Hello! I made it. I’m now living in Ireland. It was months in the planning, and there were several things I could have planned better, but I’m here. I like it… but there are several things this spoiled American (that would be ME) have noticed:
1. The streets ARE smaller
2. There is no way in HELL I’m driving over here. WTF about roundabouts? I have no clue.
3. I was warned me about crossing the streets – you have to look the other way here ’cause they drive on a different side. They were right. I don’t even look. I get all confused. I just wait until Chris starts to cross and then I follow. I hope he never gets suicidal.
4. It DOES rain. A lot.
5. The people are thinner. Don’t get me wrong – there are some chubbos here, too. Just not American style chubbo. They’re not on scooters in the stores honking at you to “git outta way, girly”.
6. I can’t seem to flush a toilet properly here. I don’t know why.
7. What’s with the 1900’s style taps on the sink? I have to mix hot and cold in the basin? …. I’m american. We’re lazy. We like our appliances and fixtures to do our work for us.
8. There’s no coffee mate creme brulee creamer here. Dammit.
9. Vanilla coffee apparently hasn’t caught on. I’m working on it.
10. I miss walk - in closets.
11. I miss fountain diet cokes with lots of ice.
12. Euros feel like monopoly money. They look like it too. And the denominations are all different sizes. Strange.
13. I couldn’t understand what half the people in Dublin were saying. Their accents were too thick. I just smiled and nodded my head. (Come to think of it - I should just do that anyway. Saves me a lot of hassle.)
14. The BBC apparently thinks the Republic of Ireland is a vast wasteland – when they’re showing the weather, they show Northern Ireland, but there’s nothing where the Republic is. Although I really don’t need to watch the weather. It’s going to rain.
15. I shouldn’t bother doing my hair. It’s gonna be wild from the wind anyway.
16. I should have bought that perfume duty free in the airport.
17. The spire in Dublin amuses me.
18. The US postal service is awesome. I mailed 4 boxes of clothing the day I left – and they arrived 2 and a half business days later. Now I just need to figure out what to do with them.
19. The bottom of my jeans are always going to be wet from the sidewalks. (Pavements) Yes, I know it’s because I walk on them. Shut up, Chris.
20. I need to work for a bank over here. Their hours are sweet.
But for everything I miss, there are 10 things I like better. I’m really glad I made this move and it was worth all the planning and preparation. I miss you all and I will be in touch.
