Daily Life in Cork

Hi friends and family!

This week was filled with homework, exploring, goodies, hot chocolate and some olympics!
Mostly I am going to put a bunch of pictures up of city centre, cafes and pubs that we have enjoyed or places that I walk past everyday.  I also have a few more observations about Ireland that I wanted to share so here goes:
-Most people don't wear rain coats or waterproof coats, wool coats seem to be the more popular choice.  Not sure why?
-More male students tend to wear sweatpants or scarves than I would see at CSBSJU
-Umbrellas are only usable when it's not windy out and Cork is pretty windy!
-Parking lots are called car parks
-I don't study at UCC but I am studying in UCC.  That is how the Irish would phrase it.
-Cookies are called biscuits
-To have a good craic (pronounced crack) is not referring to drugs, it means to have a good time
-People say thanks a million when thanking someone.  I love how it sounds with their Irish accents!
-People also say 'that's grand' or 'it'll be grand' a lot and I love it!

This week was also RAG week at UCC, which stands for raise and give.  It is a huge deal and most Irish students don't go to class and just attend events that are put on for RAG week to raise money to help support charities.  So, campus was exciting this week! They had food stands and concerts and events going on everyday and they had my favorite, Oconnails chocolate right on campus.  It was dangerous and I may have taken advantage once or twice :)

The rest of my week consisted of paper writing and a lot of exploring Cork city.  Both on my own and with others.  I tried a few new restaurants and cafes that I have on my list of places to try in Cork as well.  It is a long list so I have a ways to go! But I am not complaining one bit about trying all of the best food places :)

Kicking off RAG week with some Oconnails hot chocolate on campus with Megan and Megan :)

This is a frequent late night salty snack run, they have chips (fries) with all sorts of toppings, mostly different flavors of mayo like sweet chili mayo, taco mayo, garlic mayo etc. YUM.

Tesco- This is where I buy most of my groceries.  It is right in the middle of city centre.

This is one of the most popular student pubs.  

This is my personal favorite pub.  There is really good live Irish music almost every night! Its called An Spailpin Fanac.  Don't ask me to pronounce it because I can't :)

The green Mcdonalds in city center.  I have yet to eat here and I am very ok with that.

The shaky bridge in Fitzgeralds Park.

Shaky bridge again.

St. Finbarrs cathedral.  Haven't been inside because there is a fee, but I hear it is beautiful and the stained glass windows are well known.

This is a bridge that I walk across on some days to get to school.  On sunny days, the view is really nice!

Tierney and I watching the Olympic hockey game against Canada with our cider.  

Cork is the food capital of Ireland :)

Irish Lamb stew at the Farmgate Cafe above the English Market.  We sat on a balcony overlooking part of the market!  So good. 

Farmgate Cafe.  Shoutout to that man in the painting behind Cam.. lol

We also got gelato, which is not very Irish but it was yummy anyways!

Ice cream selfie.

I have only about a month left of classes left before I head on my big travel adventure through Europe and until my parents come to visit.  I can't believe how fast time is going! I still have so many places I want to see in Ireland, so hopefully I will be able to fit all of it in before my time is up! Next weekend I am planning a day trip to the Dingle Peninsula and more paper writing!

For those of you in Minnesota (or Virginia) stay warm and safe on those snowy roads! Thanks for reading :)