Guinness is Good for You

When I last left you, I was debating what to do with my week and a half holiday time, and if you have any significant level of intelligence, the title of this post should answer that question. But for my less beer-savvy readers: DUBLIN! My time here in London has been good, but full of schedules, budgets, and responsibilities. But my time in Ireland had none of that.

It was the travel feeling I was craving. When you wake up in the morning, and think, I could do anything today. When you're walking down the street with absolutely no objective, and the strange surroundings fill you with euphoric melancholy, and a longing for something you once had, but cannot remember. When you become genuine best friends with a stranger, but only for a night. When you stay up way past your bedtime singing songs with cute boys with guitars. But, most importantly, when you find that one moment, in the middle of everything or anything when the world around seems to stop, and you feel simultaneously like the most important and the least significant thing in the world. This is the feeling of traveling. This is the feeling I found in Dublin.

My arrival in Dublin, was not nearly as pleasant. After forgetting my sea-sickness pills at home, I faced a three and a half hour ferry ride across the rough sea from Whales to Ireland. Despite having a tax free shop on board that sold everything from Christmas ornaments, and tourist trinkets, to t-shirts, ties, and Rolex's, and of course booze, their shelf of medication did not include a single brand or option of travel-sickness drugs. That was a three and a half hours I was not keen to experience again, and despite having a week in Dublin, my first stop (after my nap in the hostel, of course) was a drug store to prepare myself for the ferry journey back.

My days in Dublin went much smoother. I met some fantastic new people, and even ran into some fantastic ones I already knew (One girl who stayed in the same flats/ apartment building as me in South Africa was staying in the same hostel!) I took a tour guided by some guy who will be appearing in an episode of  next season's Game of Thrones (Everyone in Ireland has auditioned for Game of Thrones, its a fact.) I toured the Guinness Storehouse and poured the perfect pint of Guinness (even though I struggled to drink it without making that "I smell a fart" face.) My exploring included Saint Patrick's Church, the tomb of the Saint Valentine, Trinity College, the Leprechaun Museum, O'Connell Street, and Temple Bar. I ate a full Irish breakfast, watched some Irish step dancing, (even tried some... on a stage... in front of people...) and most importantly PUB CRAWLS!!! And I learned that no matter how good for you Guinness is, the only way it tastes good is with a shot of black current.

St. Patrick's Church (Didn't go in because you had to pay. I refuse to pay to visit a church)

My tour group, led by GOT actor in light blue t-shirt and including new friends Sumi from Australia (to my right) Giulia from Italy (right of tour guide) and Elsebee from South Africa (in the front throwing up deuces)

Giving it a go at step dancing, because nobody else volunteered.

The "tomb" of Saint Valentine. 

Week One is Done

Well, technically I've been here for two weeks, but my first solo week as an au pair has come to an end. And I'd like to toot my own horn and say that I think I did pretty well. Although, admittedly, it was a pretty easy week, as half of it was spent at their grandparents house in the countryside. Not that I didn't work; I still had to prepare meals and watch the children, but at least activities were planned for me and I didn't have to scramble to come up with things to do in a city I don't know yet. But now I know it one week better. Here's a break down of my week (and a half... or however long it's been since my last post)

On the Au Pair Homefront
I'm getting on quite well with the children, and slowly getting to know them better. And I'm getting to know pretty quickly that these two are going to keep me on my toes. They are both intelligent, albeit in different ways, but they never miss a beat, and have once or twice already caught me off guard. While walking around I commented about how the city seems to be full of pigeons. They don't even scurry away from you when you walk by. Penelope responded that most Londoners find them very much a nuisance, and because of the overpopulation, laws are 'laxed about killing them. She continued, "But I don't understand that. I think humans are the animals that most overpopulate the earth, so why such a big deal when one dies. By the same reasoning, we should be going around killing a man here and a woman there..." (Just to make sure there's no misunderstanding here, she said this in favor of protecting the pigeons, not in favor of killing off human beings). Not at all a type of response you normally expect from a 9 year-old. But as I'm coming to realize, very much the type of response I can expect from Pen. Charlie isn't as academically inclined, but is by no means stupid, and can definitely keep up with his sister on wit and sass. Charlie is 6, and has been diagnosed with dyspraxia, a developmental coordination disorder. As I've learned from many of the other children I've worked with, a diagnosis has very little meaning in it's name, so I'm learning what dyspraxia means for Charlie. So far, I've learned it means that I have to get over my embarrassment of loudly singing on the train (oh, who are we kidding, I was never shy about singing loudly on a train to begin with) and that I'm really happy I remember many of my girl scout songs and Lasell-taught distraction techniques. Best distraction technique so far: asking for a hand massage. He loves to give them, I love to get them... Everyone Wins!

 

On the Tourist in London Front

Spending a few days in the countryside was nice. Very much a different side of England. But as a newbie, I have to honestly admit that I'm more excited about getting to know the city. At least for now. After returning from Kent, I spent the entire day yesterday in central London. (You know, that part you imagine when someone says London and where all the touristy stuff is). I saw the London Eye, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. And even spent a couple of hours at the National Gallery and attended Evensong at Westminster Abbey. I think I pretty much have the tube down. Not memorized, but I know what line I'm on, and some other basics that greatly reduce my chances of getting lost. I'm getting slightly better with the bus system, but that still has a way to go. Being summer, the city is extremely crowded, so I'll probably do some more detailed exploring once the holiday is over. Not buying absolutely everything I see with the Union Flag (it's only called a Union Jack if it's flown at sea) or "Keep Calm and Carry On" on it has been almost literally the hardest temptation to avoid in my life. I bought myself a 2pound canvas tote with both on it to satisfy the craving. I hope it helps.

                                                                                               
                                                                                                                On the Personal Front
Not homesick yet, but I think I'm starting to realize
just how long a year is. EEK. I think this realization comes from the fact that I haven't had very much me time. Because the children are on school holiday, I have them 8-7. Eleven hours is a very long time of constant stimulation. By the end of the day I'm pretty exhausted, and don't last awake for very long. Nights and weekends are basically left for getting my things in order.
I've got a functioning mobile number, a new Barclay's bank account, and hope to have a GP (General Practitioner, AKA Doctor) by the end of the week. (European citizens get practically free health care- America really needs to get its shit together on this man!) But in all reality, this is pretty much just like any other full time job, and I'm probably just acting spoiled from my four (okay, maybe five) month home-cation, where I did as close to nothing as is possible to do and survive. But I''m liking it all well enough. And I've even got a holiday coming up soon. I have a week and half off starting the 18th. Haven't decided what to do yet. Very torn between not wasting my holiday time and using it to explore, and being in London for the Doctor Who series premier... Oh first world decisions. No matter what I do, I'll be sure to make it wonderful (and hopefully at least a little bit relaxing.)