I made it! It's been such a crazy adventure getting here. Honestly I don't even know how everything worked out so well with making all of my connections. The rest of the train ride went smoothly, and a girl who is also participating in the certificate course came and picked me up. County Cork is so beautiful with all of its rolling hills! There is also a fair amount of farmland here with a lot of hay being grown. It has been so fun both getting to know the people who have already arrived and the area around Ballymaloe. The area where the students will be staying is so beautiful too! There are four cottages with 6 - 10 or so students in them. In my cottage (called the Barn), we had a light meal provided for us made up of a chicken and pork tagine (like a meatloaf made with just meat and some herbs I think), pumpkin soup, bread, and some cucumbers. I tried some normal, "glutenous" bread and so far so good! Hopefully I'll be able to make it through all of the gluten and dairy I'll be having this fall. We can't really see the sea from the farm, but I plan on going there soon! After dinner I went around the grounds and explored a little bit. There are so many quaint gardens connected to one another around here - Ballymaloe is such a charming place! The other students I've met so far have been really easy to talk to and get to know. So far, there's only one guy and 6 or so girls that I've gotten to know a little bit, and they all seem like they are going to be really fun to be with. I have loved picking out the differences in how British people and American people talk. One of the main things I've noticed is that they say "yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah" several times really fast while an American would probably just say "yeah" once. I'm so excited to be amongst such like-minded people and really get to know them! I guess 12 weeks won't be so bad. :) Now its time to rest up and meet everyone else in the course coming tomorrow. I can't wait!!
Until next time,
Livvy
Until next time,
Livvy