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The Swedish arrival
On
Friday 9 February we began our trip from Umea, in the north of Sweden,
to Ireland. Happy and excited we were the first group to check in to "Hostelling
International" in Dublin. Students from four other countries in Europe
were just about to join us and we simply could not wait to see them all.
Finally we were to meet each others face to face after working together
since September, using the Internet.
The accommodation needed to be sorted out and we also had to plan for
the arrival of the others in order to make them feel welcome, as about
forty people from all over Europe finally got the chance to meet one another
in person. We prepared ourselves for an exciting meeting with our new
international friends. We also explored the city and tried our best to
find suitable places and activities which the whole group could enjoy
after their arrival.
Our first meeting was a great success and after receiving some general
information about the time-table etc. we immediately began to talk to
each other and to make plans for our upcoming week on Achill Island. Later
we provided the others with a short guided tour round Dublin as well as
discussed the meaning of cultural identity. Clearly we had an exciting
week to look forward to and many things to learn about our similarities
and differences in the cultures.
Elin Lindberg
(The Swedisch group)
Who's who?
The February 9th began the real meeting… We (the German group) after
taking our luggage to the airport took the bus.
I have to say that we took the second bus so we could ride at the top
of the bus! And for the first time for most of us, we drove on the left
which was amazing! Then we arrived at the hostel. Here we found the Swedish
group! They welcomed us as guests! When they were waiting for us, instead
of staying in their rooms, they had already prepared our welcome, like
the distribution of rooms etc… It was the first interacting time.
And it was also the first time to see the people we worked with on the
Internet. After the meeting time, we decide to have a look around the
city where we were: DUBLIN! The whole group began to explore the city.
We began to talk and had different conversations on the way. We were very
surprised when we saw police horses in the middle of the city. It was
very amazing to see so many people in the street but we found a reason…
Here we are not allowed to smoke inside the pub! We were waiting for the
whole group when I heard a little song I know: "Allons enfants de
la patrie…" A little part of France was in Dublin for the rugby
match! I was so happy… I hope that the French will win… We will
see…
Guillemette Le Guennec
(The French in the German group)
From León to Dublin
On
Friday 9 February we all met at the airport of Leon; Anda, Vera, Marlén,
Zaida and I. It was such a great time. All of us were very excited about
going to Achill and meet our colleagues from the other stations. The plane
took off and landed just on time. As time was passing by, we could feel
the Irish atmosphere getting closer and closer. We were all wondering
what Achill Island would be like, how the people would be and where we
would sleep in Dublin. We had so many unanswered questions. The airport
in "Baile Átha Cliath" (that's how you say Dublin in
Irish) was very crowded. For the first time we realized that we finally
were in Ireland. We took a taxi from the airport to the youth hostel in
Dublin. The Swedish group had already arrived and welcomed us. We got
our keys and left our stuff in our respective rooms and went for a walk
in Dublin. Unfortunately Anda felt ill and had to stay in the hostel,
hoping to feel better the next day. I must say that Dublin reminded me
of Léon; lots of people on the street talking loud. Actually, there
are a lot of Irish pubs in Léon. Clearly, we were looking forward
to an amazing time.
Alberto Fernandez
(The Spanish group)
