Greetings!

I have been in Dublin for three days now -- I have had my sufficient share of challenges but am altogether having a great time and learning A LOT.

My plane ride over was rather uneventful, in fact it was much smoother than I anticipated given the weather conditions at the time. Once I arrived in customs, though, I faced my first challenge. Turns out the little blurb in my mother's travel book (which I read on the way to Chicago) about only being allowed to stay in Ireland for 90 days unless a return ticket is booked actually is true. As I held up the passport line and had to have my picture put on file with the Irish government, I felt like some super sketchy person who was trying to attempt something illegal. Thankfully though the lady let me through because my stay is only a month or so longer.

Because my housing doesn't actually open until tomorrow, I have been staying at a hostel for the past couple nights. I had printed off walking directions from the shuttle drop off spot and thought I was good to go. Instead of the 5 minute walk I should have had, I spent almost an hour walking in circles trying to find my hostel and figure out the maze that seemed to be the city centre of Dublin. Since finally arriving at my hostel, though, my trip has improved significantly.

I have spent most of my time the past few days just walking around. The first day I spent most of my time in the Grafton Street area -- one of many many many shopping areas. There were more stores than I could have dreamed of. However, it was a Sunday and a lot of places closed early. I wasn't really sure what to do then, so I found a Starbucks. My coffee which would cost me $1.74 back home, cost me 2.7 euros. Awesome.

I then slept for a very extensive period of time which was followed by my first experience with hostel [hopefully not all European] showers. My shower is like the faucets in some public restrooms where you have to push the handle down and then it runs for a few seconds before shutting off. So after pumping the handle for about five minutes (not even an exaggeration) I finally got hot water but then had to push the water back on about every 5-10 seconds.

Yesterday I spent most of my time in the Temple Bar and O'Connel street areas. Like Grafton Street there is an endless amount of shopping to be done. I would walk into a store and then realize that it was actually like 50 stores all merged together. One "store" was basically a shopping mall in itself(without actual store divisions). I walked into one thinking it was just Gap...turned out it was French Connection, United Colors of Benetton, Tommy Hillfiger, River Island, and like 20 more stores too (seriously). I decided it was a good thing I still have to move all my stuff to the UCD campus because otherwise I might have done some serious financial damage--there were just so many sales! I actually didn't buy anything though (be proud Dad!) I also went to St. Stephens Green which is a relatively large park. It kind of reminded me of one of the hofgarten we visited in Munich.

Today has actually been my favorite day thus far. For breakfast I went to Lemon which is a little crepe place by the Trinity campus. My hostelf roommate and my sister's friend Maddie recommended it so I figured it would be good--it was. If you are coming to visit me, I guarantee we'll be going there. I then decided to brave the bus system in order to get to the UCD campus. I thought it would be smart to find my dorm before actually moving in and avoid the hour of walking that it took me to find my hostel. It wasn't overly complicated and I made it to campus. I hadn't been sure what to expect, but I realy liked it. I went to the business school, my dorm, and then to a castle which has now been turned into the law school. There are tons of green areas and a fake pond kind of like the one in front of the Washington Memorial. I sat on the lawn by the pond and read for awhile and then headed back to the city centre. I went to a pub in hopes of grabbing dinner but they had stopped serving food. I went somewhere else then and got my first Guinness in Ireland. Delicious. I ate alone because I don't know anyone besides a few people from my hostel. It was kind of lonely, but I thought it kind of pathetic I hadn't been to a pub after three days in Ireland.

So that was a bit longer than I anticipated...I move into my dorm tomorrow and then have orientation Friday. I'll let you guys know when I figure out my address and also when I get a phone number.

I realize many of you are enjoying subzero temperatures and snow. Rumor has it, there hasn't been snow in Dublin for three years.

On that note, miss you all and hope everything is well!

<3 Lisa