We've arrived! Greetings from beautiful Dublin, Ireland! We're all admittedly a little jet-lagged at this point, but we're pushing forward. The weather is holding nicely (sorry Minnesota) and everyone is in great spirits.
After we checked in, we had an excellent breakfast of coffee and pastries at a little cafe called Oscars, which was followed by a walkabout of the neighborhood we're staying in.
One of our host coordinators, Seonna, discussed the history of Dublin with us. The city is over 1000 years old and was originally settled by the Vikings. Much of the city is built around the River Liffey, and the varying architectural styles speak to the multiple cultural and identity changes Dublin has experienced, particularly over the last thirty years. During our walkabout, we had the opportunity to check out a local food market and get some groceries for our apartments. Tonight we're being treated to dinner at The Brazen Head, which is the oldest pub in Dublin, dating back to 1198.
Tomorrow is a big day. We have two student presentations bright and early, followed by a guided tour to learn more about many scientific innovations coming out of Dublin. We're also headed to Trinity College to learn more about the campus and see The Book of Kells.
