Has it really only been 2 weeks?!

Kinsale, Ireland

2 weeks doesn’t sound like a very long time, but I feel like I’ve been here for months already. Technically, 10% of my time here is already over, which sounds like a huge chunk of time, but when you say I have 90% left, 10% sounds like nothing. Over these past 2 weeks I’ve become acquainted with the city of Cork and the UCC campus. While walking through the market yesterday my friend leans over and whispers “Don’t you feel like we’re starting to finally blend in? You know, like it’s not as obvious we’re American?” And it’s true, my daily activities are becoming more routine-like and I feel like I’m catching fewer glances every day from the locals. However, I’ve heard wearing my “University of San Diego” sweatshirt is a dead giveaway that I should consider ditching soon.

A couple neat places in town I’ve discovered so far are The English Market and St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral. The English Market is actually a historic landmark here in Cork, established in 1788. It’s like any awesome Farmer’s Market in America, but I’ve never had one so accessible to me before. I swing through there a couple times a week for eggs, bread, meat, etc. Last Friday my friend Michael and I visited St. Fin Barre’s Catherdral after our class took a “historical walk” through town. The cathedral has been around since 1870 and the interesting thing is – it’s an Anglican/Episcopalian church rather than Catholic. 

Nasty fish at The English Market

Yummy fish at The English Market

Olive Shop at The English Market

Meat Shop at The English Market

Inside St. Fin Barre's

Alter at St. Fin Barre's

Last Saturday, 7 of my friends and I took a day trip down south to a small town called Kinsale. It’s a quiet and quaint “beach” town (I didn’t see any sandy beaches) with a few landmarks and a gorgeous view of the Celtic Sea. We first visited the Desmond Castle which was built around 1500, which has been occupied by many and served many different purposes. Today it’s simply a host to the International Museum of Wine. Next we took about a 2 mile walk out to Charles Fort – one of the best surviving 17th Century star shaped forts – which was active until 1922. Once we made it back to the main part of town we had two more friends meet up with us at a restaurant on the bay and we ordered 10 plates of Fish & Chips. It was a delightfully greasy and delicious lunch. 

Streets of Kinsale

Desmond's Castle

View of the Bay and Celtic Sea on our walk to Charles Fort

Charles Fort

Charles Fort

Throughout the week I’m still enjoying my history class and taking long runs around the city – discovering new places and seeing all kinds of breathtaking views. I should really consider taking my camera with me next time I run so I can show you some of the more hidden treasures of this town.

A few interesting tidbits about Cork:

1. Almost every house around here has a name. It has nothing to do with the owner, it’s just simply  a name for each piece of property displayed on the gate or the front of the house.

2. They’re extremely environmentally conscious. My flat was equipped with a garbage bin, recycle bin, and a compost bin. And all plastic bags are biodegradable. They don’t bag your groceries here - You have to bring your own or else pay 22 cents per bag.

3. They must not have an ordinance for cleaning up after your dog because there’s poop all over the sidewalks here. My thought is – they figure it serves as fertilizer, but I don’t remember the last time dog poop fertilized concrete.

4. Crosswalks are poorly designed and people drive like maniacs.