Wednesday, April 1st 2015
I finished my spring cleaning (my kot is so clean and sparkly, you'd be amazed!) and packed my final belongings before heading to the train station. I got to the airport and naturally my plane was delayed. After a little more relaxation time in the airport, I boarded my first of five RyanAir flights in the next three weeks. Let the adventure begin!
I arrived in Dublin and was met by Alison's smiling face! It was so nice to see her again! Missed her even in those two weeks. We got the bus back to her school and made our way into her dorm. After some greatly missed pillow-talk we fell asleep, preparing for a very fun three days.
Thursday, April 2nd 2015
While I as riding the bus, I met a lady who was from Ireland and giving a tour to a group of Italians. She spent the whole bus ride talking to me about Ireland and Americans. She certainly did her fair share of making fun of us, but I was also enjoying a very unique and eye-opening cultural moment. Everyone also talked to each other on the bus, such a culture shock from Belgium where you strictly keep to yourself. The lady gave me a full explanation of her perspective of Americans and talked a lot about the great things that Ireland has to offer.
Friday, April 3rd 2015
Saturday, April 4th 2015
Reflections
Things I've noticed about Ireland and Irish people:
They are so patriotic! Everything is 'Irish', the dairy is Irish dairy, the meat is Irish meat. They constantly pride themselves on their own culture and it has been very interesting to see.
The public culture has been a huge difference from Belgium. Here, they talk to each other on the trains and buses and are very outgoing with strangers, versus in Belgium, you rarely hear people talking to the stranger besides them on public transport.
A huge problem is that when you are walking, you have no idea which side to pass someone when you are both walked towards each other! It is very confusing. So you don’t guarantee going right, because you don't drive on the right, but it is not necessarily left either! Too confusing!