Arriving in Corcaigh!

Cork used to be a port city, so there are many canals that run through the city here.
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The main even for today was packing up and getting read to go to Cork, or Corcaigh in Irish. We had a charter bus all to ourselves, so I had plenty of room to stretch out and sleep during the four hour ride to Cork. We drove through the countryside, which was literally filled with rolling green hills. I didn't take any pictures, because it would have been through the windows, and it wouldn't have done the scenery justice.

The atmosphere of Cork is a lot different from that in Dublin. There are far less people, and the city is separated into a town side, and a not-town side, which reminds me a lot of O'ahu. I live in Deanshall, where most UCC students stay. It's in the center of Cork, and only a ten minute walk from the university. It's also right next to the Beamish Brewery. I've already met three out of my four flatmates. I'm staying with one girl and three boys. Laura, Martin and either Joe or Jerry, or Joel (I can't distinguish between the three because of the accents). They all seem like really nice and cool people, though I feel sort of out of place because they all are so comfortable with their surroundings. None of them are from Cork, but they are all from other parts of Ireland. It is their first year of college, so it's an adjustment for them as well. When they all talk to each other, it's really fast, and it takes all of my concentration to make out what they are saying. I know I will get to use to it in time, and it's really fun trying to understand their accent and use of vocabulary. They all seem to have their own friends already, but I hope I can fit it well with them. I suppose it all just takes time.

Deanshall is located right next to the Beamish Brewery. Beamish and Murphies are Cork's equivalent to Guinness. You would be frowned upon if you ordered a Guinness at Cork...
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It was the birthday of one of the American girls today, so we all went out to celebrate. We went to a pub named Costigan's, where I tried Cork's rival beer, Murphies. It was a lot stronger than Guinness, but other than that, there wasn't much difference to it. It was a group of us girls and Matt. I guess I should introduce Matt to everyone, since it seems like he will be the only American I will hang out with while I'm here. He's a junior at CMC who is from Hawai'i. He's went to Punahou High School, and loves Hawai'i. All he can talk about it Hawai'i, and it seems as though I'm the closest thing he has to Hawai'i (since I've been there a few times, thanks Auntie Lynne!!) while we're abroad. He has a girlfriend back home, so he gets just as homesick as I do. I guess it's easy to get along with him, because he knows about Mudd, and I'm the only one who doesn't mind listening to him talk about Hawai'i 24/7. Anyways, Matt and I left the 'birthday celebration' around midnight because the rest of the girls were determined to find Irish guys to 'score' with. In Ireland, 'score' only means to kiss, and nothing more. 'Score score' means what it means in America. The one thing that frustrates me is that Irish guys think American girls are easy, and now I can see why they would think that, just by observing the behavior of the girls that I went out with tonight. I think tonight would be the last night I ever go out with them again. There was some live music at Costigan's, but I left a little after they stopped playing.

Tomorrow, I will be heading out to UCC for my official orientation. I have no idea where I'm suppose to go, but I'll figure it out. I'm excited to finally start taking classes! It feels like forever since I've last been in a classroom, and I'm ready to start learning again. I hope to talk to everyone soon! I miss you all!!