Newsletter #4
Hanging in There
Dia duith ó Bhaile Átha Cliath! Hello from Dublin!
For reasons I’m sure we can all relate to, I have not had the motivation to start writing this newsletter until recently. But, I figured, why would I let this stupid mf (bigoted fool, blithering idiot, insert other insulting words here) take anything else from me? So here we are, recounting the events of the previous month. And we’re going to have a fantastic time because that is what this is for. (I’ll send another newsletter in the next day or so with more thoughts on the election and whatnot)
To pick up where we left off, the Sunday I dropped Simon off at the airport was followed by a couple of tears and a cab ride back to UCD with the most talkative cab driver I’ve ever encountered. He and I talked about everything from philosophical concepts to Irish history, American politics (I have to laugh about it; otherwise, I will cry) to life goals. Anyway, I returned to UCD, and life went back to normal. I had lots of work and lots of chores. The week was rounded out by Finley taking me to Workman’s (a club) for a DJ set, which was very, very fun. It would’ve been so much more fun if I did not have to be at the Dublin Airport at 9 am the next morning.
You might be wondering: Tamrin, what on Earth were you doing at Dublin Airport on a Saturday at 9 am? Well, I’m so glad you asked! I was going to Cardiff to visit my dear, dear friend Ella Hathaway!
My airport experience was as follows:
I got to the airport and went through security, and they pulled my bag aside (I later found out it was because I had a Commons fork in one of my outside pockets)
I got myself breakfast (a prepackaged wrap and a terrible latte)
I got on the boarding line for my RyanAir flight and prayed they would not tell me my bag was too big
I made it through to the plane and sat in my window seat (I am a child, I know)
Took off in Dublin
I landed in Bristol!
I walked out of the Bristol airport and was greatly confused when I did not have to go through any form of passport control
Once I landed in Bristol, I had to make it to Cardiff, and let me tell you, that was a JOURNEY.
I took a bus from the airport to the train station
Then I found the train to Cardiff Central and got on it
THEN I got to Cardiff Central and took a cab to Ella’s house
And then Ella got me Popeyes (om nom)
After I settled into Cardiff, Ella and Teg (Ella’s flatmate) decided that we were going out. So! We started getting ready. Ella and I called many a camp friend and played a very fun game of Piccolo. We got in an Uber and started at a bar that I do not know the name of. At this bar, I had my first jager bomb, met Ella’s cousin, who has the strongest Welsh accent I have ever heard and spoke with Teg almost exclusively in an Australian accent. After the first bar, we went to a club called Hiedi’s, which was super cool. They played very good music, and I learned a lot about Welsh men (they are psychopaths). Teg and I got hungry, so we left and got the best kebabs I’ve ever eaten. Then we went home and knocked out. The next day, Ella and I lounged around, and then she drove me to her hometown of Ferndale. Her mother made us a wonderful dinner, and I met the family. Then Ella showed me all the sights (in the dark because daylight savings had happened the previous night, and I only found out at 5 pm the next day).
The next day, I woke up, and Ella dropped me off at the bus that went back to Bristol Airport. Traveling back to Bristol was very easy. I got on my EasyJet flight to Copenhagen, and we were off!
Upon landing in Copenhagen:
I got a new stamp on my passport!
Figured out the public transit system (it was ridiculously easy) (NYC should take notes)
I made my way to Cece’s student accommodation
Found Cece
Rejoiced!
Cece made me Nutella and toast on the most delicious bread in the world (it was sourdough)
We went to this place called Tivoli to look at the lights (pictures attached; don’t even panic)
They also had rollercoaster rides, which seemed awesome
We got roasted nuts
I bought a super cool, awesome sweater
I also bought many a postcard (they were so cool looking)
After Tivoli, Cece and I met with Sally and Abbey (two other Batesies) for mini pizzas!
It was delicious
The next day, Cece got up super early for class, and after that, I met her at a pastry shop with Sally
We got traditional Danish pastries (they were SO good. I dream about them sometimes) (Can you tell I’m hungry?)
We also sat next to a woman from Birmingham who was on vacation in Copenhagen, and she started chatting with us about studying abroad and teaching French
A Danish man in line also joined in on our conversation
We later had a conversation about how similar the Danish man looked to Owen Fox-Whelpton
Following the pastries from heaven, Cece, Sally, and I went thrifting!
Sally was finding everything.
She found me new sneakers!
I was struggling to do the price conversions from DKK to USD, but eventually, I got the hang of it
Cece skipped her Danish class to hang out with me (love u fr, dude)
We walked around a bit and got Copenhagen hot dogs
They were also delicious
Cece dropped all her toppings on the floor, though
Then Cece had to go on a 5-hour field trip, so I was all by my lonesome
Don’t fret, though! I made the most of my time!
I walked up and down the round tower, which was incredible and super unique (it is a tower with no stairs, just a winding ramp to the top)
There was an exhibit on coral reefs in there too? So I checked that out.
After that, I walked to Nyhavn (picturesque Copenhagen street next to the canal)
I was really struggling to pronounce this word (please don’t ask me to say it; I still don’t know)
Then I walked from Nyhavn to Christiania, which is kind of a commune? I’m not sure, but it was cool to walk through!
After that, I was beat and just walked back to Cece’s accommodation
I read a bunch of my book (Babel) and caught up on some work
Cece told me to meet her at a restaurant after her field trip, so I made my way over there
It was a pasta place that didn’t take reservations, so you would get there, write your name on a board, and wait
It was kinda cool
Cece and I made it in and got food, and it was delicious
Following dinner, we went back to Cece’s place and watched Challengers, which was fantastic
And just like that, my visit to Copenhagen was over
It was time to go back to Dublin!
I packed my bag (with great difficulty because I got many things in Copenhagen)
I took the Metro back to the airport
I got pastries (because, duh)
Then I sat in a coffee shop and read Babel and waited until they announced my gate number
I also freaked out about Babel because the plot was really picking up, and I was so excited
I got on my RyanAir flight back to Dublin (once again, praying they would not mention the size of my bag, and they didn’t!)
I sat in an aisle seat (I’m growing up!)
We touched down in Dublin, and I booked it back to UCD because I had visitors!
I would keep going because there is more to say, but this newsletter is already VERY long. So, I’m going to cap it here and give you a recap of the past week in another letter, along with my reflection on the election (that rhymes). For good reason, too, because many things happened last week and deserve to be addressed in great detail.
In any case, I hope you are all doing well (or as well as you can be doing). I really, really love hearing from all of you, and if I don’t immediately respond to your emails, rest assured, I will eventually.
With all my love and plenty of hugs,
Tamrin
Timmy Two Shoes
