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!

About more quiet weeks and more farewells

I won't lie to you... The week has been again quiet and quite uninteresting. I think it makes sense, anyway, taking into account that I spend most of the time at work and when I come home, I need to cook dinner, lunch for the next day... So I don't have a lot of time for anything interesting...

The week was a little bit shorter, because it was Bank Holiday on Monday. So we watched a couple of films (X-Men and Skyfall) and later we went to have a beer with Fabian, who was leaving on Wednesday.

Then at work, little to say. A new intern has started working part-time, but the only thing I know about him is that his name is Miguel and he's spanish... but I haven't had the chance to speak with him because we're already working when he comes.

Thursday after work I went to St. Stephen's shopping center, because Tomo and I wanted to buy a small present for Ayla, because she's leaving next week. And I also wanted to buy something for María, because it was her birthday on Friday. So we had a look both there and in Grafton Street.

And then on Friday, Ayla and I met María for a drink to celebrate her birthday. The plan was having something and then heading home early, because we were throwing a farewell party for Ayla and Chris on Saturday... but, once again... Truth be told, we did not stay until the end. So the three of us went to Dandelion and the Grafton Lounge, and then Tomoyo and some friends of her joined us in Dandelion.

And yesterday, as I wrote above, it was Chris and Ayla's farewell party. We did little during the day... we were saving our energy for the night... And at about 21.00, Sandra and Tomo arrived and we had a drink here before going to Temple Bar. It was an awesome night, one of the funniest.

And today we're also being lazy and unproductive... We've gone to the supermarket and that's pretty much it... Youtube, songs, TV... I was thinking about going for a walk... but the sky is so dark right now I'm pretty sure it'll start raining any moment... 

XXX

About the end of Act I

So... the first month of my stay in Dublin is already gone... Which means one third. Balance of this first part? Really positive.

Once more, there is not a lot to say about the week at work. I have been working on two different projects, the Folens one, about school books, which I had been working on until now, and then a new one about a list of Solicitors in Ireland. Apart from that, a new intern came on Monday. She is called Valentina, she is 18 and comes from Turin.

The week has been pretty quiet, not only at work. Indeed, we have been home everyday but from Tuesday. Then, we went to a pub nearby to have a beer, Andrea, Ayla, Christian, Tomoyo and I. And also on Wednesday, I decided to go to O´Connell street because I wanted to have a look at a couple of things in Penney´s. 

Oh, and I have also bought the plane tickets to England, to visit Carolina in Durham, and my sis has bought hers to come and visit me :)

On Friday, since it was holiday here on Monday, we went out from work earlier. I was really looking forward to getting home, because Ayla had told me that we had a new flatmate and, in my case, roommate. She wasn´t here when I came, but she came a little bit later. Her name is Julia, she is German. She's 19.

Friday plan was simple. We went to have a beer with a couple of friends of Ayla. We weren't for a long time in that pub, but we then went to another one. Typical, you go out for a beer and you end up closing the bar. That was Friday. Well, it is not a big deal, considering that "closing late" means closing at 3-3:30 here... but well... Anyway, we really enjoyed the bar, it is quite big, has a couple of floors... And, above all, music is quite good. And as far as I know, there is live music every night. 

On Saturday we went to the Mart, a small market on the old Fire Station, where daily some people go to sell their handmade stuff. And we went with Tomo, who wanted to sell the jewelry she makes. We were there for a while, and then we came back home (just when it started raining). The rest of the evening we did not do a lot of things, just lying on the couch... And at night, we went to Cielo, a nightclub nearby.

Yesterday, we decided to go to the cinema. We wanted to go to the 15:40 showing, but we couldn't make it on time, so we waited for the next one having a coffee and doing some shopping. We watched "No you see me" for 9,40€ (student discount included). We really enjoyed the film, so somehow paying that amount of money was worthy. But still... wow. And then, after the movie, we went to have a pint in the Temple Bar.

And today, it is the Ban Holiday here, so we won't be doing a lot (everything -but pubs- is closed). We will meet later, because Fabian is leaving, but that's it.

And not much more to say... C U!!

About visits and irish music

Another week is gone... It's unreal, how fast the time goes by... I've been here for almost a month already!

Once again, the week at work has been relaxed. We are almost over with the proyect we are working on. So on Thursday and Friday I checked the work and started doing some new things. Next week or in a couple, some new interns will arrive, so it may be funny.

And then, Ayla's sister and her friend were here for a while on Sunday and then they left on Monday to London.

And not much more, actually... Tomo came on Thursday to have something here... and at night, a friend of Ayla came, Skaiste. 

Friday was a great night. Not only Ayla's friend was here, also Verena and a friend of hers. We went partying in Wexford Stret. We first went to The Palace, where we went the previous Friday. We didn't stay for a long time, because it was almost empty. So we decided to go to The Village, a club nearby. Until they closed, and we then went home.

And yesterday I didn´t do actually a lot of things... Laundry, groceries... And then in the evening I went with Fabian and Andrea to Temple Bar (and also the Temple Bar) because we wanted to listen to some live irish music. Later, Christian and Nathalie joined us. We had a great time, we enjoyed the music and the pub a lot.

And today... it's raining a LOT, so I guess we won't do a lot... Only Christian has moved to the apartment next door, and we have a new flatmate. He is Mateo, from Switzerland... And since he is a boy, I still have the V.I.P. room.

And now... I'm planning a little trip for a weekend in about a month. Yay!! I'll tell you more other day!!

About non-stop weeks

If there's something I can't say about this week, it's that it has been boring. I haven't really stopped! Indeed, I think I have only turn on the computer some 3 times this week.

At work, everything has gone good. It's not that eeeverything was working eeeveryday, but that's another story. On Monday afternoon we had a short meeting -that took longer than expected, just like every meeting- and on Friday, on of the bosses told us to go home earlier. But, as said, it was a quiet week.

On Tuesday, after dinner, we went downstairs, to Simon's flat. He is a colleague from Ayla, and this was his last week in Dublin so he had invited some people in. Mostly, French people, since 3 out of his 4 flatmates are French. The 5th is a Dutch girl who has never been seen cooking and rarely leaves her bedroom. So, in the end, it was quite late when we went back home... and that's why I spent Wednesday evening doing nothing, lying on the couch, after doing everything I had to.

On Thursday, when I got home, Ayla and Tomoyo were sitting in the living room, and they told me they were going to the Trinity College, because there was some kind of event going on. It wasn't really like that... it was only that they open a bar, and you can chill there, watching the sunset... It was pretty good. And then, when the sun went out, we, the girls, decided to go to the Temple Bar and have something there. But, although the streets were crowded, bars were not, so we decided to go back to D2, and we went to Dicey's. It wasn't that packed either, but it was cool.

Then, on Friday night, Ayla's sister and a friend of hers arrived, so we went to Dandelion to have a beer.

And then yesterday, I wen to the shopping center to buy some sandals or flip-flops, because the weather is still hot and we wanted to go to the beach after lunch. So, after shopping and eating, I put on my bikini, and I went with Andrea to Malahide, where Tomo and her flatmates were already. The weather was great, and the beach was crowded. I even swimmed! Taking into account where I am, you never know when the weather is going to stop being good.

Well, yeah. Sundays. It seems it´s always cloudy on Sundays.

About a new weekend

Good evening from Pembroke Street!

Today, after several sunny and warm days, the temperature has dropped some degrees and "the clouds have kidnapped the Sun", as a reporter has said. Truth is, it is nice.

The weekend was great. On Friday night we have a couple of beers at home, and we then went to the Dandelion, a pub in St. Stephen's Green. We went there Tomoyo, Ayla, María and I, and the lads decided to stay at home.

On Saturday, we woke up early, because the bus to Glendalough and Kilkenny was leaving at 9:05. Truth is, both the forest and lakes and Kilkenny are really worth it. And I got to eat fish and chips!. Then, once back in Dublin, we went to see a street festival nearby, and we had a look at the Rainbow Disco they were having. Not for a long time, because we were really tired, and we went back home soon.

And yesterday, it was quite a quiet day. I went to the supermarket in the morning, and then I went back to the shopping center with Ayla, so we could go for a walk and buy a couple of things. Later we went to have a beer at the Bleeding Horse, a pub close to our apartement with Andrea. It was really funny, though we ended up coming back home later than expected. I'm exhausted today, but who cares, we had a mint time.

And not much more to say... I'm going to prepare my lunch for tomorrow and to wash my hair. It actually looks more like a broom than real hair. God knows what has the water of this city. Anyway...

About canals and warm weather

T.G.I.F.!!!!!

Actually, this week has been pretty calm, but it's gone by really fast. And I can also confirm you that I no longer am a prawn and that thanks to the liters of moisturizing lotion I've been putting on, I'm not peeling. Almost. It seems I forgot my forehead.

Then, this is going to be just a quick update, because I finish work at 18:00 and since I have to prepare my lunch for the following day and the dinner, I haven't got a lot of time.

But I do have time, for example, for having a beer in a pub near the canal with my flatmates, one neighbor and María. It was great, since the weather was just perfect and there was even a little breeze.

Apart from that, I went for a walk on Wednesday... Not very long, just here in my neighborhood (D2), and in the surroundings of the Trinity College and Temple Bar.

And yesterday we went shopping (not that much!!), to change the battery of my watch (which had been gone for a week ant it was 15€!!! I'm still upset!) and then we sat for a while in the park.

And now, after a cool shower (seriously, I know 26º is not extremely high, but taking into account where I am...), I'm going to make my dinner (yeah, this soon) and to get ready, cuz tonigh Pembroke Shore goes out!!! 

And tomorrow, we go to Kilkenny... but that's another story... which I'll tell you on another day.

Enjoy the weekend!! And I'd appreciate if you left any comment!!!  I know that with Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and all that stuff it's easy to stay in touch, but it's always nice to receive some feedback and all that... 

See ya!!

About prawns

Just like I said yesterday, I'm the kind of Spanish girl who goes to Dublin and gets burnt as hell.

On Saturday, I went to St. Stephen's Green with Ayla after updating my blog. We were there for about an hour, maybe longer, and we got a bit tanned. Then, we went for a walk, and to a mall nearby to buy some things. Then, we went back home and chilled for a while. Until it was time to get ready. So then, we went to a disco/pub. But just Emi, Ayla and I, because the boys wanted to stay at home.

On Sunday, we woke up at 8:30, because Emi was leaving and we wanted to say goodbye. We then went back to bed, but not for a long time, since we were meeting at 13:00 in the train station, so we could go to spend the day in Howth. Howth is a small fishermen village on the North-East. We had a walk in the harbor, and we then started our hiking trip. So we walked for 14km (more or less). Under the Sun. So, I'm officially a prawn. Anyway, although complicated, the landscape was breathtaking. Check the pics out!!

About the first hours at work and the first rays of sunlight

Good and warm morning from Dublin!

Ok, I know Spain is much warmer, but the Sun has come out, and you can really feel it. It's a great first weekend in Ireland. Little bit of "don't get too used to it", but awesome.

Last Wednesday, after updating my blog, I went to the office to take note of how long it takes to get there. It's about 20min from home, so great. And then, I went to the city center, because I wanted to buy a towel and bed sheets. So I went to Penney's, in O'Connell St., which I knew from when I first came to Dublin, ages ago. There, I met Ayla, my flat and roommate.

We then went home walking, so I could learn how to get home, and we had lunch. And then, we went to the old Jameson's Distillery. Tourism, you know. The museum is not that great, but you get to try a bit of whisky. We then went to have a beer, and then back home.

Thursday was my first day at work. I haven't been doing a lot of things, but I have just started. I'll be there from 9 to 6. First day, I got home really tired, so I did nothing.

And then yesterday, after work, partying! Marlene, the girl who lived in the flat before, was going back to Germany today, so we went to a pub in Temple Bar, with live music, and we stayed there for a while. After that, Marlene and her boyfriend went back home, because their flight was quite early in the morning and the rest of us went to another pub. And then, to the M Club.

And today, as I've said, it's a lovely sunny day, so we will go later to the park to chill a little under the sun and sunbathe (I'm getting used to this culture) and then for a walk. Hopefully, the weather will still be nice for some more days... but one never knows!!

See ya!!

About the welcome

Good morning from Dublin!

Truth is, I have not stopped since I left my home yesterday... Let me tell you.

I left at 8am with my mother, one big suitcase, my bag and a travel bag. And off to the airport. There, I checked the luggage, which was exactly 23kg (the allowed weight). Awesome. So then, I went trought all the security controls plus an extra one, because this country is not a Schengen country... And then, flying. There were teenagers everywhere, but I almost did not realize, since I put my headphones and slept.

And then, I pretty much woke up in Dublin. It took me a while to get out of the airport, since passport control was slooooooooooooooooow... And then the luggage was chaothic. Well, and it also took me a while to find the bus stop. That is another story... I did know where to get off the bus, the name and number of the stop. And also, some of the things I would see when it was close. Problem was that it was raining, and I could not see that much. But I made it, and I got to the office safe and sound. And I stress that last part, since some kids on the bus where throwing lighters, spitting and all that nice stuff...

And so I got to the Office. There, I found out that I wasn't going to be given a single room, but a double one, because there were none available. But the guy told me to write next week so we would see if there was any. And, after paying the deposit, he took me to the house, in Dublin 2.

I don't know how the rest of the week will be, but... I doesn't bother me to share the room, because I really like my flatmates. My roomie is a German girl, and the rest are a German guy, an Italian one and a Japanese girl. The neighbourhood is nice, I'm not far away from work... I'll think about it.

And not much more... I got here, unpacked, went to buy some things and got back home. Later, some German guys came, and we had drinks here and in a nearby pub.

And I'm now getting to my office, in order to be familiar with the streets and the time it takes me, and I will go buy some things after that.

I'll let you know more later!!

Home!

About the end of the preparation

I haven't stopped after the last update... Classes, work, exams... And then, after a small fight against my luggage (worst case scenario, I have to take out a couple of pullovers) (nope... indeed, worst case scenario will be getting rid of a couple of things when I come back)... Everything's done. And it seems unreal.

Tomorrow, in about 12 hours, I will be landing in Dublin.

About patience and results

Well… it seems everything is on the move right now. Quite normal, if we think about it... Taking into account that at this time, in 13 days, I will be waiting at the boarding gate in Barajas.

Last Thursday night I decided it was time to by my ticket to Dublin. After having compared all the different options for the flights –flying on July 2^nd and returning on September 28^th, flying the 2^nd and returning the 29^th, flying on July 3^rd…- and comparing between different webpages –Skyscanner and Edreams, Edreams and Iberia, Iberia and AerLingus…- I bought my ticket. And I’m going to Dublin next July 2^nd.

Once I had the tickets in my hand (though where they really are is in my inbox), I kept on looking for accommodation. Driving myself crazy, because no matter how much I looked, I could find nothing acceptable. Even after filtering by neighborhoods, everything seemed too far, or too expensive, or too shabby… Yolanda, the coordinator in Spain, gave me the e-mail address of the 3 girls who are now in Dublin, and I contacted them. And, also María, who is the sisterofafriendofmysiste and has been lending me a hand.

In the end, I don’t remember exactly how, I ended up on an Agency’s webpage, which accommodates people who go to Dublin, and also organizes English courses. So, after a couple of e-mails, I booked a room yesterday.

Eire, here we go!

By Jaqian, @Wikimedia Commons

About the chaotic room-search

I thought that looking for a room in Germany was complicated. I had never tried in Dublin.

What do I want? I thought it wasn't that much. Single room, not very faraway from city center and at a reasonable price. I have already assumed that the grant is not going to be enough... but c'mon, I don't want to spend it all in paying the rent. 

But rooms at a nice price are almost in another county. Those quite close to the city center are shared rooms. So I'm gonna have to struggle to find a solution. And I don't mind sharing with boys or girls, from one or another country, from one or another religion, with 2 or 20 arms... But that's no criteria.

But well... I have written to some locations. One is great, but it'd take me some 40min by bus to get to my job. The other one is quite close, but on a shared room.

Let's see what I can do...

[EDIT 20:30] I've just received a couple of answers. One is nice, but soooooooooo faraway... the other one looks great, but it is quite expensive. Expensive like in "if you can make it with 50€/month, it'll be covered only by the grant"

About new changes

One thing is clear. This blog goes from surprise to surprise and from coincidence to coincidence.
 

A few days ago, I compared Durham with Kingsbridge, the village of The Pillars of the Earth, written by the Welsh Ken Follet. The following day, I was told that I wasn’t going to Durham and that they were looking in Cardiff, city where the above mentioned author was born.
 

In my last post, I wrote that I still had no news. That afternoon, I had a look in the Internet to the Oxegen festival, which takes place every year in Naas (about 40km away from Dublin). The following day, that is, yesterday, I received an e-mail. It asked what did I think of going to Dublin.
 

I haven’t decided yet whether this scares me or amuses me.
 

So, it seems that finally I will be going to green Eire. And I’m thrilled. I won’t say that I was looking forward to going to the UK… It seems the Union Jack and I are not friends… But I love Dublin, I find it charming. And irish too, I’ve always found them really nice. Indeed, some months ago, I had a look at the possibilities of a short-trip to Ireland… So, back to the country of Leprechauns, Guinness, whisky and green color. It’s a lovely day for a Guinness!

 

http://www.iesabroad.org/study-abroad/dublin

About the lack of information.

June 10^th . Still no news.

About uncertainty

It is incredible how much things can change from one day to the next one… And how curious it may be. Two days ago I was updating my blog, even yesterday I was editing a couple of things. Although things have changed since then, I can’t say that I do know anything right now.

Well, I DO know something… though it doesn’t make anything firm.

Thing is, I won’t be going to Durham, because they had no vacancy for me. Bye Kingsbridge… They are now looking for something in Cardiff, Wales. Hello, Ken Follet, author of The Pillars of the Earth, born in that city.

Bye Geordie Shore, hello The Valleys. If it’s not Cardiff in the end, next change will be Gandia Shore (Spanish version of MTV’s Jersey and Geordie Shore).

Goodbye, Geordie English, hello Welsh.

To be honest, it doesn’t matter to me where I’ll be working. I mean, Durham seemed great, Cardiff seems great, and if they had to look up for something in Dublin, I’d find that great too. The coordinator has told me that I don’t need to worry, that I will go. Only that we don’t know yet where.  But, although that does not really matter to me… it does not being able to buy the plane tickets (which are more expensive as days go by). And it does as well not being able to book accommodation. My coordinator also told me that there were girls who had been told where were they going a week before leaving.  In a way, that makes me feel calmer. If they could find accommodation, why wouln’t I? (Accommodation is an issue that worries me… I talked a lot in Manzanas Alemanas).

But well… I hope next update is steadier.

And there you go, Cardiff’s Bay:

De http://www.housesittersuk.co.uk

About Preparations and stress.

No, I have not forgotten this blog, neither my intention of keeping it updated. But there’s been little to say. Ok, it’s only been 8 days since I was told I had received the grant… But I’ll be leaving in about a month. Problem is, English coordinator is on holidays until May 30^th, so we haven’t been able to make a huge progress regarding her part. Which means, we haven’t make any firm progress.

 To start with, Carolina and I, we have been trying to prepare everything –as much as possible- we can, without having the arrival date or the place where we will be working. We have already written a couple of e-mails to landlords in Durham and it seems we won’t have much problems there.

And while I wait to receive confirmation, I’m familiarizing myself with Durham. That means, I have a walk through it via Google Maps. I have to say that there  are some breathtaking views from some points of the city. The cathedral is simply amazing, for example.

Indeed, I’m posting a picture. It’ll be like living in Kingsbridge*!

By Carcharoth (Commons) (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

*Kingsbridge is the name of the village where The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follet, takes place.

About Surprise Grants

Just like every time when the course is coming to an end, you start wondering what will you do when it finishes. I had already started thinking about it even before I started realizing the course was finishing. Actually, even before this whole story started.

A little before Easter break, we were told about the possibility of becoming a couple of Leonardo grants, so we could go to Durham (UK) for 3 months to work there. Almost all of us thought that would be a great idea and an awesome opportunity. Still, we had to wait for a while until we received further information about this topic.

Then, after Easter, we were told that there was finally an extra grant (although it was possible that it the end there were 2). The decision would be simple: the one with the highest average would receive it. In case she did not accepted the grant, it would be given to the 2^nd highest and so on until someone accepted it. But there was no need to ask a lot, and the grant was given to Carolina, who was really happy.

This would have been the end of the story… but if it had been like that, there would be no point in me opening this blog.

On Monday, May 20^th, I got to the school. I was late, because there had been a problem with the subway. When I walked in, I saw Susan making some copies. I hadn’t almost walked through the door, when she told me “Inés, there’s finally a second grant for UK. Your colleagues have told me that you are interested. Tell me as soon as possible if you want it, because otherwise, it’ll pass to the next person”. Susan… You made my day.

Right now, this is basically all the information I have. But there’s one thing I know for sure and that is that I’m really looking forward to making the best of this opportunity.

Stay tuned!