valentines in dublin

this year valentines day was probably the most odd. i arrived into dublin, finally after all the commontion at the airport safe and sound. i had to do a double back once i got off the plane and realize that i was in europe, and not in the US anymore. the very first thing that i noticed was that everything is green, very green. the grass is green, the cars are green, the buildings are green, people wear green. i got on the bus, on which a very friendly bus driver promised to get me to my hostel. it took about 30 minutes to get into the city. i was directed and redirected to a bunch of different places but i finally made it to my hostel. the hostel, although supposed to be one of the better ones is not so great. its safe and the people are extremely friendly, but its not the cleanest and there is alot of european people living there (like actually living there), somehow they manage to live in a hostel for months! but hey... there's a bed and a hot shower. i get a bit closterphobic in the room since there are 6 people in there. but enough about complaining about the hostel. back to valentine's day. as soon as i walked into my room i met a very awesome italian girl and a french guy and we decided to go out for dinner. there was a kissing booth in the middle of Temple Bar Square(area where I am staying) and people everywhere with flowers and red hearts and balloons. we went to an italina restaurant, as the italin girl wanted to and we were the only people there not on a valentines date. there were couples sitting, holding hands, drinking wine, exchanging gifts... all the madness. ive never seen so many people so much in love, if thats what it was. the waiter kept eying us, i think he thought the french guy was on a date with 2 girls.

i spent the last few days doing a little bit of everything. so far i have only stayed in the city center, as it is my 2nd day here. im a bit in a frenzy about finding a job and a place to live. apparently its very difficult to find a nice affordable place but im optimistic. almost everyone ive met is traveling and looking for work. i havn't actually met any irish people yet. im really excited and i really like it here. im not sure if dublin is the place for me though, im thinking that if by mid week next week i dont find a job and/or place to live i might try Galway, where its cheaper and not as crazy in terms of city life.

the guinness is good. very good. and i have been drinking everyday since i got here. i got a cell phone (thanks fey) and already im getting texts to go out to the Foggy Dew with a few Canadians I met at the hostel. its really great actually being here.. i am much more calm actually here than when i was at home anticipating my trip. being surrounded by people just like me, out to travel and meet people and see the world is very comforting. now for some more guinness!!

Cheers.