Reflections....in rain water ;)

Shop St on 27th Jan. 

It's the 1st of February!  I've been In Ireland almost a month! Only four little months left.  I'm really starting to get used to the flow of being here. I'm comfortable with my living situation and classes.  I've fallen into an rhythm of doing things, which some days, is rather nice.  I've been relaxing and exploring more of Galway for the past two weekends, and this weekend I'll be going to Limerick for a day trip with the Archaeology society.  Supposedly we will be able to tour an awesome castle...that's all I know for now. It'll be another good adventure!

Recently I've tried to think about the things that are different about my life here, than my life at home.  After all, I am living in a new country, submersed in the Galway and Irish culture.  So what really is truly different? How does life here compare to life in Minnesota? Well, I've come up with an interesting list!

Every morning, washing my face has become a new challenge: instead on one faucet, there are two faucets, one hot and one cold.  You've got to mix the two by cupping your hands together, in order to get warm water. Oy...it wouldn't seem like a big deal (and it really isn't, honestly Jen) but by golly! sometimes I miss the hot water--splashing super cold water on my face in the morning sure wakes me up! 

Also, the apartment complex only runs the water heater at certain times.  So, sometime between 11pm-7am the water can come out of the faucet at boiling temperatures! Good thing the shower isn't two faucets....what a nightmare that would be.

The apartment complex I live in contains a parking lot surrounded by all similar apartment buildings.  Even the first few days living here, we all noticed the cats that regularly roam around the place.  The most regular is a white footed calico, I call Billy.  Not sure if it's a he or she...

I cannot tell if these cats are strays or not, but in general, strays aren't uncommon.  It's not unusual to see a dog just roaming the streets just outside of downtown Galway.  Maybe they aren't strays, just dogs out on errands.  Amazingly, though, 90% of dogs on walks with their owners are not on a leash! Irish domestic dogs are trained so well to stay near their owner while out on a stroll. 

Of course, I'm in Europe, and people here drive on the wrong side of the road...sorry, the left side.  Ready to cross the street, gotta look right! Not left.  But crossing a roundabout? Still rather crazy during busy traffic jams.  

On the topic of weather in Ireland, rain probably comes to mind first.  And it's true that it rains here a lot. But there are days where the sun is shining most of the day, too!  The most interesting days, though, are the bipolar-weather days.   

 Clouds. Rain. Grr. 

SUN?? Blue skies!!

half hour later...




Darkness. Rolling clouds.

Sprinkling.  Pouring rain.

wait a minute... 






RAINBOW.........and blue skies again :)

As I'm out shopping in downtown Galway, I notice more things different about the culture and the norms here.  When purchasing something and I give almost the right amount of change, the clerk will say "Thank You!" as if I gave them perfect change.  A few times, if I wasn't paying close attention, I walked away thinking I paid right, and was called back. Another common questions when paying at the till is "Cash or laser?" Right, I pay 3 lasers for bananas... Plastic? Credit cards?

Relaxing time for Irish people consists of either sitting down with a pint (not me...),or some tea or coffee time.  Everywhere you go here, tea and coffee comes with practically any meal at any breakfast place or sit down cafe.  Irish breakfasts are pretty fantastic as well, even though it's quite different than my usual Minnesotan breakfast.  Sooner or later I will take a picture and upload a photo of a wonderful (and rather inexpensive) Irish breakfast I've had at a local cafe multiple times.  Also, there's no peanut butter (nothing like Jiff or Skippy, at least) or Mt.Dew!

While at the University, the student's styles (as well as people all around Galway) are quite different than what I now see as the common American attire that I'm used to.  It's common to see most girls in scarves.....

....these are mine:)  (generally not worn all at the same time...)

....leggings, shorts, boots or simple leather shoes, and draping jackets or cardigans--and are earthy colored, striped, or patterned with old-fashioned floral designs.  Guys are seen wearing Adidas jackets or zip-up sweaters with a wool scarf, sometimes sweatpants that synch at the ankle, and chuck taylors or similar shoes.  Like me, if you're wearing anything North Face and tennis shoes...you're clearly American. 

My super comfortable, "European" boots--possibly the best purchase here so far!

Generally, Irish people are kind and polite and fun-loving.  But, I have found that when I pass someone on campus or on the street, not many people will return my Concordia-bred tendency of a  friendly smile, quiet greeting, or eye contact.  Occasionally, I get a nod and maybe a grin from an elderly gent or lady.  


Relaxing before bed, watching TV, of course I've discovered the odd shows that air in the UK.  To name a few:  Geordie Shore, Desperate Scouswives, Playing It Straight, and Overcoming Overeating--all on the UK's MTV channel.  And, yes, many of them are the exact same show as aired in the US, but with a slightly different title, and the people all have British, Scottish, or Irish accents. Quite entertaining to watch! Sometimes.  They sure don't censor as much over here as they do in the US.


Which leads me to my next topic: cuss words.  The F-word is everywhere. Almost all Irish students I've met use it in their daily conversation.  Shop keepers use it in front of customers.  Professors use it in class. Classmates use it in class discussions.  Bus drivers/guides use it on tours. Supposedly the word is used freely and mostly used for strengthening adjectives (and feck is another way it's said). Many other swear/cuss/inappropriate words are easily overheard while walking through Galway, no eavesdropping necessary.  

Beyond those lousy words that are easily picked out of Irish accents, there are others unique to the town and the country that I've come across:

• chips - fries
• bird - (as heard of Geordie Shore) derogatory term for a sexy girl or chick, or girlfriend;  Ah, that bird's fit!
• eejit - idiot; Oh Paddy, yeh big eejit!
• gas - funny; Oh, I had a good laugh! It was such gas.
• grand - fine, lovely; Oh, yea, tha's grand.
• jaysus - Jesus, used in exclamation
• love - used at the end of a sentence when generally older men address women or girls; Eh, yes, love. Can I help yeh, love?
• query/queries - question(s); Please, direct any queries to Orla.
• queue - line formed by people; This the queue, yea?

And....



Everything has a switch!  At the end of the night, I turn off the lights and turn on my computer to send some goodnight emails and check up all of you wonderful people hanging out in the cyber world!  








Thanks for reading!  Until next time, bye bye bye! bye <<http://www.irelandlogue.com/best-blogs/irish-slang-bye-bye-bye.html>> bye bye bye. bye...