Irish Essentials

Hello family and friends! This blog will be the one-stop-shop to satisfy your curiosity about what I'm doing during my semester abroad. I have been in Ireland since September 4, and the first week has had its ups and downs. I am beginning to adjust to the amenities and my housemates, and am thoroughly enjoying myself. Later I will include a picture of my home so that you can all see where I'm living and what it is like.

Today's topic: my favorite Irish things, so far:
1. Dark Chocolate Kit Kats. These are simply amazing. I've always been partial to Kit Kats, and dark chocolate enhances this to be simply the best candy bar. Ever.

2. Salt and Vinegar chips. They offer a baked version at the grocery store as well, in portion controlled bags. A very tasty snack.

3. Digestives. These are a biscuit (cracker) very similar to graham crackers. Crumbly and just a bit sweet. A chocolate coated version is also available, but goes less well with tea. Unfortunately, I did a bit of research on the history of digestives, and they don't actually aid digestion at all. This had not stopped me from eating them. Also, one large package costs 0.37, so they are a frugal addition to my diet.

4. Friendly people. Almost anyone will give you directions, and a woman approached me while I was in line at the theatre and gave me a free ticket for the show. I'm really hoping that happens again so that I don't spend all of my money on theatre tickets.

5. Traditional Irish suppers. I had superbly delicious Irish stew. It was served in a little crock and topped with a biscuit (an actual biscuit this time - not a cracker. The Irish & British refer to crackers as biscuits). The stew itself was beef, vegetables, and mushrooms slowly cooked in red wine and Guinness. It was served with mashed potatoes. Also, Irish brown bread is a soft quick soda bread that is frequently served at meals, and it's very tasty.

The Irish things I don't like:
1. Blood pudding. Ick ick ick ick ick.

2. Bad plumbing.

3. Teeny tiny washing machines and dryers that don't really dry much.

4. Rats.

More later! I hope that everyone is well.

Note: The picture above is of Christ Church Cathedral.