Dunkle Wäsche

What a beautiful day! I cannot quite get it through my head that it is indeed January. These 40 & 50 degree temps are throwing me off, but I can't complain. Yesterday walking to the university I was too warm in a jacket, leaving me to walk in a thin long sleeved shirt. No jacket for today either. With the sun out it feels like May.

For the first time since arriving in Ireland Abby C and I decided to do laundry. Ouch! €5 euro to do a very small load. At least we weren't here first semester when it was even worse, costing €6! We made our way down the stairs with laundry in hand only to find a washer with German settings. Dunkle Wäsche? Frottierwasche? Gardinen? What in the world do these settings mean!? The only word on the dial we recognized was "jeans" so naturally we chose it. Thankfully our dark load of laundry came out just fine. By the way, just incase you were wondering we should have selected Dunkle Wäsche, meaning Dark Wash. While racking my brain trying to figure out what the settings meant I wished Mike were there with his German language skills. At least our laundry is finally clean. Oh by the way tur means door. I didn't know this and just about wet my pants when I pushed it and the door came flying open.

German Washing Machine

     The washing machines here are tiny! Abby C and I were quite disappointed to pay €5  for such a small load. Aurelie explained to us that in France they are even smaller and her mothers washing machine at home is even smaller than most in France! I imagine she only washes 2-3 shirts at a time. Abby C and I explained this was certainly not the case in the states. Amazed at the size of our washing machines Aurelie told us she has never seen one so large.

Tiny Washing Machine

     On my walk to school each morning I pass this sign and decided to share it with you. In the U.S. you wouldn't want to park somewhere illegally in fear of being towed, but apparently in Ireland you would be clamped. Sounds much more violent then towed, I would be afraid to find my car crushed or with a hole in it, if someone told me it had been clamped. Not to mention the hefty €200 fee along with it.

      One of the hardest adjustments has been my craft withdrawals. I love to create things and make crafts, however Ireland is not very crafty. A missionary, from the states, at Galway City Baptist told me they are slowly getting into crafts, but supplies are hard to find and when you are able to they are quite expensive. I have definitely found this to be true. Today I was finally able to find a set of Crayola colored pencils, but I can't quite get myself to spend money on colored pencils when I could be spending it on traveling. I'm sure my father is having a heart attack reading this, because he has banned me from ever buying colored pencils again....let's just say we have a few laying around our house. I love you daddy :  ) I did however find a set of some of my favorite pens. Jordyn I thought you would appreciate this

     Here's a picture from my walk I took the other day. Expecting the road to wind back through the countryside I was disappointed to find it leading to residential homes and a few businesses. Oh well maybe another adventure another day I'll find more of the countryside.

     Lastly, I'll end today's post with a little trip down memory lane. One year ago today was the first time Kayla told Michael and I about one another. I must admit I never thought we would be dating. God works in funny ways

Michael came for New Years to send me off.

With Love from Galway