Orientation day

Whew, just got in from the pubs!  It's been a busy day!

Everyone met up with Brian to walk over to campus around 10:30.  Not too bad of a walk...quite scenic crossing over the River Corrib.  The weather was pretty nice...actually got a little sun on my chest O.O...gonna have to start being vigilant about the SPF I guess!  Anyway, campus is nice...especially the quad.  I felt like I was at Hogwarts!  So beautiful.   We were given all of the information for classes and such and then had a campus tour.  Afterwards, Brian did a little CEA orientation.  Never knew the  peace sign we use is actually the same as flipping someone off!  After that Brian took us out for lunch...ate at McSwiggan's, the same place Dana and I went yesterday!  I got something different and it was delicious...definitely a good place to eat!  While we were out and about we walked by the main cathedral of Galway...not sure what the name is.  All I know is it's Catholic. I think I may go on Sunday with some of the girls just for the heck of it.  Never really been to mass but I'm in Ireland and the cathedral is gorgeous...might as well.  Then Brian showed us around the city and pointed out good places to go.  We also went to the Spanish Arch by the River Corrib...which is hundreds of years old.  It protected the city.  We sat by the river for a while, the breeze and sun felt amazing.  Then we broke off into smaller groups and did whatever we wanted.  I did a little shopping for people back home, got some cute stuff.  I was  pretty proud that I could actually navigate the city...and people say I have a horrible sense of direction psssh. 

After wandering around the city I just went back to the apartment for a nap...around 5 PM by this time. I don't think I actually went to sleep until 6ish since I was uploading photos and such...but I slept like 2 hours!  All this walking is exhausting but so worth it.  When I got up my flat mate told me some of the girls were going pub crawling so I got ready in a flash and headed out.  We were actually late for the organized pub crawl so I went with some other girls to do our own thing.  I'm hoping to do the organized one another night because it's only 12 euros and you get a free shot and discounted drinks in every pub along with the guided tour.  The pub crawl I did in Savannah was fun so I'm excited about this one.  Anyway, I have no clue what the names of the pubs we went into tonight were....I think they were all in Irish so I'm not even gonna try that haha.  The first was super crowded but really cute.  I downed my Guinness pretty fast to get out of the stuffiness and stood in the rain to cool off a little.  There were a few musicians playing some traditional music, which was awesome.  The next pub we went in was much less crowded and roomier all around.  I had Bulmer's cider there...really good.  I love ciders.  A couple musicians came in there and started playing some Beatles tunes.  I love live music!  Anyway, we were all feeling happy by that time and decided to head back since we have the opening address tomorrow morning at 9:45.  Me and two other girls were hungry since we had skipped dinner so we broke off from the others and found some fast food.  Annnnd we took a taxi back haha Laziness but whatever...we had walked our legs off today and may have done more walking than necessary if we had to find our way back.

These long days are so weird!!!  It was like 9:30 PM and felt like 6.  Craziness.  Tomorrow is the opening address, like I said, and meeting for the first class, which mine is at 2.  Then I think I'll grab some more groceries if I have time.  There's a reception later in the afternoon and then we are taking a little excursion to a theatre to see some traditional music and dance!  Sounds like a lot of fun...I'm betting there will be people going to pubs after as well.  Anyway, it is now 1:44 AM so I'm off!