A week in Ireland

I've never been a fan of journals, or for that matter blogging, but I thought the concept could actually be useful given my circumstances. I've been in Ireland for about a week, and it has been a busy and exciting week full of nerves, anxiety, and excitement. The plane flight felt long in some regards, and short in others; the image of landing on the rainy Shannon airport runway will probably be a long lasting one in my mind. The first two days were busy sleepless days traveling and running around town. I finally feel somewhat settled in, although the process of selecting classes and becoming acclimated to the campus offers little sense of structure or normalcy, but that will be for the time being only.

Downtown Cork is amazing, the city is beautiful and there are tons of shops ranging from a local football club shop run by avid supporters of the club to numerous markets and shopping centers laden with clothing and apparel shops. We havent explored the entire city yet, but it does seem quite large, but not too much to not eventually get a solid feeling of familiarity. I was somewhat suprised about the presence of american culture and commerce in Ireland. Pubs actually play a few American songs (Journey?!), American products are hidden amongst the array of confusing and seemingly foreign products at the supermarket, and the US Presidental primary is covered nightly on the news. In retrospect, such American presence isnt all that prevlant, nor suprising, but my nerves and anxiety seemed to prepare me for a completly and utterly unfamiliar culture.

I had known about a Dropkick Murphys concert in Dublin for about of month, but just tonight did I decide to make the trip up Janaury 31st with some kids from UMass. I'm really looking forward to the concert, it's a weird feeling to say it will be a reminder of home as they are known for irish music back home, but they embody Massachusetts more than anything I can think of.

I havent really gotten homesick yet, I dont think I will. That is not to say I dont miss certain things from home nor I havent been nervous. In contrast, I have had periods of worry, concern, etc. but never felt as if I should be or wanted to go home.

I think thats realtivy enough for now; when I know the Gaelic word for 'goodbye' I'll use it...but untill then, goodbye!