Irish dancers

Yesterday, I went dancing with Andrada (Rumanian John's friend) and John. We danced traditional Irish music in a Gaelic Culture Centre (Cultúrlann na hÉireann - www.comhaltas.ie). It was funny because I think we don't have anything similar in Spain. Admission cost 10€. Inside, there is a band playing traditional music, and a man shows you the steps for the different dances. And you dance :-D I'm not very keen on dancing, you know, but I ended up dancing twice. Maybe I'll dance more next time... or not :-D

I give you some evidences about the event in the photo album. I think there is a problem when you click on the photos, so I've created a new section "Links" (below "My blog list") where you could find interested and useful links to different websites.

What awful weather!

Yes, today it's an awful day. It's windy and rainy. Last days, the weather was much better. I should check the weather forecast on telly for the next days, specially for tomorrow. John told me about a hiking group, and they go out on Saturday. But if the weather is like today, I think is not a good idea.

The English class was not as well as I thought. We were four of us, two French and two Spanish people. By the way, very difficult to understand French people speaking in English ha ha. I suppose that happens the same with Spanish. Anyway, they live and work in Dublin so they speak English much better than me. It was frustrating. I asked my teacher if I should change to a lower level, but she told me that I have to be patient. I'm not so sure, but I'll try it. In the afternoon I'll go to the second class :-)

I've already tried to go to the hospital, because I have to inject my vaccine, but I haven't seen the bus 104. I've ended up like a wet chicken ("como un pollo mojado"). I'm going to try to find out more information on Internet about that bus, and I'll try it again later.

"Tablao flamenco"

Good morning in the morning :D

The "tablao flamenco" was great. It was at Cassidy's Bar (www.cassidysbar.ie). Ana danced quite well (there are some videos and photos in the photo album). I think they did a good work, the lights, the stage, the dressings... The lead dancer was her teacher, she's from Malta (flamenco is very popular). Anyway, it was the best flamenco show I've never seen. Really, my first :D

After that, I stayed there for a while but it's very difficult understand English people talking to each other in a noisy environment. But don't worry, it's my first week.

Before show, I met Karolina and Jimmy from Poland. We went to Ron Blacks (www.ronblacks.ie), other beautiful pub in Dublin. We had a good time (or I think so). I'm happy because I could speak English and they understood me. We spook Spanish too. It happened something funny. At the same time, there was other language exchange at Ron Blacks. People were asking waitress about that exchange, and finally she took them to our table. It was funny ha ha, I could meet some other people but only for a few minutes. I'll try to get in touch with them at the same place next week.

In the afternoon, I'm attending my first English class. I'll tell you tomorrow.

That's all folks!

Looking for a job and Ana's flamenco show

Today it's colder but cloudy and rainy like days before :-D The rain sometimes falls, just for a few seconds or minutes, and next the sun shines. A fairly interesting weather :-P

In the morning I went to a recruitment agency to try to get a part-time job. It's quite close to Omni Shopping Centre, not so far from here. Anyway, I couldn't get any job. I wanted a part-time job for just a week (next week) and the employee told me that it's very difficult get something like it. Tomorrow morning I'm going to ask in other recruitment agencies such as Quest, specialized in IT jobs. I've posted an ad on gumtree too.

For lunch, I've cooked a Spanish omelet (the second one in my life). I've done it with local potatoes (hard like stones). The frying pan I have is too big, so the omelet is too thin. Anyway, I need to practice more :-)

Well, in a while I'm going to the Spire to meet my new Polish and Irish friends. I'll get drunk? I don't think so Ali because I'd like to see Ana dancing later (only one Ana, not two). I'll tell you tomorrow.

By the way, my flatmate comes back today. I think so.

Depression

I'm writing at 8:34pm, it means the day has been a disaster. I went to the language exchange at Ilac Centre, but it was like a madhouse. I got late because I was doing a test in the English academy, and it took me more than 1 hour. When I got there, there were a lot of people talking, but nobody available to talk with me. Also, the most people were Spanish. Chatting was impossible. I don't feel like fighting today.

Next, I decided to take a look at the cinemas. I surprised that the films starts at 9:20pm not at 8:30. Too late to come back later. So, I went shopping before go home.

And now, I'm at the apartment having dinner and watching TV. I'll practice listening at least.

Tomorrow afternoon, I'm meeting two Polish and one Irish people at the Spire. They study Spanish and I study English, so the perfect combination.

By the way, I'm starting English academy on Thursday. It's the cheaper one I've found (I don't know if that is correct :P )

A busy day

Hi guys,

I don't have much to tell you. Yesterday I met Ana and Martin (Alicia's friend). Ana is from Palencia and Martin is from Cork. They are married and live in Dublin since ages (ten years at least). Anyway, they were in Spain on holiday and arrived yesterday in the evening. Ana is dancing "flamenco" on Wednesday!, and she has invited me. I have a meeting that day, but I'll try to go later for a drink.

Today it's cloudy, sunny and rainy ha ha, like everyday. This morning I went to the Dublin City University (DCU) to try to get some information about jobs, English classes and languages exchanges, but I had no success. I suppose, the classes haven't started yet because it looks like a desert :) and I couldn't find a noticeboard or something similar. Maybe next time.

And now, I'm going to the city centre to visit other school of English. It seems to be cheaper than others. I hope I can attend English lessons tomorrow morning. I sometimes feel I'm wasting my time here, but it's probably only a feeling. I hope so. Next, I have my first language exchange at the library (Ilac Centre). Will I meet useful people there? ;) I'll tell you tomorrow.

To finish the day, I'll probably go to the cinema with a group of people I found on gumtree (www.gumtree.ie). The film they are seeing is "Step Brothers", at Cineworld Cinema. It's very close to the city centre, so it's easy to get there. Other good opportunity to meet people. I won't understand anything but I don't mind :)

See you soon!

After the match

First, let me tell you about Friday night. I met with John at the Spire (120m height) in the heart of Dublin. We went to The Church, an old church turned into a wonderful pub, to have a pint of Guinness. After that, like Spanish, we moved to Grand Central pub in O'Connel Street. There, I realized that a pint of Guinness is cheaper than a pint of Heineken! I have evidences about it (see the photo album).


Yesterday was an exciting day. John, his father and his brother collected me at my place, and then we went to Croke Park Stadium, the biggest stadium in Ireland. We saw the semifinals, Cork v Kerry (Corcaigh v Ciarraí) and Tyrone v Wexford (Tír Eoghain v Loch Garman).

Gaelic football is a strange sport. There are two teams, fifteen people in each team. The players can punch the ball, kick the ball, and bound the ball, but they can run holding it. There is also a goal like in soccer, with two tall posts like in rugby (I don't remember the name of them). It's a mix of different sports. If you put the ball into the goal, score 3 points, and if you pass the ball between the tall posts, score 1 point. They play two periods, 35 minutes each half. I can't explain myself better, see the photos for more information. And the most important thing is the players don't earn money, they play for tradition. All of them have their jobs.

After the two matches, John invited me to have dinner with his family at his parent's house. They have a beautiful house in the West of Dublin. There, I met his mother. I had a good time with them, they are really kind and friendly.

Finally, John took me home. We could see the moons of Jupiter with his telescope, a new amazing experience in Ireland!

By the way, today it's sunny. I mean, it's cloudy but we sometimes see the sun :D
This morning, I've been in the city centre looking for the library at Illac Centre. There is Spanish-English exchange every Tuesday at 6pm. I'll go there tomorrow. I've been in Instituto Cervantes too, but they don't organize language exchanges. Anyway, I'm still looking for new people to meet. My private teacher is missing, what a pity. I don't know what I'm going to do. In the library, I've seen an ad on the message board about English classes, but it's in Dundrum area (Dublin 16), quite far. I've emailed them, I hope they answer me.