Before leaving on this adventure, I was confident-- I mean like absolutely certain-- that I would be homesick my first week in Ireland. To my own surprise after wandering around Dublin, and spending my first full week abroad I can say that Ireland feels like home.
I have never been to a place--besides my actual home--where everyone is so willing to go out of their way to be nice. It is probably more than just being nice as I have been in several circumstances, where people have gone above and beyond.
The first time I used my bus pass I was not swiping the card correctly, and a stranger actually came up to me and showed me how to swipe it and then explained the bus pass system to me.
While in Howth, another stranger saw that we were looking for the information desk and pointed us in the right direction--without us even asking. I know these seem like small things, but they are actually a big deal when you are trying to find your way around in a new place.
I have always kind of had this dream--it is a silly dream, and I'll be the first to admit it--but I always desperately wanted to be a regular somewhere. I wanted to come into a diner, coffee shop, restaurant, or whatever and have the owner or waiter know exactly what I wanted to eat and drink, because I was a regular and they knew me that well. I am completely aware that this is ridiculous. So I am not a regular yet, but everywhere I have gone it has felt like I was a regular due to the kindness everyone has expressed towards my friends and I.
So when people ask me if I experienced culture shock my first few weeks in Dublin, I can say I did, but it was a shock to the generosity of the people who live in this beautiful place.
Ireland,
I love you
xoxo Hannah
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