Jet Lag is barely an excuse anymore

It also can't shield how little storage space I have in my apartment. Or how close my bed is to Victor's. But we have a large "European" flat. And we're in a gated community. Not like there is in Deephaven or Ladue, but still. Here are some snapshots of the place that I call home:

Today we did orientation stuff most of the day. Logistics, cultural awareness, etc. We had lunch on the IES Abroad dime and stopped in a pub next door to watch the semi-final of the Gaelic Athletic Association Football. Gaelic football is so HXC, or hardcore for you lameos. People are hitting and smashing and creaming each other. We then hopped on up to our Orientation for the Semster Start-Up program for Trinity. It's a 3 week class before the beginning of the real semester (since they can't call anything the same thing Americans call it, it's called Michaelmas) called Understanding Ireland. From what I understood at the orientation, it's that Irish professors hound their students if they don't drink all the wine they bought. Following that, the flatmates and I called it a night and came home, ready to start classes at 9 tomorrow morn.

Evening in Ranelagh

Ranelagh is pronounced ren-uh-luh. Just to make that clear.

We went to get some dinner at a pub and have our first pint of real Guinness. We saw the lovely pub called Smyth's right down the road. It looked like a good enough place:

We got in, and found out that their kitchen was already closed. We left disappointed, but intent on returning later in the evening, because, dammit we are in the place that every American defines by drinking. We went to the Gourmet Burger Company, which was very good. All the food was locally sourced! I could turn the menu over and see the name and place that the beef or lamb farmer was. It was a very nice thing to stumble upon. I don't think I'll have the money to find that type of food very often though. I had a lamb burger with coriander relish. It was delicious and as big as the Giant's Causeway.

So, filled with delicious lamb, we went back to Smyth's Pub, ready for our first REAL Guinness. Ready for the banter of the Irish people, the smooth head on the dark beer, and the good comraderie I had in Jenna and my roommates Victor and Ethan. Good thing we only had to be 18 to drink in Ireland. WRONG. The sign posted above the bar: Only 21 Plus Served. IDs Needed.

What the hell?!? I thought I came here so that I could drink (legally) before I was 21. That wasn't the reason I came here, but definitely a perk. The first feckin pub I hit won't serve me. Shit.

Luckily, as we left we saw the next storefront over. It was called Humphrey's Grocer. Here's the thing, it wasn't a grocer. It was a pub. Next to a pub. It was like Oshkosh, WI, only not so slimy. So we had our first pint at Humphrey's

I know, I was moving during the pic. Shut up.

I walked Jenna to her hostel and watched the curry and halal shops close up on the way back. There are crazy amounts of them, and shops in general.

First Day Highlights

So, I got in at about 9 this morning, that's 3 am in Minnesota. Ireland does this thing where they "randomly" make visiting students register and pay 150 Euro to be here. It's pretty much like a shakedown, or like paying protection money to the mob. From my comments, you can probably tell that I have to pay it. Well, can't complain to much about it now except bitch and moan.

We eventually (we being my girlfriend Jenna - who is traveling with me and leaving Sunday for her study abroad in Paris - and me) got to my apartment in Ranelagh, a Dublin neighborhood. The apartment is very spacious for Europe, or so I hear. The beds are single, not extra-longs, with 2 per room that is the size of an actual queen bed. There is little closet space. But, those are the downsides. We have a great terrace and amazing kitchen. The location is good, right near the Luas (the tram), and it is very quiet going by, like an air conditioner starting. Pictures tomorrow.

We went to Grafton St., the big shopping street with fancy places like United Colors of Bennetton and Vodaphone (tongue is in my cheek for the last one). We walked through Trinity College's campus and I thought, "Holy Shit! I'm actually going to this school, not just paying to tour it!" Over and over again.

We went and did some food and pubbing in Ranelagh, but I'm tired so I'll talk about that fun later.

I wrote this yesterday on the plane

I’m writing this while over Newfoundland. Fun fact: The Vikings came here way back when Vikings did stuff (not the Minnesota Vikings, who did nothing substantial until they signed a quarterback who I used to like. I wonder if I’ll hear anything about the NFL in Ireland). The Danish Vikings also founded Dublin. Funny how things transition so well. Kevin Bacon has to come into play here soon, right?

So far, my flights have been just fine. We sat on the tarmac for about 45 minutes before we took off from both Minneapolis and Chicago. The guy on in front of me on my flight over the “pond” was pretty fun. He was the first Irishman I interacted with. He had a nearly uncompromising accent and was very nice. He switched seats so my girlfriend could sit next to each other. He later had to be cut off by the flight attendant from his beers and his Jack. Good first interaction. More to come for you masses of loyal readers.

Afterword: I didn't get much sleep, and we landed well. Here's what I saw as I came in.

T-Minus 1 Week

Well, I am leaving for Dublin next Friday. That's one week from now. I'm very excited - I've wanted to spend time in Dublin and Europe for a long time - but at the same time, I am getting nervious.

There is a hell of a lot of work to do between now and next week, and I'm not even sure what most of it is. Either way, it's not like I'll be camping in Yosemite, so I'll be able to buy anything I forget. It's easy to forget that.

What comes next on An American in Eire? Well, I am going to talk a lot about the food and drink I eat and search for. I am a "foodie" and passionate about sustainable food (and I'm serious - I've read more than just Michael Pollan). I'll also share my other adventures and the fun quirks I find about the new country.