Orientation!

January 4-6, 2015

The Arcadia orientation was set to begin at noon, so initially I figured that I could sleep in some more when I woke up at 9 upon hearing people laughing in the hallway. I realized however that the girls I was sharing my room with could show up at any moment, so I figured I better get up and make myself some tea rather than having them walk in with me snoring away. That's just awkward. Turns out this was a brilliant idea since one girl walked in just as I was pouring the hot water into my cup. She introduced herself as Katie, set down her many bags (she had 3! 0.o ) and then asked if I'd had breakfast. We decided to go down together, which I was glad of since it would have been uncomfortable to just walk into a room full of strangers. Luckily Arcadia had provided us with breakfast vouchers for the restaurant downstairs so we didn't have to go out anywhere. 

Both of us tried the full Irish breakfast, which I should probably have taken a picture of. The traditional Irish breakfast consists of: eggs, bacon (more like ham), bangers (sausage), black pudding, white pudding, grilled tomato, mushrooms, and hash browns. A bonus was a bottomless cup of tea, which was beauteous. We got to know some of the girls sitting at near tables and we discovered that housed at this particular hotel were the programs going to Cork and Galway. 

After breakfast we met our other roommate Taylor, who actually goes to UST in St. Paul, and headed to the lobby to meet our Arcadia staff. They walked  us over to the Clarence Hotel where we had our little introductory session. I should note that one of the great things about each session we attended was accompanied by tea and coffee; it's probably a miracle I got any sleep in Dublin. I also should note that it's a  damned shame I forgot to get a picture of the sign in front of the hotel as proof that I stepped into the hotel that Bono owns. I sat with my roommates for the sole reason that they were known entities, and ended up at  the same table as three U of  M students which was funny and comforting. Anyway, during the session we met our Dublin staff and were told the general layout for the whole orientation as well as given safety tips such: as don't carry all your money and passport around with you, and stay south of the river after dark. At the end, we were only there for an hour or so, they walked us over to Trinity College for our Historic Walking Tour. 

First view of Trinity courtyard

Starting at Trinity our guide, a history professor at Dublin College, took us around the city and laid out the history for us from about the 12th century until fairly recently. Some of the places we visited included Trinity (just the outside unfortunately), the Liffey river (we learned about 19th century industry and poverty, Dublin Castle, and Christchurch Cathedral (which was kitty-corner from our hotel).

 

Millennium Spire (Stileto in the Ghetto)

Statue of Daniel O'Connell

The Millennium Spire is a monument erected to celebrate the start of the 21st century. Our tour guide told us that Dubliners are not very happy with it though, feeling that it mars the historic area; as such they've nicknamed it the "Stiletto of the Ghetto". 

O'Connell Bridge

Ha'penny Bridge o'er the Liffey

 

  

Original Tower

Offices where Michael Collins held officials hostage

ChristChurch Cathedral

After we finished walking, our guide talked to us more about the current political structure of Ireland as well as modern events in general. He talked about how even today Irish people can generally know where a person is from, or at least where their grandparents were from, based on their last name. He asked for a show of hands regarding who all had some Irish heritage and about 75% of the people present raised their hands. He then proceeded to ask the surnames of relatives or ancestors, telling us where those names are known in Ireland. It was cool to see how many Irish-Americans there were. 

For the first day, considering that many of the students had arrived that morning and were bound to be jet lagged, they took it easy on us and gave us that evening to do what we liked. It was funny because there was a warning on the schedule they gave us to not party too hard as we had an early morning. They figure a bunch of American 20 year-olds would be overwhelmed with the ability to drink legally. 

They weren't kidding about the early morning though, we had to be at breakfast 7:15 before heading off to Round 1 of the serious Orientation. They gave us another welcome introduction before launching into a presentation on "practical matters" such as banking, phone, travel etc. After coffee/tea break (I tell you guys, this place is brilliant), we had a member of the An Garda Síochána (which means Guardian of the Peace) or the Irish police force. He basically told us how to stay safe and some of the laws that Americans might be surprised at, like public drunkenness. He told us how crime is very low in Ireland, but not to be complacent because it still happens. It was really interesting to know that the Garda is the only police force in the world to walk around unarmed. They have pepper spray, something they alone are allowed to carry, but don't have any firearms. 

Directly after a delicious lunch of curry chicken, we headed off to the Na Fianna Sports complex to learn a little bit about Gaelic games. Upon arrival, the complex workers gave us a short introduction into Irish football, Irish handball, and hurling before splitting us into three different groups. My group first learned the basics of Irish handball which is basically like racketball (without rackets) or wallball in an enclosed space. A couple of the girls were really awed by how quickly I picked up some of the skills; I just told them that I had good hand-eye coordination. Next we were sent to learn Gaelic football. This was a little harder for me as I couldn't quite wrap my head around the fact that you can (and in fact must) use your hands. I had pretty good foot control, but my passing (by essentially a volleyball serve) lacked accuracy; I can only say that I'm used to serving up and over a net rather than to someone's hands. Once they taught is the essentials, they split us into two and we played a really short (like ten minutes long) match. I offered to take defense, but when one of the offenders came at me I had no idea what to do because I couldn't steal with my feet! Threw me for a loop. Hurling was the sport I was worst at; luckily it was also the sport we had the shortest time in :). Trying to pick up a ball on a stick (hurler) was not my cup of tea. ;)  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from the games because I'd left my phone in my room; the downside of wearing sweatpants with no pockets and refusing to carry a purse. ^.^

For dinner that evening, Arcadia arranged for us to attend a program called "Food, Folklore, and Fairies". I was really excited when I found out because I'd seen the program suggested in my guidebook and was disappointed when I thought I wouldn't be able to see it. The program took place at the Brazen Head pub in Dublin, located a few blocks from our hotel. (According to the sign at least) it's the oldest pub in Ireland.

The storyteller was incredibly talented and spoke with a lot of enthusiasm. She started out talking to us about the importance of food to the Irish, especially the potato. She briefly outlined the history of the dependency on the potato by the Irish and then told us about the potato famine and the devastation that it caused. It was funny because she also talked about all the "Irish" foods that we think of in America and explained how those are most likely descended from what immigrants brought with them to America but that have become Americanized.

We were served our appetizers when she'd finished this segment. When the dishes were cleared, she told us some of the faerie lore. It was interesting hearing some of the basis for the beliefs such as faerie forts (forts abandoned by ancient Celts and reclaimed by the faeries) and faerie trees. She pointed out that although most Irish people will tell you that faeries don't exist, they are still superstitious enough not to remove such forts or trees on their property at the risk of incurring supernatural mischief. Some of the stories I didn't know (although one I'd briefly come across when looking up the translation of a Gaelic Storm song) but I got excited when she started talking about leprechauns  and then told the first leprechaun story I ever remember hearing as a kid. It was a little bit of nostalgia which was most welcome. She sang a gorgeous rendition of "She Moved Through the Fair" which gave me chills.

During our main course (I had delicious Irish stew, and yes there was lamb in it) two guys came up and played a few songs for us. Our Galway contact for Arcadia was sitting across from me and was very surprised when I knew the words to "Whiskey in the Jar" and "Wild Rover". I told her I'd grown up in pubs, which in hindsight may sounds kind of bad. She laughed though and told me to actually sing, since I was pretty much mouthing the words. Apparently Americans have difficulty with clapping to music. The musicians played this:

and asked all the students (it was a private show) to clap along at the right time. Maybe it was just that I'd heard the song before, but after the first time it seems like it would be easy to hear in the music when the measures run out. Ok, Bridget's done being superior.

After dessert,  our storyteller told us a few more stories and then sang a supremely haunting version of "My Lagan Love" though she only sang part of it which was disappointing. It was cool at the end though because she asked us if we would sing "Silent Night" with her even though Christmas was over. (Looking back though, it was actually the 12th Night, which might have been why she asked). Some of the people in my group thought it was ridiculous, but I thought hearing all the voices of these people I'd just met raised in song was pretty amazing. 

The show was meant to last almost until 10pm, but we were actually finished before 9. My roommates decided to go out for a drink since the night was still young, but I opted to stay in and read. That night was the weirdest I've had in Ireland so far with regard to sleep. I've talked about waking up at 3am and staying awake until 6am. That evening I remember closing my eyes around 10 because I was tired. My roommates came back in around 11:30 or so and I woke up momentarily but then fell asleep again. At midnight though, almost on the dot, I woke up and was wide awake. I finished one book, tried to go back to sleep, couldn't and so started the next book. My eyes were really sore from staring at the screen in the dark, but every time I tried to close them they popped wide open again. I think about 4am is when I made the brilliant discovery that I could access Netflix UK from my phone. Finally when I finished the movie I picked,  I must have fallen asleep around 6. I only slept about an hour though because we had to be downstairs early again for breakfast. 

Actually it wasn't even that. I woke up at 7am because our room had helpfully been designated the collection spot for everyone's bags. Not the Galway bags mind you, the Cork bags. So at 7am we had some guy banging (it may have been knocking, but after an hour of sleep we'll call it banging) on our door to leave his bag. We knew there was no point in trying to go back to sleep when five minutes later the next person showed up. Everyone was of course apologetic, but do you know how hard it is to get everything shoved back into it's proper case and get ready for the day when people keep piling bags in a room that already has three beds and at least six of our own bags? The most difficult part was not getting blocked in and trying to maneuver my duffel (have I mentioned how large it was?) through the resulting maze and then drag it down a hallway to another room. Bridget may still be a bit bitter when thinking about it

The first half of Tuesday January 6th (I swear I'm almost done, Kudos to those still reading) was supremely boring. Godawful early, so about 8:45, we met with our housing contact to hear about our accommodations in Galway. It was during this discussion that we were told that Irish people are very conscious of heating and electricity usage due to high fuel costs. We were told that unlike most Americans,  the Irish resort to layers rather than turning up the heat when chilled. Furthermore, in Ireland for the most part in residences there is no hot water on demand. Instead they use an electric immersion system which, when turned on, heats a certain amount of hot water before turning off again. Now it is important at this point in time to make it clear that while shocked, we all understood the concept....in theory...which will become apparent later on. 

Next we had a presentation on the academic side of our study abroad experience. While very informative and ultimately helpful, I was so bored by the end, not to mention hungry. Mostly I was just ready to get to Galway. Finally they told us to head back to the hotel to get our bags and meet at the buses. I'm not going to even outline the headache of getting all the bags out of the room. Let's just say the hallways of the hotel were not made to hold forty students and their bags while still leaving room for those who had  found their bags to move out again. 

I had a picture of a bunch of us walking to the buses (downhill which was interesting, let me tell you) but my email ate it. -__-   It must have looked pretty funny though, like a caravan. My plan was to stay awake for the 3-hour bus ride in order to watch the countryside change, but of course I fell asleep. I woke up just as we were coming up to Galway, though we didn't drive through the city center or anything. 

At one point I was really excited because I recognized some of the environs from my trip here five years ago. That seems pretty incredible, say unbelievable, especially when I say it was a roundabout of all things. I remember it though from driving to Headford from Ennis. It made me smile. :D

Once we got to Gort, our Galway contact left with the other half of our group who are staying in town, and we all checked in. They gave us our keys, took our picture for security, handed us our duvets and pillows, gave us the all-important Wi-Fi information, and essentially pushed us in the general direction of our apartments. Breigh (my roommate) and I stumbled around a bit dragging our bags looking for our room. We found the 70s, we found the 90s, but we couldn't for the life of us find 47. We finally narrowed it down and walked though an unmarked door into a nondescript hallway. Seeing stairs leading up, we assumed all the apartments were on the first and second floors. We tried both, with either me or her running out (the other stayed and held the door) and looking in vain for our friggin room. No such luck, they were all too high. Finally seeing the layout of the upper floors, we realized there must have been a door hidden in the corner by the stairs we didn't see that led to our room. It took us a minute to figure out how to freaking unlike our bedroom door (the building door and front door are opened by key card).

 Once inside we dropped our bags and just kind of stared around not knowing what to do. We ended up exploring! An endeavor which took all of 30 seconds. Breigh and some of her friends had made a plan to stop over to Dunnes (the little shopping mall thing across the road) to pick of sheets and duvet covers. Luckily we found combo sets that included a fitted sheet, pillowcase, and duvet cover for 20 euro. The girls I was with also decided to buy some groceries and make dinner together. So for our first dinner in Galway we had a home-cooked meal of pasta, garlic bread, and fruit. It was nice to have something so familiar and homey on the first night in our new place. After dinner we played a ridiculously intense game of spoons, like really intense, before everyone went their separate ways for the evening. Breigh and I sort of unpacked, but mostly we just made our beds before hitting the sack; we were exhausted. 

There. I'm finally done with this post. I feel like I need some candy to even think about posting again. Send me candy. Just kidding. 

Peace & Love 

B