A feat I didn’t realize I could accomplish, no matter how much I used it as a motivator throughout spring semester, was making it to Ireland. As a chronic overthinker but also highly excitable person, I was equally stressed as I was incredibly ecstatic about this trip for a multitude of reasons.
I have always wanted to travel, but before this trip, my reach on Earth regarding my past destinations never reached past the East Coast time zone in either direction. Florida was about as foreign as I got. Since coming to college, I have wanted to study abroad but was prepared for it not to happen. Through all of these hopes and dreams, these thoughts are what motivated me through the transport and lack of sleep I experienced at the start of this journey.
When I have something to look forward to, I could run on one hour of sleep, adrenaline, and “Pump It” by the Black Eyed Peas; that is exactly what I did when trekking to the old stomping grounds of Niall Horan and Hozier.
While arriving with about three hours to spare in the Dublin Airport, I promptly purchased a lemon fanta (a drink on my Ireland bucket list) and sat down to charge my phone. I persevered through this experience as well as orientation.
I was thankful to hear the tips and tricks from Sean who has lived in Dublin and knows the ins and outs of the city. I very well could have missed the requirement to tap both on and off before and after using the tram in the city. Although I was most definitely not my cheery self at the center that first visit, I am glad it was straight away and we were preoccupied with things so as to not fall asleep preemptively.
The main motivator for making it awake to the evening, however, was the welcome dinner. I was hyping myself up for fish n’ chips all week. That and of course a classic cider to drink along with it. Eating my meal at the Brazen Head and analyzing the sauces they offered at the table was enough to entertain me until leaving with a satisfied stomach.
That night included about 12 hours of completely uninterrupted sleep in a real bed after a over one day deficit of sleep. Huzzah to my first day in Dublin!
