So much has happened in the last two days! Yesterday we had more orientation, and I got most of scheduling problems figured out. Looks like I'll be able to stay the full year! Yay! The SMC girls went over to the reception for international students after orientation, which was totally awkward (Domer fest part two), and by the time we got there, all the food was picked over and cold. We did meet a nice boy named Seoseph on the way over, but he later developed a crush on Leslie and we ditched him (even though we felt bad; but he was quickly becoming an Irish creeper). After the reception we went to The Roost-- one of the local pubs in Maynooth. Leslie, Elizabeth, Erin and I all got in, but Mary, Beth and Missy had to go back to get their IDs, so we watched the Irish vs France rugby game (or pretended to watch it) until they got back. They are all very interested in us! It was sooo crowded in the pub because of the rugby game, and we had trouble finding seats, but we met up with some kids that live near Maynooth and got to Trinity College in Dublin. Missy and some of the other girls had met them a previous night, and we all sat around and chatted. We met lots of nice people! I even had my first drink (a Bacardi Breezer that tasted like orange soda and NOT like alcohol... don't worry, mom, I only had one), and I even tasted Dave's beer. It was disgusting. We danced in the top floor of the Roost before Elizabeth and I retired early (we had to be up at 7 this morning and needed our sleep).
Today Roberta (our program coordinator) took us on our first trip to County Wicklow. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day! The sun was shining all day, and it was nice and warm, but not too warm! I've never appreciated the sun more than I do here. We started out at Glendalough. Glendalough ("Glen of Two Lakes") is a village located at the site of a monastery founded in the 6th century by Saint Kevin. The village was destroyed by Viking raids, but many of the buildings still stand in ruin. The monastic site includes a 33 metres tall round tower built around 1066. This tower is one of several early Irish medieval towers built throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. After Glendalough was destroyed and abandoned, it was still held very holy by Irish Christians. The village is now covered in tombstones indicating the people buried there since the village was abandoned. Bodies were buried up to 9 to a grave, and some are still buried there today. The graves cover the whole village, including inside the churches and buildings. The village is built at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, and there was an amazing view of the mountains and the valley from where we were. We also took a walk along a path to one of the two lakes, Upper Lake," which was very beautiful as well.
After we were finished at Glendalough we took a short drive to Powerscourt, also located in Co. Wicklow. The estate occupies 47 acres, and is famous for it's castle and scenic gardens. The house was originally a 13th century castle and was a centre of strategic military importance. Lunch was on Saint Mary's, so we stuffed ourselves full and then set out into the gardens to explore. After we smelled all the roses, we came back to the castle to do a bit of shopping (although I think the most expensive thing anyone bought was postcards; I fell in love with a beautiful red coat until I saw the price tag... only 300 Euro... roughly $400. I almost cried). A fire in 1974 left the house lying as a shell until it was renovated in 1996. The house/castle has been converted into shops, a restaurant, and a five star hotel. It's charm is inexpressible.
After the hour trip back to Maynooth, we all had a computer party in Beth's room where we uploaded pictures onto facebook and sent emails while chatting and being mean to eachother (we were all very crabby as we still haven't had a chance to catch up on sleep). We listened to a bit of the ND game online until we were all too tired to care and thenceforth retired to our rooms for our first good night's sleep. Tomorrow I get to sleep in! Then Beth's Irish roommate Deborah is taking us into Dublin to show us around, then back to NUIM for the first night of "fresher's fortnight!" (Fresher's fortnight is apparently two weeks worth of partying that is particularly for the fresher, or freshmen... we'll see how I handle that!) And classes start Monday!
If you'd like to see my pictures, you can view them at:
http://nd.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2110657&l=3cd41&id=5619987
and
http://nd.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2110662&l=7d1bc&id=5619987
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