots that I like yet though, but I'm sure I well, I can always look next weekend. Jill and I also got a cake pan (so I can make her birthday cake), a new wooden spoon (ours most likely had some sort of infectious disease on it since it was decaying, lol), and I got her a little gift and a birthday card. After the mall we walked to Aldi's which is where it all started. We had heard that Aldi's was suppossed to be pretty close to the mall. So on the way out we decided it would be a good idea to ask someone how close it was and where it was. So the guy we said said to keep walking over the bridge, etc etc and then it was about 10-15mins away. So we set off and after walking for 20mins (probably longer) we still couldn't see the store so we decided to ask someone if we were heading in the right direction. He said yes and that it was about 10-15mins ahead (so much for the guy at the mall). So we trudged on with all our bags and 20mins later finally found Aldi's. If I never have to walk again I wouldn't be upset. Once we got to Aldi's Jill and I got all of our necessities as well as food and what not that should last us either the rest of the trip (cooking spray and stuff like that), a week or two (veggies and fruits) etc etc. So we went to the check out line to pay, she rang us out and I handed her my debit/credit card because I was told (actually we all were by someone on campus) that they took debit cards or cash only. Well, apparently they only take Irish debit cards and so she said she would hold it if I wanted to run across the street and use the ATM. So it took me five minutes to walk "across the street" and the ATM machine wouldn't take my card! It told me it was faulty, which actually it means "You're American and you suck" LOL So I walked back over and ended up have to borrow twenty Euro from one of the girls we went shopping with. Now in Ireland you have to bring your own shopping bags with you otherwise you have to pay upwards of 22 cents per bag. Jill and I each had the shopping bag my Gram gave us, plus we each had a very large purse and then two large Penny's paper bags. Everything fit until the Penny's bags started to rip! So picture this, six girls with approx. three bags each (so 18 bags!) all standing on a sidewalk, yup, we looked pretty funny. We called for a cab to fit six people and asked that it be a cab that accepted Credit cards since none of us really had cash except Lauren who was able to use the ATM. However, we were told that no cabs were available or were going to be available that had credit capabilities so we all had to pool our change to come up with 10 Euro. Jill and I had to borrow 6 Euro from Erin (after borrowing the 20 Euro) and I had 1 Euro and then Daly and Lauren came up with the rest (luckily). Now the one really nice thing about all this (there is always a postitive) is that the cabs are physically much nicer then anything back home and the cab drivers are all super friendly and really willing to help us students because we are alomost 75% of their rides. So at least our cab driver was really nice! So we finally got home and by some miracle of miracle we actually made it up to our apartment. Then when we got into our apartment this guy was there. We finally have a roomate!! I wish I could tell you all his name, but all I can say is that it starts with a D and I think it ends with an L, but other then that...I promised him I would learn it before I left. Unfortunently though, he only has six hours of class a week, and since he lives a few minutes off campus, he goes home all the time and has already left and prolly won't be back until the end of the week. But he did seem nice...
Okay, that about covers the last few days. Classes start tomorrow although we just have to go to lectures and not the tutorials, so thats nice. Which means I should probably finish up and get to bed soon. Alright...unitl next time...
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