Go Kilkenny!

It was such a wonderful weekend! Well, it started with the barbecue in Charleville Castle. It was the day when I met the first bad-mannered person in Ireland... but I don't want to spend my time talking about her. We ate there and teenagers and leaders played some games. At midnight we had a guided visit into the castle and then the guide "contacted with the spirits". The biggest lie I have ever seen. (I'm sorry if you believe in that, I believe in spirits but I don't think anyone can contact them like this woman did). 

Charleville Castle (Tullamore)

Then the teenagers watched movies while some people (like me) tried to sleep. I was so tired on Friday morning... Well, all of us were so Peter, Rut and I spent the Friday sleeping. 

We all were anxiously waiting for Saturday evening because we went to the semi final replay match in Tullamore: Kilkenny vs. Galway. I decided to support Kilkenny because I love stripped t-shirts (like the one of my football team in Spain). Luckily we won! I love hurling, people say that it's the quickest game on Earth and now I understand why. It was so exciting!

 O´Connor Park (hurling stadium of Tullamore)

During the match

Laia, James and I with Kilkenny´s player

When the match finished everyone jumped to the field to take autographs and pictures with the players. It was so nice... I am sure I will repeat after leaving. After that we had dinner at home and we went out for a while in Tullamore.

On Sunday we had another perfect day with Tom who we already decided is our Irish dad. We went with him to a second hand market in Clara. All of us found bargains. I think I got the best one: a Pepe Jeans jacket for 1€! Best market ever... After that we went to Tom's house again for dinner. Erika, his daughter, is a great cooker and everything was delicious again. Now Rut, Peter and I will cook for them one day, of course.

 Bargains ♥

Laia came back to Mullingar so it's the three of us again. Today the 10-12 Summer Camp started. Right now they are cooking something, I will tell you as soon as I know. 

And tomorrow will be a very special day. I'm travelling to Dublin to collaborate with Leargas, the Irish National Agency of the Erasmus + Program. I'll have a meeting at 11 and when it finishes I will have time to enjoy myself there :) I am sooo happy!

Irish summer

The heat wave is already finished and now I can "enjoy" the real Irish summer... Don't misunderstand me, I am really enjoying my time here but obviously I miss the sun shining!

Tuesday morning I came to the office and Bill told me that he wanted me to write an article about Post Primary Summer Camp for the local newspaper so I should take part in some of the activities to take pictures and get information. Best news ever! So after the games on Monday morning, on Tuesday we went to the canal to practice kayaking and zorbing.  I just did zorbing because I didn't have extra clothes (as you know I wasn't supposed to be there). It was really funny! After that I spent the afternoon with Rut watching a movie and I cooked dinner for Roberta, Mary and me. 

Rut and Peter kayaking

Me zorbing 

Yesterday was the most desired day: the bus trip to Tramore. All the teenagers and the leaders went by bus to the southeast coast of Ireland to enjoy a day off. Unfortunately the weather wasn't so good so I didn't swim but most of them did! They didn't care about the cold and they swam with clothes. Oh, Irish people, you are absolutely happy. They just care about having fun and they don't lose time thinking about a better weather or whatever.

Some people in Tramore's beach

There was a donut bar in Tramore that all of them knew. They were delicious! Also, I bought a t-shirt just for 4€ ♥. Besides there was a theme park where some of us spent most of the time. It was a good day and I was really tired when we came back in Tullamore, specially because we had to go to buy the tickets to the hurling match where we will go on Saturday and the ticket shop was far from the city centre.

Rut, Peter, Jamie and I in the most crazy attraction of the theme park

So tonight is the last activity of this Summer Camp... I will tell you how it was! 

Dublinlover

Finally we couldn't find a hostel in Galway so we decided to go to Dublin. I fell in love with this city. It's young, tolerant and full of energy. Its streets are magic, you can discover a new artist in each corner! Besides the weather we had was absolutely great and we could enjoy all our plans. 

So after Friday Bingo night Laia, Peter, Rut and I started our trip to Dublin. We took the train directly from Tullamore and it was cheap because we paid as students (we didn't lie, we all have a student card but Irish don't know that we already finished College!). Then we tried the first Hostel of our list and we got 4 beds, all of them in different rooms but I wouldn't mind for just one night. It was 18€ for bed & breakfast and it was 10 minutes walking from the main street.

Cleaning after Bingo

We walked around the city center the hole morning. We visited Trinity College, St. Stephen's Green Park, O'Connell St., Grafton St., Half Penny Bridge and Temple Bar (of course!). We spent all time walking and I think it is the best way to know a new city. We did some shopping (sales time!♥) and we laugh a lot because Peter couldn't stop taking pictures! He looked like a Japanese!

Laia and I in the most famous Irish pub

Artistic corner

 

Genius making art with sand in one of the main streets

 Ha'Penny Bridge

Three Spanish girls becoming in leprechauns

Having fun in Temple Bar

We went out on Temple Bar at night. Peter met a a friend from College who was having some days in Dublin. Laia, Rut and I just danced and drank beer. Temple Bar pubs are awesome! You have living music in most of them and it was fantastic. The singer ever sang a song in Spanish ("La Bamba") because he said he knew there was many Spanish people there (and it was absolutely true, Dublin was full of Spanish, we listened to people speaking Spanish all the time!). Actually we met two boys and one girl from Spain in the last pub we went and we had a great night with them.

Next morning we were tired but Laia, Rut and I kept walking in the other side of the river and Peter went to a free tour with other people who were staying in the Hostel. We came back to Tullamore knowing that we will come back to Dublin soon.

Then we had dinner with Roberta, Stephanie (Roberta's sister) and Deirdre (Roberta's daughter), her husband and the children (the ones whose Laia takes care of as Au-pair). It was the perfect ending for a perfect weekend. Then I was exhausted and I slept like a baby on Sunday's night.

Yesterday the Post Primary Summer Camp started. There were about 25 teenagers. They were playing to "The Cube" during the morning and they went to the cinema after lunch. I have to write a reportage about the week so I am spending some time with them and then I am in the office a couple of hours. Right now they are kayaking and I am here typing! But it doesn't matter because I will have another activities with them.

"The Cube" challenges

Oh, I forgot to tell you about yesterday afternoon. Rut and I went to walk during two hours beside the canal. It was so peaceful... I am used to walk beside the sea and it was a completely different feeling. Obviously I love my hometown but it's being amazing to enjoy other completely different things. It was one of the reason for what I came here!

Besides I have to tell you that yesterday night is the best night of the year for two main reasons. First of all it's the best party of the year on A Coruña (San Xoán's night). Groups of friends have dinner together at the beach and they have bonfires that they are supposed to jump 7 times to be lucky for the next 12 months. It's a magical night and it was the first moment that I felt a little bit homesick since I am living in Ireland. Secondly I had the first date with my boyfriend on 23rd of June in 2012 so it was a special day for us too. We don't mind being apart because we trust each other and we keep thinking that we will have holidays together in August!

So I will keep you up to date about how Summer Camp and the life in Tullamore are being ;)

Peaceful living

No doubts. Coming to Ireland has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I know I have been here just one week but it is enough to know if these 2 months will be a challenge or a pleasure. 

These days have been absolutely great. The sun was shinning and I could wear real summer clothes! As you know I work in the office in the mornings until 4 pm. I always bring lunch with me. I usually take a sandwich, some fruit and some chocolate. 

 Today's lunch (serrano ham sandwich, strawberrys, apple and KitKat Chunky)

Working in St Mary's office is easy. This week is being quite empty and calm but I know next weeks won't be like this one. Tomorrow is Bingo's night and it will be full of people again and summer camps start next Monday. 

There will be three summer camps. Post Primary summer camp is next week. Most of the work is done by Rut, Peter and other workers and local volunteers of the Centre. They are preparing games and really funny dynamics... I will show you pictures! One of the games is based on the TV show "The Cube" where people have lives and they have to pass several difficult challenges to win money for charity. I tried some of them two days ago when they were preparing this game and I can promise that it is very difficult! I think children will enjoy their time here. 

So these days I have finished the first flyer about the European Voluntary Service. It was easy for me because I already knew everything about it. Besides I interviewed a Spanish volunteer who is doing the EVS in Italy. I think it will be useful for youngsters of Tullamore. Actually I would like to prepare a chat about this topic for them because I think it will be much better in an interactive meeting than just with the flyer. I will propose it to Bill next week. 

Flyer about the EVS

The last two days I spent the evenings sunbathing in the garden. Peter and Rut usually work in the afternoon so I can't hang out with them until evening. I just lay in the towel wearing the bikinis and I read some book or I take a nap. It is a great routine for me because I work 5 or 6 hours during the morning and I can do whatever I want after that. Today I think I will go to the park and maybe some shopping. 

Garden and volunteers' house

Roberta is a very good cooker and yesterday she prepared a delicious rice for dinner. I don'k know the recipe but the sauce was so tasty! Today it's my turn, I have to think my menu. She likes healthy food and she hates me eating chocolate everyday... She is definitely my Irish mum!

Rut, Peter, Laia and I will probably travel to Galway this weekend. I can't wait to learn more about this beautiful country :)

Creating routines

Life seems to be fantastic in Tullamore. It is not a big town (actually it is just 15,000 population) and you don't have many things to do but it's peaceful and people are nice. Besides this week the weather is really warm. Yes, the sun is shinning and the temperature is 25 degrees! 

Tullamore's main Street yesterday evening

Yesterday morning I started working in the St Mary's Centre. Bill and Tom are on holidays this week so I am the only person in the office during mornings. I started to prepare the first documents about the European Voluntary Service and I also got instructions for the rest of the week.

I went home for lunch. Roberta had cooked Spanish omelette and we ate together in the garden. She was worried because she thinks that I am not eating enough but I explained that I was fine and I thanked her for cooking. After that I came back to the office and I continued working for a couple of hours. People from Tullamore have a really strong accent, they almost don't open their mouth when they speak! So sometimes it is quite difficult for me to understand them at the first time, specially by phone, but it doesn't matter because I'm here to learn real English.

Back home Roberta's daughter and the kids came and I had dinner with them. Later I played with the kids for two hours. Ednan loves football and the twin girls are soooo cute... One of them asked me: "Can I visit you in Spain when you come back home?" and I answered: "Of course you can!". And then she added: "Ok, I will go in a rocket!". Lovely ♥.

Then I spent time with Rut and Peter because I don't have Wifi in my room so I use my laptop in their dining room. It happens because I live in the main house and they live in another small one across the garden. Both places are beautiful to stay in. 

 My room (my bed ♥)

Enough luggage for two months?

As you can see my life here is simple. I will work in the mornings and have free evenings most of the days. Besides I always have free weekends so I hope to travel to Dublin and another Irish cities. So keep going!

Cozy Tullamore

On Friday morning I went to visit the St Mary's Youth Centre for the first time. Bill explained me my tasks and showed me the building. I have my working place in his office. I have my own computer and I can use all the facilities of the Centre. My tasks will be:

- To take the phone calls when Bill is out of the office

- To prepare some materials about the Erasmus + Program for the youngsters of Tullamore

- To write this blog to share my experience 

- To collaborate with the local newspaper 

- And If I want to, out of my working hours, I can participate in other activities of the Centre

After that I came back home for lunch and I spent the afternoon playing with Ednan, Roberta's grandson. He is 6 years old and he has two small twin sisters (excuse me, too many names in a few days!). 

At night I went to the Centre. Every Friday night they have a Bingo. I thought it wasn't a big thing but you will be surprised: the town takes it very serious. They can win more than 5000 €! There were around 400 people and the place was a mess when it finished! So I helped Bill, Rut and other workers and volunteers of the Centre to tidy up everything. 

Then I went to have a few drinks with Rut and three volunteers. Dylan is 18, Stephen 21 and Anthony 22. We had a fantastic night. Anthony is really funny! I couldn't stop laughing. 

Peter, the volunteer from Hungary who will live and work with Rut for the next 12 months, arrived on Saturday morning. He is 26 and he seems nice! Besides I met Laia, a spanish 24-year-old girl from Barcelona who is as au-pair in Mullingar in Roberta's daughter house. We went together to see the town. It looks lovely. There is a park, a canal to have a walk along, a mall and so many pubs (of course, this is Ireland). 

At night, Peter, Rut and I went to have a beer and watched the football game England - Italy. (I won't comment the Spain - Netherlands, there is no need to, isn't it?). 

Yesterday was the perfect Sunday (it was Father's Day in Ireland!). Tom, a man who works in the Centre, took us to the Sculpture Park. It was an amazing place full of art, nature and nice people. We took a free bike in the entrance and we spent two hours cycling around.

Peter, Rut and I 

Enjoying green Ireland

Tom, I, Rut and Peter

After that we went to an open space specially prepared for people who want to fly their own planes and helicopters. I had never been to something similar!

The entrance

Flying plane 

There were beautiful ones! 

Tom invited us for dinner at his home to complete a perfect day. Erika, her daughter, had prepared an Irish dinner for us. It was delicious (sorry, I forgot to take a picture, I just have one of the dessert!). We finished the day just relaxing in the garden.

Mmm delicious!  

Relaxing time after dinner 

Who said rain?

Today I'm starting my internship... I will tell you how it is going! :)

My first day

Finally I'm here! I still can't believe it. After many weeks expecting I am in Tullamore (Co. Offaly, Ireland) for expending 8 weeks doing an internship. Oh wait... Maybe I'm being rude. Let me introduce myself. My name is Silvia, I'm 25 years old and I'm Spanish. My home town is A Coruña, a small city in Galicia (the region of the northwest of the country). I studied Journalism at Santiago de Compostela's University and then I did my Masters in Communication.

You may be thinking: what's Silvia doing in Tullamore? Why isn't she working in her country? Well it's because of the unemployment situation in Spain, specially for the youngsters. I finished my studies in 2012 and after that I found a grant which gave me the opportunity of working in an Association during 7 months. Unluckily the Association didn't have enough economical support to hire me so I started looking for a job again in July 2013. 

After months waiting the Association told me that I could do a short-term EVS (European Voluntary Service) in Bulgaria if I wanted to. Obviously I said yes and I spent October 2013 in Sliven, a tiny Bulgarian village, with other 16 volunteers from Georgia, Turkey, Romania, Italy and Latvia. It has been one of the best experiences in my life so far.

The other volunteers and I visiting Tryavna (Bulgaria)

Me hitch-hiking in Plovdiv

When I came back home I was again fighting against unemployment. I only got two job opportunities: I worked during Christmas in a supermarket doing a promotion of chocolates and I also worked in a school bus two hours a day during school time. Obviously it wasn't how I had figured out my life after College but I could get some money and I had a schedule in my life. 

Then I found 'Galeuropa', the grant I'm working with. I didn't hesitate and I applied. It's a grant which wants to give an opportunity to young people from Galicia whose have a degree and don't have a job. So 'Galeuropa' provides you the money to live during 8 weeks in a foreign country. Don't think it was an easy thing to get... I applied for it in March, I had an English exam and an interview on April and then I waited until June to know if I will be one of the lucky ones. Besides I had to choose a country and to find the company where I will do the internship. I decided to come to Ireland because people say it's similar to my region and I really want to improve my English. So I was searching on the Internet like crazy during days for companies, I prepared a creative CV and a motivation letter and after that I started to contact the companies. 

The St Mary's Youth Centre was the first one interested on receiving me and since the beginning it was my first option too. Bill, the manager, offered me the opportunity of working in the Centre and he also contacted a local newspaper and Leargas - the Irish National Agency of Erasmus + Program - so I could collaborate with them too. As you can see it looked like the best chance for me because: 

1. I could continue working with Erasmus + Program and the EVS (like I did in the Association in Spain)

2. I could collaborate with the local newspaper and improve my skills as a journalist

3. I could take part in other activities of the Centre in my free time, like summer camps for example

And obviously my English could get better too! So Bill gave me all the facilities since the beginning - he also found the accommodation! - and we decided I will come in June asap. After some difficulties with the paperwork and the organization of grant's direction, three days ago I got the YES. Yeah, I've prepared everything in two days! 

I had my flight to Dublin yesterday afternoon and then I took a bus from the airport to Kilbeggan where Bill collected me. He came with Rut, a Spanish volunteer who will be in Tullamore for a year. We went together to the Round House, the place were I'm staying. It's a Georgian style house from the XVIII Century - it is 268 years old - and it's lovely. Roberta is the housekeeper and there is another woman living there too, Mary.

The Round House, my home for the next two months

My room is like a dream. It's huge and spotless. I have a big bed, a wardrobe, a dressing table, a rocking chair... and I also have a heart! It's much better than I had imagined. So I unpacked my luggage and I went to sleep because I was exhausted. And it brings us today, my first day in Tullamore. I will keep you up to date!