I have class today?

History of Ireland 1798-1922. 

That was my first class here in Dublin. To say that I had no clue of the past troubles of Ireland is a huge understatement. Most of the information presented in the 2 1/2 hour lecture was brand new. 

Normally history isn't my favorite subject, but learning the history in the classroom and then walking out my door and taking a 20 minute walk to where it all happened... Wow. It offers a totally different perspective. 

Speaking of different perspective... It's only been a few days but it hasn't taken long to see that Ireland is completely different from America. 

I think the most obvious (besides the awesome accents of course) is the pace of things. Everyone seems to move just a bit slower, even here in the city. Everyone seems to have the attitude, "the work will get done, why rush it?" Actually it's more like, "the work will get done eventually, so let's have a pint to celebrate its eventual completion!" People really take the time to enjoy the little things. 

When you're at a restaurant you don't just eat and run. You need at least 2 hours. And during that time your waiter may only come to give you your food. It's not to be rude, they just don't want to interrupt conversation. If you need something, you get their attention. If you want your bill, you ask for it. It's certainly something to get used to but it's nice not to feel like you are being rushed in and out to make way for the next tipping costumer. In fact, tipping isn't customary. Going out to eat is just a time to eat and be with friends. 

Another huge difference. Ireland is green. Not just the rolling hills, cliffs, and shamrocks kind of green, I'm talking eco-friendly, energy efficient green. 

You walk everywhere. There are a lot of taxis but those are quite dear (Irish slang for expensive) and almost anywhere you would go on a day-to-day basis is within a 50 minute walk. (There are buses and a train system, but I have yet to master those, so here's hoping I don't get lost!) 

Anyway. Back to the green.

When you go to the store you bring your own re-usable bags or you pay for plastic bags. Not only is cost of living high in Dublin, but the conversion rate from dollars to euros bites the big one, and even with the recession in Ireland things are expensive, so there's my incentive to remember to bring my own bags! 

Now you may think my last 2 points would make grocery shopping impossible. Most people in the US have to take several trips just to bring in all their groceries from their car. How on earth would you carry all of it home? 

The simple answer. You don't. 

You don't buy as much at a time here because food doesn't stay good as long. It's fresh when you buy it and doesn't have as many preservatives. People resort to grocery shopping every few days.... I've already been twice, but that could also be because I still haven't figured out what Hobnobs, TK, or Taytos really are. The other challenge.... 

Say hello to our refrigerator. 

3 Girls. 1 Mini Fridge.  No Freezer. 6 Weeks. Things could get interesting. 

I bought lettuce and it was brown the next evening. I bought strawberries and those lasted 3 days... and the eggs.... I couldn't bring myself to buy them because they weren't in the refrigerated section! I thought it was maybe just at that particular store Tesco, but I've looked at Dunnes, Lidl, and even Aldi (same store as in the US... doesn't carry the same things), and the eggs are just on a shelf! I think I'm going to have to work up to those...  

And last but not least for the eco-differences. Instant hot water. Yes my friends, it is a luxary. In Ireland they have a lovely method of heating water called the immersion system. We have two ways to get hot water. One is a hot water heater in tiny closet in our kitchen that you have to turn a dial to indicate how much hot water you think you'll need (sink or bath full)  and then turn on and off before/after every use. If you want to do the dishes turn the immersion on 10 minutes before you start. If you want to do laundry I'd give it about 25 minutes. The second immersion system is a giant red switch in hallway outside the bathroom. That one you just flip on and hope you let it heat up enough to last your whole shower. 

Word to the wise. Don't try and multi-task. If you think you could save some time and start your laundry and then shower while it's running... you would be wrong. Turning the kitchen immersion on while having the hallway immersion on will result in one of the following: 

1. Your top layer of skin is singed off leaving you to walk around the apartment with shampoo in your hair until the water cools down.
2. After you lose your top layer of skin you risk hypothermia by rinsing off in frigid temperatures. 

The choice is yours. 

Maybe that's how the Irish enforce that slow pace.... You may shower or do laundry. Don't try and be a hero and get too many things done at once. Your skin will thank you. 

Oh, I almost forgot..... Do not, I repeat, do NOT leave the immersion on. 

This is right up there with insulting the Pope. Not even kidding. I'm still not quite sure what leaving the immersion on actually does, but I was told my apartment would blow up... I'm choosing to believe it was a joke, but not risk it.  

And with that, I think I may have given myself enough time to let the washer water heat up. This will be my first attempt using this..... 

Yes, you are seeing this correctly. That is my washing machine... In my kitchen. 

Where's my dryer you ask? I don't have one. No one does. So after I squeeze 5 T-shirts into this baby, with the average 2 hour cycle time, they should be dry and ready to wear in.... about 3 days. 

Hello Learning Curve. I'm Becca. Please be nice to me. 

Until tomorrow.... 

Cheers, 

     Becca :)