From London, England to Dublin, Ireland...

Hello All!

Well, if you haven’t heard I’m embarking (or rather have embarked) on an adventure of a lifetime, moved to Ireland to teach and live! I was kicking around England with my good friends Travis and Trista from Saskatoon last week, there was a bit of chaos and confusion when I first arrived in London but eventually I found them!

Travis and Trista had planned to go to London quite a while ago to see the BBC Proms Concerts in London, and because of my plans to move to Ireland we decided to get together! I stayed in London with them for a night and even went to one of their BBC Proms concerts, it was an amazing experience. The next day we rented a car and drove to Stone Henge. It’s pretty stunning and huge, unfortunately you can’t get close and touch the rocks but we did find another Henge in the area where we could get very close to the rocks.

We drove a lot, and I have to tell you, I’ve really missed driving on the left hand side of the road. And those round-abouts, absolutely brilliant! They really work! We wanted to explore more of the coast line and checked out some small towns near the ocean. I can’t remember the names of the towns but we did a winery tour, took a hike to find an old church and then went to this cool town with a beautiful beach and a fair with games and rides.

By far the highlight of the England (and Wales, yes, I didn’t know they were different countries, now I do) was finding Karaoke in a small town called Avenbury, Wales. It was a total fluke, we were just trying to find a B&B to stay the night and head out somewhere for a drink and some food. I apparently have this innate sense for Karaoke (I’m pretty sure it’s a sign that I need to be in Japan). I sang a few songs, we chatted it up with the locals and get this, an Englishman comes up to me and asks if I’m Canadian! Then he asks if I’m from the mid-west, I’m in shock. I asked him how he knew and he said it was just by listening to me. Apparently he’s been in the Navy, traveled the world and met many Canadians. Travis and I had an enlightening chat with him and he gave me his contact info if I’m ever in the area again, fantastic!

I had to leave them on a Wednesday evening to take a 13 hour bus/ferry ride from London to Dublin. It was an experience, it was cheap, and the toilet was broken on the bus! After riding all night and getting maybe 3 hours of sleep I went to Maynooth to complete the process of getting my Irish teaching certificate. I submitted everything (I made sure to phone months ago and ask about all the documents I needed) and after a few days I went back to see if it was all in order and was informed I needed more detail in certain areas. So I phoned the University of Saskatchewan and the Alberta Teacher Certificate place and was able to get them to email me the additional information in the form of letters. I made my 3rd and final trip back to Maynooth and they accepted my application, so now I can teach in Ireland (legally that is). I’ve sent out 17 applications, 15 for teaching and 2 others for jobs misc. jobs.

I’ve been hostel jumping, it’s been great! I’ve met so many amazing people from all over the world. At the Ashfield Hostel (which by far has been the best, free wireless!) we had a pool/billiards mini Olympics with Canada, USA, France and Israel representing, unfortunately USA won. Afterwards we drank a lot and that didn’t really matter anymore, haha. It amazes me how people from all parts of the world decide to leave their country and travel, then we meet up and are able to connect because we actually have a lot in common and have a great time! I’m not sure I really expected this, I’m not sure I really knew what to expect, but it’s been unbelievable. That’s not to say I haven’t considered throwing in the towel and coming home, I’m pretty sure I almost had a breakdown, after my second trip to get my Irish Teaching Certificate I wasn’t sure I could make a go of this. I pressed on, made phone calls, did what I needed to on the internet and most importantly met people and drank Guinness! So I’m still in go mode.

I’ve also been calling people up that friends from Canada have told me I should phone when I get to Ireland. I met up with Rob (a good friend of Patrick’s) for pints, or rather he met up with me at the Celt while I was with a bunch of people I just met. After the Celt (and after I dropped my Guinness, I swear I wasn’t that drunk, some girl was dancing and knocked it out of my hand, and wouldn’t even buy me a new one!) Rob took us to a few different pubs and showed us around. Good times!

I also went out for pints with a really nice couple (Carmen and her husband, who’s name I can’t spell) who live in Dublin and were contacted by my hairdressers co-worker to contact me and show me a good time. Well, if that isn’t crazy enough, I’m in my hostel (The Four Courts Hostel) and there’s an American girl (Emily) from Chicago in the bunk above me, we start to chat and I invite her out with us. Carmen and her husband picked us up, took us to a great pub just outside the city centre and showed us a good time. I’m going to go over to their place today for a BBQ.

During my time in Dublin, between getting my Irish Teaching Certificate and drinking Guinness I’ve been able to see many sights including visiting the Brewery for the second time in my life, oh how I missed it! Did I mention I love GUINNESS! Besides the Brewery the other sites I’ve enjoyed have been walking all over Dublin with one of my many new international friends, Megan. We went and saw a Crypt with mummies and even got to touch one. They’re preserved because below St. Michan’s Church there is the perfect atmosphere. Went to the National Gallery here in Dublin, and the Natural History Museum where I was taking many pictures (funny poses with stuffed animals) and then was told I wasn’t allowed to take any, oops!

So now my plan is to take a bus to Galway on Monday, I’ve enjoyed my time in Dublin, but I’d rather be a in smaller centre where the living is cheaper and I’m closer to the Cliffs of Moher (Audrey, you know what I’m talking about). I’ve been chatting with a lot of people and they’ve told me there’s much opportunity there. I’m going to get there, check the papers and just go school to school network and sell myself (oh ya, breaking it down Old School!). All I’m looking for are short contracts or substitute teaching.

Well, that about sums up my time here so far, I’m going to start a blog site so I can post pictures. I’m sure missing everyone, hope all is well. Send me a message, I’d love to hear what’s happening around your part of the world.

Take care,
Stephen Horyn