The Sun Comes Shining Through

The sun was out today which was a lovely surprise. I got caught in a torrential downpour the other night, completely caught off guard without my umbrella. I got completely soaked and it was so windy and cold out that it took me hours to fully dry off. Needless to say I won't be caught without my umbrella and proper footwear anymore. Which means that I end of carrying more than I need to. Like today with the weather being so lovely I probably didn't need my umbrella and raincoat, but nonetheless both got brought.

It is simply lovely here when the sun is shining. Everything takes on a cheerful welcoming air and the city comes alive with music and excitement. I attended orientation this morning on the campus and then had time to walk around some unexplored parts of the city. It was a great day. Orientation was tons of fun and very helpful. I explored the library

and walked around the Quad.

The river crosses through campus several times so there are some beautiful little bridges. I also got to walk around Galway cathedral. I stopped into Kelly's for a cup of tea and a scone (simply delicious if I do say so).

It is the quintessential cafe and there weren't any other foreigners in there at the time. You can here the Irish language being spoken in most places in this city and there were a few gentlemen talking about the economy today with drinking their tea. Things here are just as bad, if not worse, than in the States and it is very hard to find a job for most. There have been continuous layoffs and lots of stores closing. While I was drinking my tea I was reading the Galway Advertiser, a local newspaper. There was an article about  Chris Dodd and his cottage in Connemara. Many think that he was given the estate as a reward for helping a friend to evade tax violation penalties. The Irish view Washington as being corrupt and typically have distrust for most politicians. (can you blame them?)

As I walked back along the street the sun was shining brilliantly and there was music being played in the street. It was a lovely afternoon. Tonight I go visit a new church, hoping to find some like-minded students there. Things here are different than I expected, but it's still good in it's own little way. I can't wait to get out to the countryside.