These crucial first hours in a foreign land are always the hardest - and most exciting. My 48 hours took place in early January - a month where Ireland experiences little sunlight. I knew no one as I anxiously flew across the Atlantic on AerLingus. Despite being alone, my spirits were soaring.
Touching down in Shannon, the morning welcomed me with darkness and wetness - a trend that would continue throughout my stay in Ireland.
It's easy to spot out Americans abroad - especially college students. Just look for a baseball cap and north face and BINGO, hello Americans. Those clues are what clustered me in a group of jetlagged Americans in line at customs, ready for our very first passport stamp!
Galway is not necessarily close to any airport. Thus began my first of many rides on Bus Eirann - Ireland's version of Greyhound. The 2 hour ride from Shannon to Galway City consists of a long winding road through lush Irish countryside full of sheep. It is a ride that I would experience many times in my stay. That first ride, however was a blur. I was tired, dirty, and distracted by all the new people I was meeting.
I got off the bus in Galway in the rain (shocker) and was lucky to find a nice boy who was living in Corrib Village (as was I). We cabbed it out there and I was immediately disappointed to realize that I would be living on the outskirts of the city centre in a fake village with "first year" students.
The disappointment continued when, upon arriving at Corrib Village I was told that I would be living alone for 2 weeks until my 4 foreign roommates moved back in. I sadly dragged my heavy belognings to 105.1 Corrib Village, looked around at the outdated, cold, empty flat and felt a wave of regret.
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