Last week I officially finished my visa process and am now able to stay until June. Probably being the biggest task I had here to finish, it was not as awful as everyone made it out to be. With various forms and necessities in hand, I went to the Garda (Police) station with my friend Audrey and after being met by a smug man, he directed to us a line of people. Nearly a half-hour later, I was pulled into the immigration room where I handed over all of my various documents and had my fingerprints taken...which was probably the most interesting part. Then after a little difficulty with the credit card and a call to the NUIM International Office, the coordinator came down to pay the fee for which my card would not come through to do. I again realized that great amount of hospitality they have in Ireland and was grateful for this woman coming to pay for my visa fee, although I did pay her back. Now I have a plastic card with my picture which ensures I can stay for through June and can now leave the country to travel. The visa being the highlight and relief of my week, not much else happened as I just tried to tie loose strings and set up my Irish bank account.
This past weekend, however, was the first SMC trip. Leaving at 9 am, two buses made their way to Newgrange. Newgrange is this what they call "passage burial tomb," they are not quite sure what it was exactly used for...either a tomb or a house of worship of some sort. It is actually older than the pyramids so that was something that was incredibly interesting. We were able to go in small groups into the actual tomb which had an extremely passage leading into the center. Although nothing spectacular in the middle, the ceiling with the vaulted stones was amazing and the famous 3 knot symbol was on one of the walls. From Newgrange, we went to lunch just in the local town and it was certainly a nice treat. Not being an expert chef, my meals are nothing extraordinary and usually consist of lunch meat and the toppings for a sandwich, but not at this meal. I was able to enjoy some roast beef, cabbage, more vegetables, and potatoes, desert, and tea. It was wonderful and left me incredibly full, but satisfied. Then we went to an abbey in ruins..it was beautiful nonetheless and provided for several pictures in archways and what not. We then ventured to a nearby cemetery to see a high cross and from there went to the Hill of Tara. The Hill of Tara is basically several mounds and ditches built long ago, although I am not quite sure for what purpose. There is one mound with a long, tall stone on which one has to literally jump and pull themselves onto and when the sit on it, if it roars, they are apparently the King of Ireland. Unfortunately with my long coat and purse hindering my jump, I did not pull myself to a sitting position on the stone...more of a koala hold around the stone as I slid down. Thus, I have not proven OR disproven that I may be the King/Queen of Ireland. From there, we made our way back to Maynooth where I collapsed in exhaustion and sickness from being in the cold all day.
The last two days have mainly been spent catching up with American tv and movies since I haven't been feeling well. But today is what Ireland calls Pancake Tuesday, American's Fat Tuesday, so I have plans to eat pancakes for both lunch and dinner and I am not too upset about since I miss pancakes back home a lot. This week I am going to attempt to do my laundry and hopefully get everything for my Irish bank account...it all should be interesting.
Happy Pancake Tuesday!
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