About a see-you-soon

Saying goodbye is never easy. Especially when you are about to leave behind such an amazing city as Dublin and the great people you have met throughout these 12 weeks. A city that has (literally) left a mark on me and people with whom I have shared unforgettable moments. A city I know I will come back to one way or another.

So... this is it. I just want to say a big THANK YOU to all of you, who have made this experience possible. From my Pembroke Shore Family and relatives, the rest of flatmates, my partners in crime, all the people who invaded my house, my adoptive little sis, my coworkers, every friend-of-a-friend I have met... to all of you, you know who you are... although you may not know how important you have been to me. It would have never been the same withouth you guys (folks!)

Dublin Facts

You can go out a Sunday, a Tuesday, a Thursday, a Friday and a Saturday and still want more.

Some people make you feel ashamed of being Spanish. Some other of being a woman. Some other of being a human being.

Raping the kitchen is always a good idea.

Tesco products save lifes.

You can fix a fridge with a little bit of tape.

The ground is hard.

You can put up to 4 pint glasses in a purse.

When you less expect it, you'll go from /ˈdʌblɨn/ to /ˈdʊb(ə)lən/

Irish people are great craic.

There is definitively something in the air.

Milk tastes like milk here.

Buses own the streets.

Grafton Street and Temple Bar are never empty. Ever.

Molly Malone is a party animal.

About the end of the internship

 Well...I have officially finished my internship here... I don't know wether to feel on holidays or unemployed...

Sunday's weather was again, just like the whole weekend, sunny and warm (Irish summer weather, for

everybody from Madrid it would be more similar to our Spring weather). For the first time in weeks I went to the street wearing only a t-shirt and no jacket. And not only that, the t-shirt was sleeveless. I met Tomoyo and María at the Trinity College, and we then went to visit Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Cathedral that is a few minutes away from the office, and I had never been there before. While we were there, Kelsi went out from work and she came with us. Later, we went to have an icecream and then home.

And so starts my last week in Dublin. At work, once again, everything has gone smoothly. After work I have tried to make the best of the time.

On Tuesday night, I went to Dicey's with María. It wasn't, again, as packed as it has been, but still pretty crowded. And we confirmed that, here, you may speak with 20 random Irish guys and they will all be nice, and speak with 2 Spanish guys and find out that they are (massive) assholes. Of course, it may have only been a coincicence (several coincidences)... but how unlucky that is...

On Wednesday, after work, I went for a second to the shopping centre to buy socks (I seriously don't know what the hell I had in my head when I packed and why all of my socks are breaking here) and also a scarf-wool-hat I saw last weekend and it is really nice and I can't wait to wear. After that, I did not have a lot of time, because I was meeting Tomoyo and María for dinner. We went to a place called Gotham Cafe, near my house. We went home almost right after dinner, because the three of us were quite tired.

Thursday was my last day at work... It started pretty quiet, but then we were busy. After dinner, I went with María and two of her colleagues for a beer to celebrate Arthur Guinness' day. Of course, I had Guinnes. What else could I drink?

And Friday is being, in general, peaceful and relaxing. I have slept until late and little more... Laundry, shower, lunch... And now, once I finish updating (almost for the last time) my blog... I'll go to the supermarket to buy a couple of things I need and then I may start cleaning up... I can not believe I have to start doing that...

About minor accidents, Germany in Dublin and change of seasons

So... Another week is coming to an end.

This one started with a visit to the hospital, because I needed to have changed the dressing of my foot. And how come I have a wound in my foot? Well, to make it short, I got hit by a car last September 9th. And before you even get scared, I am completely fine. After the hit, I only wanted to go upstairs to the office, wash my face and start working. Nobody seemed to care, though, and I got a cervical collar, they immobilized my spine (a.k.a they tied me to a really uncomfortable stretcher) and they took me to the ER so they could see me, give me some stitches and all of that. Oh, and they put me a bracelet "so I don´t get lost" to which I replied that it wasn't like I was going to go far away looking like that and tied to that stretcher. But, as said, it was nothing. Three stitches, a couple of bruises and a wound in my foot. And I no longer have the stitches, the bruises have almost completely faded away and the wound is healing. I spent a couple of days at home and went back to work the third one of sheer boredom... And there's little to add... On Wednesday, the driver came to see me at the office and gave me a bouquet. On Thursday, I went to the hospital to recover my medical records (they said that I should keep on trying...) and then I went to the garda station to speak with my cute Garda, and back to the hospital on Friday to have my foot checked. That night, I went to have a beer with the Spanish guys and then to the cinema on Sunday.

And then, as said before, I started this week going back to St. James (and I think I had never ever gone so many times in a row to a hospital) where I was told that the wound is good.

Generally speaking, the week was quiet as usual. Also because I was told to be barefooted as much as possible, and not to give my foot a hard time... and also because we have been busy at work, so when I am back home I need to make the lunch, dinner, have a shower, maybe do the laundry... and that leaves me with little time.

Nevertheless, I went to have a beer on Thursday, because a small Oktoberfest is taking place here in Dublin. And I was really happy with my Weizenbier and my Bratwurst. 

And this weekend I have tried to make as much as possible. On Friday I met the Spanish guys, kind of farewell party because they have already landed in Barajas at this time. So we went to the Temple Bar. And I don't remember how many times I had to repeat that no, I have not had a fight and I have not been punched.

And yesterday, Tomoyo, María and two Japanese friends from Tomo and I went to The Village. It was one of the best nights there... It was crowded, and since the University has already started, there is a lot of people and a great environment (and not only made of teenagers and post-teenagers who want to "learn" the language)

And now... I am going to have a shower and go for a walk. We have to make the best of it, because the weather is great now... This week started on Winter and it is finishing in Summer!!

About things that happen in the blink of an eye

I know, I know, I usually update the blog during the weekend or even on Monday... but I have had a busy week and I had no time until today.

Cecilia left on Monday morning. So early it was almost still Sunday... We woke up at around 3:00, and I left her at the bus stop, where she took the bus to the airport. Then, once she got in the bus, I went back home to sleep a bit more.

The rest of the week was pretty normal, same as usual...

On Thursday, since I wasn't working on Friday because I was travelling back to Madrid for the weekend, we decided to go out. At first, I though we would only be Tomo, Maria, Ramon and me, but my flatmates Kelsi, Julia and Mattia decided to come with us, same as a friend of Mattia. So we had a drink at home, and then headed to Harcourt Street. We decided to go to the D2. There, we had a great time all together.

Then, on Friday, after waking up and eating something, I went straight to the airport. There isn't a lot to say about that... Airport stuff... Security, passport check... Flying... And then, home. It felt great to go to the street with only a t-shirt... Then, after unpacking, I went to have some tapas with some friends, Javi, Lucia, Fran and Beltran. And tinto de verano!! Yummy! After that, with my sister, her boyfriend and the cousin of his, we went to have a beer... in a pub. Yeah... I was kind of missing that lol.

And then, Saturday, the reason I had to go back for the weekend: my uncle Chema's wedding. It was a really nice day, and a really nice wedding. And I also got to see almost all my family.

And then, Sunday... it was a pretty lazy day. But that's what Sunday's are for.

And then, this week has been kind of relaxed... And now I'm just getting ready for the weekend... My stay is almost finished, so I really have to make the best of it...

Be safe!

About movement in the flat and Chinchisit

Technically, 2/3 of the Dublin Experience are gone. I won't say that it seems like yesterday when I came... but I will say the time is certainly flying.

This week, as usual, has been quite quiet. We kept on working at Folens, and by the end of the week we resumed La Touche.

And about the rest, I went on Tuesday to Dicey's with María and Alex to Dicey's. Surprisingly, there was by far less people than other days (which does not mean it wasn't packed). This time, we were able to keep our promise and we had only one beer and then we went back home.

On Wednesday came a cleaning team to burn down  clean the kitchen and the bathrooms. And, hey... the glass of the oven is actually transparent... Tomoyo came later to have dinner and we then went to Camdem Street and Temple Bar. There, I found/met Alex and we went to O'Connell St. to watch the football match.

And finally, weekend!! On Friday, after a quick dinner, I went to a bar near St. Stephen's Green with Alex and his friends. There was also football, so we were entertained until they started playing music.

Alex went back to Spain on Saturday morning, same as the German girl that had come the previous weekend, who was changing flats because she worked far from here. In exchange, an american girl came. And my sister! Well, Ceci did not stay for longer than the weekend... but she arrived on Saturday. After lunch, we went to visit Kilmainham Gaol, a XVIII Century jail. Truth be told, it was really interesting. In that prison, many of the Easter Rising rebels were held and executed... so we learnt a lot of Irish history. After that, we went back home, had dinner, and headed to Temple Bar with María, Padraig, Valentina, Andrea and Tomoyo. Between the songs with goat (explanation here) and cheering some couples (we all were doing that) we had a great night.

On Sunday, when I managed to get my sis out of bed, we went to have a Full Breakfast at Temple Bar. Energy for the next activity, the Free Tour. If any of you ever comes, specially if you are interested on culture and history, I recommend it 100%.  After visiting the highlights of Dublin, while our guide was telling us anecdotes and historical facts about the country and the city, we went to have a walk and visit the couple of things we had not seen. Then we had a beer and a some nachos, and after a short walk at the canal, we went home, to have dinner and go to bed. And I discovered we've got a new Italian flatmate.

And that's pretty much it, so far...

About flatmates that come, and flatmates that go and first time in England

That thing I wrote about "some coworkers will come later tonight to have a drink here" ended up being what pretty much seemed like a party... Where 20 people managed to get in my living room. After the initial shock, I have to say that I had a great time, and since nothing was broken, I think I passed the test. Not that I am thinking in taking it again. So after a couple of beers here, we went to The Village.

On Sunday when I woke up I started cleaning up the living room. We have made some turns, and I though it was fair that I started with that, because it was me who had invited all the people. Truth be told, Julia had already thrown away some of the things we had left at night. Then, after lunch, I met Tomoyo and we went to buy some things at Penney´s and for a walk... and that's basically how the Sunday ended.

At work, the week was tranquil again. Valentina and I have up to date the project almost everyday, so some days we have little to do...

To be honest, it has been quite a curious week... On Monday, when Carlo came to collect the rent, he told me a new flatmate was coming. He was in other flat... and was only staying for the night. And then on Tuesday, out of the blue, Carlo appeared with a new flatmate. In this case, for 10 days. His name is Alejandro, and he is from Valencia. So after he came in, I went to his dorm to help him bringing his things. And then on Wednesday, after dinner, we went to watch the Supercup to a pub.

And then... weekend! On Friday, as soon as I got home, I packed, had dinner... and went to bed... because I was waking up at 4 and going to the airport, destination England. In the end, I had some free time... specially taking into account that the flight was delayed due to some technical issues (indeed, we did not know if we were flying). But then, at about 8:45, I landed for the first time in the United Kingdom.

We spent the morning visiting Newcastle, the river, the university, the football stadium... And then, when it started raining, we went to a shopping center for a while, and after that, directly to Durham. Since the weather wasn't great and we were exhausted, we decided to stay at home, have dinner and watch a film there.

And then on Sunday, after sleeping a nice amount of hours, we woke up, had breakfast and headed to Durham... And I confirmed how beautiful it is. And, since the weather was nice, we were able to have lunch in the Market Place. Then, we went back home to pick up my things, because we had decided to go back to Newcastle and go for a walk there. This time, Irene joined us. And a couple of hours later I went back to the airport and then to Dublin. 

And that has pretty much been my week... Enjoy the pics I'm uploading!

Newcastle's Cathedral

University

Durham's Castle and Cathedral

Market Place
 

Durham's Cathedral

The Angel of the North

About algo se muere en el alma...

It seems lately the main topic of my blog has been farewells and closing chapters... Well, I´m right now exactly at the mid-point of this experience... And also in a more metaphoric way, because almost everybody with whom I shared this first 6weeks has already left. Special mention to Ayla, who left yesterday morning, because she was the one I spent the more time with. Logical, on the other hand, given that we shared a flat. I got to say I´ll miss her laughing in the flat, going out... Season 01 of Pembroke Shore has ended...

So this week was less quiet than the previous ones. At work it was pretty much the same. Little to say about that, only that a new intern has started, Adrián.

And since these were Ayla's last days in Dublin, we decided to go with Tomoyo and María to Dicey´s on Tuesday. It was great, as usual... and packed, also as usual... And it's easier to speak Spanish or anything rather than English...

On Wednesday we stayed at home watching TV because we were quite tired... That morning, Andrea moved out, so it was only the girls.

Then on Thursday, Tomo was here when I arrived, and later came another friend of hers. We went to a jazz concert in our street, from the boyfriend of Ayla's boss. The place, a multifunctional space was really nice. Also the atmosphere was really nice. After the concert, they went to have a drink but I went home because I have a cold... Also logical, given this crazy changing weather...

So, as said, Ayla left on Friday morning, so I´m taking the single room. Right after work I moved my things (and I also did the laundry, rearranged the things of the kitchen...) and I got used to the room. Then, after dinner, I went to Tomo's to have a drink there and chill for a while.

And today, after sleeping tight and for a good amount of hours, and also after lunch, Julia and i went to the supermarket to buy the things for the week... But I gotta go back now, because I forgot some things. And not much more to say. Some coworkers will come later tonight to have a drink here and then we will go out... I'll tell you on the next update!