Travel...Arrival

I flew out of Minneapolis/St. Paul at 11:30 am Tuesday morning and landed in Dublin, Ireland at 8:15 am (2:15 MN time) this morning.  Both flights were quite easy and fast.  It was also nice to have a few encounters with people or things that made me smile such as: meeting the couple next to me on the flight to Atlanta and realizing that they were from Winona too, and encountering another one of my dream jobs at the Atlanta airport where a middle-aged guy was just playing a baby grand in the middle of the food court area.  What a lucky guy!  I smiled and tipped him a couple bucks and he nodded back as if to say, "You look like a music guy, and I know you appreciate this!" 


On the flight to Dublin, I sat next to Lisa, a Belfast native that has lived in Los Angeles for twenty years now.  Boy, did she talk up a storm.  Every moment I peeled my eyes from the movie, she would be there to ask me a question.  But, what a gift that was to have her there to keep me sane (I had teared up a bit when I initially get on the flight: note to all you future travelers, don't call your parents the moment you get on your first international flight!!!) She was very kind in telling me several places to visit and several different things to try.  All in all, she was great to have.

Double-decker buses!!

      When I got off the plane in Dublin, Lisa stood with me at the baggage claim and then sent me on my way to the coach station.  It was very simple and easy to get a ticket and the bus arrived promptly at 10:15 to pick me up (along with others of course.)  The bus ride was tiring, but very scenic and fun.  I met a young woman who has been doing youth work in Belfast and Cork the past 6 summers and was now traveling to Cork to work in a non-profit cafe not too far from my apt. building.  The scenery was stunning in some parts of the ride, especially near Waterford! 




                - Scenery -




      Once we reached Cork, the bus dropped us off and I looked at my map and started walking.  It only took about 10-15 minutes to get to the apartment building.  Once I got there, an older woman who I now learned was not Josephine (the head of the apartments) helped me get my room keys and such.  However, she was quite blunt and not very nice...didn't help the situation of being completely overwhelmed in a brand new country!!! But, shortly after checking to see if the internet worked, I went out and bought some groceries, set up my cell phone, just walked around.  What was very interesting was watching the streets basically empty completely at 5:30 as all the shops closed!  But, when I got back I met one of my flat-mates Jordan from Nevada.  So far we like each other a lot!! And, I'm sure we will continue to enjoy each other's company. 

Picture from my bedroom window

 I have quickly realized that I cannot spend very much time alone.  If I do, I start to think think think and ponder and wish I was back home....NOT good.  So, I have met a few others already and I believe I am waiting to go up and hang out with a few other students from the east coast in a bit!  And, then it's bed time!  I still haven't heard from Connie and Kelly in Lancaster?  So hopefully I hear from them soon!   

Lesson learned today: from Mitch Albom's book "Have a Little Faith" 
"How can we be happy?: Be satisfied, Be grateful with what you have!"

I'll check in tomorrow with some thoughts about my first full day in Cork!