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LAST NIGHT WAS A BLAST!
Throughout the day more and more students came for my program. A group of girls and I went to the downtown area to grab some grub and a beer. As we were walking a cute boy came up to us and invited us to join him on his pub-crawl. He said it would be a "craic" of a time… which means a blast/fun time!
He was so cute and his name is Dualta (so European right?) We decided to have him just point us in the direction of a good meal and we promised to join him on the pub-crawl the next night!
Dinner was a blast! We sat at a long table with 9 girls chitter chatting away. I had my first Guinness! Honestly… I am not a big fan, but it is so much better here then in the states. My friend Olivia let me try her cider beer! It is called Bulmer and it tastes just like my favorite kind of cider in the states WOODCHUCK!
After dinner we walked through the town a little bit, but came home somewhat early because we were all so jet lagged.
Yesterday morning we met Brian outside of the reception office and he gave us a tour of the university. It is so beautiful and just a 10 minute walk from my place and also very close to the city which has all the shops and entertainment in Galway. The university is very small which makes it easier to find my way around! We met Fiona who is in charge of our summer classes. She also gave us our school i.d. which I was really excited about. After another tour of the campus, Brian took us all out for lunch and it was so fun to eat with everyone in my program.
After lunch we were free to go wherever we wanted so 6 girls and I went to the University bookstore and got sweatshirts with NUIG on it. We also went to the city where I purchased my first claddagh ring. When you wear this ring, depending on the way the heart faces on your finger, it means you are single or taken. I also purchased some post cards to send my family and friends! After much walking my friend Jordan and I got a little lost trying to find our way back home. We stopped to ask this cute little old lady how to get to our apartment. People here are more then willing to help! She even offered to give us a ride back to our place. It was so fun to drive on the other side of the road.
Last night we joined a Pub Crawl and went to 5 different pubs. The first was a traditional Irish pub and I decided to dance (I guess?) and everyone in the bar clapped for me! It was hard to dance because here they do not dance like they do at home. A lady who danced before me did an Irish Jig… Lets just say … she owned that dance floor. At another Pub it was more like a rave. Dubstep (one of my favorite genres of music) was playing and college students around my age were dancing. I couldn't contain myself and I joined in on the fun! On the Pub Crawl were two girls from Dublin. They were so much fun and hung around with us a lot. There were also some boys from Australia! The last bar we went to was a club. Since it was the end of the night, and most of us were WAY READY TO DANCE, we all arrived ready to get our groove on. It was such a blast. I already feel like I have created a family here.
This morning was pretty hard to wake up and go to class… but thank god it was just syllabus day! My teacher is an American and the students in my class are from my program and a few other study abroad programs. It is also nice to meet some Americans from different states. After class my roommate Kathleen and I got some lunch in the city and then of course did some light shopping!
Tonight our program director Brian is taking us to a music and dance show to get an even better taste of Galway!
I truly love it here. The people are so kind to one another and us. When they say things like Cheers! Or what's the Craic (how are you)? They really want to see how you are doing, celebrate, or just show some compassion and care. I have been so lost many times and everyone is willing to help as much as they can! Drinking is a huge part of the culture. It is a time to celebrate, come together, meet new people, and have a good time. I love the music and dancing here. And the accents are so intriguing. I COULD LIVE HERE FOREVER!
CHEERS!
"Never forget the days I spent with you. Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours." ---Ludwig Van Beethoven
- comments
Aunt Bonnie You go girl. . . suck it all up! !
sammi my crazy guardian angel! im so jealous you make me want to study abroad! miss you and can't wait to hear all about it when we get back to school :)
mom7 just for the record....you aren't moving there, so love it from afar. Seriously glad it's all coming together Hal, but I never doubted you.
Steph Sounds like a blast Hall! Miss you
Aunt Bonnie Thanks for sharing the photos of your pad. Looks like you have all the necessities. . . but isn't it just a little too neat?!! Have fun (and don't forget to "study" just a bit". Love, Aunt Bonnie
Nancy Voss Hey Halle, Glad you are enjoying Ireland, we are too! Just found the hospital my Dad was born in and took a picture in front of it. Don't drink too much Guinness! Love, Nancy
Dave Voss Hey Halle, I enjoyed your Blog about partying at the bars! We are enjoying good food and drink but think the bars are too full of young people like you, no where for an old guy like me to sit down! Enjoy your time in the Emerald Isle. Dave
Merry WEll since the whole damn Voss family is going to comment on your blog, I better just join right in! AHHH HAL, I am sooo happy for you, sounds like your havin a blast...enjoy literally EVERY minute, it goes by way way too fast and you will miss it the second you get back to the states...take advantage of every opportunity you have, already sounds like you are! Love you and miss you and get back to me soon!!