The Aran Islands

This weekend a group of students with the Arcadia program went on a trip to the Aran islands. There is a lot of history tied to them. According to something I've read one of the islands didn't have electricity until the mid-1900s. I didn't get to see much of the island, but that was fine. The group of girls and I took our time bicycling around and climbing old ruins. It's really what I've been wanting to do.

I had my first lab class today. I have to say I feel far more experienced than any other student. RWU has definitely prepared me to work in a lab. Most of the students (technically sophomores) have never had a lab before, in fact they don't take science in school before college so I've been told.  

I've made some other observations about Irish students over the past few days. They hate to sit in the front of the classroom it's like pulling teeth. They actually fill a room from the back to the front. They also seem to try to avoid sitting next to anyone unless they know them already (which Americans are just as guilty of). Also, PDA is huge here, people will make out in the middle of the hallway (or the bar) and not give a damn in the world and no one else seems to care either; it can get a bit graphic. One of my friends told me that her roomie said that when it comes to dating they believe in making out (scoring/snogging as they term it) with many different people and then eventually settling down after they've had their fun.

Today was "clubs day", what they call clubs, we call sports/sport clubs. Tomorrow is "societies day (or socs day)", which we call clubs. Today I signed up for the equestrian team...and yes...the rugby team. The rugby team seems really laid back, with only two practices a week and only up to an hour...so I can't imagine they are extremely serious. But the equestrian team sounds awesome. They try to do weekend excursions often and do treks around Ireland! I can't wait to find out more. I plan on joining a soc or two, but we'll see. 

Overall, things are finally starting to pick up in speed. Oh!, I finally tried an Irish breakfast when I was at the Aran Islands. Don't try it unless you really like meat, or are hungover (neither is/was the case for me). It consists of sausage, ham, fried egg, toast, white pudding, and black pudding (the puddings are like sausage and the black is made of congealed pigs blood). The black pudding was gross to say the least. A "full" Irish breakfast is all that plus a slice of tomato, beans, and scrambled eggs. I've also tried soda bread which is fun to munch on, but very heavy. 

But that's about as much of an update that I've got for you. 

Cheers!