First Blog from Northern Ireland

I made it to Emerald Isle on Wednesday, January 20 in the morning. I took a taxi for the very first time from Belfast City Airport to University of Ulster--Jordanstown campus housing. When I arrived in Belfast, it was a little rainy, but not too bad. I made it to the university around 11 am my time, got checked in, and went to my flat--which is like a suite set-up, but the kitchen/living area is at the end of the hallway and the there are 5-single rooms that have their own bathroom (shower, toilet, and sink). I have not had flat mates till this evening and I am slowly meeting them.

The international students had orientation Thursday and Friday; they were helpful for the most part. During the afternoons/evenings, a group of us would go into Belfast to get some essentials to live off of for a few days. I still need to get a few things, but I need to go into town with someone who has a car instead of taking public transportation. In order to get into town, you have to take a bus or call a taxi; otherwise, it is a very long walk to get to the Belfast Center.

The weather has not been too bad; it has been rainy about half the time since I have been here. It is for sure is a wet cold that seems to stay with you--even if you have been inside for awhile, which is going to take some time to get use to besides all the rain.

This past Saturday night (January 23), I went out with a large group of the international students into town. We went to The Crown Bar after we had a little gathering at one of the flats below me and had a drink. The Crown Bar is quite quaint. They had little booths on the back wall that were section/closed off from the rest of the bar and were first come first, first serve. I will get pictures hopefully of my time at this bar from my friends--I did not take my camera with me.

For those who wanted to know my postal address, here it is:

Audrey D'Hooge
Accommodation Office
University of Ulster
Shore Road
Jordanstown
Newtownabbey
Northern Ireland
BT 36 0QB

I know, it is a very long address compared to ours in the United States. :)

The first picture is looking down the hallway and my room is at the very end on the left (number 2). The next two pictures are of my bathroom. I will put up more pictures of my room itself once I get it more organized. I have not gotten hangers yet, so my closet looks very disorganized at the moment. The next to pictures are of the kitchen/living area that I share with my flat mates. And the last picture is of the view from my bedroom window. I am still getting the hang of the whole blogging thing, so I apologize for the pictures not being well laid out.

Hope everyone back home in the United States are having a wonderful time. I miss everyone and it is strange not being back in Montana. Just know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers. And those in Great Falls, I hope that you are enjoying the snow and that you make a snowman/angel for me since I doubt I will be able to while I am in Ireland. If I had the choice between snow and rain, I would pick snow--but, I guess I have to get use to rain. :D