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!!