WHAT TO DO IN DUBLIN WHEN YOU HAVE NO JOB, NO FRIENDS, AND TOO MUCH TIME

I have now been in Dublin for a month. It doesn't seem that long until you actually write it down. One month. And still no job. That's quite terribly depressing. Haha. Well, actually, I did have a job. For three days. THREE DAYS.

"Sorry, it's not working out. There are designers who are suited to working in the fast paced company that we have, and designers that are more suited behind the scenes doing the more creative work and focused work. It's better we do this on day three than in a couple weeks from now."

"Are you saying you don't think I can meet deadlines and talk to customers?"

"That's not what I am saying at all. Nothing personal against you as a designer, you're a good designer. There are just some people who are cut out for this job, like the others who work here. And some who aren't." 

"Um, okay, I don't really understand. Can you clarify a bit more?"

"If you want, you can use us as a reference, even though you were only here three days. Don't worry, we will pay you for the last three days.

Sure. Whatever. I really, really didn't want that job anyway. I did want a job though, so it's a bit bittersweet. I'm burning through my savings far too quickly though, which is a bit of a problem.

So, the job hunt continues.

Deer in Phoenix Park. They just chill like that. So weird.

Deer in Phoenix Park. They just chill like that. So weird.

Oh yeah, so back to what to do in Dublin when you have no job, no friends, and too much time? 

Drink. 

The weather's shit. People are generally nice. There's a pub on every corner and every street in the city. So what do you do? You go to the pub. You have some pints. You meet some people. You have some more pints. You try to avoid smoking cigarettes. Fail. And then you have some more pints. I know it's Ireland, and I know I should have fully expected and understood this, but boy do the Irish love to drink. And drink early. Everyone goes out so early.

The “no friends” part may be slightly overdramatic. I've met and befriended people. Really awesome people from all over Europe. Though it proves to be a lot more difficult to friend people who are actually from this city.

Drinking, doodling, and playing pool with tiny balls

Drinking, doodling, and playing pool with tiny balls

Drinking here isn't cheap either. Ireland, why do you have to have premeasure liquor? Free pour is where it's at! Seriously, jump on the bandwagon and drink like we do in America. So, since liquor is pretty expensive, I have been drinking a ton of beer. The beer is expensive too, but oh well. It's also quite bizarre how many bars you can find Coors Light on draft in. There’s nothing like drinking a shitty Coors Light to make you think of home. 

Oh, Kansas City, how I miss thee. Not! Well, maybe a little. Shh don't tell. The weather back home has generally nicer been nicer than here, which I miss. I miss the sun so much! And I miss all of my friends from back home, wherever they may be.

Do you know what else you do in Dublin when you have no job, no friends, too much time, and your name is Christina? 

Eat. 

I love food.

I love food.

Eat lots of food. And then feel guilty about it and go to the gym. Then drink, and get the drunchies, and eat more food. So many chips and so many potatoes! I miss Mexican food. And normal sized refrigerators. How do you expect to have five people living in a flat and only have a tiny ass fridge. With no refrigerator space, I can't cook my meals for the week, which in turn, means that I go out and buy food more often.

Damn, haha. Ireland 2. Christina 0.

And also, finally I wander. I wander frequently. Wanderlust is amazing.

Galway is beautiful

Galway is beautiful




TORONTO & THE LOVELY FIRST DAYS IN DUBLIN

I have flown through the Toronto airport two times before, for connecting flights to Europe. Guess how many times Toronto has screwed me? TWICE. Each lovely time that I have flown through Toronto, my flight was delayed 24 hours. I have no problem with Canada, and would love to spend some time there, but come on. Twice in a row? It’s very disheartening to arrive at the airport knowing you have missed your connecting flight, having to stand in a ridiculously long line that takes about 3-5 hours to get through, just to be told “Here's your accommodation. Your next flight is in two days.” TWO DAYS. Then, you have to call this number and they may potentially be able to assist in getting your flight changed to a sooner date.

At the Toronto airport, if I hadn't started talking to the lovely older folks behind me in line, I would have been doubly fucked. They asked way more questions than me, figured out how to actually make the flight change (since I was repeatedly told to call back tomorrow, call back later), and saved me from having to stay in Toronto another night. So, a big thank you to Rosemary, Bridget, Ed, and the last lady (whose name I forget)!

Flying into Dublin. The sun just hides just above the clouds.

Flying into Dublin. The sun just hides just above the clouds.

Okay, sorry, I have bitched far too much. Now on to the good stuff. After getting my flight changed, I was able to fly the following night to London with a connecting flight to Dublin. I got to the Dublin airport at 9 A.M. and was utterly and completely drained. Four hours of sleep in 48 hours will make anyone feel haggard. Anyway, so I found my suitcase and carried my ridiculously heavy backpack onto a bus and into the city. Finding my hostel was surprisingly easy as pie, and luckily they still had a room for me, since I missed the first night and my booking had been canceled.

DAY 1

Lug all my crap up the stairs at the hostel. Feel ridiculous because I have a giant backpack, purse, and suitcase, in a hostel. Get funny looks by the people in my dorm upon arrival cause of said stuff. Oh well. From there, I stare at my bunk and contemplate how much I want to sleep. Instead, I decide to get the terribly boring things done in my semi-incapacitated state. Spent the day at the Immigration Bureau to get my registration card (holy shit balls, 6 hours is far too long) and got my Irish phone number. On my way back to the hostel, I ran into an Australian who was trying to get people to donate for a good cause. He tricked me with his charming demeanor and good looks into signing up to donate 12 euros a month. Hopefully, I get that job soon!

Oh yeah, I also ate at Tolteca, which is EXACTLY like Chipotle. Their menu, branding, and everything is the same. I was shocked at how much it was like Chipotle without being Chipotle, though the food wasn't quite as good.

Sorry for the blurry image, I just wanted to convey the similarities.

Sorry for the blurry image, I just wanted to convey the similarities.

So, I headed back to the hostel and napped until my lovely German bunkmates came back to our room. They were headed to a pub crawl and offered me some vodka and Monster energy drink, which I gladly downed and asked for another. I decided I would go out for a drink, and met some lovely Irishmen before heading back to pass the fuck out.

Beef and Guinness pie with a side of mash. Perfecto. Walking through the industrious parts of town.

Beef and Guinness pie with a side of mash. Perfecto. Walking through the industrious parts of town.

DAYS 2-5

I find out where I am renting my flat by the week. Turns out, it’s in a great location, but unfortunately, I have to share a bedroom. However, my flatmates are very lovely - three Italians and one Spaniard, though we struggle a bit to communicate as they are all here to improve their English.

Just hiking on the beach. Sad, sad beach. Why can't all places with beaches be swimmable. And the South Wall.

Just hiking on the beach. Sad, sad beach. Why can't all places with beaches be swimmable. And the South Wall.

Needless to say, they took me out the first and second night and have been extremely generous and welcoming towards me, which is fantastic! I’ve been spending the last few days just wandering the city and trying to gain my bearings. I am now just settling in, and trying hard to get on that job grind. Though not too much luck on that front yet. Hopefully, I'll have a job soon!

The Iveagh Gardens are somewhat bare this time of year, but the fountains are still beautiful. And the boardwalk near the South Wall. 

The Iveagh Gardens are somewhat bare this time of year, but the fountains are still beautiful. And the boardwalk near the South Wall.