Dublin
I'm here. I'm in Dublin, Ireland and it is an amazing place. The flight over was good, but the take off and landind definately screwed with my equilibrium and ears. Being a little sick didn't help either. But, I sat next to a nice guy from the Green Bay area on the way to Chicago and then next to Damien, a Sligo (Ireland) resident, on the way from Chicago to Dublin. He gave me a few tips:
1. On tipping: "fug 'em"
2. On name-calling: "Try not to call a Dubliner a Jackeen."
Good stuff. A real nice guy and really interested in American's place in the new Dublin since their economoic boom, The Celtic Tiger. After landing, I took a taxi ride with Nick, a St. Louis resident going to school at U Illinois. He's rough around the edges. He swears a lot, smokes a lot, drinks a lot, and is basically the kind of guy who you'd expect never to go to college. Or at least flunk out by the end of freshman year. But, in the end... he's an ok guy. However, I couldn't explain why I think that. I really can't. I live in a house closer to the city center than any other student house, which is pleasant... Mount Pleasant actually. 18 Mount Pleasant Avenue Lower, Dublin 2, Ireland. My address. I've got 5 housemates and a terrific flat. My roommate is Aram, a New Yorker going to school in Wisconsin. He's Jewish too. Nice guy. Good taste in music. The other flatmates are decent. 4 theatre folk here and 2 normal IES students. I've met some good kids that I'll see myself becoming better friends with as the program continues.
The first day we went to the Bernard Shaw for lunch and a pint and hot damn... the Guiness here is not even comparable to the stuff in the states. It's dark... it's think... but it tastes so much better here. Seriously... really good beer. Wednesday night we went out to The Barge and had some pints, but it was a crazy evening as Ireland was playing France in football and the fans were out in full force. Plus... they were playing just up the street. After a few pints, TJ, Nick and I went down to Temple Bar and found our way into some nice pubs. Met some guys from Switzerland and chatted for a while. All in all it was a good night.
Yesterday we went to Glendalough, a medieval monastary. It was breathtaking. The lower lake was just great and it just felt like pure Ireland. I took some pictures:
(More photos at www.flickr.com/photos/timhellendrung)
Well, after that we stayed at a gorgeous upscale hotel and had a wonderful meal and drank Guinness until 11. Then it was off to bed. I roomed with Rory, who seems like a good kid. But, seems to keep to himself a bit. But... that's everyone right now. Except 2 theatre kids and Nick. Today we went to the Powerscourt Estate and spent some time there (as the rain came pouring down) and then it was back to Dublin for final preparation for classes and such. My first class isn't until Monday afternoons, but the Gaiety School kids are pressured a lot more than the normal IES folks. We all have to wear complete black or navy clothes (without any markings... wtf) and we're partially integrated with Irish students at the school... we just have more classes than they do. We have an extra voice and extra movement class. I'll be in class much more here than I am in the States. At least, it feels that way. We'll see after a week of classes. Well, it's Friday night and people are starting to get restless. We'll be out at The Barge again. Should be a good time.
All is well... I miss Emily a lot, but we're doing great with the whole thing. I think this'll be good for us... just like this summer. Seeing what we can take. I really wanna check out a record store tomorrow. I need to find me some Grime.