Jacob's blog - Day 1

It all started when we went early for dinner; we waited, we talked, we laughed. Finally when everyone else showed up we were kicked out of the mess hall, it was frustrating at first because we were tired, hungry, and cranky from walking all over Galway that day and getting not a wink of sleep for almost 24hrs, but then something happened. During the explanation on what was happening and why we were kicked out (university food services had the wrong instructions) Ms. Kidd mentioned a concert. (And don't worry, parents - we did get dinner, just not the one we expected.)  At first, the general assumption was Irish folk, oh geez lame band with banjos and fiddles to put you to sleep, who were called the saw doctors. Apparently there was going to be basically half the population of Galway going. So we said why not and someone mentioned yolo (you only live once) and because of that when the teachers asked who wanted to go almost very hand shot up. my group decided to go before yolo was whipped out and so we made a plan: home, change, sleep, freshen, leave. Now on the way to the concert we noticed way too many people on the way to this "folk band" and when we got there we could barely hear the band because there were so many people and the crowd was going ape crazy. Half the general group gave up trying to get in to see the band and headed over to the shops to explore, but I myself, with the stubbornness of my small group, pushed and shoved our way through and we made it. it was a journey and we could barely understand the people around us which made the side ways crowd shuffle ever more entertaining and fun, but when we got closer and we heard the music and boom of the bass, we understood why so many people were there. The saw doctors were amazing, with the smell of the after rain and the energy of the crowd we were sent into a crazy frenzy for this unknown and hilariously awesome band. We danced we sang (not even knowing the words) and we got the real Irish concert experience. Later on when were telling the tale of our epic quest, the teachers suggest I write about it on the blog, twist my arm will you, but I did it. It was our first day and it was probably one of the most fun days in a new country I've ever had, and I am verifiably excited for the rest of my time. Jacob