A brand new day, more things to do, so many plans to make...

Today was a fantastic day.  I got up around 9:30, made toast, then headed out around 10.  It looks like I only have class on Wednesdays and Thursdays, so I decided that I would go exploring today.  I headed to the school first because they needed to make a copy of my EU passport so that they can prove that I don’t need a visa.  Having an Irish passport is very handy, because if I didn’t have one, I would have to go register with the Guarda (Irish police) and pay 150 Euros to get a visa-like thing. (It’s not technically called a visa, but it acts as one).  But I didn’t have to go through this because I’m a citizen here.  It’s quite lovely knowing that I can buy beer with the money that most international students are spending on visas. (Just kidding)

After the international office, I wandered through the campus. I then made my way to the Cathedral in town.  This is the huge Cathedral in the center of town.  It is gorgeous and massive on the outside, and I can’t even describe how beautiful it is on the inside. I stayed there for about 20 minutes either just walking around, or marveling at how incredible it is. I also had another mini “I’m in IRELAND” freak-outs.  After that, I walked around and made my way to the Spanish Arch.  A few days ago, Bridget and I found the Spanish Arch by the Galway Bay, and it’s gorgeous over there.  Yesterday, Bridget explored a bit more, and went on the other side. She then showed me, and since it was a bit cold yesterday, we didn’t explore much more.  Today was an amazing day though, so I decided to go there again.  

As I was walking there, people were feeding the swans literally on the side of the road.. I stopped to look at them, and a lady drives up behind me.. She gets out of her car, then fills up this big silver bowl with water and calls to the swans.  I look at her strangely, and she shows me that the bowl is filled with some sort of grain.  She asks me to help her get the swans off the side of the road so they don’t get hit by a car.  We manage to coax the swans down the side of the river with the food, and then about 8 swans show up to eat.  She was telling me about the various birds she has rescued before, and was pointing out what was wrong with them, and how you catch swans.  If anyone ever wants to catch one, you should grab it by the neck, then swing your other arm over its wings, and under its chest. That way, the only other defense against you is its feet, which hardly work anyway.  The feet I observed are very weak, and the swans tend to fall when they are walking.  They are much better for wading in the water.  I also learned that white bread is not good for swans.  They turn the feathers pink.  Brown bread is good for swans, so when feeding the ducks and swans at the park, bring whole wheat instead of white bread.  The whole time I thought that this was just a crazy lady that likes birds, but then I saw a sign for the “Galway Claddaugh Swan Rescue,” so I’m assuming that she is a part of that.

I spent the rest of the day exploring the coast-line of Galway.  I got a few seashells, and spent my day on the beach.   There were 2 dogs that were also enjoying the sunshine.  One was a black lab, and another was a mutt.  They were running through the waves chasing after rocks that their owner was throwing in the water.  They actually reminded me of what Sandy used to do, and what Watson does now.  Only they were really a lot more enthusiastic about it.  When they left, I perched myself on a rock and just sat there for a bit.  I love listening to music and looking at the waves.  It was very calming.  I’m excited for the days to come that are sunny so I can go there again. 

Tonight it looks like the girlies are heading out again.  I really love the fact that all of us get along so well here.  We’ve grown pretty tight so far, and it’s fun to have someone to make dinner with and drink wine with.  I’m glad that I didn’t go out last night though, because I don’t feel tired tonight.  No school until Wednesday!

Oh! Before I forget, this is my killer class schedule!

Wednesdays
Celtic Mythology, Religion & Folklore 9-10
Cinema/Media Studies 5-7

Thursdays
Irish for Beginners 10-12
Forensics Abnormal & Clinical Psychology 1-3
Celtic Mythology, Religion & Folklore 4-5

I’m so happy things worked out like this. It makes for ample time to travel, and explore things.  So exciting!

I’m super excited for the Forensics course, and I’m kinda scared about the Gaelic course.  Shaun, (also from NY) is taking it with me though, so I won’t be alone in making a fool out of myself.
Till next time,
Slainte