Ireland! Whoa.

Hey everyone, I made it. I got into Dublin at 5AM Wednesday and have been in a whirlwind of awesome ever since. Sadly I haven't taken many pictures, but we spent the whole day exploring downtown Dublin yesterday. It really is an incredible city, it's so fascinating for me to see so much history in one place. I've never seen so many people in my life! There are tons of tourists but if you want to avoid that and see the real Dubliners you can. We had orientation today and then a little welcome party later in the night at a place called "Club Chonradh Na Gaelge," which is almost literally a hole in the wall pub. They place has built their business around trying to keep the Irish language alive, which is used less and less by anyone anywhere despite the fact it's actually their official language. So anyway, you can't order a beer at this place unless you do so in Irish. We got a lesson in how to say some things from as real an Irishmen you'll ever find, followed by being taught how to sing a traditional Irish song. Singing was almost impossible as Irish is pretty much incomprehensible, but it was really incredible to be sitting in a pub in Dublin singing songs in Irish and drinking a Guinness. The song goes like this:

Tá nead ins an sliabh ag an Rógaire Dubh
'S ní ghabhfaidh sé an bóthar ach cóngar an chnoic

(The Black Rogue has a nest in the mountain,
And we won't go the road but by the short-cut of the hill)

That's the first verse anyways, I just wanted you to see what Irish looks like. We stuck around after that for awhile to listen to some Irish music and singing and then headed down to the Temple Bar district, which is the most famous pub in Dublin and an area of other pubs and whatnot. We had some beers at the Temple Bar, which was insanely packed, mostly with tourists. On my way to the bar I overheard someone talking about Michigan State. Turns out he goes to Western. Let me tell you, kids from Western suck at holding their booze.

Anyways, I suppose I got a bit ahead of myself. We are living in an area of Dublin to the north called Santry in a student apartment complex next to The University College of Dublin. I share a flat with two girls, one who is on the trip with us from MSU, and the other an Irish girl who I only met last night when we woke her up upon returning from the pubs. She has finals this week, but was really nice and I'm looking forward to her finishing up so we can make her show us the cool stuff to do around here.

The rumor that the Irish are the nicest people in the world could not be more true. I'm always worried that we'll be treated as annoying American tourists, because, well, that's what we are, but I've found that even the most hardcore intimidating Irishmen is generally the nicest guy in the world. I love the culture here. It's an oral culture, which means that you can strike up a conversation with anyone and you'll be laughing with them and slapping them on the back in no time. They don't take anyone seriously, including themselves. Everyone is always slagging on each other, as they call it.

Everyone on the trip with me has been great so far. There are still plenty of things to adjust to, but I think it's going to be a fun summer. That is, if I can control my spending so I don't go broke! Everything here is incredibly expensive thanks to their booming economy.

Here are some pictures of the apartment, hopefully I'll have pictures of more interesting stuff soon. I love you all, hope all is well with you and I'll update again soon.

Leave me comments, send me e-mails, shoot good vibes into the universe toward me, whatever floats your boat. I would appreciate it, as much fun as I'm having it is hard to be away from everyone and hearing from you would be great.