I've now been to Ireland twice in the past week. The first was a layover in Dublin, about 5 hours of waiting airport style. Not really how I wanted to my first experience in Ireland to turn out. Not to worry though, the second trip made up for the first! The past week has been but a blur of bus tours, 40 shades of green, cathedrals and the occasional leprachaun sighting (no, really). My first stop was Dublin, probably most famous for Temple Bar, the Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillary. Besides the lively atmosphere and traditional Irish music of Temple Bar and the fame of the other two, I much prefered day trips to St. Patricks Cathedral, with it's endless spires and stained-glass windows. Or possibly even my visit to University College Dublin, seeing the Book of Kells first hand and glimpsing the university life for a Dubliner. Equally as interesting and much more relaxing was St. Stephens Green, a park built in the center of the city to ease the minds and days of its bustling citizens. A quick stop at the lake will calm ones soul instantly.
As my host, I stayed with a couple of Venezuelans whose flat was only 2 houses down from the late great George Bernard Shaw house. As far as hosts go, I couldn't have asked for more. They showed me around town, cooked for me, spoke plenty of Spanish with me and introduced me to many of their wonderful friends. There's nothing better than getting to participate in the lives of others, especially when one doesn't know the home culture and could use a little connection :)
Well, obviously I didn't stop in Dublin, but as I'm sitting in Munich, Germany, my current host is shortly anticipating me for an evening festival, camping tonight and a day of hiking around a Bavarian lake and mountainside tomorrow, so I must go. More to come.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Touchdown!
To inaugurate the commencement of the football season, I decided to touchdown in Scotland today! As I flew over the flauntingly green tree-lined pastures and mountains of central Scotland, I looked down to this beautiful country that I now call home. And just to dispel a dastardly rumor that the Loch Ness monster doesn't exist, in mid flight I spotted Nessie with my own two eyes, churning the waters of the turgid lake. Or maybe with my own two minds eyes. Either way, as the poor-mans Gandalf once said, "of course it's happening inside your head (Dan), but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" I'm just going to keep believing she exists until someone proves it otherwise (can you prove a lack of existence of anything?).
I spent the first few hours of my time in Edinburgh with Iain and Kate Keter, my host Rotarians for the year. They were gracious enough to come to the airport to pick me up, sign and all, and take me out for my first meal in country. After we supped heartily on Burger King (funny first meal right!), they dropped me off at my flat where I chatted with my new roommate, Amir, for a while before heading out on the town. August is a big month for Edinburgh festivals, of which I noticed around 6 different ones during my 2 hour walk downtown. The main festival, called Fringe Festival, is an eclectic collision of art and performance, with thousands of street performers, comedians and artists lining the ancient corridors of downtown edinburgh. I'm thoroughly excited to get out tomorrow and spend some time witnessing this massive city performance a bit more.
On a quick side note, my flat is beautiful and everything that I need; big bedroom, spacious kitchen and living area, within walking distance of the school but not too close, great roommate. Should be a good fit.
I spent the first few hours of my time in Edinburgh with Iain and Kate Keter, my host Rotarians for the year. They were gracious enough to come to the airport to pick me up, sign and all, and take me out for my first meal in country. After we supped heartily on Burger King (funny first meal right!), they dropped me off at my flat where I chatted with my new roommate, Amir, for a while before heading out on the town. August is a big month for Edinburgh festivals, of which I noticed around 6 different ones during my 2 hour walk downtown. The main festival, called Fringe Festival, is an eclectic collision of art and performance, with thousands of street performers, comedians and artists lining the ancient corridors of downtown edinburgh. I'm thoroughly excited to get out tomorrow and spend some time witnessing this massive city performance a bit more.
On a quick side note, my flat is beautiful and everything that I need; big bedroom, spacious kitchen and living area, within walking distance of the school but not too close, great roommate. Should be a good fit.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Considerations
A penny for my thoughts? How about a nickel.
With only 3 days until the flag drops on my year-long race through a masters, I've begun the process of contemplation. Not so much thinking about the masters itself, though a quick glance at my first course reading list is enough to cause a tidal wave of fear to sweep through the already flooded academic tensions stirring in my mind. One only must remove themselves from the highly competitive world of academia for a few months to recognize the need for continuity in education; I'm now 7 years removed from what few would call a rigorous academic pursuit in my Spanish undergrad, entering into a field of study (Sociology) that I've not yet sat a single course. Need it be said I doubt and mistrust my capacity to compete with a younger, more educated generation? The only rest for my troubled soul comes from my father, who today mentioned he always thought Sociology was easy and for "people who didn't want to study." Oddly enough, that soothes me.
No, my contemplation comes in the form of nostalgia. As I sat on the porch today with my siblings, their children and my parents, celebrating my waning hours with 4-wheeler rides and conversation, I began to consider my life. My nieces and nephews ran around inventing games, playing those games and then crying when someone bent the newly-founded rules. Observing this highly-entertaining cycle, I began to realize my own role within it. Just a mere 20 years ago it was my cousins and me, all now grown up and serious, sitting on the porch, creating new worlds of adventure limited only by our drifting imaginations.
Three days from now I have a new opportunity. I can either attack this next year with the utilitarian mentality that I've become so comfortable with, or I can throw my head back and enjoy the breeze as my imagination drifts through Europe. I think I'll choose the latter.
With only 3 days until the flag drops on my year-long race through a masters, I've begun the process of contemplation. Not so much thinking about the masters itself, though a quick glance at my first course reading list is enough to cause a tidal wave of fear to sweep through the already flooded academic tensions stirring in my mind. One only must remove themselves from the highly competitive world of academia for a few months to recognize the need for continuity in education; I'm now 7 years removed from what few would call a rigorous academic pursuit in my Spanish undergrad, entering into a field of study (Sociology) that I've not yet sat a single course. Need it be said I doubt and mistrust my capacity to compete with a younger, more educated generation? The only rest for my troubled soul comes from my father, who today mentioned he always thought Sociology was easy and for "people who didn't want to study." Oddly enough, that soothes me.
No, my contemplation comes in the form of nostalgia. As I sat on the porch today with my siblings, their children and my parents, celebrating my waning hours with 4-wheeler rides and conversation, I began to consider my life. My nieces and nephews ran around inventing games, playing those games and then crying when someone bent the newly-founded rules. Observing this highly-entertaining cycle, I began to realize my own role within it. Just a mere 20 years ago it was my cousins and me, all now grown up and serious, sitting on the porch, creating new worlds of adventure limited only by our drifting imaginations.
Three days from now I have a new opportunity. I can either attack this next year with the utilitarian mentality that I've become so comfortable with, or I can throw my head back and enjoy the breeze as my imagination drifts through Europe. I think I'll choose the latter.
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