Arriving in Galway

After 100 or so straight hours of non-stop activity, I finally have some time to process my first four days in Ireland. Time to ease on the gas and attempt writing a blog.

Based off countless first hand testimonials and a year of daydreaming, Galway had some massive shoes to fill.  Now without being too dramatic and professing my unwavering love for a city after a mere four days, I will say that Galway has certainly lived up to the hype.

The past four days have been a serene blur of new faces, new places, jet lag, and malnourishment.  I have felt challenged yet oddly comfortable all at the same time.  The nine of us Villanova students are clicking and I am understanding Galway and Ireland more with each day. 

As opposed to giving you the detailed itinerary of my every waking hour, I will step through the past four, or is it five, three?, days here and provide some highlights.

Day 1: Leave for Galway

I peaked for my entire study abroad experience (possible life) during the flight over here.  A truly rookie move on my end.  The bar was set impossibly high before I even touched down in Ireland.  Thanks to the God-like mileage status of a certain Motorola employee, I was bumped to first class for my flight to this foreign land.  The next six hours were a movie, 6 course meal, and champagne filled holiday capped off by arguably the most comfortable sleep of my life.  My seat on the plane had more leg room than my bed here.  If life has ever graced you with the luxury of an international first class flight, you can die knowing you have lived.

After landing in Shannon Airport at around 7am Irish time I met up with some other Villanova students and we took a two hour bus to the city.  Immediately started drinking!  Kidding.  The ride was full of farms and sheep in every direction and, as advertised, Ireland is extremely green. 

We took cabs to Gort Na Coribe, a “student village” where my apartment is located.  This place is massive, ballpark of 150 apartments.  It is in a great location, with the school and the city about ten minutes in either direction.  I am in a three person apartment with a Villanova student named Brendan and an unknown Irish lad to be determined. The  apartment is very nice and plenty big and the staff has been extremely helpful with any issues or ‘queries’ we’ve had thus far.

That evening we ventured into town (using a cab like absolute scrubs) and prowled the streets for a place to eat.  Swing & miss.  Since we were already downtown we checked out a few pubs.  As Wednesday turned into Thursday I realized that the last time I went to bed was Monday night back at home.  This, coupled with a turkey sandwich offering my lone caloric intake for the day, forced me to close the books on day 1. 

Days 2-3

Thursday morning was Orientation at the University where they had a variety of people speak about what to expect as an International student.  Topics ranged from registration to how to get involved and a campus tour.  I could not believe how informal this entire circus was.  All of the professors or administrators that spoke were extremely laid back and naturally hilarious.  I really like the vibe that the campus has, however.  Just a marvel that anything actually gets done here.

After orientation ended on Friday, all nine of us Villanova students headed into town and finally got to see Galway during the day time.  Unreal.  Street performers on every corner, there are no actual corners because Galway is all little side streets but you get the idea. Favorite stop was the Galway Cathedral.  Boom:

 Day 4

Today we rented bikes.  80 euro for the semester. We definitely got ripped off but having a bike will make getting to campus such a breeze and allow us to explore the city more.  A solid investment.  I also met my Irish roommate, Mel, this evening.  He lived with two Villanova students last year and they seemed to get along very well.  Mel follies to come.

I did not make it out tonight. Soft, I know.  Emily Zippilli is shaking her head right now.  I’ve just been going and going and I think I hit my wall.

However, Galway has certainly been a blast thus far.  This may come as a shocker, but the pubs and bars are way cooler than those offered by the mainline. And Manayunk. And yes,  even Miami of Ohio. Combined.  Almost comparable to the magic that is the Quartz. Almost. There has consistently been live music and it’s just such a different scene. Truly hilarious. My friend Anne Murray absolutely NAILED it on the head when she said that Irish people: all about the banter. 

So 2013 has certainly come out of the gates with guns, flamethrowers, lazers, etc. absolutely blazing.  I am excited about our group of Villanova students and having Megan Dunleavy live literally one floor below me could not be any better. Side note: Her study abroad group is one of the most hilarious collections of human beings I have ever witnessed.  Horrible people. R.M. would have a field day.  Also, having Erin in Galway has made these first few days so much easier, and more fun that I could have even imagined.  There have certainly been challenges and roadblocks but the positives far outweigh any negatives. 

Tried to keep it short, a lot to say.

--JD