Chapter Two: The Land of Cold and Damp

It's cold here. Cold and wet. And windy. No one turns on their heaters, for fear of using up their precious 'oil'. Subsequently, when you're walking outside, which you have to do from time to time, you're probably pretty warm; you're physically exerting yourself, and you're bundled up in 9 layers of wool and scotchguard. The wind is blowing you over, which teams up with the rain to hide the frozen tears pouring down your face, which have nothing to do with sadness and everything to do with the wind and rain. Then, when you get back to your 'flat', and peal off your layers... you want to do nothing but put them right back on, because the Irish have this self-flagellatory instinct that keeps them from being warm, even in their own homes. They want to save what few Euros they have, presumably to purchase more Guinness at the Pub. Ironically, it's my theory that the reason they feel the constant need to drink is because it's the only way to chase out the cold that has sunken bone deep.



The Irish school system is, unique from its American counterpart. You don’t choose classes for the first 2 weeks; rather, you just go about, taking what you want, trying them all out. They’d hate to have you sign up for a class that was less then what you expected; that wouldn’t be fair.

None of their classes have a single assignment due, the entire semester, nor is any of the reading required. Rather, your entire grade is based on a 3 hour exam, or an essay, generally either/or. The essay is generally around 2,000-4,000 words.
That’s about 6 pages.

I don’t want to sound condescending of their adorable education system, but compare that to USC, any American University really, where 3-5 page essays are due biweekly, along with assignments, mandatory readings, midterms, finals, and a 15-30 page final paper. It’s no wonder none of them come to study with us.

I’m still ‘crashing’ with Ms. Peck, however, tomorrow I meet her friend Ben, who may have a room to let. Ben and his 4 housemates are German. Ben has a red, chinstrap beard, and long, wavy blond hair. I’m to go over to their (hopefully my) home tomorrow evening, to meet everyone, but I feel like it will all go down swimmingly. We shall see.

Next Time: I Invade The Germans!