Travel thoughts

Yesterday I was reading a fellow Canadian's blog about his travels to Ireland. His latest post talked about the one year anniversary of his departure from Canada, to which he has returned, and the many changes he had experienced and the discoveries he had made. All of which had me wondering where I would be in one year, or even two once my Visa expired. I mean, one month ago I was in Dublin, thinking I would work at my office job for two years. So one year? There is no way I can predict that. As my wise cousin once said: "We think we know how things are going to go, when in fact we have no clue whatsoever. We have no control." One thing I do know, is that if change comes along, you're better off grabbing it with both hands than try to fight against it. Because whether you want it or not, it will force its way in.

I was discussing these changes with my parents earlier today and how one matures when travelling. From my experience, I have formed the opinion that everyone should, in their twenties, spend a considerable amount of time abroad. Two or three weeks will allow you to see the tourists attractions, sure, but it won't introduce you to the country's different way of life. I would also suggest doing some travelling alone. It is amazing how tough we realize we are when we have no one to count on but ourselves. It also shows you that in the end, you are your own best friend. It might sound tacky, but it's true. Trusting yourself is a lot more useful than having to rely on someone else's judgement to get you by. Something I learned was to take risks and not be afraid to make a mistake (which I learned by making mistakes, and then realizing it wasn't such a big deal). For example, I dyed my hair purple today. That's right, the whole hair population on my head is now bright purple. I also entered a singing competition. My point is that after you dare to do something a bit crazy, the little risks won't seem that frightening anymore.

Another example is the trip I just booked to Munich in Germany for Christmas. I will be spending Christmas in a hostel, in a country I have never been to, with people I have never met. Why? Because I'll be alone for Christmas anyways, so I might as well go play tourist. And because I heard that they have wicked markets that time of year. But I didn't research the whole country before booking my flight. I just know which city I'm going to. Now, six months ago, that would have been quite anxiety inducing. But now, I figure that if I managed to do it in Dublin a few months ago, I can do it again. Plus, it should be easier this time since I don't have to work hard to find a job and an apartment quickly. I can just sit back and be a tourist (something I still haven't done in Ireland yet). Needless to say, I am very excited for my trip. Know what I'm even more excited for? My dad coming over to visit me in a month. It'll be six months that I haven't seen him. It's also his first time in Europe, so I bet it's exciting for him also.

And to end this post on a good note, I present to you the monster I found at the market today:

I apologize in advance if you have nightmares about it tonight.

The Heineken Cup was this week, Ireland vs Germany (the irony). Germany won 3-0, which is probably why I didn't hear anything about it the following day. 

Third time is the charm

Evening folks!

I am writing to you from my third apartment, in the center of Galway city. Let's just say, moving was a great decision. I like this city a lot more than Dublin; it's less crowded, it's cleaner, less dusty, closer to the ocean and the people are nicer. Everything is less hurried than in Dublin. Another thing that I like is how small it is. Everyone told me that I would get bored because it's small, but not me. Since the city isn't that big, it means that living in the center of the city allows me to have everything nearby. They also have a market every Saturday where I get most of my groceries.

I have met some interesting people in my few weeks here, and so I have had a few interesting talks. I also found out they have an archery club in town with beginner classes, for which I am on the waiting list. Ah, the joys of shooting stuff. Speaking of socializing, the guys at work have made it their mission to teach me the Irish ways. And so, last Sunday, I had my first true hangover, meaning I stayed in bed all day feeling nauseated. Let's just say I was close to swearing off alcohol forever that day. But moving on.

I have finally found a salon that will do my crazy hair colors, and it happens to be next door to where I work, which means I will finally be able to dye my hair to the color I wanted in June without having to go to Dublin for it. Oh how things work out.

But enough chit chat, I was cleaning through my cellphone and now have new pictures to show:

First off, my new haircut! (Ok, it was like two months ago, but the point still holds)

Nice little street name with the address 0

My very first Guinness, which made me tipsy, but I finished the whole pint!

Found this genius little graffiti on a bridge

I went wondering around Dublin (and to be honest I really remember where that was) and found this on the street

A picture of what Grafton Street looked like back in the day

The Oyster Festival Parade in Galway 

Take that, you English people you! 

This one is still kicking

Hello there my long lost friends! Why yes, I am still alive, thank you for noticing. I have suffered quite an ordeal, which is why I haven't written in so long; I have been without Internet for the last month. The horror. The good side (or the bad side, it all depends on how you look at it) is that it will make for a (somewhat) long post. So let's get to it, shall we?

I'm moving to Galway Saturday (how's that for starting with a bang?). Yep, that's right, I am leaving Dublin, my full time office job and my apartment five minutes away to go live in a smaller town near the ocean where it rains all the time and there's less stuff to do. But I love it. I've been to Galway three times. I didn't like it the first time, but the next two I did. I felt as though I could breathe better there, near the sea and the nature. I also found a job there. Believe it or not, I used The Secret and visualized it every day. Within a week I had three job offers. I ended up taking a job at an Apple Re seller. They gave me a call for a job in Dublin, and at the end of the interview they mentioned that they were opening a new store in Galway. I mean, what are the odds?

And so I joined nine guys and one girl for training down in Galway this past Monday. The training was done in probably the nicest hotel in Galway, the Meyrick Hotel. We were treated with lunch there everyday and it was delicious. I even treated myself on the third day and went to the spa. They have a lovely Jacuzzi on a balcony with a view of the city and the sea. It made for a great afternoon. Well, a great day, to be honest, as I found my new apartment that same day. I won't spoil anything by giving you details, but let's just say that is it fabulous. Nowhere near what I have here (in a good way). I am moving there Saturday, so I'll upload photos very soon. 

I also be uploading pictures of my new city, but for now, how about my last pictures of Dublin?

The view from my window

My room

Swans in the park

My favorite view in St Stephen's Green

I don't remember what this one is

A very clever window display for a ribbon store

A jewelry store

Dublin Comic Con

That open window leads to my room :D

My front door

I lied about my name at a Starbucks! :D

My beautiful new world map

The famous Temple Bar. It's almost impossible to get a picture of it without anyone around. I took these at 9am on a Saturday.

An HMV cemetery

Rainbows all around!!!

Pay check please!

I was told from the beginning that the good side of living in Europe is how easy it is to go from country to country. Everyone talked about all the places I would get to see and the trips I could take. It's not that I didn't believe them, but I'm from Canada, and my brain is wired to think that changing countries, or even provinces, isn't quite that easy. And so, with 20 days of vacation per year and only €90 of spending money a week, I didn't think I was going to get very far travel wise. Boy was I wrong.

It started with my pay check (very first pay!!!), which ended up being a lot more money than I thought, although I'm not too sure how I messed up my calculations. So it turns out that teeny tiny €80 a week is no more. This month, I have €195 of loose money per week. My first reaction was something along the lines of "That's way too much money. There must be a mistake." And so I checked, and nope, it's all mine. I'm rich, I tell you! RICH!!! At least for the next month. Not that I'll spend all that money, but having it means the Christmas getaway to Scotland I'm thinking about is already paid for.

Then I had a chat with a guy I live with. He explained to me that for most of the cities in Europe a four or five day trip will suffice. That means I can go during the weekend and I'll only have to take two days off my vacation time. Which sounds good, but had me thinking "Yeah, four days, two of which are spent travelling." Nah-uh. Going from Dublin to another European city only takes a couple of hours. This is where my mind started being blown, because I realized that going to Paris for the weekend really is possible. People use to tell me to go shopping in London on the weekend and I always thought they were kidding, but I don't any more. This opens up so many possibilities. It means I don't have to stay close during Christmas, I can spend Christmas in Germany and New Years in Prague. For a Canadian, this sounds like a life of luxuries. For a European, it's business as usual. No wonder everyone I meet has been all over the place. Now let's get that world map. I have two years of travelling to plan and a whole continent to explore.

Day out

Usually on Sundays I do not so pleasant things, like laundry and groceries. But, having done that yesterday, I got to go run around today. I left with a list of errands, which has not been completed since everything was closed (Ireland is religious like that). Instead of mailing postcards and getting a library card, I went shopping. I was looking for something to do and wondered into a store. Next thing I knew, I was at the cash with my second purchase. As always, I didn't buy much, but every little bit helps. What also helps is going to stores that I can afford, instead of attempting to find something I can afford in the multiple malls they have here that carry only designer items and price tags. It might be H&M, but at least I can afford the things I like there. Speaking of things I like, I have discovered that an outlet mall/shopping center exists not too far from here (alright, it's about one and a half hours, but to me that's not far). Although next weekend will be all about moving, I am getting paid next week, which means that I can plan my shopping getaway for the following weekend. There is one brand that I particularly like that they supposedly have. I am looking forward to that. They even have a bus service to get you there from the City Centre for €10. Luxury at a low price? Yes please! To be fair the label malls are not all bad. I did find a little stand on the makeup level (yes, there is an entire level in each of these malls reserved for makeup and other beauty products) that is rather different. My kind of different, with lots of purple. It's the type of place that calls foundation "potion". They have very nice stuff. Once my hair finally gets it's makeover, I will go back and collect a thing or two. Or three. I'm a girl and it's makeup, what did you expect?

But no worries, my thoughts weren't focused all day on my style inner dilemma (that story could be a post in itself), I did take some pictures while wondering around the city.

Wall of a demolished house near where I live.

The Spire. It's on the North side of the river, but you can see it from far.

The above mentioned river. The busiest road of Dublin is on that bridge.

A little Irish pub. They make a great hot chocolate.

The Usit office

One of my favorite shops, a little pagan store in Temple Bar.

High five!

Having some fun with my zoom while waiting for the bus.

The view when you sit in the top part of the bus.

Kangaroo and ostrich steaks... I don't even want to know how they get those.

At last, a rainbow! I hadn't seen one in so long.

If you look carefully you can see that there was two.