lá a ceathair (Day four)

So yesterday we had orientation. I think perhaps them telling us over and over not to be worried and that things will work out, only managed to make us that much more stressed. For the rest of the university, classes started yesterday so we are already coming in a day late. Then, the registration system here is crazy. You look at classes on the list of modules and then you go to these really complicated timetables that have the code of the class (which is impossible to find and keep track of) the place (also in a code that is impossible to break) and the time, which is easy to read, but only if you can like up your class right. Also, the environmental studies department doesn't seem to actually exist...which is fabulous. I'm going to talk to the director tomorrow to try to figure things out.

After you've managed to put together some type of schedule, you just go to the class. yep, that's it, you just go and then we fill out a form of what classes we're attending and turn it in. What's also crazy is that the classrooms change from day to day. The archaeology class that I just got back from meets in three different classrooms on three different days at three very different times. How is one supposed to get a system??? Some of the classes also just meet once a week for one or two hours.

However, because of all this craziness, right now I'm taking 32.5 credits and have class only on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday...four day weekend?? YES! A full course load is 30 credits, but I am taking uillean pipe lessons, and I may also take tin whistle lessons, which would bring me to 35 credits. Also, one science class looks like it only meets for one week when the rest of classes have finished because it's a field science course which would be cool.

I think once this all settles down the classes will be cool. I want to take: intro to archaeology of Ireland, modern spoken Irish, environmental science in the field (all three of these classes have field trips), marine environments (hopefully for credit at Bowdoin), and uillean pipe and tin whistle lessons. If this all works out it should be a cool semester.

Anyway, that's kind of what I've been dealing with the last couple of days. Today, I did finally get a cell phone. The service I got has an interesting set-up. I just got a sim card to put in my phone (which was cheaper then buying the phone here) actually, the sim card was free and I just spent money to put minutes on it. However, what's weird is that it will cost 20 cents a minute to call an Irish number, 15 cents a minute to call the states, and 10 cents a minute to call other european numbers...weird.

Another recent discovery is the English Market, which kinda operates like a farmers market and is open every day. It's a great place to get cheap, fresh produce and apparently meats and breads and such. A friend and I were talking about perhaps going to there and putting together a dinner that we'd all cook, which sounds really nice. I did finally buy some fruits and vegetables, so far I've been eating bagels and soup, need a change. If anyone has any simple, easy, tasty, and cheap recipes they want to send me that would be fabulous!!!

Here are some pictures and a video from the music session in the pub the other night:

One of the pubs that we've been in. They all seem to be long and skinny, brick, very quintessential...

The music building/department...up a HUGE hill/cliff. It's a fifteen minute walk from campus and probably about twenty from my apartment

a view of the city at sunset. To the right you can see the roof of the music building. I do realize that most of the city is in silhouette, but let me tell you...the view was beautiful.

mmk so the video wasn't really loading, I'll try again later, but here's what I had to say about it:
This was so cool. Apparently there are sessions every Monday night. I will definitely be frequenting them!! These sessions are actually really cool; one person starts the tune and is then the leader. They play the first section through a few times and then everyone seems to stop at the same time except the person who started, who transitions into another tune and then everyone joins in again. Someday perhaps I will be able to join in.



Also, here's my address if anyone wishes to send me mail, if you send a letter I will do my best to write back!

Rebecca Perez

Apt 26 Room 3

Copley Court

Copley Street

Cork, Ireland

Irish proverb of the day:

Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile

A beetle recognises another beetle