4 Months

I've officially been in Dublin now for 4 months and I find myself both excited at how much time I have left and excited to go back home. 4 months is a long time to be without your family and friends and despite having met some pretty wicked people here, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again. There's also a lot of other things I'm looking forward to getting back to like my recipes most of all. I miss being creative in the kitchen and I know I have so much more to accomplish before I decide to go fully vegan but that is most certainly inevitable. Buying free range eggs doesn't make up for the atrocities committed in the dairy / egg industry but I still have much to accomplish before I switch over.

What have I learned so far of Dublin? I've learned that it is quite a lively city in that the pubs are often busy regardless of the day of the week. I've learned that the city cares about cleanliness but that the people here don't seem to share the same sentiment. The city is out every morning power washing the sidewalks and collecting trash and by nightfall, it looks like nothing has been done. I've learned that there are so many different cultures here that it's much like my city of Windsor in that it is a melting pot of traditions and cultures. I've learned that just as many people you see on the street that are locals, there are that many more that are tourists. 

I've learned that there is always somewhere to eat that is open which is a welcome difference from Windsor. With the exception of greasy Chinese food, most places close by the time that late night onset of munchies hits back home but here, there's always something available at any time. It's wonderful! I've learned that the people here are fed up at the rental crisis and have witnessed some pretty large demonstrations and protests calling for more affordable rentals. I've also learned that I don't think I could live here on the type of jobs I enjoy unless I committed to forever living with people when at this point, I crave my own space. 

Personally, I've learned that I can totally see myself travelling throughout my life, alone or with a special someone :P I really love seeing new places and being excited about trips and such. There's something so exhilarating about being in a new place surrounded by so much new to discover, something that I think I'll probably crave the rest of my life. And most of all, I've learned just how much I love my friends and family. I already pretty much knew this but for the future, I want to live close enough that I can visit on a whim and not worry constantly that I'm missing out on their existence.

So there's tat! Here's to another 8 months of new experiences <3

HAPPY VEG