-In Irish History we learned about Robert Emmet, Irish patriot. I don’t know if I was just in a romantic mood or it was the soft spot in my heart for revolutionaries (except those pesky Russian ones) but I actually paid attention and found it interesting. He basically led what was supposed to be an uprising, but things didn’t work out well and he had to flee Dublin. He came back about a month later so he could be by his love, Sarah Curran, which a mistake because they found him and hanged him. He did give one of those very moving speeches during his trial that sealed his future as Irish hero. I tell you, you can’t beat a moving speech about the freedom of your country; gets me every time.
-I went to a “Valentines Ball” with Brittany and Laura at Sin Nightclub (real classy) that was sponsored by the International Student Society. It was ok. We got our dance on and it was fun.
Thursday was a great day! I woke up and it was beautiful outside; not a cloud in the sky. Like last Thursday I decided to venture into the city centre without much of a plan. I walked through St. Stephens green in the Dublin sunlight then wandered around Grafton Street. There were some human statues there, as well as a string quintet that was playing beautiful music. I got some groceries and then headed back to campus.
The groceries don’t give you bags with you purchases so I bring bags with me but I didn’t have enough room for my cornflakes so I had to carry the box. It sure makes you feel like a local when you are walking down Grafton Street with tourists rolling suitcases and you are carrying a box of cornflakes.
After a nap I headed to the Irish House Party hosted by the Study Abroad office at a hotel downtown. It consisted of a band of Irish musicians talking a little about Irish music and dance and performing for us. I had a great time. Here are some videos from the night.
We hung around with some friends from Boston University during the house party and went to The Wicked Wolf afterwards for karaoke night. Brittany and I, along with Bridget and Amy from BU, sang “Man, I Feel Like a Woman” which I like to think was a big hit. The songs from karaoke, like "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" or "Total Eclipse of the Heart" have become a soundtrack for our study abroad oddessey.
The best part of the night was when Stacy told Brittany and me that Bridget had told her that she and Lauren were Deltasigs at BU. So I went up to Lauren, who had no idea that I knew or that I was one, and said the secret phrase. Her face went puzzled and then she realized what was going on and said the other half back to me. We then both screamed “Brother!” and hugged. I am not making this up. It was exactly like the skits we see at initiation but instead of meeting a brother at an interview I met one at a karaoke bar in Dublin. I will never forget that.
After karaoke we went to Supermacs, which is like an Irish McDonald’s, and got some grub before heading back to UCD. Good night.
No comments:
Post a Comment