Back to School!

Sometimes I think I am the only person in the world who enjoys school this much! Maybe I just really enjoy learning about my interests and expanding my knowledge and school is an easy way to do just that.

I finished my second week of classes this past Thursday. Of course the first week was syllabus week so this past week was really the first presentation of material. I love that the program I am enrolled in is part of the Institute for American Studies; studying media and US foreign policy as an American in Ireland will be extremely enlightening and rewarding.

The program is small and there is a wonderful mix of students from all over the world and from many different backgrounds. I am beginning to get to know the students and professors inside and outside of the classroom. We had a great night out at The Porter House in Temple Bar Wednesday night after a three hour Post-Globalization symposium at the Institute.

I am looking forward to continuing my classes and getting involved with the Institute and everything it has to offer. I am also looking forward to spending over a year in a city that I am quickly falling in love with.
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A Grand Scam

August 31, 2010 was my first day in Dublin...and it was awful.

My "landlord" had arranged an airport pick up for me and Matt after our arrival. After waiting at the airport for 45 minutes with no one to pick us up, we took a taxi to Belmont Avenue where our new apartment awaited us. Our address was to be 45 Belmont Avenue, our landlord's was 20 Belmont, which didn't exist. How wonderful!

Our apartment, number 45, did exist but was already occupied and was not owned by our "landlord." I tried to contact "Michael Disney" and his "daughter, Dominique Eloi of 344 W. 81st St., Los Angeles, CA, 90003." I got no response of course.

With few options, I tried to book a room at the B&B on the corner which had no rooms available. But here is where the kindness and hospitality of the Irish come into play. The owner of the B&B took us up the street to number 26 where he thought we might be able to rent from someone he knew. It turned out that Mary had a one bedroom apartment available that day. And of course we took it since it was quite obvious that we had been royally screwed over by "Michael Disney."

The owner of the B&B, a complete stranger, took the time to help us when he didn't have to and our new landlady, Mary, also took the time to make us coffee, talk with us, take us to the bank and show us around the area. Now, I am not a religious or spiritual person but I do believe in the concept of karma. "Michael Disney and Dominique Eloi" will get what's coming to them, whether it's from Matt and I reporting the fraud or from one of the many other people they screw over. The B&B owner (who did tell me his name but I was worrying about far too much at that moment to remember it) and Mary will be rewarded for their acts of help and kindness.

And here is the moral of the story: all of those warnings about fraud on the internet are true- believe them! I thought I was taking all of the necessary precautions when arranging an apartment online but I was still deceived. I had a signed lease agreement, photos of the apartment, contact info, names, addresses, bank numbers. "Michael" even gave me detailed answers to my questions about the apartment and the neighborhood so he must know the area well. I have reported the fraud but I really don't know if I will get any of my money back. It is a heart sinking, terrible feeling to know you have been deceived and cheated and of course, to lose a fair amount of money.

It has been about two weeks since our arrival and we are all settled into our new apartment. But, with losing all that money and having to pay rent for our new place, we don't have much extra money to spend. Unfortunately, we have not been able to see all the things we wanted to see and do all the things to do in Dublin. It's been scary and stressful but we have a nice place to live, food, each other and...Guinness.

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Almost Forgot

Matt and I have been in Dublin for about two weeks now, and it has been about four weeks since my last post. So, where to begin?

The last two weeks in Pittsburgh were more than hectic, even with not working. I worked my butt off to finish editing a wedding I photographed in early August and get the images to the couple before leaving. The rest of my time was spent packing, organizing and getting everything in order to leave.

We also had three going away parties in that time, the last of which was the day before we left at North Park. I am so appreciative of all my friends and family who came to the party and gave Matt and I unending support. Having a support network like ours makes this adventure so much easier. I can't even begin to express my gratitude to my family, Matt's family and all our friends. Thank you so much!

After partying and saying our final goodbyes on the 29th, I attempted to sleep that night. That didn't quite work out. I think I managed to get about four hours of sleep.

Monday, August 30 was a crazy, stressful blur, as was the 31st.

As much as I love to travel, I absolutely despise the act of traveling. I hate airports, plane rides, lines, security, more lines, customs, immigration, taxis, all of it. Luckily our trip went smoothly and we arrived safe on the 31st. After our safe arrival is when things began to go downhill. This story is one for another entry though.
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