Park Lodge, Spiddal

I took this one at Galway Bay - so beautiful!

The stone walls are my favorite.

This is Galway Bay - I live practically right across from here!

Well, it seems as though I have safely arrived in Ireland and am finally getting settled in. There are 29 students from CSBSJU staying at the Park Lodge Hotel in Spiddal, right outside of Galway. I am living with 4 other girls in a quaint little 3-bedroom cottage. The people on this trip are great and really easy-going, and we have all become fast friends. I know that only great things will continue to happen.

Yesterday, we went on a tour of Galway. Unfortunately (but not unusually), it rained all day, so we had take the tour in a coach bus. It was neat to drive around town and see all the different parts of the Irish city. Naturally, I forgot my camera on my way out the door, so I can't show you any pictures of Galway, yet. After the tour, we were given about four and a half hours to just walk around and explore. First item of business was getting more Euros, followed quickly by lunch. I had a delicious roast pork with lots of vegetables and mashed potatos and the self-proclaimed oldest traditional Irish pub in Galway. I dined with four of my friends from the trip, and the food was definitely reminiscent of home. Good thing my dad fed me so well growing up!:)

After that, we walked around Galway and just sort of soaked up the place. It definitely does not have the feel of a city. We went down this sweet walking street and explored an Irish bookstore and saw lots of places to buy Irish sweaters. Then, we hit the jackpot: a 2 Euro store - the equivalent of a dollar store in the US! I got toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and toilet paper at bargain price. I will definitely be returning there. The only downside? They use Colgate in Ireland, and I am definitely a Crest girl. I guess I can adjust.

It is cold here! I had to buy another sweatshirt yesterday because it is so chilly! Luckily, though, I have my rain jacket now, so I have stayed relatively dry. In the cottages we're living in, we have to pay for the electricity we use. That means we never have the heat on much or too high, and we have to turn the water heater on about 25 minutes before showering. It actually has been much less of a burden than everyone said it would be. It's kind of nice to live simply. And since I usually where a blanket around me all the time anyway from about October through March, it's really not that different than I'm used to!

Last night, the girls in my cottage and I made a wonderful dinner of pasta and alfredo sauce and had a nice family-style dinner. Afterward, we had a group meeting and found out that JP - one of the owners of the Park Lodge - was going to open the pub for us. That's right - there is a pub RIGHT HERE at the Park Lodge! Otherwise, we have to walk about 20 minutes into Spiddal. And JP gives us much better deals. :) He is the funniest guy and has the thickest Irish accent I have ever heard. Our whole group of 29 was there last night, and even our director Chuck for a little while, and needless to say, it was quite a bit of fun.

Today was a free day, so we just kind of putzed around all day, Skyping and getting caught up on things that we haven't been able to do in the past few days. I think I am finally caught up on blogging, adding photos, and e-mail. A bunch of us walked down to the Galway Bay this afternoon - it is literally right across the street and takes about 2 minutes to get there. It was the most beautiful place I've ever been! The coast is absolutely breathtaking. Tomorrow, we are headed to the Aran Islands, and I expect to be equally amazed.

The Irish are by far the nicest people I have ever met! They are so willing to help and always like starting up conversations. Grocery shopping was an adventure yesterday, figuring out hwo the Irish package everything! And it was sunny all day today, and just started raining. I think that is my cue to go start dinner and cozy up with a book.

Thanks for all your well-wishes! I love hearing from you all!