Inside the plane:
A view of the setting sun:
Again...the sun:
Had I the time to generate thoughts, I would have begun writing far sooner than Day 5 (today). However, it is never too late to start writing. Thus, my thoughts may be slightly scrambled, but I will try to recall events in a chronological fashion.
My roommates from Purdue (Elizabeth, Jeanine, and Monica) and I hustle into a large taxi. In nearly 25 minutes, we arrive at 2 Garville Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6. The outside has a lovely rose garden in the front. And, (da-da-da-DAA) the house is painted black and gold. How suiting for us Purdue students. (Thought you'd like that too, Dad).
About ten minutes later, our school's host arrives to let us in the house. At that moment, we discovered what is meant by the word 'culture shock'. Our first thought : "WE WANT TO GO BACK TO AMERICA!" Allow me to rationalize. The house is very old. The furniture... randomly dispersed. My only thoughts involved the carpets that my mother would not dare touch with bare feet, let alone with socks. What was most discouraging was the smell of the house. It is something indescribable, simply put: nothing we were used to. The worst part: Elizabeth (who I share a room with) and I both found a hair on our beds! We decided to take the necessary precautions and bought some new linens for 15 euro. The house itself is beautiful, but we all agreed that it needs a major face lift....just to feel...clean.
This day was 'the day from hell' it seemed. We were all jet lagged, horribly grumpy, disorganized, and without food or phones. We had some missions to accomplish before the next day. Before I go on, let me give detail of the grocery stores. Imagine a smaller grocery chain that basically has the essentials: lettuce, milk, eggs, bread, meat, etc. However, the food products are scarcely found on the shelves (if you can find them at all). Known brand names? Forget about it. The eggs and yogurt are not refrigerated (supposedly normal in Europe...that cannot be safe). And lastly, skim milk is like a rare gem to be found in a pile of unwanted debris. For those who do not know, I am obsessed with milk. Literally obsessed, and unfortunately, I cannot stomach even low-fat milk. This will make for a major adjustment, or perhaps an on-going search for fat-free milk in select grocery stores. I will make do.
After this realization, all I wanted to do was call home....and that could not happen yet due to phone and internet disconnections. That is where Adam comes. I was so excited to see something (someone) familiar in a time where everything was just not. He and I took the LUAS (the metro) to his apartment in Dundrum. I met his fantastic roommates (Joe, Derrick, and Brian) and saw his fantastic apartment. I felt like I was living in a dump when I saw his living conditions. Everything was so new, fresh, clean, and it smelled good too! (unlike our place) My roommates and I all wondered if we would be able to sleep at all that night. However, our heads hit the pillow, and we slept like bears in hibernation. ZONKED!
This day was 'the day from hell' it seemed. We were all jet lagged, horribly grumpy, disorganized, and without food or phones. We had some missions to accomplish before the next day. Before I go on, let me give detail of the grocery stores. Imagine a smaller grocery chain that basically has the essentials: lettuce, milk, eggs, bread, meat, etc. However, the food products are scarcely found on the shelves (if you can find them at all). Known brand names? Forget about it. The eggs and yogurt are not refrigerated (supposedly normal in Europe...that cannot be safe). And lastly, skim milk is like a rare gem to be found in a pile of unwanted debris. For those who do not know, I am obsessed with milk. Literally obsessed, and unfortunately, I cannot stomach even low-fat milk. This will make for a major adjustment, or perhaps an on-going search for fat-free milk in select grocery stores. I will make do.
After this realization, all I wanted to do was call home....and that could not happen yet due to phone and internet disconnections. That is where Adam comes. I was so excited to see something (someone) familiar in a time where everything was just not. He and I took the LUAS (the metro) to his apartment in Dundrum. I met his fantastic roommates (Joe, Derrick, and Brian) and saw his fantastic apartment. I felt like I was living in a dump when I saw his living conditions. Everything was so new, fresh, clean, and it smelled good too! (unlike our place) My roommates and I all wondered if we would be able to sleep at all that night. However, our heads hit the pillow, and we slept like bears in hibernation. ZONKED!
Post Script: I forgot to enclose a few random photos...
Here is one of the full meal they served on the plane. Everyone got either the chicken and rice or the beef and potatoes.
"You're stay starts here!"
Elizabeth and me in the taxi...after 3 hours sleep.
This is Zac. He is our friend, and such a good dog!
Lastly, a photo of 2 Garville Road: our black and yellow house:)
No comments:
Post a Comment