Dublin Day 2

Today is orientation day. We started with an extensive presentation from CEA with advice on how to study in Dublin, the resources they provide, and what to do in an emergency. Students also learned about some Irish language and culture, including the Irish use of the word "craic" (pronounced "crack") to indicate something fun or newsworthy. Examples: "it was great craic!" or "what's the craic?". 

Meanwhile, Darci and I sat in the back marveling at the deliciousness of the croissants and fresh pressed coffee they served. We were also helpful at various points of the presentation: I had occasional additions of misinformation (including the birthplace of CS Lewis), and Darci wondered aloud whether any women had ever contributed to Irish literature or culture when we were told about famous Irish authors.

As we prepared to head out for a group lunch we received a distressing message from Peyton: the lock to their apartment had broken and he was trapped inside. This was not the first incident of inescapability on the trip. The day before I had my own issue with a store bathroom. Having acquired the code to enter the bathroom with a keypad, I became worried when I tried to leave that there seemed to be no way to open it from the inside. There was a large collection of panels and switches next to the door, but I decided to shake the knob furiously until a helpful Irish woman yelled through the door "Push the button!" I replied "You mean the one with the sign on it that says "push to exit?" It turns out that was the right one.

Unfortunately, Peyton's lock-in story was much more serious, although he initially faced the same kind of "it's just a dumb American who doesn't know how to work a door" skepticism that I did. In this situation the lock was actually broken, and a locksmith needed to be called to drill the lock out of the door. When it was all over Peyton had been locked in for several hours. Our Irish friends were very hospitable during the whole ordeal, including worrying that he had enough food to eat in the apartment while he waited. 

While this was going on, the students and I had an excellent lunch (mine was a lamb burger) and dessert. Fortunately Peyton was able to catch up to us for an afternoon of touring the city on a double decker bus.

This photo is from the previous day, but captures most of what we have been doing so far.

The tour bus was a nice way to see the city, and it allowed us to get off and on at stops on its route. This made it easy for us to decide to check out the Irish Museum of Modern Art when we needed a break from the bus and the driver's jokes. The photos that follow are from the museum stop, and the rest of the bus ride that took us to the end of the day.

Some of my favorite photos are of Darci taking photos. I have enough for a blog to be dedicated to just that.

As Darci and I lectured each other about this bathroom sign and its commentary on subjectivity and ableism (there is no "I" in toilet, and the person in the wheelchair is the only one with a torso), the students slowly realize what they are getting for the next three weeks.

The students also realized what it is like to travel with me, as I took a picture of this chair in the courtyard insisting that it was art, and then lured them into a debate about whether it is yellow or green in color.

One of the art installations we were allowed to photograph.

The garden outside the Museum of Modern Art was beautiful, and as one of the students commented, might be one of the most peaceful places we will ever see.

Darci gets material for the blog she is doing on close-up pictures of flowers.

Peyton likes the cherub and is also happy that he is out of the apartment he was locked in for most of the day.

Even the graffiti here is sophisticated and political.

The criminal court building

The Supreme Court building

The bus tour was a great way for students to get a preview of topics for other tours. For example, that almost every old building in town had once been used to imprison political dissidents.

I headed back to my apartment at 10:30pm, which is about the time the Irish sun sets.