The purpose of this post is to help those of you planning on visiting Ireland avoid those potentially awkward situations, and to just provide you with some fabulous advice.
#1. DONT say "Top O' the Mornin'" to an Irish person. Some may take offense, but you will just look ignorant more than anything.
#2. DO remember to look both ways before crossing the street. They obviously drive on the left side here, which can take a second to get used to.
#3. You don't need to tip waiters, bartenders, or taxi drivers unless you would like to, or unless they do an extremely exceptional job. :)))
#4. DO start saving up as much as you can. You will want to be able to do lots of traveling to different cities or even countries during your free time. I have found it to be a little more expensive living over here. Part of it may be due to the exchange rate, but the only things I have really found to be cheaper are clementines and olive oil. Not to discourage any of you, because I absolutely love Ireland. But my "I owe my parents a ton of money" tab is getting a little hefty.
#5. Don't throw up the reverse peace sign. I don't feel the need to elaborate upon this one.
#6. Don't call it "St. Patty's Day." None of the Irish call it that; it's "Paddy's Day" with two D's, not patty like a hamburger. I was mocked for this a couple of times.
#7. Do bring a backpack or a re-usable grocery bag to the store, since most do not provide plastic bags at checkout.
#8. DO try an Irish fry. White and black pudding, rashers, soda bread, baked beans, fried tomatoes, fried eggs, and Irish sausage. Gotta love the traditional Irish breakfast.
#9. Don't take a long shower. You'll figure this out sooner or later if you're living in Plassey. Some houses have this mystical thing called an "immersion" here in Ireland.
#10. DONT forget that umbrella! It's always when you forget it that it rains.
#11. DO have the craic. You're only here for so long, don't spend it in your room! Go to the Sports Arena on campus, the milk market on Saturdays, see a Hurling or Rugby match, try different foods, meet new people and travel the country. Lots to do and so little time. :)
Friday, March 28, 2014
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Aillte an Mhothair (Cliffs of Moher)!
Dia Dhuit! (Irish for Hello) Above are a few pictures from a recent excursion to the Cliffs of Moher on the west coast of Ireland. I've posted a map below, so you may see where it's located in relation to Limerick. This was probably one of my favorite trips yet. I went with two other CMU students studying abroad at UL and another mutual friend of ours. We booked this trip through Paddywagon tours for only 25 euro. The tour guide was a very enthusiastic man from Cork who sang Irish songs and gave us a lovely history lesson as we travelled over in the big green bus. We first stopped in a quaint little town called Doolin for lunch at a pub. The girls and I had a bowl of fresh clam chowder and soda bread (my fav), and Michael decided to go with the fancy chicken & mash. We then continued on to the Cliffs where we had about 2-3 hours to explore and walk about before returning home. The Cliffs stretch 5 miles along the Atlantic Coast and stand 702 feet at their highest point!
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