Cork

After five jam-packed days in Dublin I have arrived in Cork, near the southern tip of Ireland. What a difference a four hour bus ride makes! This is what I imagined a city in Ireland would be like. Rolling hills, wide boulevards with narrow alleys leading off, colorful houses. Dublin is to Cork what Hamilton is to Banff. Well, maybe not that extreme, but I enjoy quite a bit more. People here are less rushed, less crowded and, overall, less angry. Dubliners seem to be angry all the time, but Corkers are quite pleasant. Anyway, checked into the Bru Bar hostel which is quite nice, all new. Couldn't swing a cat in the room, but its got beds so thats all that matters. Tomorrow I begin my house hunt in earnest, though I have already contacted several people about renting flats. Once I get a home base I will begin phase two, getting a job. It seems like there are still some jobs available here, though the student population may make finding decent work more difficult. However, money is money, so I'm willing to do pretty much whatever (though I hope to avoid call centers if I can.) Walked around the main shopping area tonight, which was quite nice, and grabbed some dinner. I am definitely looking forward to being able to cook for myself again not eating out all the time. Anyway, that is all for now, I will let you all know more when I get a place/job. 

Ps. If anyone has any plans to be going anywhere in Europe in the next while, let me know and maybe I can join you there!

Dublin

I have never enjoyed flying, and I can't say that coming to Ireland changed that opinion at all. Not to say the flight was terrible, or that they lost my luggage or anything. I just hate the feeling of coming off an eight hour trip in recycled air in the same clothes you fell asleep on dragging a 30 pound bag around a new city. But maybe thats just me. However, the flight could have been much worse than it actually was, had I not been fortunate enough to find two empty seats. You see, my assigned seat was next to a German couple and their massive young baby who was apparently stricken with the need to cry, kick and climb the entire eight hour flight. However, by some miracle there were two unoccupied seats at the back of the plane, and I was able to move there, giving the mammoth child room to stretch his frenetic legs onto my now empty seat. Plus, i could kind of lie down across the two seats. I mean, if I folded myself into a strange taco position normally reserved for advanced practitioners of the Kama Sutra. Eventually I made it to Dublin airport, and after a brief bus ride into town, and a 30 minute walk trying to find my hostel (it was literally a block from where the bus dropped me off, Im just terrible with maps) I was able to grab a nap. 

Dublin is a very interesting city to be certain, and can be rather intimidating, as any major city is at first. However, once you get the hang of things and figure out a few landmarks like the Spire (why does every major city have a giant pointy thing in it. I bet freud would have a field day with the CN tower, the Space Needle, the Eiffel Tower etc.) its much easier to get around. Plus, the river running through the middle is handy for orienting yourself in the right direction. I have actually been fairly lucky with the weather, and it hasn't poured rain on me yet. In fact, today was sunny and warm. Apparently summer just arrived yesterday in Ireland, according to the locals. Took a historical walking tour today to get a feel for the city and the history of Ireland, and then headed over to the Museum and the National Gallery, for some culture. Haven't got around to the Guinness tour yet, lots of other places to see. However, I still have one more full day tomorrow, so there is lots of time for that. Saturday morning I will be heading down to Cork by bus, which will be a good way to see some of the country side. I am rather excited to get to Cork; Dublin is cool, but its a little too busy for me, I am looking for something a little quieter (I know, weird for a Toronto boy to say). 

Other first impressions about Ireland:

-they need more Italian barbers here- the most popular style of haircut for guys here seems to be some strange cross between a mullet and the greased down bangs look. Gross.

-everyone look like they are ready to go for a run, but couldn't run if their life depended on it- translation: lots of fat guys in track suits

-everyone jay-walks (myself included)

-all prices include tax, and no one tips at restaurants- sweet

-every hostel comes with a snorer (these guys should have to pay extra, seriously)

Thats all for now, my foot is asleep from sitting cross legged on the floor, keep your eyes open for more posts in the future.

matt

Final Preparations

Well folks, its the final days before my plane leaves, and life is a wee bit hectic. Trying to tie up all my loose ends here at home before taking off for a new country can really leave you stressed out. I've already packed and repacked my knapsack several times to determine the best way to stuff my entire life into one bag. Add to that the attempt to finish law school applications, and you've got yourself one interesting ball of stress. However, all is being taken in stride and plans are starting to come together. I have my hostels in Dublin and Cork booked already, and have even already met some fellow Canadians online who are going to be in Ireland on the SWAP program at the same time as me, which is very cool. Now I don't feel like I'm going in to this completely alone. Also, randomly enough, I was introduced to a native Irishman currently in Canada last night at a Salsa dance class (he was Jess' dance partner). It was definitely the first time I've ever written down my email on a bar napkin and given it to a dude, haha. He told me his sister, who lives in the midlands, would be more than happy to take me in for a couple of days, which is awesome. What they say about Irish hospitality is true, I suppose.

I still have not quite wrapped my head around the fact that I am going to be gone for such a long period of time (though I am sure once I get there time will fly by). I still don't know if I will be back at Christmas time, I will just have to see when we come to that. Right now all I am focused on is getting there, finding a job and an apartment and then traveling as much as possible. So, keep your eyes here for many posts to come, hopefully filled with interesting tales of adventure in the European capitals and small hamlets. 

Adios, muchachos.