Not All Peaches and Cream

                 So living in another country isn't always as romantic an experience as people may imagine. Maybe some day months from now when things are settled with the Irish Government then maybe it will be all its cracked up to be!! I have a small soap box and some words of warning for anyone who maybe considering living in a foreign country.

                 In one of my previous posts I mentioned a small to do list of three things I needed to have done in order to be fully settled and a functional member of the community not in danger of being kicked out of the country by immigration. One- get a PPS number (Irish version of a SSN) Two- Get a bank account and Three- check in with the Garda (Irish police) to speak with their immigration officer and register with them as legally able to work.

                  So last week I started the process with item Two- Get a bank account. This way I could still get paid, even though getting paid without a PPS number you get taxed heavily and only reimbursed once you have a PPS number. I took a half day at work, walked from the hospital to the bank (20min walk). Once I got there I was told I needed proof of my address, well at this point I'd only been in the country for 4 days and all the bills are in the names of my house mates, not mine. Even if they were in my name I wouldn't have had a bill at that point. So I called my employment agency and spoke with my agent who said she had emailed me a signed letter with my name and address at the top, stating that I had just moved and would need the banks assistance in getting settle. But in order to get a copy of the letter I had to walk myself back to the hospital to get access to a computer with a printer. After the 20min walk back I was able to print the letter. Thankfully my manager at the hospital didn't want me to have to walk back again so I was able to get a ride from a coworker. We went to the bank....but hey, guess what?! The letter wasn't good enough. It needed to be an original letter with an original signature from my agent and have my employee number on it. The bank employee called my agent and discussed this with her. So now I was waiting for a letter in the mail to be able to open a bank account.

                   In the mean time I wanted to get my PPS number. So my coworker took me there next just to see if I could get that taken care of. We find the office for the PPS number easy enough! I go to the receptionist explain that I need to apply for my PPS number. Unfortunately they only take applications by appointment and only have one appointment a day, lucky me the next available appointment was a week away! Woooo sign me up!?!? Oh and I needed proof of address again. However they did provide a form for my house mate to sign and then just needed one of the utility bills with his name on it as well. Talk about hoops!! The infernal hoops!

                    And that wasn't anything compared to what I had to deal with today. Today was the day of my appointment for my PPS number so I took the day off in order to also get my bank account in order since I'd received the original letter from my agency. If you think bankers hours are choice in the U.S. they are even better in Ireland, not sure what time the bank opens(not early) but they close at 4pm and aren't open weekends period. Since I work until 5pm any time I need to do anything with the bank I'll either have to go on my lunch or take a half day off. So anyway, I took the day off....walked down to the bank. Waited in line, surprisingly not for long. I provided them with my passport and the letter from my employment agency who is a customer of the bank and therefore should enable me to get an account. The gal then tried calling "the author" of the letter but only got voice mail since I believe he's on holiday at this time. So guess what, no bank account for me. Nope, because she was unable to validate the letter with its author!! WTH?! I told her in nice words that I thought this was ridiculous, that I'd been there 3x trying to get a bank account and that I can't get paid until I get one. Her first response was shockingly enough that it wasn't ridiculous and that they had to follow the law and blah blah blah!!

                     After failing at getting a bank account I walked myself to the PPS office. This went smoothly except for the fact that I was there an hour early because I finished my business at the bank much quicker than expected. I had no where else to be so I just sat an waited for my appointment. Finally 15min past time for my appointment I was called forward. I filled out a couple forms, turned in the forms they gave me before for my proof of address and also showed my passport. Thankfully the guy was very nice and helpful. Even said he will try to call the PPS office to push it through faster for me. However if that didn't work (which he even said don't hold your breath) then I'll have my PPS number in two weeks time.

                       So basically until I get my PPS number I won't have a bank account and won't have a pay check. Which means living off my savings and credit card. If I use either of those options then I'll be paying conversion fees since all my current funds are in the US dollar and not the Euro. Good thing I already have good money habits. You can't apply for a pps number until you have a residence in the country and you can't have a bank account until you have a pps number. But you can have a job and have expenses just like everyone else!! 

                        The third thing on my list was to meet with the Immigration officer at the Garda office and register with Immigration so I won't get deported. I'd gone to the Garda office last week, but the officer was out. They did have her number so I called and left a message. I still hadn't heard any word from her so I called again today and managed to set up a meeting for next week since she is only in the office one day a week.

                          I guess everything will pan out in the end. Now that I've had my time on the soap box I feel much better. And now for anyone out there thinking you want to work and live in another country, be warned politics are politics and government sucks no matter where you are!!

Settling In.

           I know, I know, I know! I said I'd have a new post up by Sunday night. But let me tell you Mr. Jet-lag has been my best friend over the weekend. Plus getting started at the new job over the past two days. But enough with excuses. Here is a post for you!!

           I left off in the last one having just landed in Dublin and making it through customs, finding my bags, getting some euros and was off to find my bus. I was able to find my bus easy enough! Just asked a couple of the bus drivers where the bus to Kilbeggan was, thank goodness they could point because I was having some issues understanding them. There is quite the variety of accents in Ireland, some people you can understand no problem others have a thick accent and mumble on top of it! Fresh off the plane either of those makes conversation nearly impossible.

            After getting to the correct bus stop, I was directed by yet another driver to the automated ticket seller. However the stop I needed wasn't listed. So now what?! I asked a station worker, who happened to be extremely nice, helpful and on top of it all very good looking for a hand. He explained I'd just have to pay when I got on the bus, showed me were I should wait and what time the bus would be arriving. Told me to have a cup of tea or coffee, sit back and relax(should of heard his version of an American accent saying coffee) I had about an hour to wait, so I went into the station and got myself some food. Which is made more difficult when you have two suit cases that are the biggest size you can get, a backpack and a large satchel style purse on a luggage cart. Thankfully no one attempted to mess with my bags when ever I left them for a short period.

            I made it back to the bus stop with plenty of time before my bus should arrive. A few buses came and went, I watched everyone of them, read the display on each of them to see where they were going. Even so I some how managed to miss the dang bus!! That was when my dear friend the station worker came over, he had come over and chatted with me before about my new job and where I was from, finding myself an Irish man and being sure to have flask in my lunch box, but this time I didn't like what he had to say. Telling me he thought he saw my bus just left! And of course he was right! So then he suggested I get the next bus in 30min to a different town called Athlone. But first I had to check and make sure my new roommate was able to get there to pick me up. Thankfully the town of Athlone wasn't far out of the way! 

           While waiting for the next bus I never heard the end of how I missed my first bus and how I might have to hold my hand to make sure I was able to find my way. Ha! I don't think I would've been up set if he had! The next bus arrived, station worker was sure to point out that was the bus I needed, even helped loading my bags. I loaded onto the bus, told the driver who was actual quite the crank where I was going and headed to find a seat. Nearly feel on my face due to the driver launching the bus in to warp speed before I'd found an empty seat.

              The ride to Athlone was peaceful! As my first ride through the country side of Ireland there was plenty to see. At times the road way was surrounded by trees or by walls making it so you couldn't see anything. Other times you could see houses and fields. All the fields were amazingly green with trees dividing them from one another. Passed through a couple smaller towns with little shops or hotels visible from the road. Even with still having the feeling of the modern world from being in a bus on a freeway, the country side gave an entirely different new and romantic feeling to the trip! I wanted to drink it all it, which would have been much easier if I wasn't fighting to stay awake. Don't ever let anyone tell you traveling cross country and then to another country isn't exhausting!

                After arriving to Athlone, it wasn't long until I was "collect"(picked up) by my roommate SW! We got the car loaded, thank goodness my monstrous bags fit in the "boot" (trunk) of his car. However I had to be reminded to get into the other side of the car. Just strange! We had plenty of nice conversation on the drive the rest of the way to Tullamore. Discovered they call a bachelor party a "stag." Who knows why?! We also had a lengthy discussion about how the clutch, gas and brake peddles are still in the same order as in the US except on the other side of the car. Clutch - left foot, brake and gas - right foot. The gears for the manual transmission as well are in the same order as well. Also found out that automatic transmissions are only for the handy capped drivers.

               Upon arriving in town we went straight to my new home and unloaded the car. SW changed into his work clothes and was off to the pub for the night. I got myself some what organized and walked down to the hospital to check in with my new manager. I got a lovely tour of the department and was introduced to everyone, several of whom I still don't remember their names. Names are tough for me and when you have 20 new names thrown at you all at once it is quite over whelming. I also checked in with my agency who I'm employed through, got myself a list of things to do over the next week. Such as getting a bank account, applying for a PPS number (Irish SSN) and also check in with the Garda (police) for immigration. Woooo!

               My weekend was fairly laid back, I let myself sleep as much as my body need on Saturday. Just lounged around the house. Unpacked and got myself settled in my room. Sunday wasn't much different, I was still quite exhausted from traveling. I slept in and took it easy. Eventually going out for a couple hour long walk, which was only that long due to the fact that I got myself lost! Just made the loop a wee bit longer! no other way to learn a new place other than to get lost a few times. Just lucky it wasn't down pouring rain!

              I believe this is a good place to stop for now! After my first full week at the new job I'll give another post. One thats probably going to be more detailed on the hospital and will make more sense to my fellow Radiology Techs.

Cheers!!




 
           

            

In Transit

         

I have realized flying wouldn't be so bad without the airport! I've departed from my home in Washington and have completed two out of three flights in my journey to Dublin. 

                                        My last look at Washington-Going to miss the mountains.


           So far the trip has been smooth, with as annoying as dealing with an airline can be I really can't complain! The one thing that has caused a little hick-up is baggage checking and lay overs. Due to a 12hour lay over in Chicago I had to claim and recheck my bags, which caused me to have to pay yet another baggage fee. Only because they claimed the first time I checked bags I wasn't charged for the over weight limit on my second checked bag. So just a warning....don't pack to much crap! Easy to do when you only plan to visit a country not move to one.



           Not sure how long it has been since I posted on here, all I know is that the past few weeks have been a massive blur of  fun and excitement mixed with emotional highs and lows!! I moved out of my apartment, managed to get the things I'm keeping, but have no intention of shipping at this point put into storage. Moved in with a friend after been locked out of her house for the weekend, which gave me a chance to spend time with my grandparents until my friend got back into town. Finished work at both jobs and had multiple going away parties and nights out on the town in celebration.



            Since my trip has been smooth thus far I can't say I have many pointers for international travelers. If you have everything in order as far as papers and passports and show up early the chances of having issues are much less. Which is the case with traveling in the states as well. Sleeping on the plane is probably what will make this long trip not seem so long, falling asleep at take off and being woken up by the rough landing is the best way to go. Makes a three hour flight feel like 10min. Only issue with sleeping is getting comfortable, having a neck pillow helps a ton. However that does nothing for your legs! Or your butt! For me sitting for a long period doesn't happen often and when it does I would normally have more room to move and get comfortable. Not so in a plane!

             I have one more flight that lands in Dublin! Once there I will have a whole new set of adventures to deal with. I've been through an airport enough times to make my way, but going out into the new world of Ireland or anywhere  you may have landed is a different ball of wax. I have to find a place in the airport to get some euros, which I hear isn't hard. Hope the can use a debit or credit card, because I don't have much cash to convert. Once I'm past that obstacle......Everything written before this point was written in the Chicago airport on Thursday morning. 

              Due to just how fan-freaking-tastic the airport in Chicago is I didn't have enough time on the wifi to finish my post! In Chicago there is no such thing as free wifi, you get 20min of "complementary" wifi on any device. Got 20min on my cell phone only after downloading a free amazon app, once 20min was over they want you to purchase some gift card thingy for amazon to continue. On my laptop I got the 20min, once that was up they want you to pay about $5 for internet. Sure, 5 dollars isn't that much in the grand scheme of things, but when you pay $200 in baggage fees, over $1000 for a plane ticket and a minimum of $10 per meal and $5 for a cup of coffee the LAST thing I should have to pay for is internet. Oh and even though every other airport I've been to has many stations for charging your phone or laptop that have a counter top and chairs to make using their FREE wifi even easier, Chicago had two stations that were tiny and had no other accommodations to make life easy. From my experience I would recommend NOT flying through Chicago or at least don't have a layover there of any kind.

              So after being cut off from the wifi I continued my 12hr layover by taking multiple naps, watching a couple movies on my lap top, texting with friends and family and keeping myself fed. People watching was good fun, so many people walk about with their neck pillows around their necks. The one thing that confuses me the most is women that travel in heals....what is wrong with you?! Hope they aren't going far.

               Finally at 530pm it was time to board my final plane. Boarding didn't take long, but once on the plane the flight crew informed us that they were still going through on the check list for maintenance/safety on the plane and we wouldn't be in the air for a while yet. This wouldn't have been so bad if you have a travel buddy or at least someone seated next to you that is friendly. No such luck for me, made one comment the passenger next to me and all i got was a smile and a giggle. Think I must've scared him?! This flight went the same as the rest, I feel asleep shortly after take off and woke up a little before landing. Landing was different of course! I could already see the difference between the new country and America. The way the buildings and roads looked was different. The landing strip was surrounded by fields of grass and the fences around the airport were wooden with wire only at the top. Even saw a little rabbit running for safety as we came to the ground!

                Unfortunately we landed a little late so we had to wait for a gait to open up, got to hangout in the another 20min before getting to the gaits. Talk about having time to stress yourself out and get into a lovely state of anxiety thinking of the journey ahead. After getting off the plane the next step was security check point or customs. The line to go through customs was soooo long, but thankfully didn't take to long to get through. Once up to the window and explaining how long and why I was going to be in Ireland I had to not only show my passport but also my work visa. I was then given a note and was told I had to register with immigrations and was sent on my way. I got myself a luggage cart and got my bags quickly! On the way to the exit there was a currency exchange, where I exchanged what little U.S. cash I had. I exchanged a little over $100 and got only $80 euro. I then made my way out of the airport to find my bus!

                  At this point I've been in Ireland and in my new town for a day and a half. I'm going to stop here but will make another post tomorrow night to finish telling about the journey and about my first full weekend spent in Ireland.

Cheers!