The second week in Dublin felt more comfortable than the first week. By this point, I had settled in and felt more adjusted to the new style of living. I had developed a routine and felt more at home in the new city. Going into my internship throughout the week, I slowly began to understand what I would be working on with the company I was working for, FinancialWellbeanz. At the company, I am helping them build a tax return website and make the site more user-friendly. It is a significant responsibility, and I became more eager to contribute.
However, it took me several days to figure out the public transportation system, since this was my first time using this sort of system. This was especially difficult during rush hour after work, around five o’clock, as the buses were often packed shoulder to shoulder and sometimes would break down. This occasionally caused me to find an alternate route home, which added to the adventure but also the frustration.
Our first-weekend trip was to the Wicklow Mountains, which our Bucknell group stopped at in the morning on Saturday. On the hike, we were able to see a lake formed by a melting glacier that rests in the valley of the mountains. Also on the hike, we were able to visit an abandoned monastery that included a cemetery, church, and a tower whose door was raised six feet above the ground. This was done because, in case of an attack, the people of the monastery could quickly climb into the tower with a ladder and then pull the ladder up behind them.
For lunch, my suitemates and I went to a local tavern where I ordered an Irish special, “Bangers and Mash,” which is essentially just Irish sausage and mashed potatoes. In the afternoon, we went on a tour of Kilkenny Castle, learning about the vast history of the castle throughout the centuries leading up to the present day. The castle’s unique features and the stories it held were fascinating. We walked through the beautifully restored rooms and looked at the architecture and historical artifacts, even seeing an elk skull that nearly took up an entire wall.
Overall, the second week in Dublin was a mix of settling into my new routine and exploring Ireland’s natural beauty and historical landmarks. Each day brought new challenges and discoveries, deepening my appreciation for this new experience. I am looking forward to the weekend excursions we have planned ahead as the first one allowed me to see a new side of the world.
