Both of our flights were quick, painless, and even a bit ahead of schedule (although we were in the LAST row on the fight to Dublin....Sarah now fondly refers to this row as "supercoach.") We made it through customs and our checked luggage was waiting for us on the belt. Miracles happen.
The landscape in Ireland is every bit as beautiful as it looks in pictures and on movies. During our three hour bus ride from Dublin to Galway we were flanked by rolling green hills, low stone walls and free roaming sheep and cattle.
Even more wonderful than the surroundings is the overall warmth we have experienced from every single person we've encountered so far here in Ireland (that includes the customs agent). Immediately after exiting the airport terminal in Dublin we were approached by an Irish woman who could tell we needed directions just from looking at us. Everyone is unbelievably kind.
Our biggest concern by far was whether or not our first host family would be on time or even remember to pick us up. Sure enough though, our first host mother arrived right on time at the Galway bus station bringing with her a frenzy of red curly hair and aqua eyeliner. The family includes Celine (mother), Clive (father), Connor (son- 22), Claudia (20) and Cian (pronounced "keen", 10). Do you see a trend?
Cian was home from school with a chest cold and was the first member of the family besides Celine that we met. He stood in the doorway to the living room and said "Hello. I. Am. Cian." to which his mother replied "You do know they speak English now don't you?" This family has hosted many other students before us, but they have all been from either Spain or France and are in Ireland as a means of working on their English.
The family also has two dogs, Benny, a small terrier with a huge face, and Potcheen, who looks something like an American Bulldog. Interestingly enough, Potcheen is the name of an illegal alcohol that is brewed secretly in some areas of Ireland. In the states it would be akin to naming a dog "Moonshine." Charming.
Once we arrived at the house, which is 30 minutes outside of Galway City in a small village called Belclare, we decided to hit the showers and "rest up" for a few minutes. This "rest" turned into a 5-hour nap. Couldn't be helped.
We woke up around 7:00pm and headed into the kitchen where we found Connor (the oldest son) staring out a window. "You'll have to excuse me, I'm a bit hungover" was the introduction. When he found out that we couldn't drink in the US, his response was "Well you're here now, so we'll fix that. You must try the Guinness." (Which sounded something like, "Whell you're here naw, so wheel fex thot. You must try the Guinness.")
We woke up around 7:00pm and headed into the kitchen where we found Connor (the oldest son) staring out a window. "You'll have to excuse me, I'm a bit hungover" was the introduction. When he found out that we couldn't drink in the US, his response was "Well you're here now, so we'll fix that. You must try the Guinness." (Which sounded something like, "Whell you're here naw, so wheel fex thot. You must try the Guinness.")
Its enough to make you a bit weak in the knees.
Tomorrow we plan to head into Galway City to see what there is to see.
Tomorrow we plan to head into Galway City to see what there is to see.
Many thanks for your thoughts and prayers as we were in the air. Check back soon for pictures and posts.
Sarah & Emily
Thanks so much for the update Emily. So glad to hear that things went so well. We are thinking of you both often.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear that you two made it safely!
ReplyDelete