The night ends with Guinness.

August 26, 2013 (Writing this after 40 hours of being awake. Excuse the spelling errors)

My adventure begins with one of the easiest and seamless flights from Minneapolis to Chicago. This flight was filled with first-class businessmen that wanted to get home, a young girl that sang “Diamonds” by Rhianna, and a young Minneapolis couple that also happened to be heading to Dublin for a vacation. Anyways, let's skip to the good parts.

After landing 45 minutes later, I maneuvered through the Chicago airport and made it just in time when my Aerlingus flight started to board, so basically things went according to plan (which usually never happens with air travel), and I had impeccable timing for once in my life. The airline had TV screens with free movies, and they fed us a decent pasta dinner! I sat next to Maura, a 17 year old Dublin native who had spent the summer in the Chicago couch-hopping with friends. She desperately wanted to be in the USA, and I desperately wanted to be in Ireland. It was a discussion-filled plane ride with conversations that truly helped me to view America in a new light of appreciation for all of the opportunities we have and the power that our country has in the influence of the rest of the world. I think it was also a common case of "you always want what you can't have", each of us looking for something new and adventurous in a different country. Also, after talking to Maura for over an hour she says to me, "Don't worry. I hear your accent strong and clear, you will be just fine in Ireland with that covering you." (Didn't question it.)

Scanning the crowd of this packed flight, I see a gingered boy and an older man with a green Scottish cap. Steroetypes? Check. 

I literally can't describe the first sight of Irish soil, all I can say is that it was unlike anything I've ever expected. Sure, pictures are great and show rolling hills and sheep, but spotting those green fields and the ocean between the patches of clouds from thousands of miles in the air was absolutely magnificent. To note -  the sides of the runway at the Dublin airport were surrounded by herds of sheep and cows. Picture that.

First glimpse of Ireland

After a bus ride across Ireland from Dublin to Galway (approximately 3 hours), the five of us Cobbers were ready to call it a day and sleep for eternity. But, instead we hiked 40 minutes with our suitcases in hand to our apartment complex through Galway City. In the heart of the city there were musicians everywhere playing Coldplay, folks playing Irish recorders, and elderly people strolling the shops... I was satisfied. I don't think I will ever be able to go through each store, try every meal, or drink a pint at each pub that this city offers. Each place offers their own charm, with colored windows and seafood, beer, or "chips" (American fries) for whenever you need them.

Bad image of Galway City, but it's something to visualize. More to come.

Hundreds of awkward stares and sweaty moments later, our stroll finally ended when we made it to Dunaras Village.
Within five minutes of entering my apartment, a blonde haired, blue-eyed version of myself walks through the door. This is one of my fabulous roommates from the Netherlands. To say that we hit it off would be an understatement, she can speak multiple languages (one of them being French), and shares an excitement and energy that I do to conquer mountain in Ireland. Together we made friends with the boys across the hall, and things continued to flow from there.

First Irish Guinness

The group kept accumulating and introductions were made, and before you know it we were eating pizza in the charming city with a German, two Brazilians, six Americans, and a Belgian. We laughed about the stereotypes that we've all grown to accept about each other, and yes, Europeans think Americans eat massive amounts and are overweight. We walked straight into a pub, ordered Guinness for all, and cheered to fabulous semester in four different languages. And I'm sure it's going to be a good one.






Things I've already learned:

• Even if you like to observe people and be a people watcher, don't stare. Because Europeans will stare right back.
• Irish grocery stores charge you for paper bags. What the heck is that about?! Save the environment, and save some Euro while you're at it.
• Peanut Butter isn't a thing in Ireland. Instead, I found something called Panda that "tastes like peanut butter". 
• Cobblestone streets are never safe to roll luggage on, plus you are instantly labeling yourself as a tourists and will be approached about being lost. 
• IRISH PEOPLE DRIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD
• Learn your conversions for km, kg, meters, liters.. all of the above.
• German men like buying dinner for you. Don't argue. 
• International students may be some of the coolest people you will ever meet. That's a fact.